Autoblog Green http://www.autobloggreen.com Autoblog Green http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog Green http://www.autobloggreen.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[Elk Horn, Iowa installs first electric car charging stations in new "Pony Express" lane]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/20/elk-horn-iowa-installs-first-electric-car-charging-stations-in/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/20/elk-horn-iowa-installs-first-electric-car-charging-stations-in/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/20/elk-horn-iowa-installs-first-electric-car-charging-stations-in/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Elk Horn, Iowa's website says it is located, "In the heart of Southwest Iowa's picturesque countryside." Google Maps shows just how remote the town is, so it is clear that to make this place a forward-thinking electric vehicle destination takes a bit of chutzpah. While most EV advocates and manufacturers see electric cars as urban runabouts for the near future, Elk Horn businessman Mike Howard thinks that it makes sense to build eight EV charging stations in town. Four - one is solar, the others are connected to the grid - are already installed and four more are coming soon. Howard told the AP that the stations are like some famous horse exchange locations from Western U.S. history, "This is a modern-day Pony Express," he said. Expanding out from Elk Horn, Howard wants to build more of the $6,000 stations along Highway 80 - all the way from Chicago to Denver. That's what we call ambition.

Currently, there are 96 EVs registered in Iowa, out of over 4 million total. At the very least, the one EV registered in Elk Horn - a converted Chevy S-10 - will never need to wait for an open outlet.

[Source: AP via Autopia]

Elk Horn, Iowa installs first electric car charging stations in new "Pony Express" lane originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iowaiowa electric carsIowaElectricCarsmike howardMikeHowardFri, 20 Nov 2009 19:03:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: DIY Tesla Model S ad shows you don't need a real car to build hype]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/18/diy-tesla-model-s-ad-shows-you-dont-need-a-real-car-to-build-hy/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/18/diy-tesla-model-s-ad-shows-you-dont-need-a-real-car-to-build-hy/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/18/diy-tesla-model-s-ad-shows-you-dont-need-a-real-car-to-build-hy/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Digital Model S ad - click above to watch the video after the jump

How much do you like the Tesla Model S? Probably not as much as Kirk Perry (or someone who goes by that name on Vimeo), who just uploaded a homemade video advertisement for the all-electric sedan using a digital model and plenty of slick effects. He claims he, "Just wanted to test some new techniques out in 3ds max and After Effects and made this quick animation." If it were only that easy for us, we'd be cranking out cool vids week after week. Not much else to say except check it out after the jump. Thanks to TohE for the tip!

[Source: Vimeo]

Continue reading VIDEO: DIY Tesla Model S ad shows you don't need a real car to build hype

VIDEO: DIY Tesla Model S ad shows you don't need a real car to build hype originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>model sModelSteslatesla model sTeslaModelSWed, 18 Nov 2009 19:46:00 EST<![CDATA[A.U.T.O. lobbyist Veronica Moss visits, hates the new Times Square [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/17/a-u-t-o-lobbyist-veronica-moss-visits-hates-the-new-times-squa/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/17/a-u-t-o-lobbyist-veronica-moss-visits-hates-the-new-times-squa/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/17/a-u-t-o-lobbyist-veronica-moss-visits-hates-the-new-times-squa/#commentsFiled under: ,


Veronica Moss in Times Square - Click above to watch the videos after the break

As a lobbyist for the Automobile Users Trade Organization (A.U.T.O.), Veronica Moss calls 'em like she sees 'em. She hates that there are not enough roads for cars, for example. Moss recently took a look at the "improved" Times Square and, well, she hates this, too. The place has been wiped clean of automobiles - or, close enough to it - and this just isn't fair to our four-wheeled bretheren. Time Square, after all, is the crossroads of the world, so where are the roads? It's enough to make her lobbyist self nearly panic. Watch it after the jump.

