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Posts Tagged “

Environment

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alternative energy

Biofuel Comparison Chart Highlights Hypocrisy

The problem with the green movement isn't its goal of conservation — that's admirable — it's the gullibility many of its proponents suffer from and which big companies and governments are able to exploit to sell them on far-from-friendly products and policies. Take biofuel for instance. Many of its sources use more energy and effort than they're capable of producing, yet they receive subsidies and publicity over sources that might actually prove sustainable. This chart, put together by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer neatly sums this up. We only spot one glaring omission, poop.

[Seattle PI via Treehugger]
Photogrpahy credit: Daniel Leininger

11:00 AM on Wed May 14 2008
By Wes Siler
2,554 views, 65 comments

Latest by Dollarbill4: We still have a hard time letting go of the internal combustion engine. I would welcome a time when these engines are used only as racing engines and regular street drivers are electrics or compressed air motors. I am more »

alternative energy

G-Oil: Yep, You Guessed It, A Green Motor Oil

With green-this, hydrogen-that, hybrid-this and Al Gore-that all slowly taking over the pages of Jalopnik, we thought that we still had the safe haven known as the "traditional engine" to fall back on, free from worries about the environment or mpg or anything else. Until now. Welcome G-Oil to the party, the green-alternative to traditional motor oil. More »

5:30 PM on Tue Mar 4 2008
By Travis Hudson
1,231 views, 32 comments

alternative energy

Carbon-Capturing Car To Eliminate Emissions, Maybe

Rather than focusing vehicle-development and alternative-energy resources on finding different kinds of fuel, students and researchers at Georgia Tech are taking a couple steps back and looking at the emissions problem. The project currently being worked on involves a car that still operates on standard liquid fuels, but the kicker is the carbon emissions. The car will collect those and shuttle them back to a processing plant that can convert them back into fuel, taking out two birds with one stone. More »

2:45 PM on Fri Feb 15 2008
By Travis Hudson
1,020 views, 19 comments

Latest by Novaload: @Hello_Newman: Yes, burn him! Burn him! more »

industry news

Ford To Add EcoBoost Turbocharging and Direct Injection To 500,000 Vehicles

If you've been wondering what Ford's big plans were for dealing with the new energy bill and higher CAFE standards and guessed hybrids or electric cars &mdash you were wrong. Ford's big plan is to add turbocharging and direct injection to 500,000 vehicles, starting with the 2009 Lincoln MKS. Ford claims this technology will boost performance while also affordably decreasing gasoline usage. According to their numbers, an EcoBoost car can recoup the initial investment in the technology in 30 months, compared to 12 years for a hybrid and 7.5 years for a diesel. The press release detailing this wild technology below the jump. More »

3:03 PM on Tue Jan 8 2008
By Matt Hardigree
2,009 views, 24 comments

Latest by velocecrat: Perfect. Now all we hafta do is shed 800lbs. from each model, and we're on the right road. more »

news

Ford's Tests Out Eco-Friendly Paint on U-Haul Vans

Proving that saving the environment isn't all about mating electric motors to gas engines, Ford has been working on reforming the painting process to find ways to lessen our impact on our world. If you don't believe that painting trucks creates an environmental hazard, check out the paint shop at your local transit authority's bus barn. According to Ford, the new system "combines an advanced chemical formulation of high-solids, solvent-borne paint with an innovative three-wet application process." Exactly. Fittingly, Ford is testing this new process out on 200 U-Haul vans, which each use a lot of paint to describe the many tourist attractions of Delaware. More »

5:00 PM on Thu Dec 27 2007
By Matt Hardigree
553 views, 26 comments

Latest by brandonvalentine: @elhigh: I don't think that was intended as a knock on Delaware. It's a crack about the seeming ubuiqity of UHaul decals advertising the second smallest state in the Union. more »

industry news

EU Outlines New Environmental Restrictions, Disappoints Ze Germans and Ze Greens

The European Commission announced their energy bill today, which will require carmakers to reduce the CO2 emissions of new automobiles by approximately 20% to 120 grams per kilometer (30 fingers per ounce, we think) by 2012. Within the EU cars account for 12% of all carbon emissions. On one side, environmental groups are upset that the new plan abandons an old plan to cut emissions by 25%. On the other side, makers of larger cars, cars with smaller volumes and larger cars with smaller volumes may seek concessions or exemptions. More »

2:15 PM on Wed Dec 19 2007
By Matt Hardigree
243 views, 4 comments

Latest by JanTheMan: Lets call them something else than cars, commute vehicle, delivery vans and strange underpowered hatchbacks ok they are cars and the legislation could be valid for them....But the joymobiles...the kind I like, that is culture, we should get EU fundings more »

industry news

Are You Hosers Killing The Electric Car, Eh?

