Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Pacific Region

Beautiful beaches and a perfect climate are not enough for the citizens of the South Pacific islands of Fiji. Apparently, they desire cars that are quiet and don't emit pollution as well. If the Korean electric vehicle maker, CT and T, gets its way, that desire will be fulfilled. The company, which is supplying some of the cars for the Beijing Olympics, has announced its intention to build a factory on Fijian soil to supply the islands with all the little electric cars it could ever want -- and then some. Since New Zealand and Australia are only hours away, it has already occurred to planners that they could be competitive in those markets as well.

The CT and T e-zone (pictured above) is likely the vehicle of choice for the project. This seemingly simple car has four wheel independent suspension, a rigid aluminum frame, and meets some European and American safety standards. It also has a few interesting options, including lithium ion batteries, an airbag, and even in-wheel motors. Its 60 mile+ range with the lithium option makes it a capable, clean choice for the island paradise. Check out the promotional video after the break

[Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation]

Continue reading Fiji targeted for Korean electric car factory

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Does anybody make casseroles anymore? I'll be the first to admit that just the sound of the word is enough to give me flashbacks to the potato chip-sprinkled, tuna and cream of mushroom soup concoctions that were so popular when I was growing up. They were enough to drive a kid to vegetarianism, which, now that I think of it, is a point in their favor.

But maybe it's time that we vegans take it upon ourselves to change the casserole's image. After all, potatoes, grains, and pasta--all naturally vegan ingredients--are the backbones of most casseroles, and without the artery-clogging meat, cheese, cream, and cream of this-or-that soup, casseroles can actually be healthy (and easy) main dishes. The one drawback that I can see is having to turn on the oven during these hot summer months, but I justify that by doing all my cooking in the oven at the same time. Case in point, this potato casserole: roast a big pan of vegetables at the same time, add a green salad, and you'll have a complete meal without having to use the stove at all.

The recipe was inspired by all those potato, cheese, and ham concoctions of yesteryear, but instead of cheese I use a variation on the sauce from Macaroni and Cheeze, and instead of ham I substitute a simplified version of tempeh bacon. To be honest, the tempeh breaks down so that it's like neither ham nor bacon, but crumbly and delicious in its own right. Though the recipe looks complicated, once you've got the casserole assembled, it practically cooks itself; you'll have plenty of time to toss a salad, pour yourself a glass of wine or juice, and kick back and enjoy the aromas wafting from your oven.

One more thing: The family says to tell you that this recipe is kid-friendly and husband-approved...which is a good thing because you'll probably have enough leftovers for the whole family's lunch the next day.



Golden Potato and Tempeh Casserole
(printer-friendly version)

Fresh tarragon gives this casserole a real spark of flavor, but if you don't have it or don't enjoy tarragon, you can leave it out.

Tempeh Ingredients:
6-8 ounces tempeh
1 cup vegetable broth
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon Liquid Smoke
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

Sauce Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups water
1 cup plain, unsweetened soymilk
3/4 cup nutritional yeast
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon stoneground mustard
1/2 teaspoon Spanish paprika
1 pinch cayenne
2 tablespoons tahini
2 teaspoons white miso
1 teaspoon fresh tarragon, snipped (optional)

1 1/2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes
black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon vegan Parmesan (optional)

Slice the tempeh about 1/4-inch thick. In a flat, microwavable baking dish arrange the tempeh slices in a single layer. Mix the remaining ingredients and pour over the tempeh.

In the microwave, cook on high power for 3 minutes. Turn or rearrange any pieces that were not covered by broth and microwave on high for 2 minutes. Then cook at 50% power for 3 more minutes. Allow the tempeh to stay in the broth until you're ready to assemble the casserole.

Make the sauce by putting all the sauce ingredients except the tarragon into a blender and blending until completely pureed. Stir in the tarragon just before using the sauce.

Preheat the oven to 400F. Oil a large, 3-quart casserole (or use two smaller casseroles). Wash the potatoes and cut them in half lengthwise. Slice each half into 1/4-inch slices.

Put half of the potato slices in the bottom of the casserole dish. Lift the tempeh out of its marinade and arrange it on top. Put the remaining potatoes over the tempeh. Stir the sauce and pour it over the potatoes. Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper and cover tightly.

Bake for 45 minutes. Remove the cover, sprinkle with vegan Parmesan, and bake for 10-15 more minutes, until potatoes are tender and sauce has thickened. Remove from the oven and let stand a few minutes before serving.

Makes 6-8 servings. One sixth of the recipe provides 281 Calories (kcal); 6g Total Fat; (18% calories from fat); 18g Protein; 42g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 839mg Sodium; 6g Fiber. Weight Watchers: 5 Flex Points.