[Source: Streetfilms]

Continue reading A.U.T.O. lobbyist Veronica Moss visits, hates the new Times Square [w/VIDEO]

A.U.T.O. lobbyist Veronica Moss visits, hates the new Times Square [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a.u.t.o.Automobile Users Trade Organization AUTOAutomobileUsersTradeOrganizationAutoveronica mossVeronicaMossTue, 17 Nov 2009 13:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Carbon Footprints: Ditch the dog, get a Hummer H2, save the planet?]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/12/carbon-footprints-ditch-the-dog-get-a-hummer-h2-save-the-plan/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/12/carbon-footprints-ditch-the-dog-get-a-hummer-h2-save-the-plan/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/12/carbon-footprints-ditch-the-dog-get-a-hummer-h2-save-the-plan/#commentsFiled under: , ,



If you don't like dogs, there's now a new reason to continue avoiding canis domesticus. New Zealanders Robert and Brenda Vale have put forth the hypothesis that the care and feeding of a pooch is more environmentally harmful than rolling in a Toyota Land Cruiser. Those shifty, antisocial felines aren't much better, so don't get any more smug than you already are, cat people. One ten-pound feline's care is the same to the environment as a 3300-pound Volkswagen Golf, the theory goes.

The Vales present this work in their book "Time to Eat the Dog? The Real Guide to Sustainable Living." The animals that wind up in dog food burden the land while they're alive, and the amount of goodies that people lavish upon their dogs, from squeaky toy to special grooming sessions also do the equivalent work of burning the rainforest.

The claims have been disputed, of course - no doubt by more than a few dog lovers. The chief researcher for Seattle's Sightline Institute, Clark Williams-Derry, ran some numbers of his own and came up with results that don't square with the Vales. The think-tank scientist calculated that for the Vale's numbers to add up, the average dog would have to eat twice as much as the average person, an idea that is difficult to fathom since people are heavier than most dogs.

The takeaway from all this is simply that dog (and cat) ownership does have an ecological footprint. Like everything else in your life, keeping a pet is intertwined with our insatiable consumerism. The truly concerned will carefully consider where the products and items they purchase for their pets are made, what goes into them, and what that means for the planet. The rest of you will keep letting adorable little Beaufort leaves deposit on our lawns.

[Source: Seattle Times | Image: Andrew H. Walker/Getty]

Carbon Footprints: Ditch the dog, get a Hummer H2, save the planet? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbon footprintCarbonFootprintcat friendlyCatFriendlydogdog carbon footprintdog environmentdog friendlyDogCarbonFootprintDogEnvironmentDogFriendlydogsenvironmentenvironment dogenvironment petsenvironmentalenvironmental impactEnvironmentalImpactenvironmentalismenvironmentally friendlyEnvironmentallyFriendlyEnvironmentDogEnvironmentPetspetpet environmentpet friendlypet ownershipPetEnvironmentPetFriendlyPetOwnershippetsmartThu, 12 Nov 2009 11:46:00 EST<![CDATA[SEMA 2009: Toyota auctioning Aemulus Prius for charity]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/12/sema-2009-toyota-auctioning-aemulus-prius-for-charity/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/12/sema-2009-toyota-auctioning-aemulus-prius-for-charity/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/12/sema-2009-toyota-auctioning-aemulus-prius-for-charity/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Aerius - Click above for high-res image gallery

Five Axis brought two modified Pruis models to SEMA this year, and one of them could be yours. The Aerius (which means "belonging to the air," pictured above) and the Aemulus look similar, but only one is being offered up to charity. The current bid for the Aemulus is $32,500 with 10 days left. Want it sooner? Pony up $50k with Buy It Now and you're ready to roll. The Aemulus is a driveable replica of the Aerius but if you don't like what Five Axis has done, there's nothing stopping you from tuning it even further. Here's hoping that the covered wheels work as advertised (better coefficient of drag!), but we recommend double-checking to make sure that the special leaf tread on the Aerius is safe for everyday driving. Check out the auction here.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Toyota Prius Aerius Concept


Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Prius Chat, Charity Folks]

SEMA 2009: Toyota auctioning Aemulus Prius for charity originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aeriusaerius priusaerius semaAeriusPriusAeriusSemapriusprius semaPriusSemaSEMAsema 2009sema priusSema2009SemaPriusThu, 12 Nov 2009 08:05:00 EST<![CDATA[X Ray Frankenstein wants to keep Halloween going all year]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/03/x-ray-frankenstein-wants-to-keep-halloween-going-all-year/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/03/x-ray-frankenstein-wants-to-keep-halloween-going-all-year/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/03/x-ray-frankenstein-wants-to-keep-halloween-going-all-year/#commentsFiled under: ,



