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Toyota to lease new fuel cell hybrid
"Toyota Motor Corp says it will start leasing its new fuel cell hybrid next month as part of its efforts to encourage the widespread use of the zero-emission vehicles. Japan's top automaker, which has already won strong interest in its fuel sipping petrol-electric hybrids, will lease one of its Toyota FCHV-adv vehicles to Japan's environment ministry.
Toyota also plans to lease the five-seat sporty vehicle to local governments and companies in, or linked to, the energy industry. The vehicle runs on hydrogen and uses hybrid technology to reduce fuel consumption. It has a longer cruising distance and performs better in low temperatures compared with its predecessor.
Japanese automakers are in a race to produce fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly vehicles amid soaring prices at the pump, spreading their bets on an array of technology including hybrid, electric and fuel cell automobiles. Honda Motor Co began producing a next-generation fuel cell vehicle in June and plans to deliver about 200 on lease in the US and Japan in the first three years of production.
Fuel cell vehicles belch out none of the greenhouse gases blamed for global warming, but their high cost and a lack of hydrogen refuelling stations pose obstacles to mainstream use." "Toyota Motor Corp says it will start leasing its new fuel cell hybrid next month as part of its efforts to encourage the widespr... more -
Zero consumption construction
ERIC DOUB knows the difference between talking about building a green home and living in one:
more than 2,600 energy-conscious visitors have traipsed through his model home in the last two and a half years.Four years ago, Mr. Doub, the owner of Ecofutures Building in Boulder, Colo., was one of a growing number of builders intent on designing environmental sustainability into new homes and retrofitted projects. But clients willing to go all out for energy-efficient design and materials were scarce. And on a personal level, certain restrictions in the north Boulder development in which he and his wife, Catherine Childs, lived with their two young children hampered his ability to practice what he preached.
Then Ms. Childs discovered a large lot nearby where they could build their dream house — a house to prove that comfort, and even touches of luxury like a hot tub, did not have to be sacrificed to do right by the environment.
The $1.38 million project (including the land purchase) became a huge financial gamble. Mr. Doub had to cut loose 10 employees — 40 percent of his work force — and Ecofutures took on debt for the first time. But by late November 2005, the family was able to move into the five-bedroom, two-story model home they named Solar Harvest.
It used available technology and, when possible, salvaged materials. Mr. Doub bought 12 used solar panels to heat water for the heating system; the 6,000-gallon underground hot-water tank came from a dairy farm.
Some of the biggest benefits came from choices that did not cost money per se, like having the front of the house face south to take maximum advantage of the sun. But other choices, like installing superinsulated windows and solar electric roof panels, added 8 percent to the cost, Mr. Doub said.
It did not take long for the gamble to begin paying off. In its first year, Solar Harvest fed enough energy into the local power grid during sunny spells to offset the cost of all the power it used other times. A copy of the $8.45 check that Xcel Energy, the utility, sent to settle 2006 accounts sits framed on the dining room table.
Mr. Doub especially enjoyed the tour he offered to 15 local land-use officials one day in early February 2007, when the temperature outside read just about zero. As usual, the indoor temperatures ranged in the high 60s despite the lack of any heat source other than the water tank and air circulating from the tightly insulated sun porch.
Even better, the home began attracting clients like Ronald M. Abramson, the president and chief executive of NexGen Energy Partners, an investment group focused on renewable energy projects, which Mr. Abramson recently moved from Maryland to Boulder. He worked with Mr. Doub for six months to develop plans for a 7,000-square-foot home for him and his family on a stretch of prairie near Lyons, not far from Boulder.
“We wanted to build the most environmentally responsible home in the country,” Mr. Abramson said.
Mr. Doub’s design for the Abramsons includes a combination of wind and solar power that is expected to generate 80 percent more energy than the house will require when it is finished early next year. And, with strict attention to the materials used and their environmental impact, the Abramsons think they can balance their carbon dioxide emissions and reductions.
Carbon neutral or not, the Abramson home is the first to meet new Boulder County regulations that set a sliding scale of permitted energy use, based on size. At the top of the scale, all new homes of more than 5,000 square feet must be energy neutral, generating as much as they use. County officials credit Solar Harvest with drawing support for the new regulations. ERIC DOUB knows the difference between talking about building a green home and living in one: ... more -
The Electric Motorcycle
With gas prices going through the roof, what are some greener options for getting around?
One is the Vectrix motorcycle.
100% electric, zero emissions and no environmental impact.
Follow Ilyce Glink as she checks out the world's first electric motorcycle approved for highway use at the Consumer Electronics Show. With gas prices going through the roof, what are some greener options for getting around? One is the Vectrix motorcycle. ... more -
Nissan plans electric car in U.S. by ’10
The race is on! Who will be first to make the electric car again?
The commitment — expected to be announced Tuesday by Nissan’s chief executive, Carlos Ghosn — will be the first by a major automaker to bring a zero-emission vehicle to the American market. Nissan also expects to sell a lineup of electric vehicles globally by 2012. The race is on! Who will be first to make the electric car again? ... more -
Rumors fly around an all-electric BMW
Toyota better watch it, the Germans are coming to the MPG game in a big way!
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Electric cars & lies
This week's episode of Zaproot with Jessica Williamson uncovers some sad news about ZAP!, the California based company that produces electric and zero air pollution vehicles. I was so excited about the ZAP-X! Aaaagh! :-(
http://www.zapworld.com/
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 License.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ This week's episode of Zaproot with Jessica Williamson uncovers some sad news about ZAP!, the California based company that produ... more -
Who Killed the Electric Car?
Who Killed the Electric Car? is a 2006 documentary film that explores the birth, limited commercialization, and subsequent death of the battery electric vehicle in the United States, specifically the General Motors EV1 of the 1990s. The film explores the roles of automobile manufacturers, the oil industry, the US government, batteries, hydrogen vehicles, and consumers in limiting the development and adoption of this technology.
It was released on DVD to the home video market on November 14, 2006 by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Who Killed the Electric Car? is a 2006 documentary film that explores the birth, limited commercialization, and subsequent death of th... more -
Enertia: The Electric Motorcycle
Green may be the new red, white & blue?but when you're talking wheels, how about fun? Or cool? The folks at Brammo Motorsports may be on to something.
The Ashland, Oregon-based manufacturer?the same collection of motorheads responsible for bringing the road-rocket Ariel Atom to U.S. shores?have decided to confront the global-warming frenzy with an actual product. Green may be the new red, white & blue?but when you're talking wheels, how about fun? Or cool? The folks at Brammo Motorsport... more
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