Filed under: MPG

There are a number of devices on the market that can plug into a car's OBD II diagnostic communication port to extract vehicle data. The latest to appear is PLX Devices' Kiwi. Unlike most of the others, which simply display raw mileage data, the Kiwi apparently logs a variety of vehicle information such as throttle and brake data. It uses this in combination with the mileage info to analyze your driving style and give you advice on how to get the most out of a gallon of fuel. It also includes a "Drive Green" mode with some lessons and challenges to test your driving and help you learn more efficient techniques. The cellphone-sized device is currently available for $299, but that introductory price is a limited-time deal and it'll eventually rise to $399. Check out the video after the jump.

[Source: EcoGeek]

Continue reading VIDEO: New PLX Kiwi helps drivers maximize their efficiency

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Filed under: Hybrid

New York-based real estate developer and property management company, RexCorp, is trying to influence the behavior of people who work at the office buildings it owns. As part of a larger conservation initiative, RexCorp is now offering prime parking spaces to drivers who chose to drive a hybrid vehicle. The company's office in Hauppauge, NY has a half-dozen parking spots near the front door with green stripes marked "hybrid only." Similar spaces have been provided (or soon will be) at other RexCorp properties on Long Island and in New Jersey. Hybrid drivers like the new perk, but apparently some other drivers are not thrilled about the bias toward the green cars. 27-year-old Tisha Montalvo, an accounts-payable coordinator who works at the Hauppauge property, told Newsday, "Just because [employees] have a hybrid doesn't mean their legs don't work." This seems like a trend that might start catching on elsewhere in near future.

[Source: Newsday]

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Filed under: Gadgets and Tech, Green by the Numbers, Climate Change

A while ago American Public Media's Center for Innovation in Journalism came up with a game called "Consumer Consequences." The idea is to figure out how many earth's would be needed if everyone lived like you lived.

The game is straightforward. You select the type of place you live, the amount of space you live in, the way you commute, travel and use energy and the way you dispose of all that energy. Along the way boxes appear letting you know how you might further conserve energy.

It takes just under four earths to live like me, though the number is likely higher. I said I recycle 90-percent of all the plastics and other recyclable materials I use. Really, I'm being too kind to myself. I can't recycle my plastic strawberry cartons, all of my prescription bottles or the caps to any of my plastic bottles. Likely, there are other ways I'm kidding myself about energy use. Nonetheless, it's an interesting exercise.

Here's where to play Consumer Consequences.

 

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Manufacturing/Plants, Audi

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Audi Metroproject quattro concept

Volkswagen had been expected to make a decision this week on where it would build its new US plant,and an announcement should come soon. And what of Audi? Rupert Stadler, the division's CEO, told a German newspaper this week that it would not make a final decision on building a dedicated US factory until next spring. Audi could end up just building cars at the Volkswagen factory, since some of its cars share their underlying architecture with VW models.

One new Audi that won't be coming to the US is the upcoming A1, a premium small car meant to compete with the MINI. Unfortunately, building such a car in Europe and exporting to the US is apparently not an option. Thanks to the weak dollar, the car would likely be too expensive. Even the current entry level Audi, the Golf-based A3, is proving a tough sell with its $26,000 starting price. Instead, Audi will focus on larger cars like the A4 and Q5, which can be sold at prices that allow them to be profitable. Stadler did say that the company plans to join VW in offering an electric car early in the next decade, but he gave no further details.


Source: Automotive News - Sub. req'd]

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Filed under: Polit-eco

On Friday, the Bush administration decided not to pursue the regulation of greenhouse gases. This comes despite the recent G-8 summit at which he agreed to a policy declaration seeking a 50% reduction by 2050.

Why? They claim that such measures would be too hard on the economy.

Bush's Environmental Protection Agency, in a 588-page federal notice discussing whether global warming poses a threat to people's health, miraculously made no finding.

This document backtracks from common sense and science, as well as an earlier determination in December that found that such gases were a danger to our health and welfare. It also reverses previous drafts from May and June that stated that the Clean Air Act could be used effectively to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The EPA made the determination that the Clean Air Act is no longer an effective means of regulating greenhouse gases. They cited several set-backs and road-blocks they had faced when attempting to take measures to reduce gases, claiming in a letter that the burdens were "insurmountable" and not worth the "likely limited benefits of using the Clean Air Act." Basically, they want to quit because it was hard.

Although they listed some possible methods by which gases might be reduced, EPA-administrator Stephen Johnson passed the bag, saying "it is really at the feet of Congress."

Which is just great, considering Congress has yet to be able to win a majority of votes supporting the regulation of greenhouse gases. In fact, despite many hearings, not a single bill has been put to vote.