Jesse Field wants your input. The designer of the Xrayfrankenstein, a "revolutionary high-tech ultra-light 3-wheel EV" wrote in to say that the website for the snub-nosed trike is now up and running and ready for critics to take a look. Field wrote:
This vehicle was develop by (myself) a former big 3 automotive engineer, and is completely unique from anything else being proposed out there. The web site contains lots of product info because the vehicle is very unique -- including features such as a pressure absorbing impact body shell. [...] I am eagerly looking for feedback and insight as well as exposure--the website is brand new.
The basic idea for the Xrayfrankenstein is that the technology to make more efficient vehicles exists, but it really needs to be mashed together - like Frankenstein's monster - in the most efficient vehicle possible. Currently, the trike only exists in rough renderings on the site, but the concept is a superlight, four-person vehicle. The Xrayfrankenstein can handle a variety of powertrains but is designed to be all-electric. Aside from the mashed-up quality of the vehicle, Field says that this car is well-named because of its attitude:
No mechanismo is hidden, just as bolts sticking out of its neck, or stitches in flesh, motors and attachments become an integral part of its character. And yet it is a monster with a human side, as opposed to today's unholy steel exoskeleton insect-bodies. The Xray is an endoskeleton structure, with an impact absorbing shell, making it less susceptible to dings and scratches, and unsightly, undesired incidental damage.

Thoughts?

[Source: X Ray Frankenstein]

X Ray Frankenstein wants to keep Halloween going all year originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleElectricVehiclejesse fieldJesseFieldx ray frankensteinXRayFrankensteinTue, 03 Nov 2009 19:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Cheap electric car conversions could come from lead acids + supercapacitor]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/02/cheap-electric-car-conversions-could-come-from-lead-acids-supe/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/02/cheap-electric-car-conversions-could-come-from-lead-acids-supe/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/02/cheap-electric-car-conversions-could-come-from-lead-acids-supe/#commentsFiled under: ,

There's no debate that batteries for electric cars remain absurdly expensive and one of the main hurdles to widespread EV acceptance. A team of electric vehicle converters at the ChargeCar project at Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania is trying to solve the puzzle by using low-cost lead acid batteries coupled with a supercapacitor and four electric motors. The powerplant was installed in some sort of Scion model in order to prove that the team's goal - expressed by team leader Illah Nourbakhsh to "use the cheapest hardware possible by making the smartest possible management software" - can work in real life.

The real life implications of cheaper conversions like ChargeCar are important to the group. Nourbakhsh (pictured) says that getting energy back from regenerative braking will likely be much higher than people who rely on the U.S. Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule standard may expect. The UDDS suggest six percent of the energy could be recouped, Nourbakhsh thinks it's more like 40 percent. To get a better idea if he's right, ChargeCar is asking for people to submit GPS logs, anonymously, in order to see how cars on the road actually perform. The ChargeCar team will use this data to write better software for EVs to "prepare for hills, junctions or other features that will affect its energy use."

There's a video of Nourbakhsh talking about the project after the jump.

[Source: New Scientist]

Continue reading Cheap electric car conversions could come from lead acids + supercapacitor

Cheap electric car conversions could come from lead acids + supercapacitor originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric scionElectricScionillah NourbakhshIllahNourbakhshNourbakhshscionscion evScionEvtoyota scionToyotaScionMon, 02 Nov 2009 17:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Greenlings: How does weight affect a vehicle's efficiency?]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/29/greenlings-how-does-weight-affect-a-vehicles-efficiency/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/29/greenlings-how-does-weight-affect-a-vehicles-efficiency/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/29/greenlings-how-does-weight-affect-a-vehicles-efficiency/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Over the last few decades, the average weight of a vehicle sold in the U.S. climbed steadily after we got over the oil embargoes of the 1970s. Today, though, auto companies are putting a lot of effort into reducing weight - Lotus set up an entire lightweight structures division, BMW is investing millions into carbon fiber and Jaguar loves aluminum - because every ounce you take out of a car improves the vehicle's performance and fuel economy. Options for weight savings that automakers are investigating include installing things like plastic fuel tanks (PDF) and using carbon fiber instead of steel. As we discovered in a previous Greenlings, carbon fiber is a remarkable, lightweight substance that will likely not be used widely until prices come way, way down.

