Ethanol, biodiesel, propane, natural gas, electricity – even regular gasoline – consumers should have choices at the pump and a new campaign is urging lawmakers in Washington to make that happen. More than 20 worldwide leaders in the effort to commercialize next-generation transportation fuels today announced the new campaign, called FuelChoiceNow. Among the companies that have joined the effort are …
Urbee Car Unveiled At Winnipeg Art Gallery
What might the future of transportation look like if fossil fuels cease to exist? If mechanical engineer Jim Kor, along with 11 other engineers and designers, is correct it will look like the Urbee Car. This visionary vehicle is an electric-ethanol hybrid that has been under development since 1996 and was finally unveiled at the Winnipeg Art Gallery over the …
Book Review – The Powers That Be
I felt like an academic when I read this week’s book, “The Powers That Be Global Energy For The Twenty-First Century And Beyond,” although author Scott L. Montgomery wanted the book to be “fun.” I sported my black geek glasses and curled up in a chair at a local coffee shop and attempted to give off the personae that I’m …
U.S. Government Commissions EV Charging Stations
The U.S. government has commissioned the installation of several electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and has selected Envision Solar International to design, develop and install the system. The company has already begun installation of 15 EV charging enabled Solar Tree structures utilizing the company’s patent pending tracking systems. The project is expected to be complete by the end of 2011. …
Plug My Ride
Westport, Connecticut now has its first electric vehicle (EV) charging station. The charging station was installed as part of Connecticut Light & Power’s (CL&P) EV research project and is believed to be one of the first in the nation to offer drivers a pay-by-phone option. “We’ve worked hard to make Connecticut an early market for EVs,” said Jeff Butler, CL&P’s …
350Green Orders 900 EV Chargers
350Green has placed an order for 900 Plug-In Electric Vehicle (EV) Level 3 QC50 DC Fast Chargers with Efacec USA to meet growing demand for EV charging stations across the country. This is the largest order 350Green has placed to date, and the units will be manufactured in Norcross, Georgia, signalling the first time the fast chargers will be built …
Electric Cadillac
General Motors has brought luxury and electricity together in an electric Cadillac ELR. According to GM, the “Cadillac Converj Concept, a dramatic luxury coupe with extended-range electric vehicle technology, is moving forward as a production car that will be called the Cadillac ELR.” Development of the ELR is just underway, so details on performance, price and timing will be announced …
Genovation Cars Receives Product Development Grant
While the big U.S. auto makers have struggled for several years, it has opened up the doors for smaller, independent car companies to compete. One emerging company is Maryland-based Genovation Cars, a designer and builder of plug-in electric vehicles. (PHEV). The company has been awarded a $135,110 product development grant from the Maryland Industrial Partnerships Program (MIPS). The monies will …
Ford & SunPower Want You to ‘Drive Green for Life’
U.S. automakers are making the move to produce more environmentally friendly vehicles. They are also making the move to producing them in a more environmentally friendly way, and Ford has even gone a step further to partner with SunPower Corp. to help consumers who purchase plug-in electric vehicles to charge up with renewable energy. According to Mike Tinskey, Ford director …
CAFE Standards Hiked to 54.5 MPG
The U.S. government may not be able to figure out how to save our country from it’s multi-trillion dollar debt, but for the second time during his administration, President Obama has increased CAFE standards or the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards. The goal for all new cars and light duty trucks manufactured in 2025 and beyond must be at least …