Automotive
Cash for Clunkers – Eco Friendly or Environmental Mistake?
There has been a lot of news about the Car Allowance Rebate System or ‘Cash for Clunkers’ program, but the real question is will this benefit the environment? Conceived as a two-birds-with-one-stone program to boost our economy and remove older polluting cars from our roads, but is it working? The real answer is that we don’t know yet.
The original program developed by Senator Dianne Feinstein, Democrat of California and Senator Susan M. Collins, Republican of Maine, required bigger improvements in MPG to qualify. Luckily it seems “the good judgment of the American people” has proved to exceed even the original requirements.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said the average mileage of new vehicles purchased through the program is 9.6 miles per gallon higher than for the vehicles traded in for scrap. Buyers of new cars and trucks that get 10 mpg better than their trade-ins get the $4,500 rebate. People whose cars get between 4 mpg and 10 mpg better fuel efficiency qualify for a smaller $3,500 rebate.
-Associated Press
We should stop and recognize, however, that Miles Per Gallon (MPG) is not a very good indicator of actual fuel efficiency, especially at higher numbers. Look at the table below, and you can see that if you traded a car that got 40 mpg in for one that got 50 mpg, you would qualify for the higher rebate, however, it would be less efficient (less of an environmental impact) than moving from a 20 mpg car to a 25 mpg car.
High Flying Recycled Retro Furniture
Vintage planes are like vintage automobiles, they have a certain class and distinct style about them. Some people like them, and some people love them. I personally love all the polished aluminum, patterned rivets and sleek forms of the aircraft from the past- back when you used to wear a suit on the plane and they used to fly to places like Havana.
MotoArt brings that feeling right into to your living room, bedroom or office with their vintage aircraft furniture. Sourced from actual pieces of aircraft history, each design incorporates a meticulously cleaned and polished piece of and truly unique vintage plane. More than recycled or reused, these pieces are re-fashioned to accentuate their beauty and design.
Most pieces are modernized into desks, beds and office components- a meld of vintage technology with modern technology into a wondrous work of art. If automotive is more your thing, you may want to check out these vintage car furniture designs.
Code-X Solar Powered Hybrid Catamaran Speedboat
Attention Renewable Energy Nautical Sci-Fi enthusiasts, I have just found your perfect water ride. One look, and you can see why – this solar powered Code-X speedboat looks like just about every cool crescent-shaped pointy enemy fighter ship out there. Specifically, this design brings to mind the Battlestar Galactica cylon raider mixed with the jet powered and dual hull performance boat all rolled into one.
Brought to you by CODE-X AG, a swiss company based in Meggen on Lake Lucerne, their goal is to develop ultra exclusive products utilizing renewable energy sources. While this may seem to cause one to cringe at the eco eliteism, it can allow for a trickle-down effect of renewable energy products first being developed for those who can afford the cost of developing newer technologies.
Recycled Glass Wine and Beer Glassware
Windshields are making a comeback, and they are being recycled to invade everything from wine glasses to flower vases. This is a great thing given how many cars are disposed of each year, just think of all the automotive glass windows and windshields we can save.
Most of the recycled glass designs I have found are handmade in places throughout the world including Colombia, Guatemala, and exotic Portland, Oregon. Some are even produced in wind powered facilities, decreasing the environmental impacts of the manufacturing process.
Tesla Model S Electric Sedan
Starting at $49,900 the new Tesla Model S electric sedan is not only comparable with many German automobiles, it is styled like a much more expensive car. With lines that hint at Austin Martin, Jaguar, Audi S models and Maseratis, this car is got it going on!
The stats are pretty impressive too and reflect the milestones in electric car technologies. A 300-mile range, 45-minute fast charge capability and the ability to charge from any outlet, all with a 0-to-60 time of 5.5-seconds plus it even seats seven (although I’m not really sure where the other 2 people fit)
› Continue reading
NH2 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Emission Free Tractor by New Holland
New Holland just released a prototype version of the NH2, a Hydrogen powered fuel cell tractor which is 100% emission free (at least once the energy is in the fuel cell that is). Based on their T6000 line, this tractor produces 106 horsepower from an electric motor running approximately 1.5 to 2 hours on a single hydrogen tank. While that doesn’t sound too impressive, it is still a prototype and the technology is still improving at a rapid pace.