Today, one of the main reasons automakers want to reduce weight is because it's a great way to increase MPG numbers. AutoblogGreen reader GenWaylaid sent in a Greenlings question about how, exactly, reducing weight helps efficiency. We investigate his query after the jump.

Continue reading Greenlings: How does weight affect a vehicle's efficiency?

Greenlings: How does weight affect a vehicle's efficiency? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbon fiberCarbonFiberfeaturedfuel economyFuelEconomygreenlingsLightweightmpgweightThu, 29 Oct 2009 20:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Drive Smarter Challenge loves a back seat driver, if they're intelligent and green]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/29/drive-smarter-challenge-loves-a-back-seat-driver-if-theyre-int/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/29/drive-smarter-challenge-loves-a-back-seat-driver-if-theyre-int/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/29/drive-smarter-challenge-loves-a-back-seat-driver-if-theyre-int/#commentsFiled under: ,


Backseat Smart Driver - Click above to watch the video after the break

The Drive $marter Challenge was started in early 2008 as a way to share tips on driving while using less fuel. The latest delivery method is a series four winning videos in the Drive Smarter Challenge video contest. The top prize goes to "Backseat Smart Driver," made by David Markus of Beverly Hills, California. Markus created a new character, the back seat driver who you might actually want to drive with, since he gives out advice on how to save gas while getting around. For his short video, Markus' prize was $5,000 and you can watch it after the jump.

The other winning videos include some kissing carpoolers, kids who help green up a car and a driver flirting with the GPS unit. They're also available after the jump.

[Source: Drive Smarter Challenge]

Continue reading Drive Smarter Challenge loves a back seat driver, if they're intelligent and green

Drive Smarter Challenge loves a back seat driver, if they're intelligent and green originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>david markusDavidMarkusdrive smarterdrive smarter challengedriver smarter videoDriverSmarterVideoDriveSmarterDriveSmarterChallengevideo contestVideoContestThu, 29 Oct 2009 08:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Some say "No plug, no deal," but not everyone is gonna buy that]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/23/some-say-no-plug-no-deal-but-not-everyone-is-gonna-buy-that/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/23/some-say-no-plug-no-deal-but-not-everyone-is-gonna-buy-that/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/23/some-say-no-plug-no-deal-but-not-everyone-is-gonna-buy-that/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This week, the Reuters/University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers found that plug-in hybrids have to be "affordable" if automakers think that customers will want to buy them. People are interested, U of M says, but cost is paramount to people deciding to make a purchase. Speaking at the Business of Plugging In conference in Detroit this week, Richard Curtin, from the University of Michigan's Institute of Social Research, said that at $10,000, 56 percent of the people surveyed said they wouldn't even consider it. At $2,500, a third were "very eager" to buy a PHEV. Note that the price difference there is the biggest tax credit that the federal government is offering for plug-ins with battery packs that have 16 kWh or more.

Curtin also said that this is not VHS vs. BetaMax redux, with the loser becoming obsolete - the way plug-in vehicles did in the early 1900s - but even if plug-ins don't immediately dominate, they can at the very least find a niche audience. With the right price, they will be tremendously popular because there are many people who want to demonstrate their commitment to the environment. Price them too high, and people will be happy to keep dealing with the downsides of gasoline.

[Source: U of M]

Some say "No plug, no deal," but not everyone is gonna buy that originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cost of fuelcost of gasCostOfFuelCostOfGasenergy costEnergyCostphevplug inplug in hybridplug in hybridsplug-in vehicleplug-in vehiclesPlug-inVehiclePlug-inVehiclesPlugInPlugInHybridPlugInHybridsFri, 23 Oct 2009 19:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota out of the Chamber of Commerce? Plug in America calls out the troops]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/23/toyota-and-the-chamber-of-commerce-plug-in-america/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/23/toyota-and-the-chamber-of-commerce-plug-in-america/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/23/toyota-and-the-chamber-of-commerce-plug-in-america/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The Yes Men were in the news recently for a hoax that put the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's lame position on climate change under the spotlight. This week, Move On and Plug In America are pushing an online campaign to get Toyota to stop funding the Chamber's anti-climate lobbying. The campaign resulted in a large gallery on Flickr that shows Toyota customers calling on the automaker "to stop opposing clean energy" and asks people to write letters to the editor. Plug In America president Dan Davids said in a statement that:
Toyota has already proven that it can make an excellent electric car. It should be leading the charge to a truly sustainable electric transportation future with plug-in cars. Instead, it's dragging its feet.
In response, Toyota issued a release to, as they put it, "set the record straight." The gist is that Toyota's participation in various groups does not mean it gives full-throated endorsement to everything those groups do. Josephine Cooper, VP for public policy and government/industry affairs said:
Toyota speaks for itself and has its own position on mitigating climate change, backed up by a strong track record of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. [...] We will not disappoint when it comes time to deliver.
Read both statements in full after the jump.

