Has the recent economic crisis hindered the advancement of green auto technology? I'm not really sure. The fact that a complete changeover to hybrid or all electric vehicles, etc. was a long term proposition in the first place may lead one to believe the process may take even longer now. This is because dollars are being spent on more urgent issues and consumers aren't spending at all. If someone doesn't want to spend the money on a new car what makes us think they would want to spend a few extra bucks on a hybrid. With GM being in grave danger one would have to assume that they will cut spending on future concepts and development if they haven't already. The Chevy Volt was to be a groundbreaking automobile in the industry, moving it in the direction of cars that are less dependent on gasoline. It has been modified from its original design to be more practical. Yet the definition of practical may have changed recently. What exactly is practical now in these "tough economic times". The most practical thing now may be public transportation or our own God given legs! People may be less and less likely to see the complete picture. They may not want to spend more at first even if they know they will save more in the long run. The economy is so unstable no one is even sure if there will be a long run. No one knows how bad things will get but then again those of us who care about our environment have always worried more about what is truly "green", not just green paper. The Chevy Volt is still slated for release next year. Maybe its lower than original price and economic fuel efficiency will take advantage of the slow economy and become a huge success in the market. With the president's stimulus package lets hope we will see brighter, greener days in the near future!
As we approach election day 2008, not only the future of our country is at stake, but the future of our world may be as well. While neither candidate is as "green" minded as Al Gore, there are still significant environmental issues that both have addressed. No matter who you choose to vote for, it is important to understand each party's view on the energy crisis. Both Obama and McCain have spoken about a future America where we will be free of dependence on foreign sources of oil. Yet they do disagree on how to achieve this goal. McCain is focused more on offshore drilling for oil as temporary relief as well as building more nuclear power plants. While Obama is not vehemently opposed to either of this things, he seems more willing to at least speak about alternative solutions such as the use of bio-diesel to fuel automobiles among other things, etc. Yet McCain is also a supporter of alternative energy as well as we have seen in some specific add campaigns. He also mentioned hydrogen and flex fuel cars briefly during the debates. It is important for government to get involved in these matters. Without political support it would be impossible to create an entirely new infrastructure to support vehicles that run on electricity, hydrogen, bio-diesel, clean diesel, ethanol, etc. So the question remains: who do i vote for if I want a cleaner environment and less dependence on oil. My only advice would be to do some last minute cram studying and make an educated choice based on this and many other issues we currently face in the United States. Just don't go vote based on rumors or a negative political commercial. Keep you country in mind, keep your future in mind, and most importantly keep your earth in mind. Without the earth there is no future. Oil is a finite resource, whether or not we drill we will eventually need alternative sources of fuel. So whether you vote for Obama or McCain, be sure to vote "Green". See you at the booth on tuesday.......................................
GM has finally announced their biggest plan for change. The highly anticipated Chevy Volt, will be released for sale in 2010. This new idea for a hybrid electric vehicle utilizes a lithium ion battery pack allowing the car to go up to 40 miles an hour without having to use a single drop of gasoline. This idea is so unique and radical because instead of relying on a regenerative braking system to store kinetic energy as in modern hybrids, the battery can be charged by plugging into an actual outlet. There will be a port near the drivers side mirror to plug it in temporarily as well. The original prototype of the Chevy Volt was significantly sportier than the actual model that will be manufactured. This had a lot of people,including myself initially disappointed. Lets face it, we all want to look cool while we're driving. Yet in order to stay within budget and make the model more affordable to the public, Chevy had to modify the body style. The new body style is no slouch itself. It looks like a nice sporty sedan. It may no longer resemble a ferrari but it is still aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Besides, a little sportiness is worth sacrificing if it means the volt will be able to have a serious impact in the industry. What good is a groundbreaking hybrid electric plug-in if only an elite few can own it? The prius has been so successful not because of its look but because of it purpose. The Chevy Volt will build on what the prius has started, and will still look much better doing it!
