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Toyota just launched "Why Not?" the largest ad campaign in the company's history. Since the announcement, I've been on the look out for new Toyota ads. I came across the viral ad "Anthem" which was created by 22squared, according to a post on Ad Freak. The ad imagines a future with free parking, no gas stations and cow flatulence collection devices. The viral video is not all nice though with a knock at Fresno for being a low budget, tourist stop, ghost town. You can watch the clip below the fold.
It seems that the latest trend in train technology is hybrid powertrains. For a long time, diesel trains have used electric motors for smoother power but as battery improvements arrive, the powertrains are becoming more sophisticated and handle features such as regenerative braking.
Let's start with France. Last October, SCNF started a medium distance route between Paris and Troyes using the Canadian Bombardier AGC which can be powered by dual mode (either diesel or electric) or dual voltage (because some train lines have different voltage levels). Users don't perceive any change when switching from one energy source to another - although no batteries are installed.
Then there's Japan's Kiha E200 (pictured above) which uses both an 95 kW electric motor and a 300 kW diesel engine and lithium-ion batteries located within the ceiling of wagons, which is run by JR East. But there's more: JR East has also a concept model, called NE, that uses a hydrogen-powered fuel-cell which reaches 60 mph and is able to run 30 to 60 miles without refuelling, thanks to regenerative braking. The NE has also batteries within the ceiling and has an auxiliary diesel engine that helps the train climbing up slopes or when the batteries are too low. Three units from the latter are being tested in the UK and Australia as well.
Arriving from Canada, there's the 2004 Green Goat, an improved diesel locomotive with diesel electric and diesel hydraulic which is claimed to be cheaper to run and maintain and produces less pollutants.
But don't think that hybrid trains are new. Back in 1986, Czech's CZD company built a hybrid locomotive that used both a diesel engine and electric motors backed up with batteries which were recharged with regenerative braking or from the tender. Unfortunately, the project was discontinued because of the company's financial problems.
If you've ever seen the Red Hot Chili Peppers, you know that bassist Flea is some sort of interstellar energy trapped in the body of a human. He jumps around like the floor is electric and he's wearing a wet Speedo that's dripping water down his legs. Should he stay still for too long, zap! In short, it makes a lot of sense that Flea would like the Tesla Roadster.
While I've been an RHCP fan for over a decade, but I did not know that Flea's real name is Michael Balzary. This is just one of the tidbits contained on the page over at the Tesla Motors blog where Flea writes about driving a Roadster prototype. Another is that it was Chris Paine's "Who Killed The Electric Car?" documentary that convinced him to plunk down some dough and buy a Roadster, sight unseen. His wife wasn't too pleased, but being in the Chili Peppers certainly must pay enough that forking over $100,000 for a car isn't too outlandish, right?
Anyway, following the test drive, Flea penned a few words on what he thought about getting behind the wheel of (and actually seeing for the first time) a Tesla Roadster. And, so we don't forget RHCP history, Flea keeps the memory of former guitarist Hillel Slovak alive with a mention in the post. Recommended.
I saw a TV commercial last night for the Toyota Highlander hybrid that highlighted the EV Mode button. The commercial was about a new father that constantly woke up the baby with the sound of the car as he arrived home. This problem is solved in the commercial by pressing the EV button, allowing the father to silently park, before walking into his home. The father's efforts are dashed however as the commercial ends with him accidentally fumbling something, making a noise and waking the baby anyway. I think this may be the first commercial in America to feature the EV mode button. The Japanese Prius has an EV mode button but it was removed from the US Prius for some reason.
Joe Jobe, the CEO of the National Biodiesel Board recently took advantage of Chrysler's new discount program for NBB members to buy a new Dodge Ram. Jobe was replacing an eight-year-old Ford F350 with the new clean diesel powered Dodge. The updated Cummins diesel in the Ram is already compliant with the 2010 Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standards. Chrysler and the NBB are working together along with other companies on a national standard for B20 biodiesel so that car-makers can start officially supporting the fuel. Chrysler already endorses B5 and delivers all their new diesel vehicles filled with the five percent biofuel blend from the factory.