[Source: Toyota, Plug In America]

Continue reading Toyota out of the Chamber of Commerce? Plug in America calls out the troops

Toyota out of the Chamber of Commerce? Plug in America calls out the troops originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chamber of commerceChamberOfCommerceclimate changeClimateChangedan davidsDanDavidsflickrplug in americaPlugInAmericatoyotatoyota evtoyota phevToyotaEvToyotaPhevU.S. chamber of commerceU.s.ChamberOfCommerceyes menYesMenFri, 23 Oct 2009 10:59:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Michigan universities returning their electrical vehicles because of poor performance]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/19/report-michigan-universities-returning-their-electrical-vehicle/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/19/report-michigan-universities-returning-their-electrical-vehicle/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/19/report-michigan-universities-returning-their-electrical-vehicle/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Three Michigan universities are not happy with their electric vehicle, and want their money back. Actually, two have already returned their EVs, which were purchased on a trial basis, and Central Michigan University would like to do the same.

Citing poor performance, especially during the cold Michigan winter, CMU wants $23,000 back. Associate Vice President of Facilities Management Steve Lawrence said "we have been disappointed with the performance of the unit."

According to the Central Michigan Life paper, the car was purchased from Miles Laboratory, but we assume they mean Miles Automotive. Since the vehicle is unidentified in the article we will further assume it's the ZX40ST, which is about the same price, was released last year and was intended for places like college campuses. CMU says that they were promised a range of about 80 miles on a single charge for their vehicle, but only got about half that. When it was introduced, we heard the ZX40ST would get between 50 and 60 miles per charge. Today, the Miles website lists the Z40ST's estimated range at 30-40 miles per charge.

CMU seems to be happier with its GEM electric vehicles, which cost about half of that $23,000 price. Haven't heard reports that those might be going back to the manufacturer, anyway.

[Source: CM Life]

REPORT: Michigan universities returning their electrical vehicles because of poor performance originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Miles Automotivemiles zx40stMilesAutomotiveMilesZx40stzx40stMon, 19 Oct 2009 10:58:00 EST<![CDATA[AltCar 2009: Dan Neil, "Some Inconvenient Questions," and GM hints it could sell Chevy Volt gliders]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/08/altcar-2009-dan-neil-some-inconvenient-questions-and-gm-hin/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/08/altcar-2009-dan-neil-some-inconvenient-questions-and-gm-hin/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/08/altcar-2009-dan-neil-some-inconvenient-questions-and-gm-hin/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



On top of the test drives (Wheego Whip), test rides (Coda Sedan) and a visit to the unlimited energy booth, a highlight of the AltCar Expo last weekend was getting to hear the LA Times' premiere auto scribe Dan Neil moderate two sessions called "Some Inconvenient Questions." Neil was lucky to have on his panels some of the most knowledgeable people in the green car world who were able to discuss and promote their favored technologies (plug-in hybrids, hydrogen, etc.) without beating each other up. Well, Neil dished out a few critical hits at the idea of hydrogen cars but also allowed Honda's Steve Ellis to rebut his doubts about the efficacy of H2 as an energy carrier for vehicles. All in all, it was an entertaining three hours (four-and-a-half if you count the Tech Review Panel that took place just before Neil's events) in the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. We've got details and audio recordings of everything after the jump.

Continue reading AltCar 2009: Dan Neil, "Some Inconvenient Questions," and GM hints it could sell Chevy Volt gliders

AltCar 2009: Dan Neil, "Some Inconvenient Questions," and GM hints it could sell Chevy Volt gliders originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altcaraltcar 2009altcar dan neilaltcar expoAltcar2009AltcarDanNeilAltcarExpodan neilDanNeildave barthmussDaveBarthmussdean taylorDeanTaylorfeaturedinconvenient questionsInconvenientQuestionsjeff curryJeffCurryrick sikesRickSikessteve elllisSteveElllistom gageTomGageThu, 08 Oct 2009 16:07:00 EST<![CDATA[KU EcoHawks turn 1974 Volkswagen Beetle into a biodiesel-electric hybrid [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/08/ku-ecohawks-turn-1974-volkswagen-beetle-into-a-biodiesel-electri/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/08/ku-ecohawks-turn-1974-volkswagen-beetle-into-a-biodiesel-electri/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/08/ku-ecohawks-turn-1974-volkswagen-beetle-into-a-biodiesel-electri/#commentsFiled under: , ,


KU's biodiesel hybrid Beetle - Click above to watch the videos after the jump

At the University of Kansas, a group of students is working small and thinking big. The EcoHawk students are part of a mechanical engineering senior project that is building small, 1/8th scale ecocars and has also turned a beat-up 1974 Volkswagen Beetle into a biodiesel-electric hybrid with "the long term goal of achieving 500 mpg." Nothing like a little ambition in the classroom, right?

The students have given their subgoups nifty names like Team Amp, Team Cell Mates and Team Redline. The different teams are making model cars that use fuel cells, hybrid of all-electric powertrains to get around. EcoHawk Jessica L. wrote to say that the 1/8th scale models are allow the students to "diversify our research in an economical way," which makes sense to us, even if it doesn't exactly follow that you can build a full-size SUV after making a little fuel cell or EV model. It's the lessons learned that are important here. Watch a video of the full-size Beetle in action after the jump. Thanks to Jessica L. for the tip!

[Source: University of Kansas]

Continue reading KU EcoHawks turn 1974 Volkswagen Beetle into a biodiesel-electric hybrid [w/VIDEO]

KU EcoHawks turn 1974 Volkswagen Beetle into a biodiesel-electric hybrid [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biodieselbiodiesel hybridBiodieselHybridecohawkecohawkshybridku ecohawkKuEcohawkUniversity of KansasUniversityOfKansasThu, 08 Oct 2009 09:57:00 EST<![CDATA[AltCar 2009: EF9's "unlimited clean energy" turbine could go into cars, if it works]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/06/altcar-2009-ef9s-unlimited-clean-energy-turbine-could-go-int/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/06/altcar-2009-ef9s-unlimited-clean-energy-turbine-could-go-int/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/06/altcar-2009-ef9s-unlimited-clean-energy-turbine-could-go-int/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


EF9's "unlimited clean energy" system - Click above for high-res image gallery

Mark Tanner, who does R&D for EF9 Energy Systems, was pretty wiped out by the time we got to speak with him at the end of AltCar 2009 in Santa Monica last weekend. It's understandable. He'd been explaining how his system for "unlimited clean energy" was supposed to work to hundreds of attendees for two days and was starting to question his ability to transmit the information to the people who stopped at his booth. Whether it was because this was the end of the show or for another reason, we didn't quite understand it either, but here's what we took away: Tanner claims that you can get about 81 hp of power out of a system that needs just 10 hp to work. Yeah, that's what Gov. Schwarzenegger thought, too.

Somehow, by funneling air through his turbine and using atmospheric pressure and the Bernoulli effect - the atmosphere is trying to flow into the turbine at the same rate as the air is going out - Tanner's system could return eightfold the energy put into it. He explained it as the atmosphere of the earth acting as a cache of energy that expands to form wind in the narrow channel of the turbine and spins the blades.

Tanner said the concept could be installed into an electric vehicle as well as a house. We'll let Tanner explain:



There's more numbers and details in the gallery below. Also, watch EF9's own video after the jump.

Here's another thing. Tanner is looking for about ten people to invest $5,000 each to build them ten prototype systems that he would install in their homes in order to prove that the idea is solid and to provide the investors with all of the clean energy they want. He said that it's possible he'll be back next year with a working system on display. We'll be waiting.

Gallery: EF9's "unlimited clean energy"


Photos copyright (C)2009 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.



