New posts from Gas 2.0! |
- Highways to the future
- ECO Start/Stop Tech Reaches Mercedes’ S Class
- Turning RV Parks into EV Parks
- 2011 New York Auto Show – LIVE!
- Ferrari an Unlikely Leader in the Race to Curb Emissions
| Posted: 20 Apr 2011 04:00 PM PDT
Truck leasing company Ryder has ordered over 200 natural gas powered trucks (in addition to its growing fleet of hybrid trucks) to add to its fleet in Southern California. Ryder trucking company has partnered with the San Bernardino Associated Governments on a project to eliminate annual diesel fuel use by 1.5 million gallons per year. Delivery truck company DHL is adding 80 eclectic drive trucks to its New York fleet while UPS and FedEx are already deploying hybrid trucks across many markets. The United States Postal Service (and other postal services around the globe) are also going green with its fleet purchases. In February 2011 food prices increased by 3.9%; the largest jump in the United States (U.S.) in thirty six years. This February the price of some plastics increased by 6-7%, the third price increase in the last six months. Diesel gas has continued to climb and now nationally averages around $3.60 a gallon, getting as high as $4.00 a gallon in some state markets. The cost of consumer goods, such as food and items made out of some plastics, is in part directly correlated to the price of gas at the pump. The U.S. economy depends on trucks. Nearly 70% of all freight transported annually in the U.S., accounting for $671 billion worth of manufactured and retail goods, is transported by truck alone. When the price of fuel needed to power the trucks increases so does the cost of the items being transported within the truck. The continuing trend of major trucking companies to move away from petroleum fueled only trucks is not only good for the consumer by lowering shipping costs, it is also good for the environment and for the overall movement and development of alternative fuels. The San Bernardino Associated Governments estimates that their partnership with Ryder will reduce 9.2 million pounds of greenhouse-gas emissions a year, while long haul commercial trucking additionally provides an ideal testing ground for new electric powertrain technologies that can eventually be integrated into the light-duty vehicle market. Many analysts predict that the federal government will continue to provide tax breaks to companies who purchase electric drive trucks in order to help businesses within the U.S. cut not only greenhouse- gas emissions but also dependency on foreign oil. Although the problematic methods surrounding extraction, collection, and use of natural gas in the U.S. is vehemently debated, the positive aspects of America's trucking companies using alternative fuels in their fleets cannot be denied. Source: Ryder, DHL to Add Total of Almost 300 Alt-Fuel Trucks in Calif., N.Y. Image Source: latamreflections.blogspot.com Andrew Meggison was born in the state of Maine and educated in Massachusetts. Andrew earned a Bachelors Degree in Government and International Relations from Clark University and a Masters Degree in Political Science from Northeastern University. Being and Eagle Scout, Andrew has a passion for all things environmental. In his free time Andrew enjoys writing, exploring the great outdoors, a good film, and a creative cocktail.
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| ECO Start/Stop Tech Reaches Mercedes’ S Class Posted: 20 Apr 2011 12:00 PM PDT
When Mercedes’ new S350 Bluetec diesel flagship was introduced earlier this year, it debuted without the company’s ECO start/stop technology. According to Mercedes fan page Benz Insider, however, next year’s S350 diesels will get ECO as standard equipment. With the new ECO technology in place, Mercedes’ big diesel ups the fuel economy ante from about 34 mpg (6.8 L/100 km) to just under 38 mpg (6.2 L/100 km) while reducing overall emissions to just 164 g of CO2/km of road traveled. It’s also worth noting that other revisions to the S350 engine make it lighter than last year’s model, as well. A process called TWAS (for twin-wire-arc-sprayed coating technology) reduces weight by as much as 4.3 kg. No word yet on when we (or even if!) we should expect the new engines stateside. Source: Benz Insider.
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| Turning RV Parks into EV Parks Posted: 20 Apr 2011 09:00 AM PDT  Click to Enlarge
That map above? That shows the results I got on Google Maps when I typed in “KOA Campground“. As you can see, that company’s RV campgrounds do a pretty fair job of blanketing the US and parts of Canada … and that’s just the one company. The map doesn’t include RV parks owned by other companies or maintained by the US military (like the ones at Travis and Keesler AFB). Why am I sharing a map of RV parks? I’m glad you asked.
Specifically, electric car owners are drawn to the campgrounds because of their high-capacity electrical outlets, which push out enough juice to power big Class A land yachts, but the campgrounds also tend to offer scenic locations, parks, wifi, and convenience stores on-site. “We've been getting quite a few calls from people wanting to charge their vehicles at our park," said Russ Yates, the owner of Holiday Park Campground in Greensboro, Maryland. Yates has even begun installing dedicated EV chargers near the office to keep other plugs free for campers. Other campgrounds offer cabin and cottage rentals, as well, so long-distance road trippers can stop for the night and still have access to charging points (something that can’t yet be said of America’s interstate motels). Campgrounds across the country seem to be embracing their new role as the ad-hoc EV charging infrastructure, and Wired claims there are plans in place to launch a dedicated website promoting the idea at America’s 3,300+ GoodSam member RV parks. To me, this seems like a brilliant move on the part of the RV parks, since the kind of people I imagine driving their EVs on cross-country adventures are exactly the kind of people that RV parks near lakes, national parks, and scenic overlooks are trying to attract. In other words: people who appreciate nature – but who might have considered a hotel over a campground were it not for the way the campgrounds catered to their specific needs. Perhaps one day we might see electric vehicles towing recycled Airstreams into campgrounds on a regular basis. What do you think, readers? Is this a great move, or a wasted effort on the part of the RV parks? Let us know what you think in the comments, below. Source: Wired Autopia.
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| 2011 New York Auto Show – LIVE! Posted: 20 Apr 2011 07:30 AM PDT
Look for more in-depth coverage of the 2011 NY show here on Gas 2.0 once Chris gets back.
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| Ferrari an Unlikely Leader in the Race to Curb Emissions Posted: 20 Apr 2011 05:00 AM PDT
While all automakers are working to reduce their products’ carbon footprint and CO2 emissions, it may surprise you to learn that Ferrari (yes, that Ferrari) is leading the charge! The Fiat-owned company has reduced their fleet’s overall C02 emissions by 46 g/km, according to JATO Dynamics‘ yearly report on the European industry's progress towards an (eventual) 130 g/km fleet average. According to JATO’s figures, Ferrari's emissions cut is equal to a whopping 12 % year-over-year, and equals approximately half the total reduction that volume car makers are expected (if not required) to implement by 2015. It’s worth noting that JATO’s calculations take into account the sales of individual cars, so Ferrari is benefiting from the increase in sales of its California model, whose emissions average “just” 301 g/km. Ferrari hopes its upcoming hybrid and HY-KERS-equipped models will further help reduce the overall figure. Among “the competition”, Aston Martin – which will be aided next year by its upcoming Cygnet city car – managed a 0.6 per cent reduction, Bentley 1.9 per cent and Lamborghini 1.5 per cent. Source: Autocar
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