Filed under: Etc., EV/Plug-in, Chevrolet, GM, Legislation and Policy, USA

While it seems the public must wait until September to get a glimpse of the final production version of the Chevy Volt, GM is letting John McCain cut to the front of the line to take a good look at the architecture that the company hopes will propel them into the next decade. The presumptive Republican presidential nominee was given a tour of the GM Design Center Dome at Warren, MI today where he later held a Town Hall meeting with hundreds of GM employees. We guess they're not holding that "Some of the jobs that have left the state of Michigan are not coming back," line from the primaries against him.

McCain seems not to caved to the auto industry's wishes on national emissions standards on this visit. Though last month he told the Detroit News that he would like a national standard that would make state standards unnecessary, today he clarified his position by saying, "I guess at the end of the day, I support the states being able to do that,[set their own standards]." He also recounted his earlier ideas for helping the industry get its groove back by giving $5,000 tax credits to low-emission vehicle purchasers and, of course, his $300 million battery challenge.

[Source: Detroit Free Press / The Detroit News via GM-Volt.com]

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Filed under: Food

Here's some news that you might like to know about before you get your weekend party on. According to the International Journal of Lifecycle Assessment, draft beer has a 68% lighter environmental impact than drinking from the old longneck. Because of it's bulk packaging, keg beer creates less waste over its lifecycle. So, according my calculations, skipping the Solo cup will reduce keg beer's lifecycle waste even further.

Of course, if you really want to green your drinking habits, going draft is just the tip of the green-drinking iceberg. The first and relatively easy choice is to start drinking organic beers, or at least start drinking locally made beers. Or, if possible, you could switch to a local and organic microbrew -- the best of both worlds. If you really want to get your hands dirty, and I mean literally, you can greatly reduce your beer-footprint by going the homebrew route. It's a bit of a chore, but we've got a step-by-step video explaining the process.

[via Treehugger]

 

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Filed under: Hybrid, Chevrolet, GMC

The EPA has posted the official mileage numbers for the new Two-Mode hybrid variants of the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickup trucks. The open bed crew-cab hybrid trucks scored the same numbers as their full bodye SUV siblings. The rear wheel drive models came in at 21/22 mpg city/hwy while the four drive models achieved 20/20 mpg. The conventional model with the same 6.0L V8 only manages 14 mpg in town and 19 on the highway in rear wheel drive form. The hardware on the pickups is the same as the existing 2008 hybrid SUVs although the powertrain engineers kept plugging away at the control software after releasing the SUVs. The updated software will also be incorporated into the upcoming Saturn Vue Two-mode and the 2009 Tahoe/Yukon.



[Source: EPA]

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Filed under: News, Alternative Energy

Where Loving, New Mex. and Pecos, Tex. meet the high winds do blow. West Texas is a region known for its oil wells, tiny towns and high winds. Some have said the winds trick up your left sleeve then scurry down your right pant leg before you've even felt their sharp lick.

Texas's Public Utility Commission will build several transmission lines that will cost $4.9 billion dollars and will feed power to urban areas. Nearly 4,000 wind turbines are in the region, by the end of the year PUC will begin construction on transmission lines to make more use of the turbines already there. Texas already leads the nation in wind energy production. Officials say the energy output will be greater than all 13 of the trailing states.

The project will likely be complete in three to four years.

In the next few years customers will be paying $3 to $4 more a month for electricity, but advocates believes that initial fee for the new transmission lines will soon be replaced by lower electricity expenses.



[via MSNBC and AP]

 

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Filed under: NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle), USA

Let's say that you are the enterprising sort. Let's also say that you are passionate about electric vehicle technology. You recently learned about a Chinese company that is producing what appear to be some very cool electric vehicles. Given that major OEMs in the US are not producing electric cars, and given that there appears to be a fair amount of consumer demand, you decide to take a chance. You see an opportunity and you take it. You build a company around this product and you start taking orders. There's one small problem, however. The company is not ready to ship the cars. Or there's a technological glitch. Or they're waiting for a new version of the battery. Whatever it is, your dealers are getting impatient and calling you a fraud.

