ecomii car blog

Announcing “Give Water a Brake!” Petition

EarthGarage — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:50:58 +0000

You may not know this but traditional brake pads are comprised of some really nasty materials including copper. Every time you step on the brakes when you’re driving, materials are worn off the pads in the form of brake dust. This eventually winds up in the environment, contaminating our precious water resources.

Copper, even in small quantities, harm salmon and other fish. Copper interferes with the ability of salmon to smell. They need their sense of smell to avoid being eaten by predators and navigate back home to spawn. The consequence has been a massive decrease in the salmon population.

California and Washington have already passed legislation that will eventually remove all copper from brake pads. Rhode Island and New York have introduced similar bills that have not yet been passed.

The team at Earthgarage has created the “Give Water a Brake!” petition. Our goal is to get the rest of the U.S. and our neighbors in Canada to pass legislation that will begin phasing out copper and other hazardous materials in brake pads.

Please sign our petition using the form to the right of this blog. Let your friends know by posting on Facebook and Twitter. If you publish a blog, please grab our petition embed code located directly below the petition form. Details on the subject can be found here.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be blogging about this subject in more detail. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact me at bob@earthgarage.com.

When you’re in the market for a new set of brake pads, ask for copper-free pads.

Give Water a Brake! is sponsored by our friends at FDP Friction Science, manufacturer of EcoStop brake pads. EcoStop is the only copper-free brake pad currently on the market.

Earthgarage – Greener Car. Fatter Wallet.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Coming to Kohl’s

EarthGarage — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:00:54 +0000

Kohl’s Department Stores (NYSE: KSS) recently announced it will install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across America. 33 stores in Arizona, California, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington will take part in the pilot program.

Kohl’s customers will be able to charge their EVs for free while they shop. Charging stations can be activated with radio frequency identification cards (RFID) or by using telephone numbers located on the charging stations. Each participating store will have one to four parking spaces reserved for EV drivers.

According to Kohl’s Chief Administrative Officer John Worthington, “Not only are these stations an added shopper convenience, they also encourage environmental responsibility among our shoppers. We will continue to explore additional locations to pilot charging stations at our stores nationwide.”

Read the entire article at EnergyBoom

Earthgarage – Greener Car. Fatter Wallet

Driverless Cars: What’s Holding Back the Automobile of the Future?

EarthGarage — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:06:31 +0000

As convenient as cars are, each and every one of us has gotten frustrated at the unbearably slow driver in the left lane or the rude driver who refuses to drive any farther than two feet away from your rear bumper.

Unsafe driving practices such as these cause traffic jams, accidents, and deaths every single day on our roads and highways. And what is the root cause behind all of these issues? Humans.

Google, the company behind some of the most influential technological innovations of the past decade, is committed to creating the safest, most practical, eco friendly car of the future: the driverless car.

In his 2010 TEDtalk entitled “Rethinking the Automobile,” Sebastian Thrun, head of Google’s Driverless Cars project, describes a world where computer-driven cars actively reduce emissions, decongest traffic, save money on gas, and most importantly, save lives.

The project, using the eco friendly Prius, has advanced to a point where on the road tests are successfully taking place (accident-free too), but there is room for debate on how feasible these cars actually are in real life.

The inherent problem with driverless cars is that they have to interact, and react, to human-driven cars presently on the roadway. How can a driverless car replace sheer human intuition and react to the ever-changing environment on our roadways? Moreover, can Google create a system that eliminates any chance for a driverless car to get into an accident?

Needless to say, the courts will also have a lot on their plates if, and when, this technology comes into fruition. Will all of the blame be placed on actual drivers in the case of an accident with a driverless car, or will faulty technology end up being the scapegoat in some cases?

The benefits of functional driverless cars are abundant, but the reality is that Google, as well as those who govern our roadways, have a long way to go before we can abandon the control of driving cars ourselves and let computers take the wheel.

Earthgarage – Greener Car. Fatter Wallet.