The Canadian government is taking heat for depriving its citizens of locally built electric cars. Specifically, the ZENN electric car being made in Quebec and being sold in the U.S. and Mexico is getting volt-blocked by the government. Transport Canada has been vague about their reason for not allowing the companies to sell their cars, so of course there are those who see it as a great conspiracy. Another electric car company, Dynasty, is moving out of Canada because of problems with the Government.
More »

10:00 AM on Wed Dec 19 2007
By Matt Hardigree
1,614 views, 30 comments

Latest by fast_lane: I was interested in the Zenn car, but the one thing that stalled me from buying one is how it will perform in crash tests. more »

industry news

UPS to Infuriate NASCAR, Eliminate Left Turns

What's worse that a big, brown and ugly truck clogging up the streets everyday? Probably a big, brown and ugly truck constantly moving through traffic and clogging up the street. There are 95,000 UPS trucks out everyday and soon they will be drastically reducing the amount of left turns, focusing the delivery routes on making mostly right turns (I wonder if the same rule will apply for Dale Jarrett's UPS-sponsored car — that could get real messy). Eliminating the left turns will reportedly save three million gallons of gas annually. More »

9:45 AM on Mon Dec 17 2007
By Travis Hudson
2,130 views, 35 comments

Latest by Drew Didorosi: It's frustrating that you can't edit your posts.. For the third time, here's the correct answer: [www.ridetech.com] more »

environment

EU to Cede on US Demands to Drop Vehicle Emissions Targets?

So we're hearing negotiators at the United Nations climate talks in Bali agreed to U.S. demands, dropping specific targets on greenhouse-gas emissions from a draft document in order to salvage an agreement that will guide discussions on a global-warming treaty over the next two years. Specifically, the target changes were pushed by Germany. Hmm, we're thinking maybe there's an automaker twisting arms behind the scene. Our guess is in this round the score is: Porsche, 1. Gore, 0. Who's got next? (Hat tip to Brian W!) [Bloomberg]

8:15 AM on Fri Dec 14 2007
By Ray Wert
246 views, 15 comments

Latest by p3p3: This thread reminds me of the banjo playing boy in Deliverance the movie. more »

industry news

Ford Wins "Clean Vehicle Award" For Hybrids

While we may have had a little poke at yesterday for their environmental leadership, the experts at the International Energy Agency Implementing Agreement on Hybrid & Electric Vehicles have given Ford their propers for achieving sales of more than 50,000 hybrid models worldwide. They also received awards for best practices in promotions and a "personal Award" for their dedication to increased efficiency in Hybrid powertrains. So there. Press release below the jump: More »

3:45 PM on Wed Dec 5 2007
By Matt Hardigree
521 views, 7 comments

nascar

NASCAR Going Green... Eventually

Whether or not NASCAR is a sport, it's a fairly popular pastime. And like all of America's major events, it's attempting to go green in order to protect the environment and reduce our dependence on... yada yada yada. Another important reason is that people drive long distances to get to races and an increase in gas prices could mean a decrease in fan support (A trip around a NASCAR event parking lot will reveal a few more V8-powered Mustangs than hybrids)
More »

3:30 PM on Tue Nov 27 2007
By Matt Hardigree
803 views, 19 comments

Latest by diskreet: If Toyota put Prius decals on their car it would just spend the entire time in the pits fueling up. Which is good, because in a full lap of the biggest tracks it wouldn't top 100. more »

news

UK to EU: Give Us a Break

Britain's Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly is none-to-pleased with the EU's plans for a 125g/km carbon dioxide limit for all new cars from 2015. Porque? According to Kelly, the onus it puts on car manufacturers that sell only a few high emission cars (Aston Martin/Bentley) is unfair. It may not be a problem for the Seats and Citroens of this world, but Britain still has a few small marques. This isn't America, so she's not asking for all emission standards to be thrown out of the window. She merely wants a target date to be 2020 or 2025 so that smaller manufacturers can prepare for the stricter standards. And by prepare, one can only hope that she means an Aston Martin Hybrid Estate, Bentley Continental Hatch or other brand dilution that results in a cheaper ride.[What Car]

11:30 AM on Fri Nov 2 2007
By Matt Hardigree
362 views, 18 comments

Latest by TR3-A: @UDMAN: Great cars, all. I have taken no small comfort knowing that somewhere, Morgans are still being built. Just reading those names makes me weak in the knees. more »

environment

Don't Sweat it, Offset it

Enterprise, National and Alamo are offering the largest carbon offset program in rental car history, which isn't saying that much. Eco-friendly persons who don't want to take the bus/train can opt to pay $1.25 on top of the cost of the rental (plus insurance, gas fees, et cetera) and the companies will match that amount up to $1 million in carbon offsetts. The plan will be administered by TerraPass, which is an industry leader in letting people buy their way out of their eco-guilt. No word yet on whether Hertz or other rental car companies will offer a similar plan, but it wouldn't surprise us. [Environmental Leader].

