Filed under: MPG, Chevrolet

In perhaps the most obvious move of the decade, MarketWatch is reporting that GM will in fact bring the upcoming Chevy Beat to the U.S. market. The Beat was one of a trio of mini-car concepts that appeared at the New York Auto Show in 2007. GM announced last November in Los Angeles that the Beat would be produced but refused to commit to bringing it to the US market. What GM has said is that all new models from anywhere in the corporation are being engineered using a global development process to meet all regulatory requirements around the world. At its debut, the Beat was listed as having a 1.2L turbocharged engine. If GM does indeed bring it here it could be powered by an upcoming turbocharged direct injected three cylinder set to be produced at the Flint engine plant. GM desperately needs a car like this to compete in a $4/gallon market and meet new CAFE requirements.

[Source: MarketWatch]

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Filed under: Ethanol, Legislation and Policy, South/Latin America, USA

Fourth of July equals fireworks, parades and, if the Brazilian sugarcane growers - represented by UNICA, the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association - get their way, a reduced or eliminated ethanol import tariff. UNICA is calling on the U.S. Congress to eliminate the 54-cent tariff on each imported gallon of ethanol. Doing so, they argue, would reduce the cost of using cars for U.S. drivers as UNICA's "Are We There Yet?" campaign will try to prove. After all, UNICA says, the ethanol tariff is a relic from 1980 and was never meant to be permanent anyway.

UNICA's website, which features the oh-so-subtle graphic seen above, doesn't highlight how badly American ethanol producers would be hurt by letting Brazilian ethanol flow more cheaply in U.S. pumps. Still, if cheaper gas is the result, then I'm sure not many drivers will really care where their fuel comes from (see also *cough* Wal-Mart *cough* China). Read more after the jump.

[Source: UNICA]

Continue reading UNICA says 4th of July is the right time to end ethanol tariffs

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Discount electronics company VIzio has announced that they’ve cut the power consumption of their televisions in half. But that’s a long way from being green…

Vizio–best known for offering cut rates on HDTVs–has rolled out a new television technology in time for the energy crisis to peak this summer, and hopefully draw panicked Americans their way. While each individual set draws almost 50% less power than the competing brands–a 35 inch model will only use 55 watts, amounting to an average savings of 107 kWh, annually, cutting the average utility bill by five dollars.

This is Great News, Right?

Maybe, and maybe not. While the technical advances are certainly something to be hailed–after all, you don’t see Sony, or Panasonic, or anybody else making this announcement, and it’s not because they’re not trying–it’s always on environmentalists to step back, look, at the larger picture, and call out greenwashing. Vizio? Unfortunately, this doesn’t look good for Ladanian Tomlinson’s brand of choice.

Vizio And The Great Greenwash

VIzio is an American brand, and is based in Irvine, California. While this would seem to speak well–at least the money is generating revenue in the American economy– the factory isn’t anywhere near the corporate suits. Vizio instead relies on a contract manufacturer called Amtran, which is based out of Taiwan and Suzhuo, China. So despite the dramatically reduced power consumption of the TVs, they’re still traveling over half of the planet to reach consumers. Worse still, while they’re at that factory, Vizio has given no indication that the processes used in building these televisions have become any more eco-friendly than they were at the inception; a menagerie of corrosives and toxic solvents are used in manufacturing.

But what about after that? They’ll have a long life with the consumer, saving tons of power over a lifetime, right? Not quite. Vizio represents one of the least-reliable televisions on the market based on rate of returns and customer complaints. And after their sets fail? The corporate recycling program is an anachronism, long left in the dust by Sony, Toshiba, and others. This is greenwashing in its most pure form.

More Reading

Vizio “Green” TVs Cut Power Consumption In Half (PC World)
Can Syntax-Brillian Compete With Vizio? (Seeking Alpha)

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Filed under: Diesel, Volvo

click above image for high-res gallery of the Volvo C30 Efficiency

In what sounds like an extremely unsurprising move, Volvo is planning on introducing more small cars and more diesel engines. Certainly, timing could not be better as small cars are handily outselling their larger, less fuel-efficient older brothers. Diesel engines are beginning to make a comeback of sorts in the U.S. market as Volkswagen, long the only automaker still holding the inexpensive diesel flag in the states, has reintroduced its TDI engine and such automakers as BMW and Porsche are planning on offering oil burners to their customers shortly. We would absolutely be ecstatic to see a vehicle like the C30 Efficiency concept, which was shown off at the last Motor Show in Frankfurt, introduced to the U.S. market. That concept car, with its 1.6 liter diesel engine, posted extremely good fuel economy numbers of over fifty miles per gallon. Sounds like just what the doctor ordered, wouldn't you agree?

[Source: Just-Auto - sub. req'd]

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Filed under: Hybrid, BMW, Lightweight

BMW is certainly no fan of the new corporate average fuel economy regulations and for the most part the new fifth generation 7-series debuting this fall is a big middle finger salute to the whole premise. Nonetheless, BMW is incorporating some technology to help the fuel efficiency of its flagship. The Munich carmaker is using aluminum for much of the suspension to help reign in the mass. The 7 is also expected to eventually get either the Two-Mode or mild hybrid systems that it has in development. So far the only vehicle that BMW has committed to equipping with the Two-Mode is the X6. The 7's main competitor, the Mercedes S-class, is getting the mild hybrid system that the two companies have co-developed.

