Monday, April 19, 2010

Gas 2.0

Gas 2.0

Coal, Oil, Natural Gas Industries Butt Heads; Natural Gas May Not be as Clean as Thought

Posted: 19 Apr 2010 02:34 PM PDT

As we chugg along into whatever alternative transportation and energy future we’re creating for ourselves, it is clear that it shouldn’t involve such a singular dependence on one energy source as we’ve had. If anything, our last 100 years have taught us that relying so completely on oil can have many disastrous effects, ranging the gamut from economic to social to environmental. And, while plentiful access to oil has clearly brought about an unprecedented amount of good, at this point we know that we can build a better and more sustainable system.

So the discussions going on right now at the highest levels of government on how to structure any future energy and transportation framework highlight the pitfalls that lie ahead in weening ourselves off of our stubborn and all-encompassing addiction to oil. (more…)

2010 Mazda CX-7 Diesel Test Drive | Popular Mechanics

Posted: 19 Apr 2010 09:33 AM PDT

A diesel-powered SUV from Japan is just over the horizon.

This post originally appeared on the Popular Mechanics website, where you can read it in its entirety. Written by Ken Gross.

Despite widespread acceptance of diesel engines in Europe (approximately 90 percent of the cars in the U.K. use diesels), Americans still shudder at the memory of General Motors’ hapless gas engine-based diesels of the 1980s, and smoky, clattery Mercedes-Benz 300SD oil burners. But there are some signs of progress. Persistent German carmakers continue to introduce new clean-burning diesel cars and SUVs, and next year, even the Japanese will enter the diesel market. We just had a sneak preview of a diesel-powered Mazda CX-7 that’s on sale now in parts of Europe and Japan, and we came away impressed. (more…)

With 115,000 People on the Interest List, Nissan LEAF Reservations Start Tomorrow

Posted: 19 Apr 2010 09:03 AM PDT

Nissan Leaf

Just a friendly, EV enthusiast reminder: the official process of buying a new Nissan LEAF starts tomorrow! Up until now the world of LEAF waiting lists involved a non-committal “interest” list that you could sign up for through the Nissan website. Although there are now 115,000 people on that list, it in no way put you in line for a LEAF… but it did keep you abreast of any LEAF news.

Tomorrow that all changes as Nissan will begin accepting $99 deposits towards the purchase of a LEAF, which will place you in line to get your LEAF when it goes on sale in your area. It’ll be interesting to see how many of those 115,000 people translate into actual LEAF reservations. That, in-and-of-itself, may be the best indicator of how well the LEAF will do.

(more…)

U.S. Navy Targets Microbe that Feasts on Mud for New Fuel Cell

Posted: 19 Apr 2010 08:31 AM PDT

The U.S. Navy is developing a microbial fuel cell that generates electricity from the nutrients in mud and wastewater“Think of it as a battery that runs on mud,” says the U.S. Office of Naval Research, and there in a nutshell is the concept behind the Navy’s new microbial fuel cell. The Navy has been using small lightweight microbial fuel cells to power sensors (to track sea turtles, for example) and now its goal is to develop one that is powerful enough to steer a small robotic watercraft.

In a microbial fuel cell, organisms feed on available nutrients and generate an electric current as they metabolize the food. The Navy is working with researchers at the University of Massachusetts on a microbe called Geobacter, which is the most promising in terms of its efficiency at generating electricity. Strains found in the wild have demonstrated a knack for converting nutrients in mud and wastewater into electrical current, and researchers have developed a new strain that is eight times more efficient than others.

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Next Generation Smart Cars Will Get Diesel, Hybrid, Electric Versions

Posted: 19 Apr 2010 08:25 AM PDT

I’m not a huge fan of Daimler’s ‘other’ brand. Smart cars just look so… small and awkward. But, before you hate on me, I do realize that they are relatively affordable, sip fuel, and remarkably safe for their size. Just… they’re not for me. Seems a boatload of other people agree as Smart sales have been plunging off a cliff lately for who-knows-what reason.

Daimler, who owns Smart, has big plans for the small brand of cars though, and those plans include a strategic alliance with Renault-Nissan. Apparently they’ll be resurrecting the four-person ForFour model (they really need better names) and adding diesel, hybrid, and fully electric drive systems to their vehicles. Smart 2.0 sounds like it might have a chance.

(more…)

Toyota Prius Minivan Coming in Early 2011

Posted: 19 Apr 2010 12:44 AM PDT

According to the Nikkei report, Toyota will finally release a minivan based upon its popular Prius platform come 2011. Rumor of the vehicle has been circling the web for over a year now. If it’s true–which I kind of think it is–this new vehicle will be the first to don the Prius family nameplate.

Earlier this year, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Toyota made it known that a Prius family was in the works during the unveiling of its FT-CH concept. The FT-CH is Yaris-sized Prius which means a hybrid minivan would easily start to bring balance to the line up. (more…)
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