I flit, I float
I fleetly flee, I fly.
Or Drive?? Hmm … anyway, today is my last day blogging for Eco Friendly Driver. (It was the musical quoting that got me.) It’s been fun. This has been a great experience - as much for the people I’ve met as for all that I’ve learned - and I hope to see people “around”. As in, I won’t be turning up under your bed/in your closet anytime soon … but we can keep in touch online.
This is a really wonderful resource for people interested in cutting their emissions and using less gas. KBBGreen has a host of features to help make your decisions easier, like the Perfect Car Finder.
Top Ten Green Cars for 2008
Toyota Prius
Honda Civic Hybrid
smart fortwo
Nissan Altima Hybrid
MINI Cooper
Ford Escape Hybrid
Honda Fit
Mercedes-Benz E320 BLUETEC
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
Source/Image: KBBGreen.com
Tags: eco-friendly cars, kelly blue book, top ten hybridsAs part of our trip last week, we stopped at the Pioneer Auto Museum in Murdo, SD. (Murdo … love it.) It’s a small car museum with some treasures, like the last General Lee made for Dukes of Hazard, and a Superbird. Cost was about $30 for two adults and three kids, and there’s a treasure hunt for children to keep them interested.
Hidden in nooks and crannies were also some special earth-friendly autos:
prISUm odyssey, the sixth solar race car developed by Iowa State University’s Team PrISUm. It placed 16th out of 30 in the American Solar Challenge in 2001. For those of you geekers who want a closer look at the Odyssey’s specs, check out the PrISUm Odyssey Structural Report.
Strangely enough, the team was at Mt. Rushmore this year the same day we were with the car they built for this year’s competition … sol invictus.
(How crazy is THAT?) As well as finishing 8th, they won the aesthetics award! Check out their blog for more info and pictures.
We also saw a Free-Way; made by H-M-Vehicles, they were built from 1979 - 1982, cost just over $3000.00 brand new, and came with a 100 mpg GUARANTEE.
Last, but not least, was the Messerschmidt KR175. Another auto that could reach 100 mpg, and speeds of 62 mph. Originally designed by Fred Flitzer to help those disabled by WWII, the designer paired with the German plane manufacturer for production which resulted in a change of name.
I felt bad seeing the way some of these beauties were just thrown under a tin roof shed out back. They all have stories. They lived in their own ways, and now? Well, if you have a chance to get to this roadside attraction, or others like it, take a peak. You may be amazed by the surprises you find there, and hopefully, the money you provide can help preserve these autos. (They also have quite the bike collection.)
[sol invictus image: Team PrISUm]
[other images: moi … please don’t steal ‘em ;) ]
[Source: Pioneer Auto, Wikipedia]
Tags: auto museum, Iowa State solar car, old cars, old solar cars, where is the prISUm OdysseyYou know we’ve talked about Project Better Place before, and Shai Agassi’s plan to separate day-to-day transportation from oil. This guy is a winner. He’s smart, he’s capable. I’m excited by what he’s doing, and now he’s letting the rest of us take part (a little bit).
Better Place’s 10 Words campaign invites regular, everyday people to share with the world - in 10 words or less - why they think we need to stop our oil addiction. The site turns your words into an animated graphic that others can see, and that you can post online.
Check them out, and make sure to come back and post your own!
Tags: changeable batteries, electric-cars, Project-Better-Place, Shai-Agassi
Axon Automotive has a goal … to be the greenest car company in Europe. It’s a big challenge to take on, but they’re doing A OK with their latest development. The compact only has a top speed of 90 mph, but gets roughly 80 mpg.
Why would I say “only 90″ after beating you over the head with slowing down? I have owned small cars, and driven quite a few. In my experience, cars do not usually function comfortably too near their top speeds. This is one I definitely want to test drive in real driving conditions.
The super light weight of the vehicle also makes me wonder how it will fair on the highways.
While small, the car should fit 2 adults and 2 children. (But you know it’s adorable.)
[Source/Image: Axon Automotive]
Tags: 80 mpg, axon automotive, Europe, fuel-efficient, UKI know. This isn’t really driving related, but go with me…
Darren at Problogger is asking folks what hosting companies they use for blogging, and how different companies are working out. (I love b5, and Eco Friendly Driver, but may be starting new projects in the future.) I was happily surprised when I saw in the comments section, Ari Koinuma (of Our Best Version) mention a host that is powered 100% by renewable energy. Hazaa, my friends! And there you have the tie-in:
Their smallest plan is 2 GB of space, and 50 GB of bandwidth per month for $7.95. I’d say that’s affordable for carbon neutral hosting.
