Cars Of The Future On Tonight
April 22, 2008
For those of in the US, tonight premieres “Car of the Future” on PBS at 8pm. It’s a look at the innovative technologies that could one day transform the way we drive. Apparently it’s a “screwball automotive odyssey that doubles as a serious environmental wake-up call. From Detroit to California, Boston to Iceland, Tom and Ray mix their trademark slapstick with serious nuts-and-bolts analysis of what it will take to make our autos more energy-efficient.”
A distinguished group of engineers doubles as Tom and Ray’s straight men, including Lee Lynd of Mascoma Corporation, who is working to bioengineer microbes that can produce ethanol from plant wastes, and Amory Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute, who is developing an ultralight, full-size “green” car that is efficient and almost indestructible.
For more info, check out the NOVA website, again it’s on tonight, Tuesday, April 22 at 8 pm ET/PT on most PBS stations. Check your local listings.
A Cheap Electric Sports Car?
March 12, 2008
Well, not exactly cheap, but it’s not $100,000 like the Tesla Roadster. Wired reports that the electric ZAP Alias will retail for around $30,000 in mid-2009.
What may not be immediately obvious is that it has three wheels. Unlike the famous Robin Reliant, the single wheel is at the back, and not the front. A projected range of 100 miles is promised with a top speed of 120mph. 2009 looks a little ambitious looking at the video - which is a computer model.
[Via: Wired]
Make Fuel Not War
February 21, 2008
A second video for you today, the winner of the Audience Award for Documentary at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival was Josh Tickell’s new film, Fields of Fuel discusses the reliance on foreign oil, and the move to biodisel. Check out the trailer below:
[Via: gas2.0]
Tesla Electric Supercar To Arrive In March 08
February 20, 2008
Absent from the Detroit Auto Show, Tesla’s electric sportscar will go on sale in March 2008. At $100,000 it’s too rich for my blood, but for those who are going to buy a sportscar anyway (yeah, right), and want to do it in a more environmentally friendly way then this will soon be a reality.
[Via: EcoGeek]
Welcome To The Green City
February 15, 2008
Greenpeace UK have launched an online virtual town called EfficienCity. It’s powered by clean and efficient (”decentralised”) energy. Based on actual communities in the UK, it aims to show that nuclear and coal powered power stations are not required.
It also aims to show how local councils, businesses and people are able to play a part in making the leap to a more sustainable future. The town is very interactive, with video case studies, animations and slideshows that explain how a clean and efficient energy system works. The tidal power animation was particularly interesting. Take a look at the Efficiencity, and you can read more about it here.
Automotive X-Prize
February 8, 2008
The X PRIZE Foundation was created by Dr. Peter H. Diamandis who strongly believes that focused and talented teams in pursuit of a prize and acclaim can change the world. It’s an educational nonprofit prize institution whose mission is to create radical breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity.
You’ve probably heard of it before, when the first private vehicle went into space to win the $10m Ansari X PRIZE. The foundation now has the $10m Archon X PRIZE for Genomics and the $30m Google Lunar X PRIZE and the Automotive X PRIZE.
It has the goal of designing viable, clean and super-efficient cars that (and this is important) people want to buy. Beginning in 2009, with the final round in 2010 teams will compete to build cars that meet strict emissions guidelines (including the construction of the vehicle), fuel efficiency targets using a new measure called Miles Per Gallon Equivalent, and they must be capable of producing a minimum of 10,000 vehicles.
An example entrant is a man who gets 130mpg [via gas2.0]:
Chat Live With GM About The Environment
February 5, 2008
A great opportunity to chat to an executive from the automotive world, on Wednesday February 6th GM executive Brent Dewar (North America Vice President of Field Sales, Service and Parts) will be online answering questions regarding GM’s environmental programs and positions.
“Since the environment is a hot topic in today’s world, GM wants to set the record straights on its policies and initiatives. The chats are your exclusive chance to ask questions about the company and how it impacts the environment. ”
The first chat will take place Wednesday, February 6 from:
6pm to 7pm GMT
12pm to 1pm EST (time zone where chat takes place)
10am to 11am PST
Follow this link to ask a question at the time above. The chats are open to everyone.
This video of Brent Dewar below talking about environmentalism will give you an idea of what to expect.
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