This spells good news for greening the often overlooked commercial farming and construction industry. Heavy movers, construction equipment, generators and tractors are attributed with a great deal of pollution in the world, and you rarely hear about green environmental advances in these areas. They plan a release of the NH2 in 3 years, hopefully with even better specs.
[via inhabitat]
Mission One Street Superbike: Worlds Fastest Electric Motorcycle Title Revoked!
It wasn’t too long back that I wrote about the British built TTX01 GP electric super streetbike as becoming the fastest production electric motorcycle out there with a top speed of 125mph and a range of 50 miles. The new Mission One electric motorcycle pretty much blows that away. Based in San Francisco, Mission Motors developed an all new (as opposed to being built on a previous model frame, like the TTX01 GP) frame that is pretty darn sexy.
The Mission One has a range of 150 miles and has a top speed of 150mph. So, theoretically, you could just pin it at top speed for one hour and travel 150 miles. Once you exhaust battery power, all it takes is a 2 hour wait time (long enough for a leisurely lunch at the mountain top cafe) to fully recharge your batteries using a 240v power source. Forrest North, the founder of Mission Motors, is a former Tesla employee who began work on converting a gas-powered Ducati motorcycle into an electric bike. His overall goal was to combine the performance of a superbike with a green, environmentally friendly zero emission motorbike. I would say he succeeded with flying colors. I am a little wary of the triangular side work, and the stinger-tail seat, but it is nonetheless beautiful still.
Built with lithium-ion batteries powering an electric induction motor, the result is an on-demand 100+ foot-pounds of torque for insane acceleration and throttle feel. They didn’t skimp on components either, Brembo 4-piston calipers and Ohlins shocks suspension are a nod to their earlier works with Ducati street bikes. Targeting affluent green motorists, the first 50 limited-edition Mission Ones are likely to sell for $68,995 with a more budget-minded version debuting this summer.
Full specs:
Powertrain Battery Pack: High Energy Lithium-Ion w/ Integrated Thermal Management System Motor: Liquid-cooled, 3-phase AC Induction Torque: 100 lb-ft @ 0 to 6,500 rpm Transmission: Single speed Chassis Suspension/Front: Ohlins 43mm inverted fork; fully adjustable, 4.5-in travel Suspension/Rear: Ohlins Single shock w/piggyback reservoir; fully adjustable, 4.5-in travel Brakes/Front: Dual Brembo 310mm disc; Brembo radial-mount forged 4-piston calipers Brakes/Rear: Brembo 220mm disc; single-piston caliper Wheels/Tires/Front: Marchesini forged aluminum 3.5″ x 17″, 120/70ZR17 – race Compound Wheels/Tires/Rear: Marchesini forged aluminum 6.0″x17″, 190/55ZR17 – race Compound Target Performance Top Speed: 150mph Range: 150 miles per charge (est. EPA drive cycle) Recharge Time: Under 2 Hours @ 240V (8 Hours @ 120V) Interactive Feature: Adjustable regenerative rear wheel braking Interactive Feature: Intuitive / adjustable data acquisition system
Another Really Fast Electric Sportscar – McLaren Supercar Style – JJAD P1E
Given that I have a incredible (and possibly unhealthy) soft spot for supercars and exotic sportscars, I must tell you about the p1e by JJAD. Surrey based JJAD automotive design & prototyping company has come up with a beautiful automobile.
Lead by former McLaren F1 and Mercedes SLR designer Jim Dowle and Gordon Murray, would you expect anything less appealing? With an estimated 390 horsepower and whopping 590lb-ft of torque being delivered by two electric motors (one for each axle) and a set of lithium-ion batteries, this could be a huge contender in the ever growing world of electric supercars.
Based on the all aluminum and carbon fiber JJAD Project 001 from last year, the JJAD P1e is the electric spawn trying to make it in this emerging world of Tesla Roadsters. Holding it down with a 0-60 time of 2.9 seconds (est.) and a 230 mile range, this all electric car will retail for £55,000 which is close to $100,000 for us yanks.
[via carbodydesign]
Related Articles:
Wrightspeed X1 Electric Supercar – Based on the Aerial Atom Sportscar
TTX01 Electric Superbike – Fastest Electric Street Bike
Solar-Powered Electric Biodiesel Hybrid Camper Van – Verdier Westfalia VW Bus
Eco Biofuel From Biodiesel B5, B20 and B99 to Flexfuel E85 – The Future of Alternative Fuel?
