-
Recently Written
-
Categories
-
Archives
-
Blogroll
- Daily Fuel Economy Tip
- Go Hybrid
- Green Auto - Resources for buying or selling environmentally responsible vehicles.
- Hydrogen Autos
- Motores Ecológicos
- new iphone
- Top Green Cars
- Toyota Prius sucess
-
Admin
Subscribe
Fiat EcoDrive
EcoDrive, a system that allows motorists to understand how their driving affects consumption and pollution emissions, has been unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.
The way that this device functions is very simple, when the car is being driven ecoDrive gathers all the data concerning the vehicle and the driving style of the motorist. All the relevant information is subsequently collected through the USB hub of the Blu&Me device and transmitted onto a USB key, thereafter it is available to be viewed via a normal domestic computer.
Customers with a computer can therefore regularly check the fuel consumption and emissions from their journeys (ecoIndex) and receive driving tips on how to achieve a lower environmental impact. Read more
Toyota develops new fuel cell hybrid
Toyota has developed a new fuel cell hybrid vehicle that travels more than double the distance of its predecessor model, increasing the maximum cruising range from 205 miles to 515 miles. Limited cruising ranges of previous fuel cell systems presented obstacles to widespread fuel cell vehicle use but the ‘Toyota FCHV-adv’ (fuel cell hybrid vehicle-advanced) improves the cruising range with its newly designed high-performance Toyota FC Stack.
Fuel efficiency was improved by 25 per cent through improving fuel cell unit performance, enhancing the regenerative brake system and reducing energy consumed by the auxiliary system. Further changes include incorporating degradation control for the electrode catalyst and improving fuel cell durability. Read more
Worldwide Prius Sales Top 1 Million Mark
Worldwide cumulative sales of the Toyota Prius—the world’s first mass-produced gasoline/electric hybrid vehicle—have passed the 1 million mark, with approximately 1,028,000 units sold as of the end of April this year*1. Currently, Prius sales are robust in more than 40 countries and regions, particularly in Japan and North America.
Based on sales figures collected up to April 30, 2008, TMC believes that Prius vehicles worldwide have contributed to a reduction in CO2 emissions (considered a cause of global warming) by producing approximately 4.5 million tons*2 less CO2 when compared with gasoline-powered vehicles in the same class and of similar size and driving performance. Read more
VW’s first lithium-ion hybrid coming in 2010?
Wolfsburg, 28 May 2008 - Agreement has been reached on a co-operation which sees Volkswagen joining forces with Sanyo, one of the world’s leading developers of rechargeable batteries, to work on new and extremely efficient high-performance storage systems based on lithium-ion technology.
“Our focus in future,” says Prof Martin Winterkorn, CEO of the Volkswagen Group, “will be directed more strongly at making electrically powered automobiles alongside ones driven by more efficient combustion engines. Drivetrain electrification is the way forward if we wish to secure mobility in tomorrow’s world. This will involve energy recovery. The whole idea will be to no avail, however, as long as we do not have powerful energy storage systems at our disposal and as long as vehicle operations are not in tune with customer demands. This cooperation is an important step for us,” Winterkorn adds. Read more
Seat Alhambra EcoMotive Unveiled
Seat has yesterday revealed the third model in their ECOMOTIVE range, the Seat Alhambra MPV. The Spanish people mover is powered by a 140 hp 2.0 TDI engine with Diesel Particular Filter (DPF) and emits just 159 g/km of CO2, compared to the 175 g/km CO2 emissions of the regular 2.0 TDI Alhambra.
Seat has made a few changes in order for the Alhambra to achieve these figures, firstly the DPF and the electronic management but also a new six-speed transmission and low-friction 196/60 tires on 16 inch steel rims. Read more
Support Super-Efficient-Cars!
The folks over at PlanetThoughts are sponsoring Super-Cars Shout Out Competition as a way to recognize eco-conscious citizens fight against climate change by driving a high-mileage car.
The concept is simple:
1. Find high mileage cars in your area. PT has a list of high-mileage cars (>40 mpg…)
2. Place the PlanetThoughts flyer on the windshield and take a picture of the car.
3. Send it in to PlanetThoughts.
4. Click here for full details.
We all want to do what we can to reduce the global warming gases that get emitted, especially in our own areas of living and working, where we have the most direct influence. To add another dimension, it would be great to congratulate others who are doing something to help the environment.
To offer your congratulations, print off one of the contest’s flyers, place on a high-mileage car you encounter in your day-to-day activities, take a picture, and upload it to PlanetThoughts. The winner will receive a cash prize of at least $500 (see below). Car owners whose vehicles appear on the site also have a chance at some cash: contact the folks at PT if your car appears in a contest photo, and you’ll be entered into a monthly drawing for $50. The contest runs through the Labor Day.
PlanetThoughts
Despite the recent increase in news coverage of global warming, main stream media generally provides their audience with little more than surface information addressing global environmental issues. Further, the vital issues of energy availability, “peak oil” and of resource depletion are rarely mentioned. This failure has real consequences in a world that must immediately confront and plan for these mounting challenges. It is essential that the vast majority of the citizenry be informed on these issues as they are unprecedented in the scope and depth of their impact on daily life. Read more