Barack Obama says that now that Hillary Clinton has changed from an anti-ethanol position to one supporting ethanol in her new energy plan, she might switch back under pressure. Here's what he said:
It's hard to believe that she is a strong ethanol supporter given her track record and this is something that represents a major reversal and what we need is consistency on these issues. ... If she's willing to shift this quickly on this issue, we don't know whether she will shift back when it gets hard.
Clinton has defended her record on ethanol, saying "I never was against using ethanol. I never was against the idea that we had to try these alternatives." Obama still thinks she could have done more. Again, Mr. Obama:
These are a lot of votes and over a lengthy period of time. ... If she were committed to alternative energy, there certainly would have been opportunities for her to amend the legislation or alter it in ways that would address any concerns that she had.
Tell us what you think. Could Hillary have shown more support for things like forcing cars to be flex fuel or adding ethanol pumps at gas stations? Do you think Hillary's support for ethanol after the election will be lukewarm? Do you think Hillary is right for not showing too much support for ethanol?
According to a recent survey made by Renewable Fuels Now, 74 percent of Americans say that the US should increase domestic production of renewable fuels, including ethanol. The poll also mentions that Americans support the idea of the Federal Government helping develop the biofuel industry (87 percent) and increasing biofuel blends at the pumps (77 percent).
The article also mentions that Americans don't believe in the "tortilla effect" (that corn ethanol affects food prices) and more people mention other root factors for the price increase, for example higher oil prices (46 percent) and increased global demand (15 percent), than those who believe ethanol is guilty (7 percent).
The survey was released by Renewable Fuels Now, a coalition of associations and companies that includes the National Corn Growers Association. It was conducted in late October 2007 and surveyed 1,000 adults in the US.
Nevertheless, Ron Plain, a professor of agricultural economics at the University of Missouri, states that even if all the agricultural output in the US were used to produce biofuels, the country would still need 50 million gallons of gasoline to keep cars running. He also said "Ethanol can reduce the use of gasoline but it isn't going to replace it [...] We use too much gasoline to replace it with ethanol".
Recently we told you about Transport Canada's sudden shift to give Zenn's low speed electric vehicles a safety mark. Here is how it all happened according to the CBC; After the TV report, which included Transport Canada failing to give a good reason on why they held back the safety mark, Ian Clifford, founder of the ZENN Motor Company, said "hundreds and hundreds of people wrote in and responded to what really was an outrageous situation federally." Even NDP Leader Jack Layton complained of "bureaucratic roadblocks" during a question period in the House of Commons.
Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon, said he was unaware of the situation until the TV report aired. Cannon looked into it and was told no safety mark was issued "because we were still waiting for information." Canon says "now that information has been tabled, the folks have looked at it and so we've issued the certificate." Clifford says he is "pleased and surprised" at receiving the market after a year and half of waiting. Clifford also said officials from Ontario and Quebec even told him they intend to introduce legislation soon on allowing low-speed vehicles on streets. British Columbia is currently the only Canadian province that lets low speed vehicles on the road.
While four wheel all-terrain-vehicles are a great way to get around on farms and through undeveloped areas, they aren't exactly gentle on the environment. Along with potentially tearing up the ground, they tend to be loud and pollute a lot. Disregarding the first problem for the moment, Barefoot Motors has created the Model One ATV to at least the tackle the noise and emissions issues. Mythbuster Jamie Hyneman (he of the 'stache and beret) is on the advisory board working on prototype builds and product development. The company was founded by a pair of alumni from Zap!, Max Scheder-Bieschin and Melissa Brandão. Unlike their former company this one at least has a prototype for the their lithium battery-powered vehicle which you can see in the video after the jump. So far their is no info on pricing or availability.
[Source: Barefoot Motors, thanks to Domenick for the tip]
I think I have a new can't-fail interview technique for the next gathering of auto reps I visit: badgering them. The clip above is from the new Onion, and shows the "anchor" not giving two rips about improved fuel efficiency (or Ford's SYNC option) once he finds out that neither Ford, GM or Toyota are going to deliver a flying car. This is the kind of thing we more often post on Fridays, but, hey, I assume you like to laugh on Tuesdays, too, right?
And as a side note, the clip is sponsored by Ford. Therefore, the ad following the bit is for the Ford Escape hybrid SUV. Irony or product placement?
