As we chugg along into whatever alternative transportation and energy future we’re creating for ourselves, it is clear that it shouldn’t involve such a singular dependence on one energy source as we’ve had. If anything, our last 100 years have taught us that relying so completely on oil can have many disastrous effects, ranging the [...]
Coal, Oil, Natural Gas Industries Butt Heads; Natural Gas May Not be as Clean as Thought
April 19, 2010 By 6 Comments
2010 Mazda CX-7 Diesel Test Drive | Popular Mechanics
April 19, 2010 By 3 Comments
A diesel-powered SUV from Japan is just over the horizon. This post originally appeared on the Popular Mechanics website, where you can read it in its entirety. Written by Ken Gross. Despite widespread acceptance of diesel engines in Europe (approximately 90 percent of the cars in the U.K. use diesels), Americans still shudder at the [...]
With 115,000 People on the Interest List, Nissan LEAF Reservations Start Tomorrow
April 19, 2010 By 14 Comments
Just a friendly, EV enthusiast reminder: the official process of buying a new Nissan LEAF starts tomorrow! Up until now the world of LEAF waiting lists involved a non-committal “interest” list that you could sign up for through the Nissan website. Although there are now 115,000 people on that list, it in no way put [...]
U.S. Navy Targets Microbe that Feasts on Mud for New Fuel Cell
April 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment
“Think of it as a battery that runs on mud,” says the U.S. Office of Naval Research, and there in a nutshell is the concept behind the Navy’s new microbial fuel cell. The Navy has been using small lightweight microbial fuel cells to power sensors (to track sea turtles, for example) and now its goal [...]
Next Generation Smart Cars Will Get Diesel, Hybrid, Electric Versions
April 19, 2010 By 7 Comments
I’m not a huge fan of Daimler’s ‘other’ brand. Smart cars just look so… small and awkward. But, before you hate on me, I do realize that they are relatively affordable, sip fuel, and remarkably safe for their size. Just… they’re not for me. Seems a boatload of other people agree as Smart sales have been plunging [...]
Toyota Prius Minivan Coming in Early 2011
April 19, 2010 By 13 Comments
According to the Nikkei report, Toyota will finally release a minivan based upon its popular Prius platform come 2011. Rumor of the vehicle has been circling the web for over a year now. If it’s true–which I kind of think it is–this new vehicle will be the first to don the Prius family nameplate. Earlier [...]
Plug-In Hybrid Hummer Tackles Moab Off-Roading
April 16, 2010 By 8 Comments
While frowned upon by many in my home state of Connecticut, off-roading is nevertheless a prevalent past time in a state filled with farms, forest, and Fortune 500 CEO’s. In fact, for such a politically liberal state, there are a surprising number of Hummers (though far more Priuses). While mostly reserved for commuting, every now and [...]
MyFord Touch Driver Interface is Light Years Better Than the Rest; Adds Useful Fuel Economy Coaching Features
April 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment
In my view, one of the most important aspects of next generation vehicles is how well their drivers (and passengers) can interact with them. As our cars become much more complicated machines that provide increasing access to valuable information available through features such as detailed navigation, energy usage statistics, vehicle status reports, and Internet access, [...]
