(Boulder, Colo.) - Two major businesses, a religious center, a school and an education center are teaming up with Boulder County to research the feasibility of using woody biomass – including wood material from mountain pine beetle kill – as a sustainable fuel source. (more…)
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid
Michael Morris, Chairman and CEO of American Electric Power, believes that the U.S. electrical grid is capable of supporting up to 60 million plug-in hybrid vehicles right now. In a speech at the Detroit Economic Club, the chief of the biggest electricity supplier in the United States said that up to 20 percent of the U.S. vehicle fleet could be switched over to plug-in capability and the grid would be fine. Like other proponents of plug-in vehicles, Morris feels that PHEVs would actually help improve load balancing on the grid if they are plugged in during off-peak hours. Of course, getting the maximum benefit from this would require large numbers of plug-ins, as well as implementation of smart meters that could optimize charging during those off-peak times while limiting the load during the day. Such meters could also potentially support vehicle-to-grid technology. Ford is currently testing a plug-in version of the Escape hybrid with Southern California Edison while GM plans to introduce a plug-in version of the Saturn Vue 2-Mode hybrid in late 2009, followed by the Volt in 2010. Toyota will also start fleet tests of a plug-in Prius in 2010.
[Source: Ward's Auto World]
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We American are at present living with the prospect of paying more than $5 a Gallon for gas. It has turned our mode of life upside down.
We at house housedna.com are working to bring to life, the old joy of driving, by paying 40 cents a gallon of gas. It will be a pleasure going around in your car for grocery buying, long distance travel, neighborhood driving and vacationing, etc. We have a ready solution, with our concept of plug-in-electric station. (more…)
Sun Run has come up with a "solar as a service" model, where you don't need to buy the panels, they install and maintain them, and you just pay a low monthly utility. Could this be what gets solar out there far and wide?
Need a new addition to accommodate your family’s new addition? Or maybe you’re just looking to update the look of your kitchen or bathroom. Here's how to improve the air quality, energy efficiency, and comfort of your home while saving you a fortune on future energy, water, sewer, and maintenance bills.
Filed under: EV/Plug-in
Click image for photo gallery of the UPS EV van
Last weekend, reader Andrew Grin accompanied a friend on one of the NY-area Tesla Roadster test drives that were being held (his friend has a Roadster reserved). Following the experience with the EV sports car, Andrew and his buddies spotted a somewhat peculiar UPS truck parked across the street from the garage where the Tesla was dropped off. The big delivery truck had "Zero Emission Electric Vehicle" emblazoned on its side panels. A walk to the front also showed a blank spot where the radiator grille would normally reside. They quizzed the truck's driver, who told them that it's one of two of its kind in New York City, and that it has a 15-mile range. The photos below come courtesy of Andrew, who happened to have his camera on hand to capture the Tesla drive. Turns out, he caught another interesting EV with it as well. Thanks, Andrew!
[Source & Photos: Andrew Grin]
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Filed under: EV/Plug-in
There are plenty of you readers who write in to us regularly to inquire about where you can buy an electric vehicle. Unfortunately affordable EVs are few and far between from regularly manufacturers. There are however, some home-built vehicles that are available for those who care to peruse the listings of sites like Craigslist and eBay. While some of these are conversions from existing vehicles others are ground up builds. This particular listing concerns the latter. Someone in Dubois PA is offering up a battery powered trike that brings new meaning to minimalist. Good luck getting this machine registered for use on the road anywhere, but if you are interested in getting something to play around with, this might be a decent place to start.[Source: Craigslist]
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Showering and shaving... these are daily activities for many of us, and they take their toll environmentally. Simran Sethi and Sarah Smarsh take a look at the lifecycle of our morning routines.
Filed under: Celebrities
Quentin Tarantino, well known for bringing back John Travolta for Act 2 of his career, this time is starting with two guys in the prime of their career. Variety reports that he's pursuing A-list eco-stars Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio for the starring roles in his next film, Inglorious Bastards.
It's nice to know that the next Tarantino violence-fest will be funding green initiatives, in a roundabout way. Leo, at least, is rumored to be playing against type as a Nazi named Hans Landa. I'm guessing that's the villain, but you really never know with Quentin.
Not sure about who Brad's playing, but since it's filming in Germany and France, he sounds perfect for the role.
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