For more humor, check out a classic bit of comedy (slightly NSFW if stuff shown on Jay Leno isn't appropriate for your workplace) from Dante and Randal of Kevin Smith's Clerks. Our two heroes discuss just how far one should go in search of the flying car.
Recently, I have found myself driving in stop/go/crawl traffic at least 4 days a week. Of course, this now-frequent activity coincides with the current 40 cent hike in gas prices we are suffering thru right now. My 8-year old ride drinks heavily in this style of driving and I don't like spending so much of my dwindling hours on this planet in such an unproductive yet necessary activity.
This whole feeling has been compounded by the latest Michael Klare article on energy in The Nation. Seems the author has put two and two together: The Dept of Energy has quietly shifted from "petroleum" to "liquids" as a word to describe the fuel we use for transportation. "Liquids" refers to other hydrocarbon fuels (propane, natural gas, etc.) as well as biofuels that we are slowly beginning to depend on just like petroleum. Changing this definition will mask the fact that petroleum production is just about peaked and older producing fields need to be replaced by new production before total production can reach the levels needed to meet increased world demand. This is not a good "scenario" for those that think the new Malibu will be the trendsetter for the US auto industry.
If the peak oil predictions are true in the short range - 5 years - then we need to drive a lot, lot, less and learn how to melt down a lot of SUVs and crossovers and replace them with vehicles that weigh about half as much and burn about half the energy currently used. That is essentially making the US national fleet about as energy comsumptive per person as the European fleet. Are we capable of such a transformation? Are we willing?
There is a kind of silver lining to this. Thanks to the weak dollar and our energy habits, more and more of the US is owned by the OPEC nations. Remember, we give them our dollars for petroleum. We burn the petrol up but they still have the dollars. They are so invested in us, they can't squeeze us till we hurt as it would also hurt them.
When I am stuck in traffic, I can't help feeling like the frog that Al Gore described in his movie - the one who can't sense slow change in his environment fast enough to get out and find safety. Is it getting warm in here?
According to the words from Denmark's Minister of Transport and Energy in the Danish newspaper Berlingske Tidende, the Scandinavian country really want all-electric cars to be on the road.
"At the moment the officials are studying the project. The legal matters need to be in place. However, I am very positive towards the project and I hope it will become a reality already during the period up to 2015," says Minister for Transport and Energy Jakob Axel Nielsen.
The Danish government is seeking support for the EVs from an Israeli investment company, which wasn't named but is rumored to be from the software industry. The plans is to promote the use of electric cars that are able to run up to 150 km (90 miles) per charge, suppported by a network of about half a million charging stations around the country (total population is about 5.5 million inhabitants, so one station for every 11 people) that would work as gas stations in a way users don't notice significant differences
The Government is also looking for a formula via tax exemptions to make the plan attractive both to the public and to investors.
If you're in the market for an electric vehicle and you want to check out specs and see what's available, Miles Automotive has launched an all new site. The new virtual showroom has pics and specs on their current lineup of low-speed neighborhood electric vehicles and their upcoming XS500 full-speed sedan. The XS500 will be a Chinese-built, battery-powered, five-passenger sedan that is supposed to sell for an affordable price. If their manufacturing partner can do a better job of meeting US safety standards than most other Chinese companies have done, this could be an important entrant in the market. If not, what you're looking at here is just more vapor.
[Source: Miles Automotive, thanks to Andrew for the tip]
One of many green insurance programs, ibuyeco has been offsetting drivers' CO2 emissions since opening shop in June. The company just sent out an announcement that the results so far include the offsetting of 25,000 tons of carbon dioxide with the help of the CarbonNeutral Company. While this sounds like a lot, it's actually kind of a drop, really. After its first three months of operation, ibuyeco claimed they had offset 18,000 tons. Do the math, that's 18,000 tons in the first three months and then 7,000 in the following two.
Maybe this is why, instead of focusing only on the 25,000 tons number, ibuyeco's press release (after the jump) frames the amount as "the annual CO2 emissions of an entire town." ibuyeco says 25,000 tons of CO2 is "the equivalent to the annual CO2 emissions of 4,464 UK households (based on 5.6 tonnes of CO2 per home). That is roughly the equivalent to the population of Ilfracombe, Devon." Well, there ya go.
According to the words from Denmark's Minister of Transport and Energy in the Danish newspaper 