2010 Paris Motor Show Overview: Lotus Concepts

Kirk Linden — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 21:03:24 +0000

Lotus is a company steeped in racing history for its unwavering philosophy of reducing weight to increase both efficiency and performance.

And this racing heritage shows in their five sports car concepts unveiled in Paris: the Elise, the Elan, the Espirit, the Elite and the Eterne.

While all five may differ in their size, engine layout or number of doors, they all share one enticing thing in common: the option of a Formula One-style KERS system.

KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) is a technology that was developed by and for Formula One teams during the 2009 season to deliver a boost of power on demand to the driver.

Similar to hybrids and electric-only vehicles, it stores energy using regenerative braking, but in the case of KERS, it is available at the press of a button when the driver sees fit. Ferrari is another manufacturer that has incorporated this technology into a concept with their 599 HY-KERS this past spring in the Geneva Motor Show.

While automakers continue to focus on efficiency and safety, it’s a positive sign that some level of engagement and excitement remains in the works for those of us who still enjoy driving.

Read more about the new Fisker Karma, Jaguar C-X75 , Exagon Motors Furtive eGT and Audi e-tron Spyder.

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2010 Paris Motor Show Overview: Audi e-tron Spyder

Kirk Linden — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 11:11:36 +0000

Audi continues to tease us by showcasing yet another member of their e-tron family, the e-tron Spyder.

Over the past couple of years Audi’s e-tron brand has come to represent their foray into the all-electric car market, but this time they have added a plug-in diesel hybrid.

This decision may well represent Audi’s belief that, while an all electric supercar like the original e-tron may be an ideal halo car for their electron-propelled brand, the majority of consumers in the near future will likely need, or simply want, a fossil fuel-powered back-up for their driving needs.

The final installment of the 2010 Paris Motor Show Overview on Friday will feature the Concept Cars of Lotus.

Read more about the new Fisker Karma, Jaguar C-X75 and the Exagon Motors Furtive eGT.

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2010 Paris Motor Show Overview: Exagon Motors Furtive eGT

Kirk Linden — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 11:27:06 +0000

Another car making waves this year at the 2010 Paris Motor Show is the Exagon Motors Furtive eGT

Exagon Motors is a new French automaker formed by Exagon Engineering, a race team and constructor with experience across a number of series, including designing and producing electric racecars for a series that takes place in the French Alps… on ice.

With such a performance-based background, you can be sure their first foray into passenger cars boasts impressive numbers: how’s 0-60 in 3.5 seconds and 340 horsepower?

These numbers are all the more impressive when you consider Exagon claims this range extended hybrid can travel almost 250 miles on electricity alone before the range extending gasoline engine is needed to charge the batteries, resulting in another 250 miles of electrically propelled driving nirvana.

Stayed tuned on Thursday for a look at the new Audi e-tron Spyder

Read more about the new Fisker Karma and the Jaguar C-X75.

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2010 Paris Motor Show Overview: Jaguar C-X75

Kirk Linden — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 10:21:04 +0000

Another exciting car that is turning heads and making headlines at the 2010 Paris Motor Show is the Jaguar C-X75.

Celebrating Jaguar’s 75th anniversary, the C-X75 is a supercar concept powered by four electric motors, one at each wheel, delivering a staggering total of 780 horsepower and a theoretical top speed of 205 mph.

While individual motors at each wheel is not a completely new concept in electric vehicles, the fact they are charged by two microturbine engines (think of them as small versions of the jet engines you see on commercial airliners) is rather unique.

Microturbines offer advantages over internal combustion engines because of their simplicity (much few moving parts), significantly higher power-to-weight ratio and reduced emissions.

And now for the best news of all: Jaguar is reportedly considering putting this fierce feline into production.

Stayed tuned on Wednesday for a look at the new Exagon Motors Furtive eGT

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2010 Paris Motor Show Overview: Fisker Karma

Kirk Linden — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 17:00:32 +0000

With marques like Ferrari, Lotus, Lamborghini, Porsche and Jaguar making headlines of the 2010 Paris Motor Show, it would not be hard to assume that unadulterated performance was the top priority of the show’s new product launches.