A major objection to a world of all electric cars is whether or not the current electrical grid has the capacity to support them. When the first influx of EV’s hit the street, the sudden need for an excess amount of electrical surges while charging the cars could cause a problem. A blackout that cascades throughout the country would be a disaster of epic proportions. Yet I read in a recent blog that a man named Shai Agassi is pushing for an all- electric infrastructure in Israel. His idea is that a network similar to the cell phone network could be created in order to support the existence of EV’s. The cost of transitioning to a network of charging stations could be covered with monthly fees paid by the users, rather than paying for each charge on the spot like we do when we stop to fill up with gasoline. In addition these stations could also support plug-in hybrids, which need to charge as well. Once again I have to stress as I have before that while an electric charging network for EV’s is a great idea, we must think about the methods used at the source of creating the electricity in the first place. Is it being created primarily through the use of coal burning or through the use of natural forces like wind? Burning coal is more harmful to the environment than automobile emissions.Agassi has plans to remake the grid entirely in order to support his vision. He and his company “Better Place” plan to have all of this in motion by the year 2011 and hope to spread to Denmark and the U.S. shortly after. [1] As a country we definitely need to step up our use of green alternatives to gasoline. Europe has always been ahead of us in creating eco friendly cars such as mini cars, the use of clean diesel and bio-diesel, etc. While GM has definitely shown the desire to find the next alternative to gasoline powered vehicles they have yet to release that groundbreaking car that will change the shape of American thinking towards the automobiles they purchase and drive. Personally I am looking forward to a red, white and blue “green” car!
There is no doubt that off shore oil drilling will be a huge topic in the upcoming presidential elections. Should we lift the ban on drilling for oil in the ocean to relieve our dependence on foreign sources? If we do we obviously run the risk of destroying or at least disturbing natural habitats. Do we really have to choose what is more important, the environment or the economy? The truth is they are both important and there must be a compromising solution. Politics play a huge role in whether or not green alternatives to fossil fuels will be the answer. In order for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to overtake ones that run on gasoline, an entirely new infrastructure must be created. Therefore it comes down to the politicians supporting the cause and trying to get bills passed which will allow for an easier transition to automobiles that run on sources of fuel other than oil.
When one thinks of huge oil tycoons, Exxon Mobil definitely comes to mind. Many blame huge oil companies such as Exxon Mobil for the recent crisis. Yet there is much more to why you are paying high prices at the pump than just greedy oil execs. Nevertheless Exxon Mobil has been a recent advocate of what may be a huge breakthrough in alternative fuel technology. The battery separator film is a new film for lithium ion batteries which will enhance the efficiency and affordability of EV’s and hybrids. It will also improve safety and power performance which are two things many feel that current hybrids lack. A reduction in size and weight of the battery will lead to more durability and flexibility due to an exceptionally strong film that is both porous and thin. Its ‘high permeability’ and ‘thermal integrity’ allows the pores to close when too much heat is created by the chemical reaction in the battery. This leads to less short circuits and therefore increases the life span of the battery even further[1].They are working with a Japanese company on this groundbreaking technology. Exxon Mobil is supposed to announce more details at an upcoming conference in California.[2] They have also made a commercial announcing their plan which is currently airing on national television. If companies like Exxon Mobil can step up to the plate and plan for a future without their hottest commodity, then that is a step in the right direction. With the backing of big companies and the right politicians the movement towards a world less dependent on oil is definitely on the horizon. So when you vote this November, keep that in mind.
Just another thought from the mind of the nutty Professor…………..
The Smart Car is an eco-friendly mini car that is gaining in popularity due to the current price in gasoline. Yet driving something half the size of a standard car has its advantages and disadvantages. Let’s face it, some people just don’t feel right in a mini car. Especially big people! At the risk of looking like a circus clown they usually choose a bigger, more powerful car. As a result they wind up succumbing to the almighty gas pump. If a gasoline powered car didn’t have to sacrifice size and comfort for fuel efficiency it would be more appealing to a wider audience. Revetec may have invented the solution. What if the size of the car remained the same and only the engine was half the size? This would definitely result in an increase in fuel efficiency yet how is it possible. According to sources, Revetec may even plan to market to families by using their mini engines in mini vans. This would give those environmentally active fathers a chance to be green and still drive a mini van. Fitting your kids into a mini car must never be fun or even possible for that matter. Ironically with a half size engine, your fuel economy doubles and as a result your car releases half the harmful emissions. Revetec is an Australian based company. No one knows for sure exactly how long it will take for their working prototypes to become a reality. The fact is their engine works and they have already proven it![1]
Join now 10% discount