And if you have your own strong opinions on the topic, head over to Problogger and let it all out.
Tags: blog hosting, carbon neutral, green hosting, web hosting
Volkswagen asked third-party certifier, AMCI, to take a look at their Jetta TDI and the results are in. EPA ratings for gas mileage were 24% lower than real-world economy. AMCI gave the Jetta TDI a rating of 38 mpg in the city and 44 mpg on the highway.
You would think those results, paired with advanced safety features and Volkswagen’s Carefree Maintenance Program (which keeps scheduled maintenance free throughout the New Vehicle Limited Warranty) you couldn’t do much better … but the US government has stepped in and granted taxpayers a federal tax credit for buying either the sedan or SportsWagen models.
The Jetta TDI will hit lots this fall.
[Source/Image: Volkswagen]
Tags: Jetta TDI, tax credits, Volkswagen clean diesel
The Nissan Altima Hybrid has been somewhat of a dark horse. Only available in 8 states, and in close competition with the widely available Toyota Camry Hybrid, the NAH is quickly becoming a “cult car”. Interestingly enough, most owners seem to stumble into this purchase, and then find they’re enjoying a comfortable ride while attaining impressive gas mileage.
Fitted with a moonroof and leather seats, you’re MSRP will come in around $31,000. It’s perfectly legal to ride into town and buy one of these babies, then drive it home. Currently available in California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont, you may have a long way to travel to get the model you want. It’s doable though, and sounds like a purchase you won’t regret.
The Altima hybrid’s biggest complaint is - not surprisingly, as its one of the biggest complaints across the board for hybrid vehicles - is mileage for short drives. The 35 mpg city/33 mpg highway EPA figures fall to the mid-20’s during short stops.
One way to alleviate this problem may be an engine block heater, which is not currently available as a factory option. Quite a few other things are, however, and consumers will find a number of available additions for the taking.
I was very excited to see people 6′ 3″ tall, 250 lbs and larger say this was a comfortable ride for them, as we have a few tall drivers who say finding a comfortable ride among hybrids is a problem.
[Source/Image: Nissan]
Tags: hybrids for tall people, Nissan Altima HybridOne thing I try to impress upon people here is that you don’t have to totally change your life to make changes that count. You can still drive to work. You can still travel if you want. It’s easier to save more emissions if you don’t, but you can be a “greener” driver without cutting the fun or privacy out of your life.
We went on vacation this week and wound up driving to Mt. Rushmore. On the way there, we enjoyed pretty good gas mileage, but I drove on the way home and saved a LOT of gas. I don’t mess with my husband’s car too much, so unfortunately I can’t give you exact stats, but a little over $100 worth.
Here are three things anyone can do on a long trip to save gas without going to great inconvenience or expense:
1) Only use cruise control on flat, reasonably straight roads. I don’t know if you’ve driven through the Black Hills, but they don’t qualify. It’s up, down, up, down and snaking curves for most of the drive. Not only is using cruise control in that situation bad on gas mileage (and on your car) but it can be a safety hazard.
2) Slow down (when it’s convenient and safe for yourself and other drivers). It’s too bad that last part has to be thrown in there, but humans can be incredibly self-centered, and thoughtless. We had a few times on our trip home where for 50+ miles, we were the only ones on our lane of the road. It’s okay to slow down in those situations. It’s less okay to go 40 mph in a 75 mph zone when you’re surrounded by other people. On the trip home, I am guessing I averaged 58 - 62 mph. No, we didn’t make the best time possible, and it wasn’t that exciting of a drive, but it padded our budget.
3) Take care of your car. Keep the tires inflated. Change the oil. Clean it out once in awhile. This is old hat, common sense stuff many of us are doing anyway. Now you have another reason to feel good about it.
Tags: roadtrips, save gasPeople in the North Central region of the US will get a second chance to see a collection of hybrid, clean diesel, and other full-efficient cars during the Woodward Dream Cruise’s latest event, NextCruise(TM) sponsored by 9 major automakers.
Guests will be able to see and drive current models, as well as take a look at future technologies and how they may shape cars of tomorrow. In addition, IndyCar and ALMS drivers will also appear during the show to discuss the Green Racing Challenge new for this season.
The Woodman Dream Cruise will be hosted at Pleasant Ridge Memorial Park, Pleasant Ridge, Michigan, on August 15th and 16th, with NextCruise(TM) taking place the 16th.
Source: NextCruise
Tags: car show, clean diesels, hybrids, test-driveBecause cars can be tree huggers too!
Written by Hilary Evans [email] for b5media.
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