(Credit: Nissan)

Nissan released photos and details of the electric car it intends to put into production in 2010. The Nissan Leaf is a purpose-built, pure battery electric vehicle. The Nissan Leaf has its own distinct look; it’s a more conventional car than the Cube, [...]]]>

The Nissan Leaf is an electric car going into production in 2010.

(Credit: Nissan)

Nissan released photos and details of the electric car it intends to put into production in 2010. The Nissan Leaf is a purpose-built, pure battery electric vehicle. The Nissan Leaf has its own distinct look; it’s a more conventional car than the Cube, with four doors and a hatchback. Although it hasn’t announced pricing, Nissan says the Leaf will be affordable, priced as a C-segment car. The company also notes that the Leaf will cost less to operate than a gasoline-powered car, both in energy and maintenance, as there are fewer moving parts. Also, many governments offer incentives in the form of tax credits or rebates to purchase an electric car.

The Leaf will originally be built in Japan, and sold in Japan, the United States, and Europe. As demand dictates, Nissan will build additional units in its Smyrna, Tennessee plant.

Ray Lane, managing partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, told an audience at the Always On Going Green conference in Sausalito, Calif., on Tuesday that there could be a big announcement within the next week about [...]]]> American start-up Fisker Automotive may be about to unveil the first truly affordable plug-in hybrid for the U.S. market.

Ray Lane, managing partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, told an audience at the Always On Going Green conference in Sausalito, Calif., on Tuesday that there could be a big announcement within the next week about a $39,000 plug-in hybrid. Though he would not say who, he mentioned that it was a car for the U.S. market and that it was not strictly electric, according to a report from Cleantech Group.

I will keep you posted!!!

The California Energy Commission  published a proposal to set efficiency standards for televisions.

The regulations mandate that retailers carry TVs with [...]]]> When it comes to energy efficiency, will TVs go the way of energy star products? I was at costco the other day looking at all the new T.V.s and notice they all are energy star certified.

The California Energy Commission  published a proposal to set efficiency standards for televisions.

The regulations mandate that retailers carry TVs with 33 percent lower energy consumption ratings starting in 2011, followed by more stringent levels in 2013. The policy, which is expected to be approved by the Energy Commission in November, will save households about $30 a year and the state $8.1 billion.

I wonder how much of  a household will have saved if they read a book for 3 hours a day instead of staring at flashing lights? Or, if a household only had 1 TV instead of 2 or more?

The mandate will be significant, since California’s efficiency policies have been able to drive down household energy consumption without sacrificing product features in the past. I note the modern refrigerator and washer and dryers. These appliances have been able to reduce consumption for both the State and Household.  They, also, created an need to upgrade the traditional appliances.  This “new want” generated alot of sales.

With so many people buying new HD flat-screen TVs, many households are taking on a significant new energy loads which can be as much as a non-energy star refrigerator. The growing use of consumer electronics overall–x-box, wii, cell phones, macs, pcs, iPhones, and etc., means that these sub-devices already represent 15 percent of people’s electricity bills, according to the International Energy Agency. “Americans now have about 25 consumer electronic products in every household, compared with just three in 1980.”

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is opposed to the California Energy Commission’s TV standards, the industry group said in a statement. The CEA said that it is better to rely on consumer demand to drive innovation in energy efficiency rather than regulations.

I understand this will put strains on some manufacturers.  While others, will use this new mandate to create  new marketing campaigns that drive home 2 primary messages:  great picture quality, while staying green and energy neutral.  The “new” logo on packaging, the new creative in print, and the new market that “energy effective” televisions will create. This is just a thought.

maybe this is already happening, maybe CEA needs younger people working for the company, maybe they need to look past the horizon, and maybe they need to embrace positive change. Consumers only want what is in front of them!

Built partly from vegetables and powered by chocolate, it may be the greenest car ever, while being a race car.  Now haters can’t argue that hybrids will never compete against american muscle cars. Now many Americans can have horse power, while staying good [...]]]> At Frankfurt Motor Show the public got to see the “Flying Carrot.” 

Built partly from vegetables and powered by chocolate, it may be the greenest car ever, while being a race car.  Now haters can’t argue that hybrids will never compete against american muscle cars. Now many Americans can have horse power, while staying good stewards.

The car is expected to reach a top speed of 135mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in less than 2.5 seconds. It is hoped that it will reach 150mph when it hits the track at Brands Hatch. The 250 horsepower, one-seater racing car has been built by researchers at the University of Warwick.

The steering wheel has been made from root vegetables and carrot fibres, although surprisingly it isn’t orange. “We don’t know why it has turned out purple,” said Dr. Kirwan, the creator, “There may be some beetroot in there too.”

The engine is a drastically re-engineered BMW two-litre diesel engine that runs on chocolate and vegetable oil. This project clearly demonstrates that automotive environmentalism can and should be about the whole package and not just about the engine.