Continue reading AltCar 2009: EF9's "unlimited clean energy" turbine could go into cars, if it works

AltCar 2009: EF9's "unlimited clean energy" turbine could go into cars, if it works originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altcaraltcar 2009altcar expoAltcar2009AltcarExpobernoulli effectBernoulliEffectef9ef9 energy systemsef9 unlimited clean energyEf9EnergySystemsEf9UnlimitedCleanEnergyfeaturedmarc tannerMarcTannermark tannerMarkTannerTue, 06 Oct 2009 19:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Vertical bike parking protects from theft, worry]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/06/vertical-bike-parking-protects-from-theft-worry/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/06/vertical-bike-parking-protects-from-theft-worry/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/06/vertical-bike-parking-protects-from-theft-worry/#commentsFiled under: ,


Vertical Bike Rack - Click above for high-res image gallery


Bikes are the most efficient thing on two wheels (sorry, Aptera), but they're not ideal for everyone's city commute. A new vertical parking/shower stall concept from Yinnon Lehrer over at Yanko Design could make biking an easier choice for a lot of people. The main reasons: you bike is protected from theft and, in one of the concept kiosks, you can freshen up if you've had a sweaty ride.

Lehrer's long-term parking concept is incredibly flexible - the parking rods could be installed at train stations, by shopping centers or on the sides of buildings - and have a small footprint compared to traditional bike racks. In suburban areas with space to dedicate to bike parking (see here) a vertical structure wouldn't be needed, but we can see how this makes sense in busy cities. Our main suggestion to improve the design would be to include some sort of canopy at the top of the structure to protect the bikes from rain or snow. If you're going to leave your ride somewhere for a while, it'd be nice to know it'll be dry when you get back. Check out the sketches in the gallery below.

[Source: Yinnon Lehrer / Yanko Design]

Vertical bike parking protects from theft, worry originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bike rackBikeRackvertical bike parkingvertical bike rackVerticalBikeParkingVerticalBikeRackyanko designYankoDesignYinnon LehrerYinnonLehrerTue, 06 Oct 2009 11:48:00 EST<![CDATA[eCorolla to debut at Finnish Electric Motor Show [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/05/ecorolla-to-debut-at-finnish-electric-motor-show-w-video/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/05/ecorolla-to-debut-at-finnish-electric-motor-show-w-video/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/05/ecorolla-to-debut-at-finnish-electric-motor-show-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , ,


eCars Now! eCorolla - Click above to watch the videos after the jump

The Electric Motor Show kicks off in Helsinki, Finland on the 6th of November and making its proud world debut will be the eCorolla. Just as you might expect from the name, the "eToyota" is an electric conversion of a regular Corolla. So why all the fuss? Well, this particular transmutation is meant as an archetype and was built by the Finnish open source project called eCars-Now! using quality components and lithium batteries. The aim of the outfit is to bring electric transportation to the masses by converting their current rides.

Looking under the hood we find the prototype is powered by an Azure Dynamics AC motor and controller (spec sheet PDF here). The lithium batteries are from Thunder Sky and the car uses a battery management system (BMS) by Lithium Balance to keep things kosher and provide pack information. This drivetrain in a similarly-sized car should be good for around 90 miles which they say could be doubled with an extra pack. Being open source, the eCars-Now! website offers complete instructions on how to make your own eCorolla (or eJetta or what have you), as well as lots of other EV info, and encourages everyone to give it a go. Hit the jump for video from the group promoting conversions featuring-you guessed it- the eCorolla.


[Source: eCars-Now!]

Continue reading eCorolla to debut at Finnish Electric Motor Show [w/VIDEO]

eCorolla to debut at Finnish Electric Motor Show [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Azure DynamicsAzureDynamicseCars-NoweCorollaElectric conversionElectric Motor ShowElectricConversionElectricMotorShowFinlandMon, 05 Oct 2009 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Got 4 or more cars in the driveway? WA$TED wants you!]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/02/got-4-or-more-cars-in-the-driveway-wa-ted-wants-you/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/02/got-4-or-more-cars-in-the-driveway-wa-ted-wants-you/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/10/02/got-4-or-more-cars-in-the-driveway-wa-ted-wants-you/#commentsFiled under:



Makeover shows have become a staple of "reality" television in the last several years. After all, who wouldn't want someone to come in and give them an all-new wardrobe, a pimped-out car or a refurbished house. One of the more recent shows is Wa$ted on Planet Green. The show is targeted at helping people "green up" their lives by reducing waste.

