New posts from Gas 2.0! |
- Future Fords to Use Plastics Made From Mushrooms
- The 67 MPG Diesel Focus Econetic the U.S. Can’t Have
- Brits Microwave Used Motor Oil to Make Usable Fuel
- New York City Getting Legislative Support For Its Hybrid-Taxi Fleet Plans
- Cleantechnica: Questions Surround GMO Algea Biofuel
- GM Developing A Buick Volt?
| Future Fords to Use Plastics Made From Mushrooms Posted: 06 Apr 2011 02:00 PM PDT
The innovators over at Ecovative announced they’d developed a sustainable, degradable, foam-like product from mushrooms late last year, and there was much talk of possible applications after the company’s presentation at TED. It seemed like the audience was floored by Ecovative’s work – it looks like a few key decision-makers at Ford were, too. Ecovative’s foam is composed of mycelia (mushroom root), seed husks, and other “throw away” organic substances. Ford has turned to Ecovative’s new material to replace the petroleum-based foams used as insulators in dashboards, bumpers, and interior components to help make their cars more compostable. In addition, the Ecovative foam is also fireproof and waterproof. What do you think, readers – is this another example of corporate greenwashing, or is Ford really as jazzed about this material as I (we?) am? If you haven’t seen it yet, then take it from me: Ecovative’s TED video (below) is 9 minutes of must-see-awesome. Source: Ecovative, via Inhabitat.
|
| The 67 MPG Diesel Focus Econetic the U.S. Can’t Have Posted: 06 Apr 2011 01:00 PM PDT
Ford has shown off the new Focus Econetic ahead of the Amsterdam Auto Show, and this adorable little diesel will get a stunning 80 mpg on the Imperial driving cycle, which translate into about 67 mpg on the U.S. standard. And its not a hybrid. While the 104 horsepower, 1.6 liter Duratorq engine certainly deserves some credit, a lot went into improving the aerodynamics of the Focus including an active grille shudder like that found on the U.S.-spec Focus SFE and the Chevy Cruze Eco. Also on board for the fuel-efficient ride is a start-stop system, regenerative braking (to charge what exactly??) low-rolling resistance tires and plastic wheel covers that, quite frankly, look hideous. Fuel efficiency at the cost of style…is it worth it? I think I'd sacrficie a few mpg's for better wheels myself, but alas I won't get the chance because Ford has made it clear they don't have plans to bring small diesel engines to America, whether it be their compact cars or their awesome Aussie-built Ranger pickup. Guess we’re stuck with a 40 mpg Focus and ugly wheels… Again, boooooo. Source: Ford Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMIs. You can read about his slow descent into madness at Sublime Burnout or follow his non-nonsensical ramblings on Twitter @harshcougar.
|
| Brits Microwave Used Motor Oil to Make Usable Fuel Posted: 06 Apr 2011 10:30 AM PDT It’s not a Monty Python skit, it’s real. Scientists at the University of Cambridge have come up with a way to repurpose used motor oil into a usable fuel using microwaves, potentially converting the 8 billion gallons of oil discarded last year alone into a useful commodity, instead of a nasty waste product. Unlike Valvoline’s recent efforts to re-use old oil, the Cambridge team adds a microwave-absorbent (MA) material to samples of waste oil, before subjecting them to a process called pyrolysis (which involves heating oil in the absence of oxygen, and causes the oil to break down into gases, liquids, and solids) by heating it with microwaves. The group’s addition of the MA material allows the oil more even heating of the oil, allowing more precise “tinkering” of the process – to the point that nearly 90 percent of the oil can be converted into conventional gasoline and diesel. The research was presented last month at the 241st National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society in Anaheim, California … and, for the record, kiddies: don’t try this at home. Even if it works in your mom’s Amana radio range, the best case scenarios all involve boiling gasoline splashing all over your kitchen. Source: Gizmag.
|
| New York City Getting Legislative Support For Its Hybrid-Taxi Fleet Plans Posted: 06 Apr 2011 09:00 AM PDT
New York City may get its wish for a hybrid taxi fleet after all. After a setback in which the city saw a federal appeals court strike down its plan to require all new taxis to be hybrids, New York state congress is considering a bill, called the Green Taxis Act, which will allow individual municipalities to set their own fuel-efficiency standards for their taxi fleets. Currently fuel-efficiency standards can only be regulated on the federal level. I like this law because it allows cities greater control of their own energy policy. For large cities like New York, a simple adjustment in policy such as this can add up to huge fuel savings given the sheer volume of taxis on New York City streets. This could also help with New York City’s plans to choose a new, fuel efficient taxi design. Source: TransportationNation
|
| Cleantechnica: Questions Surround GMO Algea Biofuel Posted: 06 Apr 2011 08:30 AM PDT
A long-term vision becomes especially important, it’s argued, now that major economic and political power-players like Exxon-Mobil and Monsanto are getting involved. The article itself (and the associated podcast) are well worth a read (and listen). CLICK HERE to read Zachary Shahan’s original post, on Cleantechnica.
|
| Posted: 06 Apr 2011 06:00 AM PDT
From the start, the Chevrolet Volt's Voltec technology was designed to underpin more than just one vehicle. One Voltec concept GM unveiled was the Cadillac Converj, which was greenlighted and then apparently cancelled (though the Cadillac lineup could really use something with at least a pretense of fuel economy.) There have also been rumors of a Volt-based van, another likely candidate. But how about a Buick? It makes sense, as GM has already debuted its new "eAssist" mild hybrid technology on the Buick Regal and Lacrosse, so the next step would be some variation on the Volt. Except it won't be a Volt, if Bloomberg's report is to be believed. Rather, it would be a re-badged Opel Ampera, the Volt's sophisticated European cousin. It would get a Buick-styled front end and grille, of course, but considering that the Volt is rather competitively loaded with features already, will GM figure out even more features to add? On the same token, while the Opel Ampera will cost almost $60,000 in Europe, it is actually being built alongside the Volt in Warren, Michigan, meaning GM could rather easily slap a different front fascia on the Ampera and actually make a profit on it thanks to the Buick badge. Red flags pop up every time GM and badge engineering are mentioned, though it's a fact that Ford, Chrysler/Fiat, and the Nissan-Renault Alliance are all trying to get the most vehicles out of a limited number of platforms to save on manufacturing and tooling costs. Personally, I hope they inject a little more power into the Buick Volt, give it some extra oomph to differentiate it from the Volt. Many people my age don't realize that Buick has a history of some pretty cutting-edge sports cars, among them the GSX and Grand National. I wonder what they'll all the Buick Volt? Any suggestions? Source: Bloomberg Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMIs. You can read about his slow descent into madness at Sublime Burnout or follow his non-nonsensical ramblings on Twitter @harshcougar.
|
| You are subscribed to email updates from Gas 2.0 To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment