NIssan's green guru dismisses eletctric car criticisms

Critics of electric cars often say that the argument that electric cars are much better for the environment than conventional cars is undermined by the fact that the cars must be charged using electricity that is likely created by burning fossil fuels.

Andy Palmer, head of the company's green vehicle program, said that even in countries such as the U.S. and China, where the majority of electricity is generated from fossil fuels, an electric car is responsible for 24 to 54 percent less emissions than a conventional car.

Nissan is currently working on its Leaf electric vehicle, which is slated to be released late in 2010. For more info, check out this story from Business Green.

The next-generation of car technology

This sounds like something out of those futuristic, sci-fi movies and almost too good to be true, but Korean researchers are working on technology that would allow electric cars to "hook" into induction strips and inverters buried in roadways to charge the electric battery in the car.

This would alleviate one of the major drawbacks of electric cars—something often referred to as "range anxiety." Currently, electric cars only have a range of about 100 miles before they need to be charged. This can cause a feeling of anxiety in drivers who are used to going 300 miles or more in between trips to the fuel station.

For more info on this as well as the latest on automated driving technology (Who wouldn't love a car that drives itself?), check out this story from The Daily Green.

Fast Lane use increases on Pike

More drivers on the Pike are taking advantage of the convenience of electronic toll transponders since the Turnpike Authority began offering the transponders for free in February.

The Herald reported that almost 7 out of 10 people that were tolled on Memorial Day were done so via a transponder. While overall tolls were up one percent from last year for the day, electronic tolls were up 11 percent.

Pike officials have reported that about 95,000 transponders have been given out since February. If you haven't picked yours up yet, there's little reason not to do so. The transponders will save you a quarter or more at each tolling booth, and you won't have to wait in the cash-only lines.

To get a transponder, go to the Mass Pike's website, or stop by the Auburn, Natick, or East Boston service centers through the week to pick one up in person.

Nine uses for ketchup that can save you time and money

We all have those extra packets of ketchup in our desk or car as well as that half-empty bottle of the condiment in our fridge just sitting there. Instead of letting them go to waste, The Daily Green has a list of nine ways to use ketchup that can be fun, save money, save time, or do all three.

From cleaning pots and pans or even your car to repairing the damage chlorine does to hair, there are many surprising uses for ketchup that you probably never thought of. Check out this story from The Daily Green to read more about creative ways to use ketchup.

Car manufacturer announces plans for U.S. electric car plant

Norwegian car maker Think has announced plans for a U.S. electric car facility and is in talks with eight states about a site for the plant.

Company officials said the plant would initially employ about 350 people and produce 16,000 cars a year, with plans to increase the workforce to 900 people and production to about 60,000 cars a year over time.

"The US is quickly overtaking Europe as an attractive market for EVs [electric vehicles] and is an ideal location to engineer and build EVs," Think CEO Richard Canny told Business Green.

The company did not say when construction of the plant might begin. For more info, check out this story on Business Green.

Study links smog to respiratory diseases

A New York University study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine found that people who live in areas with high smog rates (i.e. metropolitan areas) are three times more likely to die from premature respiratory diseases than those who live in areas with low smog counts.

Smog forms when ozone, which comes primarily from the tailpipes of vehicles and smokestacks of factories, mixes with sunlight.

The study is the first nationwide examination of the long-term impact ozone has on human health, according to officials at NYU's Lagone Medical Center.

The researchers also concluded that even at levels below EPA requirements for airborne ozone, long-term exposure still leads to an increased rate of negative health effects. Environmental groups argue that the current standards aren't strict enough, while industry representatives say the standards are already too strict in their current form.

For more info, check out this article in the New York Times.

MIT students build solar car

MIT students have unveiled their latest solar car for the 10th World Solar Challenge, a 2,000-mile race across Australia. The seven-day race features cars that run only on solar power.

The car weighs about 500 pounds and can reach speeds up to 90 mph. The top of the car is fitted with solar panels that can generate up to 1,200 watts of power.

For more on the car, check out this story on EcoGeek.

Pike tolls going up

The Mass Pike Authority approved a plan today to raise tolls at the Allston booths and the Ted Williams/Sumner Tunnels.