Propel Biofuel Station - South Lake Union, Seattle
I was walking around the South Lake Union area of Seattle when i happened across a pretty little fueling station named Propel. It had a green roof, planters and educational interpretive signs like something you might find at a wetland or bird observation area. It looked more like a grade school garden experiment funded and built by green design architect parents. It changed the way i looked at biofuel and biodiesel stations. I was used to the more home-grown bio-diesel stations you find in Berkeley, or the backyard cookers. The ones that are old, kind of junky and funky, but at the same time give you that › Continue reading
Worlds Fastest Electric Superbike Motorcycle – The TTX01
TTX01 GP Electric Super Street Bike
One of my favorite modes of transportation just got better. I’m a pretty big street bike fan- all that fun and an average of 56 mpg ain’t bad! But now it can be even better.
Based on the Suzuki GSX750 frame, the TTX01 is the fastest electric street superbike to date. The Vectrix (pictured below) is a close competitor, but its unclear if they will produce a production model. With a top speed of 125mph and a 50mi range, the TTX01 electric motorcycle technology leaves a bit to be desired, but progress is being made. There are several other electric bikes/moto-scooters out there, but this is the first i have seen (that is not a one off custom or a prototype) that has that street bike appeal.
Vectrix Electric Motorcycle
The TTX01 uses two 43 bhp Agni Lynch electric motors on the rear wheel providing the power equivalent of a 600cc gasoline powered motorcycle, but they also added a motor to the front wheel as well which is said to improve handling. A two wheel drive motorcycle, how odd, but possibly awesome. The bike is lightened with the help of a carbon fiber frame and lightweight components allowing for the 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds.
There should be a limited number available for purchase at the end of 2009, the price? £20,000 ($30,000).
To get a view of this bike, and several others like it, check out the world’s first clean emission Grand Prix to be held at the Isle of Man during TT race week in June 2009 which should showcase some fast new electric bikes. If you like fast and electric, you may want to checkout the Wrightspeed X1 electric supercar.
[via gizmag]
Verdier BioDiesel Hybrid Solar Eco-Camper
If you are thinking this is just an updated VW bus from way back (before i was born) then you are in for a big surprise. We aren’t talking dirty old bus camping, his takes mobile camping to a whole new level- a stylish and green level. Verdier takes the Westfalia VW van light years into the future- with so much going on, where do i start? First lets start with style. This looks like one of those car show prototype vehicles, a clean futuristic design with functionality you would expect from a 2001 Space Odyssey ship computer. The kind of vehicle that everybody drools over, but never quite makes it to production. An interior that is minimal, but not lacking, and carries the comforts and coziness of home. The clean lines and eye catching details that keeps turning heads for years to come. This sharp looking van comes in 5 different trims, from a fun yet classy retro woody, to a very clean, very chic deep black metallic.
All that AND its green you say? Yep, and we aren’t talking Hybrid Cadillac Escalade ‘green’ either. This is the real deal with a 4 speed automatic turbo BioDiesel Hybrid drive train, so when you aren’t on electric, you can be running on recycled cooking oil (not to mention the inherent superior mpg of a diesel engine). Combine that with integrated Sun Tracker solar panels on the roof (they use GPS and an onboard computer to calculate the optimum charging position of the panels), and you can charge up your batteries without fossil fuels and may not even need that diesel engine at all! It really is a self sustaining camping system.
The features and gadgets on this masterpiece will keep even the most ‘ADD’ of us occupied and happy. The ride height is adjusted pneumatically 3 to different positions for maximum comfort and just plain looks cool in camping mode. Two generous size gazebos pop out of each side, with matching folding furniture housed in a special compartment in the rear of the van (out of the way, so as not to clutter your living space). A swivel table with a cooking range and table are integrated right into the side of the van to give you an ideal outdoor cooking area and a fridge and freezer complete your kitchen. A projection home theater with 5.1 surround sound can be viewed inside, or reflected out a side window to create an impromptus drive-in theater for the whole campground to enjoy.
Now to the scary part we are all waiting for, the cost. For the full featured camping version with the Sun Tracker system, you are looking at $129,000. They also offer a ground power version which retains the solar cells and the hybrid drive train and seats 6 for a more affordable $69,000 if you don’t need all the camping features. With all the wealthy post internet boom hippies out there, i suspect you may see one of these coming soon to your local camp ground.
via [eco-chick]
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