Even though Bush's daughter Sophia has claimed that she'll never again date a man who isn't green-minded, and his recent support of bio-fuels, he has effectively taken a hands-off approach to environmental policy-making, leaving the decision up to the next elected administration.

Frank O'Donnell, president of the environmental advocacy group Clean Air Watch, claims that "the White House...is only attempting to stall any kind of clean up" and that it appears that "the Bush administration is trying to ignore the Supreme Court and to pretend it doesn't exist."

Sometimes, I pretend that my asthma doesn't exist, but I think I need some more coaching.

Says the chairman of the House Select Committee on Global Warming, Rep Edward Markey, "the White House has taken an earnest attempt by their own climate experts to respond to the Supreme Court's mandate to address global warming pollution and turned it into a Frankenstein's monster."

 

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Filed under: Activism, Climate Change

It seems next to impossible to join the 2,000 mile club nowadays. There seems barely enough room for a kiss after takeoff. What's an adult to do in her quest for adventure and nearly impossible exploits?

Join the 2,000 watt society. It may be like the Olympics of energy consumption. How does one efficiently shave off a quarter of a second in the race to save energy?

Two thousand watts is the figure that each person could consume annually and maintain sustainable carbon consumption. Instead of further depleting fossil fuels and increasing greenhouse gases societies would be able to maintain the resources remaining.

Currently, Americans consume 12,000 watts. The usage includes heating, driving, lighting, powering, public transport, etc. Western Europeans use an average of 6,000 watts and Chinese people use roughly 1500 watts currently.

The society was formed by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. Its first project was in the city of Basel. the goal was to cut reliance on fossil fuels; make buildings and transportation more energy efficient; and use instead of own things like vehicles.

The 2,000 watt goal, according to the organizations that support the mission, is possible. In meeting the goal, some buildings in Basel have thicker walls and absolutely no heating and cooling system. Instead, solar panels and tinted glass help absorb or reflect heat from the building. Bodies are another source of actual heat. People are encouraged to walk or bike to work and rent a vehicle when they need to transport a major purchase or go a long distance. Geothermal heating is used as is wind power.

Air travel can easily bump a user over the figure. But the proposition of cutting energy consumption in a numeric fashion is an interesting one. It provides not just the vague promise that unplugging your television or walking to work or buying local food will save energy, but the figure that will lead to a sustainable carbon consumption level.

 

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This elusive, giant wonder lurks in the sandy bottoms of large rivers and estuaries. Studies to date are inadequate, and population size is unknown, although recently, fishing numbers have declined.

Should you find yourself in the rivers of tropical Australia, Thailand, or the Fly River Basin in New Guinea or the Mahakam River Basin of Borneo, you might unknowingly be gliding over a ray up to 197 inches long, with up to a 95 inch wing diameter, weighing up to 1323 pounds.

The creature has a whip-like, venomous tail that is mainly used in self defense, as it eats small fish. It has small eyes and a large snout, with a lighter underbelly than its brown back.

First born rays are thought to be about 30 cm across, although inbreeding due to habitat destruction can lead to low birth weights, decreased fertility, and death.

The destruction of forest canopy in Thailand is causing droughts upstream and flooding downstream during monsoon season, and dams are interfering with the breeding of migratory fish, aka, their prey.

In Australia, it is theorized that the silt from uranium mines, containing heavy metals and radio-isotopes might be negatively affecting the rays, although to what extent it is unknown.

Currently, conservation efforts are limited to the creation of studies intended to learn more about the population size and distribution, as well as the ecology, one of which is being funded by the Australian government.

 

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Filed under: Etc., EV/Plug-in, Tesla Motors

Click to enlarge

A super-double-secret source deep within the bowels of the Tesla Motors engineering operation in San Carlos CA, has risked life and job to provide you, the readers of AutoblogGreen, with an early look at the upcoming Model S. While Tesla claims that unlike the Roadster, the Model S is a new, from-the-ground-up design. Nonetheless, the Model S clearly draws design inspiration from other cars, although those elements have been blended in a remarkably seamless fashion. Like the Dodge Magnum powertrain mule we saw a few days ago, the Model S appears to have a very long wheelbase. Overall, its shape is very aerodynamic, but judging from the large front air intakes, the latest battery pack still requires quite a bit of cooling. While the design has reportedly been approved for production in 2010 by Elon Musk and the board, some additional tweaking is still possible before Job 1. It sure would be interesting to see how Henrick Fisker's proposal compared to this one. Follow the jump for more secret details on Model S.

[Source: Wouldn't you like to know!]

Continue reading Super-secret photo of Tesla Whitestar leaks out of San Carlos

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