The producers of Wa$ted dropped us a note to let us know that they are looking for families with four or more cars and drivers. The goal is to help people reduce their carbon footprint. Presumably, the show is looking for a family open to getting rid of some of their cars and changing their transportation patterns. If you get picked for the show, you get a cash reward at the end (and please let us know if you do). If you're interested, send a note to the address after the jump.

[Source: Wa$ted]

Continue reading Got 4 or more cars in the driveway? WA$TED wants you!

Got 4 or more cars in the driveway? WA$TED wants you! originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>planet greenplanet green hdplanet green t.v.PlanetGreenPlanetGreenHdPlanetGreenT.v.wastedwatedFri, 02 Oct 2009 14:58:00 EST<![CDATA[EcoCAR, Year Two starts in Boston; student engineers cleaning up the Saturn Vue]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/09/30/ecocar-year-two-starts-in-boston-student-engineers-cleaning-up/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/09/30/ecocar-year-two-starts-in-boston-student-engineers-cleaning-up/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/09/30/ecocar-year-two-starts-in-boston-student-engineers-cleaning-up/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



GM may have discarded the Saturn brand in the company's bankruptcy, but there are still at least 150 young engineers working hard to turn a Saturn Vue into the most efficient vehicle possible. The engineers are all students from 17 universities who are participating in the EcoCAR challenge, the three-year follow-up to Challenge X.

The 17 EcoCAR teams have now spent a year doing the theoretical work to pick the powertrain they want to install in their Vue. EcoCAR guidelines allow them to "explore a variety of cutting-edge clean vehicle solutions, including full-function electric, range-extended electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fuel cell technologies." Reducing weight, improving aerodynamics and using biofuels or hydrogen is also allowed. Year Two of the competition - in which the teams begin to translate their calculations into the real world - kicked off in Boston last week.

GM unveiled the Vue as the donor vehicle for EcoCar last December. EcoCAR is sponsored by A123Systems, General Motors Company, and the U.S. Department of Energy. More details after the jump.

Gallery: EDTA 2008: GM's EcoCar


[Source: EcoCAR]




Continue reading EcoCAR, Year Two starts in Boston; student engineers cleaning up the Saturn Vue

EcoCAR, Year Two starts in Boston; student engineers cleaning up the Saturn Vue originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a123 ecocara123 systemsA123Ecocara123systemschallenge xChallengeXdepartment of energyDepartmentOfEnergydoeeco carecocargm ecocarGmEcocarWed, 30 Sep 2009 09:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Want an electric Trabant? It's already here]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/09/28/want-an-electric-trabant-its-already-here/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/09/28/want-an-electric-trabant-its-already-here/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/09/28/want-an-electric-trabant-its-already-here/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

DIY electric Trabant conversion - click above for high res gallery

While we were enjoying the look of the updated and all-electric Trabant nT concept that made its debut in Frankfurt, reader Nikki made sure we knew that an electric Trabant is already here. As we can see in the before and after pics, the car looks wonderful (if you, like us, are a fan of the original Trabi's iconic lines) in its new gorgeous blue paintwork. We love it.

Underhood, the old two-stroke engine has been replaced with an EV system that uses ten 58 Ah Odyssey Lead acid gel batteries, a Zapi controller with regen and speed limit to move the old Eastern Bloc vehicle to 70 mph (the old petrol Trabant topped out at about 62 mph). DIY mechanic Martin, in Bristol, UK, needed to work around a lot of interesting issued to make the Elektrotrabi, including finding only one place to put the controller and needing to plug holes created by the conversion with an aluminum plate. Find more pictures over on Flickr.

Gallery: DIY Electric Trabant



Want an electric Trabant? It's already here originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diydiy conversionDiyConversionelectric conversionelectric trabiElectricConversionElectricTrabiev conversionEvConversiontrabanttrabant evtrabant ntTrabantEvTrabantNttrabitrabi evTrabiEvMon, 28 Sep 2009 17:22:00 EST