Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Gas 2.0

Gas 2.0

Does Your Electricity Come From Unicorn Power?

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 05:29 PM PST

OK, so my local power company doesn’t actually say that my electricity is coming from unicorns … but they’re not saying it doesn’t, either!  The above graph was provided by Illinois’ Champion Energy Services, which is required by Illinois law to disclose the source of the electricity they provide to consumers, be it nuclear, gas, coal, or “other” (as shown in the scanned document, below).

As you can see for yourself, it’s not much help.

Click to Enlarge

Right about now, you might be asking yourself why this is important.  Simply, some sources of electricity are cleaner than others, and the general idea is that “we” (as consumers) should be allowed to make our energy choices based on where said energy is coming from.  When you hear someone say “Electric cars are not so clean“, this – the source of electricity being used to power EVs – is the issue they’re pointing to to make their ridiculous claims.

Still, when faced with that big, purple circle of “unkown” up there, I’m certainly forced to stop and think about where my energy might actually be coming from.  As such, I’ve come up with a few options, in (what I think might be) descending order of probability:

  1. Coal.
  2. Canada.
  3. The future.
  4. The emperor.
  5. Unicorn power.

I’ll give 10 bonus points to anyone who can tell us where the power going to Palatine, IL is actually coming from in today’s comments (20, if it’s actually unicorns).

Source:  today’s mail.

Disclaimer:  Champion has provided excellent service throughout the year, despite 6′ snow drifts, etc., and they have always been professional and courteous.  This FAIL-worthy graph is definitely not the norm, and is more likely a symptom of a well-intentioned but ultimately useless set of disclosure laws.

Video: BMW Dances with Diesels for America

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 11:00 AM PST

Many Americans don't even consider a diesel when shopping for a new car, but BMW wants to change that. They are bringing their 335d to America, and trying to convince us that diesel itself has changed.

Over half of the cars in Europe run on diesel, but here in America it's more like 2% of the cars on the road. That's because during the early 1980's, many car companies tried to sell Americans on loud, smelly, underpowered diesel engines that just happened to get better gas mileage. It didn't stick though, and many consumers were left with a foul taste of oil-burners in their mouth. The fact remains though that modern diesel engines are more powerful and get better gas mileage than their petrol-powered cousins.

BMW is a huge champion of diesel engines in Europe, and finally they are bringing a diesel engine to its popular 3-series sedan in America. They even spent $3 million on a 30-second TV spot for this neat commercial that shows dirty diesel being surpassed by the powerful 335d. But is it enough to convince Americans that diesel has indeed ch-ch-changed, or will this come and go like so many diesels before it?

Source: BMW

Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMI’s. You can follow his slow descent into madness at Sublime Burnout.

Buick Regal eAssist Mild Hybrid Gets 26/37 MPG Rating

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 08:29 AM PST

At the LA Auto Show, GM showed us its new mild hybrid eAssist technology on the Buick LaCrosse. As promised, this technology is making its way to other models, with the Buick Regal with eAssist netting a 26/37 MPG rating.

The eAssist mild hybrid system is different from many other hybrid systems on the market. Rather than the small, 15-horsepower electric motor driving the wheels directly, the eAssist system provides a bit of extra “oomph” during acceleration, which is when the most fuel is used (getting the car going.) Additionally, the eAssist system shuts down the engine at a complete stop and drastically cuts fuel consumption during deceleration. In essence, the eAssist system optimizes the 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine that the Buick Regal comes standard with. The six-speed automatic transmission remains in place as well.

Regenerative braking helps charge a 115V lithium-ion battery that sits in the trunk (taking up about 3 cubic feet of space), and all of these improvements are good enough to substantially boost the Regal's gas mileage. The standard Buick Regal earned a 19/30 MPG rating, but with eAssist the rating goes up to a much-more impressive 26/37 rating, an overall increase in gas mileage of about 25% without the addition of an big, expensive battery or full parallel hybrid system. It should be a cheaper alternative to comparable hybrids and GM seems to be making an effort to bring its hybrids

The eAssist system is a clever way to bring cheaper hybrid systems to more cars and car buyers. The 2012 Buick Regal eAssist will officially debut this week at the Chicago Auto Show. GM hasn't put a price on the hybrid system for either vehicle yet, but it should be well worth the extra few bucks for a 25% bump in fuel economy, don't you agree?

Source: GM

Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMI’s. You can follow his slow descent into madness at Sublime Burnout.
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