However, each and every one of these automakers, along with most every other manufacturer at the show, had a emphasis on efficiency and applications of lightweight materials – a significant sign of the auto industry’s sustainable evolution.

This week we will cover some of the most exciting and efficient cars featured at the 2010 Paris Motor Show.

First up is the Fisker Karma.

After over two years of ogling the Karma in its concept form, the first factory-built production Karma has been unveiled.

True to form, the Henrik Fisker-designed Karma (Fisker made a name for himself designing eye-candy like the Aston Martin DB9 and the BMW Z8) is hard to tell apart from the original concept. And just as important, the production version of the 400+ horsepower plug-in hybrid is still capable of the originally projected 100+ mpg.

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The Automotive X-Prize 2010 Winner: Not a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

Kirk Linden — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:54:39 +0000

The Edison2 team and their VLC (Very Light Car) entry have won the $5 million top prize in the Progressive Insurance Automotive X-Prize. The competition’s goal was to incentivize the development of a realistic car for the mass market that is capable of the equivalent of at least 100 mpg.

Edison2’s entry is a highly aerodynamic, four-person, four-wheeled vehicle that looks a bit like a helicopter (minus the rotor). While this rather radical looking design may not go mainstream anytime soon, the philosophy behind its development will likely have a direct impact on the designs of our future high mileage vehicles.

The team, consisting of mostly race engineers, designed and developed the car to be as light and aerodynamic as possible.

Early on, the focus on weight was determined to be incompatible with an electrically driven or hybrid driven car because of the significant weight of the batteries required.

Therefore, differentiating themselves from many others in the competition, the good ol’ internal combustion engine was chosen as the lone power source.

The result was a car that achieved over 102 mpg and can top 100 mph. The significance of this decision, and their resulting success in the competition, shows the common wisdom in today’s auto industry, that electric-drive cars are the solution, may not be the only or best solution.

Edison2 focused their design efforts on reducing the mass, and resulting weight, of every component used on the car, including the lug nuts.

What they discovered was that many of the components could weigh as little as 1/10 of the weight of the standard component on today’s cars.

And the lighter each individual part became, the lighter the surrounding and supporting parts, such as the suspension, could become.

But don’t assume that this car is just an empty shell with four seats and steering wheel. The VLC includes such common features at a sound system and even AC. Here’s to the future of highly efficient, and light cars.

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Green Luxury

Ted Nelson — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 16:18:35 +0000

While, personally, it gets my heart racing a little to see hot new fuel efficient models on the street, fuel efficiency is not generally associated with sexiness. Green cars can, however, be engineering marvels both visually and in terms of performance.

Whether you’re looking for an eye-catching sports car or a safe, reliable way to transport your family, some high-end models are more fuel efficient than others. This efficiency will save you money on gas, and is an easy way to lower your ecological footprint.

Below is a list of some green luxury options, organized by fuel source. Of course, some of the fuel sources themselves are greener than others. Some key stats accompany each model, or click on the model name itself for a link to the product page on the manufacturer’s website.

Only currently available models are covered. Many other luxurious green models are still in the pipeline, ready to push the envelope even further in the next few years.

Regular Gasoline

This category doesn’t offer the same fuel efficiency as other more novel technologies. However, even if you’re in the market for a plain old gas powered luxury car it’s still important to consider fuel economy and your carbon footprint.

2010 Volvo S40

Gas Mileage: 21 city / 30 highway

Annual Fuel Cost: $1,526

Carbon Footprint: 7.7

MSRP: $28,550

Safe as well as luxurious, Volvo is a leader in high-end fuel efficiency with traditional gasoline powered models.

2010 Volvo V50

Gas Mileage: 21 city / 30 highway

Annual Fuel Cost: $1,526

Carbon Footprint: 7.7

MSRP: $29,800

If you have a big family you might feel doomed to a gas guzzling SUV or minivan. This Volvo station wagon, however, is a safe, comfortable, and relatively fuel efficient way to get the kids and their friends to school, practice, and all their other activities.