The first hike will go in effect March 29, raising tolls at the Allston booths to $1.50 and in both tunnels to $5.50. The Allston tolls are currently $1.25, and the tunnel tolls are currently $3.50.

A second hike will go into effect on July 1, raising tools at the Allston booths to $2 and in both tunnels to $7.

The raises will not take effect if the state legislature increases the state gas tax before March 29, or the increases will be rolled back if the gas tax is increased after that, board members claimed.

The board said the first increase is necessary to close its $8.1 million budget gap, and the second increase will raise $100 million to pay off debt and make structural upgrades to roads and bridges.

For more info, check out this story from The Globe.

Three-wheeled, aerodynamic eletric car coming onto the scene

It looks like something straight out of a science fiction movie, but the Aptera 2e may soon be changing the way people look at electric cars.

The three-wheeled, aerodynamic (and very odd or cool looking, depending on your perspective) all-electric car is scheduled to began rolling off the assembly line in October at price tag of between $25,000 and $40,000.

And it appears the car is catching on, as the company has already received over 4,000 deposits for the new vehicle.

Road & Track has more info, as well as some slide shows with more pictures and video of this innovative electric car.

BG's C100 All Electric Car to be Mass Produced in MA

BG is looking at spaces in New Bedford and Fall River for the company to mass produce it's C100. The C100 is an all-electric car.

In case you didn't know, your company's landlord may be able to provide you with an electric recharging station for your electric car. This is definitely worth looking into if you are considering an electric car, and if you need any help, just e-mail your transportation coordinator.

Study suggests corn ethanol no better for environment than gasoline

A University of Minnesota study has concluded that ethanol made from corn is no better for the environment and human health than gasoline.

The study examined the emissions that occur from the growing, harvesting, producing, and burning of three types of fuel—gasoline, corn ethanol, and plant-based ethanol—before making this conclusion. The study also said that the plant-based ethanol is, by far, the best for the environment and human health.

Obviously, this is being met with stiff opposition from ethanol supporters, as the ethanol industry brings in $6 billion a year in Minnesota alone.

To read more, here's a story in today's Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Clean air adds months to your life

Researchers at Brigham Young University have concluded that people in metro areas in the U.S. are living as many as five months longer on average because of the cleaner air they breathe thanks to air pollutions laws and regulations, according to a study released in today's New England Journal of Medicine.

The study cited the fact that these cities have reduced their pollution levels by one-third over the last two decades, while the life expectancy in these cities has increased by 2.7 years. Buffalo and Pittsburgh reported the biggest drops in pollution levels and also the highest increase in life expectancy over the two decades.

While this study does not prove that cleaner air is making people live longer, it does go a long way towards suggesting that the laws and regulations that are being put in place to protect air quality are a good thing, regardless of much they cost.

Less toxic antifreeze may be on the way

Performance testing of using glycerin, a byproduct of bio diesel production, as a base in antifreeze has shown that it should be reexamined as a possible less toxic base.

This Eco Geek article supports the use of glycerin in antifreeze because the current bases are much more toxic. Check it out for more info on the subject.

The Top 5 retro fuel-efficient cars

Sticking with the theme of fuel-efficient cars, Popular Mechanics has an article on the five most fuel-efficient cars from the last 40 years. The article includes a history of the models, pictures, fuel-efficiency numbers, and other interesting information.

Also on Popular Mechanics Web site is a test drive article/video of the new electric Mini Cooper. This latest model can go about 200 miles on a fully charged battery and takes about six to eight hours to charge. More importantly, it costs a much more affordable $50,000, compared with a few years ago when an all-electric car would have run in excess of six figures.

Decrease in road travel

A story was posted on The Boston Channel’s website today. The story highlights the decrease in miles driven by Americans since November 2007. A 4.7% decrease was seen in the month of June alone, compared with June 2007. This brings up an interesting topic: tax revenue. U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters says, “We can’t afford to continue pinning our transportation network’s future to the gas tax”. In a nutshell, the less gas we purchase, the less tax revenue is received for infrastructure. We all know the condition of our roads and bridges.

Check out the article:

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/automotive/17178354/detail.html