At launch however, American customers are likely to only have one engine choice, the 4.4L twin-turbo V-8 that recently debuted in the X6. Elsewhere, drivers will also have the option of six cylinder gas and diesel engines. BMW has yet to announce any diesel plans beyond the 335d and X5 that are coming this fall. Both sixes are already used in other U.S. BMW models so they could easily be added to the 7. Given the new CAFE rules, it seems likely that the hybrid and six cylinder models will come to the U.S. sooner rather than later.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

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A new scooter concept is designed around the task of hauling cargo in the most literal way possible–it’s a moped with a hole in it.

It’s been known since the device came into being that mopeds, scooters, and motorcycles are far more space- and fuel-efficient than cars and trucks.  They’re also dirt cheap compared to the four-wheeled behemoths we use to get aroud, most of which are a passable year’s salary.  So why are they clogging the streets of Asia but not here?

One Last, Final, Last George Carlin Tribute

The late great comedian was fond of pointing out one of the most basic obsessions of American society:  we’re bound, inexorably, to our stuff.  Books, electronics, Aunt Edna’s silverware, it doesn’t matter.  We’re so good at buying stuff that we need larger houses than the rest of the world just so we can fit all of our stuff inside.  The same logic seems to apply to most truck and SUV owners (car owners, this goes for you, too, but it’s easier to pick on SUVs), who have their mode of transport for daily driving built around the one time a year it will snow enough to use the four wheel drive, or when they have to help a friend move.  It’s going to take ages to get Americans to realize that they can have specialized vehicles, largely because right now it’s too expensive to be feasible.  Until then, is there any way to get the population on to a scooter, and drastically cut fuel consumption?

A Scooter With  A Hole In It!

Yes, that’s right:  if you’re worried about carrying around, say, a dishwasher, you no longer have to buy an SUV; you can just buy a scooter with a hole in it.  Keeping balance on this strikes us as an issue, but hey, if Chinese counter-terror cops can make Segways work, then we feel confident nothing bad is going to happen on a scooter.  And with that development, the possibilities really become limitless; the concept gallery even includes a model for DHL, the German shipping giant.  Will it come to fruition?  We don’t know, but consider the EcoTech Daily fingers to be crossed.

More Reading:

Scooting:  Cargo Scooter Concept Is A  Moped With A Hole (Gizmodo)
Cargo Scooter Concept By Eliott Ortiz (Photo Gallery) (Tuvie)

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Filed under: DaimlerChrysler, Mercedes Benz

To manage all of the green-flavored activities going on at Daimler, the company announced today that it has created a "Sustainability Board" at the upper management levels. This new board will be responsible for coordinating all of the "sustainability measures" (in the economy, ecology and society realms) at Daimler Group. Dr. Rüdiger Grube, Board of Management member of Daimler AG responsible for Group Development and Corporate Strategy, will lead the new board.

Daimler is also presenting a sustainability report called "360 Degrees" at the Magdeburg Environmental Forum (happening today and tomorrow) which highlights Daimler's sustainability and efficiency efforts. Let's see, do you think it mentions the BLUETEC SUVs and Mercedes' driver to purge gasoline from its lineup by 2015? Yes, yes it does. How about the Orion hybrid buses and more fuel cell news? Check.

[Source: Daimler]

Continue reading Daimler sets up sustainability board

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Filed under: Green Culture, On Two Wheels, Green Daily

Click above for high-res gallery of the Piaggio MP3 400 and 500

Finding yourself stuck in a truck? Gas guzzling got you down? You are certainly not alone. Though the most obvious thing to do would be to ditch the fuel-inefficient vehicle for a cheaper to run model, Fox Business has other ideas. Keep in mind that the current value of pickups, especially full-sizers, has dropped nearly as dramatically as the fuel prices have risen, so you're not likely to get what you owe, assuming you are still making payments. That's why getting out from under your purchase could end up costing you more than its worth.

If you're stuck with a gas-hog, what are your money-saving options? Umm... drive less. No, seriously. Consider public transportation and carpooling if possible. Ride your bike when its practical and even *gasp* walk. Of course, it's not always possible to walk or ride a bike to get where we need to go. Fox ends by suggesting a scooter as a second vehicle. It's worked out for lots of people already, but be sure to count that cost too before making any rash decisions. We're cycle fans who recognize the fun and low-costs associated with scooters, but safety and practicality cannot be ignored. Whatever you do, get used to it, 'cause gas isn't likely to begin dropping back down any time soon.

[Source: Fox Business]

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In the wake of next week’s G8 meeting in Japan, India released its first action plan for climate change (PDF) earlier this week.

The plan outlines eight national “missions” for sustainable development, including:

• solar energy;
• energy efficiency;
• creating a sustainable habitat;
• conserving water;
• preserving the Himalayan ecosystem;
• creating a

…

Filed under: Food, Home, Movies, TV and Books

Originally written in 1972, this book by Bradford Angier is timeless in every sense of the word. Hailed as "Mr. Outdoors", Angier was a forefather in the back-to-the-earth movement of the 60's and 70's. This book includes everything for people who simply want to learn about organic choices in farming their own small suburban yard, to those dedicated to living off the land entirely.

My favorite part of this book is how it's written from the perspective that you don't need to live hundreds of miles away from all civilization to be self-sufficient. Just as the title suggests, with one acre used wisely, you can provide for you and your family just as well. He covers everything from composting, raising animals, eating wild plants, harvesting bees for honey and much, much more. There's even a chapter on building your own log cabin! This book is definitely a must-read for anyone even considering a life more in-tune with Mother Earth.

 

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