2010 Saab 93 Sports Sedan

Gas Mileage: 21 city / 31 highway

Annual Fuel Cost: $1,526

Carbon Footprint: 7.7

MSRP: $30,360 2.0T $43,605 Aero

Scandinavian brands seem to dominate this category. The 93 Sports Sedan delivers both efficiency and performance with the classic Saab design.

Premium Gasoline

You’ll pay a little more to fill up with premium, but luxury comes at a price. This is basically a sub-category of regular gasoline, premium is just the recommended grade for these models. As with the last category the fuel efficiency isn’t great in absolute terms, but these models beat out the competition.

2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet

Gas Mileage: 23 city / 30 highway

Annual Fuel Cost: $1,536

Carbon Footprint: 7.1

MSRP: $42,000

As global temperatures rise you can stay cool in this Audi convertible.

2010 Audi A4

Gas Mileage: 23 city / 30 highway

Annual Fuel Cost: $1,536

Carbon Footprint: 7.1

MSRP: $31,450

One of a few Audi sedans that take premium in this same fuel economy range.

Diesel

Once known as the dirty fuel, diesel has cleaned up its act. Today, many of the most efficient models on the road employ clean diesel technology. German carmakers have focused on diesel ahead of hybrids and other green technologies, and now manufacture vehicles that get hybrid-like fuel efficiency.

2010 Audi A3 TDI

Gas Mileage: 30 city / 42 highway

Annual Fuel Cost:$1,001

Carbon Footprint: 6.2

MSRP:$29,950

Audi is owned by Volkswagon, and together they have developed a leadership position in the clean diesel market. Audi and Volkswagon have several models that lead the clean diesel pack in terms of fuel efficiency.

2009 BMW 335d

Gas Mileage: 23 city / 36 highway

Annual Fuel Cost: $1,260

Carbon Footprint: 7.8

MSRP: $43,900

BMW has joined fellow German automaker Volkswagon in the clean diesel market. The 335d doesn’t match the fuel economy of the Audi A3 or several other Audi and VW diesel models, and comes at a higher sticker price. All things considered, 36 mpg on the highway is great for a luxury sedan, though.

Hybrid

The best known green cars on the road are hybrids. They get great gas mileage and the price premium hybrids command over traditional models is declining. More and more hybrid models are available, but Lexus still dominates the luxury end of the market. The competition should heat up as Porsche enters the hybrid market.

2010 Lexus HS Hybrid

Gas Mileage: 35 city / 34 highway

Annual Fuel Cost: $1,047

Carbon Footprint: 5.3

MSRP: $34,200

Building on its success with the Prius, Toyota has introduced four hybrid models through its luxury brand, Lexus. The HS, a sedan, is both the most affordable and most fuel efficient of the four.

2010 Lexus RX Hybrid

Gas Mileage: 32 city / 28 highway

Annual Fuel Cost: $1,329

Carbon Footprint: 6.1

MSRP: $44,125 all wheel drive $42,535 front wheel drive

The RX is a crossover model, which manages to be both efficient and spacious. Great if you have a lot of stuff to cart around, whether it’s kayaks or kids.

Electric

This category should grow quickly as more electric vehicles become available. Fully electric vehicles (EVs)–as opposed to plug in hybrids (PHEVs)–produce zero localized emissions: no pollution is pumped out of the tailpipe. However, since the majority of electricity in the United States is generated using fossil fuels EVs are not carbon nuetral unless they’re charged from a renewable energy source. Driving an EV will still take a huge chunk out of your carbon footprint, though.

Tesla Roadster

Range: 220 miles

Top Speed: 120 mph

Price: $101,500

This quick sports car is a must have for green A-listers. It’s power and handling are currently unmatched among commercially available EVs, and Tesla plans to extend into the luxury sedan market in the near future.