5:00 PM on Thu Nov 1 2007
By Matt Hardigree
294 views, 20 comments

Latest by HeartBurnKid: @akirachan: Short (and probably somewhat inaccurate, but one hell of a lot more balanced than the jokers who post here) version: Companies have a certain maximum amount that they can pollute each year. If they come in under more »

news

Couple Bringing LA to the Water...less Carwash

What to do if your one-year old daughter is allergic to commercial cleaners? If you're a bad parent you might put the kid up for adoption. The Peris of Los Angeles let the experience lead them to create a waterless car washing system that uses low levels of chemicals. The product is apparently good for the environment both in terms of chemical use and water savings (heads up Georgia). The couple has already landed a Lexus dealership and the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, so this might end up being a sustainable business. If you're in the LA area and don't like spending hundreds of gallons washing your baby, check it out. [LA Times]

4:00 PM on Thu Nov 1 2007
By Matt Hardigree
386 views, 6 comments

Latest by crashmtb: I'm amazed that 'waterless car washes' are new to California..They've been around here for far too long. Though not promoted with such fancy graphics or vehicles. Usually advertised via magnetic signs on a 1980s chrysler product. more »

parking

Enviro-Dweebs Plan To Plant Small Garden, Play Ping-Pong In Your Parking Spot Today

[rant] OK, seriously enviro-nuts, you've gone and crossed a line. It's hard enough trying to find metered parking spots in places like LA and New York City without you eco-nerds taking them over and putting up your potted plants and trees and lawn chairs. And according to the Journal from Wall Street many of you green-freaks are going to be playing ping-pong in some of the spots. What? Ping-Pong?! We thought the purpose of "Parking Day" was supposed to be
"an effort to raise local awareness about the lack of open out-of-doors public space in urban areas, and draw attention to the gas wasted and pollution created by drivers circling the block for low-cost curbside parking spaces."
More »

10:30 AM on Fri Sep 21 2007
By Ray Wert
1,180 views, 30 comments

Latest by dchadwick: Wow, you guys whine as much as the "eco-hippies" you're always bitching about. Save some of it for when gas is $8/gallon and we're charging you fair market rate for prime real-estate. Maybe you'll pull your heads out of your more »

canada goes california

Ontario Contemplates Crackrock HOV Enviro Plan

As much as we vent here on tha Jalop about the habits and attitudes of many hybrid drivers, we're not against the gasoline-electric machines. We think they're fascinating pieces of technology, and in stop-and-go environments, their benefit is clear, both in terms of emissions and fuel savings. And we're not, per se against Ontario's nascent initiative to reward the drivers of fuel-efficient vehicles. But ferchrissakes, lawmakers, do not let solo hybrid drivers into your HOV lanes. The benefit is useless at constant freeway speeds. But carpool lanes are designed largely to reduce congestion, not pollution. Don't succumb to hybrid jackassery, Ontario! You Canucks are supposed to be the sensible North Americans! [The Star]

8:00 PM on Thu Aug 9 2007
By Davey G. Johnson
468 views, 21 comments

Latest by danio3834: @emperor_palpatine: What a progressive and enlightened statement. How about concentration camps for all SUV drivers as well? more »

home, home on the range

New Yorkers Count SUVs

In an experiment in crowdsourcing, WNYC's Brian Lehrer asked listeners to count the number of SUVs on their block. "We're trying to find out just how much gas-guzzling SUV use there is throughout the New York area, with all the talk of environmental sustainability in the city," Lehrer explains. Results after the jump. More »

11:00 AM on Fri Aug 3 2007
By Wes Siler
1,134 views, 62 comments

let the x-games begin

Automotive X-Prize Announces First Teams

Want a check for 10 extra-large (that's millions)? All you have to do is prove you can design, build and bring to market a car that can get 100 miles per gallon and that people will buy. It sounds simple enough, and 31 teams have already signed up to compete for the Automotive X-Prize (you remember the X-Prize people from the $10 million they gave Paul Allen's Mojave Aerospace Ventures for building the first private vehicle that could go into space; no, it wasn't a Delorean). Qualifying teams will race their vehicular entries in a cross-country competition combining speed, distance, pothole bashing (i.e., urban driving) and overall performance. The winners will be those exceeding 100 mpg (or the equivalent), hit strict targets for emissions and finish in the fastest time. No prob. Bring us a Rupp go-kart, a case of rubber bands and 100 quarts of 151-proof rum. It's on. (Shown: Aptera) More »

10:00 AM on Wed Aug 1 2007
By Mike Spinelli
1,191 views, 11 comments

Latest by Soyarma: I'm doing a study right now on the major manufacturer's average fuel economies. So far it is pretty much directly in line with the CAFE requirements. What this shows is that the OEMs increase mileage only as much as they more »