I'm not sure if this was the exact situation for Michael Papp, owner of the now defunct Spark EV. Papp was recently charged and arrested for failing to deliver 14 electric cars to Electric Transportation of Arkansas and Electric Cars of Houston. Today, Papp was ordered by a Pennsylvania Court to pay $100,000 to these companies to avoid criminal charges. His lawyer says that he will pay the amount.

While I am not absolving Papp, I wish to bring attention to the day-to-day reality that characterizes many e.v. start-ups. As several electric vehicle entrepreneurs have realized, starting a car company in a field dominated by multi-billion dollar corporations is not easy. What compounds the problem further is that electric vehicle entrepreneurs are in the business of "disruptive technology." Producing and selling cars based on a new technological platform requires a lot more time, money, skill, and luck than most entrepreneurs realize when they begin their dream. Perhaps it is this lack of foresight, coupled with an overwhelming desire to get this technology on the road, that causes many companies to over-promise and under-deliver.

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A quick audio intro to permaculture and some links for sites near you!

original news source

Filed under: Home, Tips

We've covered five of the ways to recycle a shower curtain here at Green Daily but we never told you what to do with the rings. This idea struck me this morning in the shower (of course). You could say that I have showers on the brain this month so be ready for some related posts throughout the weekend. Here it is ... five fascinating ways to recycle shower curtain rings:

1. Take a tip from the DIY Maven and create a curtain by linking the rings together in a doorway.
2. Use them to hang a curtain from a window rod.
3. String them up in the closet to hold individual ties, belts or scarves.
4. Dress them up and use them for napkin rings.
5. You can also use the metal type to attach keys to a belt or a mug to a backpack.

 

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Filed under: Etc., Nissan, Legislation and Policy, Japan

What, an eco label not given to Toyota? Yes, the Japanese Ministry of Environment has awarded Nissan Motor Corp with the "Eco First" environmental label. This distinction is given to the Japanese marque for its commitment towards a better environment, specifically, Nissan's "Green Program 2010." Nissan's program not only aims for reducing its vehicles' emissions, but reducing other pollutants that affect waters, soil and air, a 100 percent rate of recycling in Japan, and raising environmental awareness. Nissan can now use it in advertising and promotions and it undoubtedly will. The "Eco First" program was launched to promote the recognition and encouragement of ecological actions for all types of businesses, according to the Kyoto Protocol.

[Source: Nissan via Autoplus]

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Filed under: Food

This morning Bruce gave us the low down on methane producing cows and it's impact on Argentina's air quality. A Japanese study done last year showed that it wasn't just the methane gas that was a problem for the environment but also the energy consumption. In fact, driving your car aimlessly for three hours consumes less energy and is responsible for fewer greenhouse gas emissions than producing 2.2 pounds of beef.

Four average sized steaks require 35 kilowatt hours of energy. Two-thirds of the energy consumed is due to the production and transportation of the beef. This is enough to light a 100 watt light bulb for 20 days.

The total amount of carbon dioxide released into the environment over a measly 2.2 pounds of meaty goodness is equal to getting in a car and driving at 50 m.p.h. for 155 miles.

So, the next time you and three of your buddies are thinking of steak for dinner, go for a road trip instead -- or just eat a (locally grown) salad.

 

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Filed under: MPG, Mazda, Lightweight

Click image for a hi-res gallery of the Kazamai

As oil wealth has suddenly taken root in Russia in the last couple of years, the Moscow International Auto Show has suddenly become an event that automakers are paying attention to. With that in mind, Mazda will stage the world premiere of its latest concept in the Russian capitol next month. The Kazamai is the latest in a series of concepts that feature the "Nagare" (or "flow") design theme, and is intended to demonstrate what Mazda calls "Sustainable Zoom-Zoom." Mazda hasn't released many details yet, but the Kazamai does seem to point in the right direction for a small crossover. Power will reportedly come from a new-generation direct-injection engine. The body structure will follow the pattern set by recent production modes such as the Mazda2 and Mazda6, with reduced weight and aerodynamic lines. More next month as we get closer to the show.


[Source: Mazda]

Continue reading Moscow Show Preview: Mazda unveils new Kazamai concept

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