New posts from Gas 2.0! |
- As Gas Prices Rise, So Do the Calls to AAA
- China Slows Trains on Safety Concerns
- Chevy Volt Getting An Average of 1,000 Miles Per Fillup
- Electric Motorcycle and Scooter Sales to Skyrocket
| As Gas Prices Rise, So Do the Calls to AAA Posted: 02 May 2011 12:45 PM PDT
We have all been there, the low fuel light pops on while you are out for a drive and you know that there is a gas station down the road but you risk it; you drive home and fill the tank the next morning. Well, with gas prices topping $4.00 a gallon people are taking bigger risks and losing out. With their car stranded, and rather than resort to Mad Max tactics, these marooned travelers call AAA. The current national average for regular gas is $3.87 a gallon—up 29 cents from a month ago and over a dollar from a year ago. It should be pointed out that the summer is looming and so is driving season. This means that more people are out on the road and that might have a bit to do with the increased calls to AAA—but most likely not the full 18% increase. No matter how one looks at it, the increased price of gas hurts and families are forced to cut back on certain things in order to fill the tank. Higher gas prices also mean an increased price in consumer goods at the store—not only are families getting hit at the pump but at the dinner table as well. With unemployment remaining high and many wages remaining stagnant people do not have a lot of money to invest in new hybrid or electric vehicles. It is not surprising that cities across the nation have seen an increase in the use of public transportation. Cities with well established public transportation system have seen a dramatic increase in the number of riders since last year. Boston and New York have reported a 5% increase in ridership over the past year alone. Smaller cities with less established public transportation systems are also seeing an increase in the number of riders and that is not good. Denver reported an unexpected 8% increase in the number of users of their small public transportation systems in the first three months of the year. This increase has pushed the Denver public transportation system to its limit. In Denver, transportation officials expected to pay $2.62 a gallon for diesel fuel this year for their bus lines, but they are now paying $3.20 a gallon. Every penny increase costs the Denver Regional Transportation District an extra $100,000 a year and, thus, new buses cannot be commissioned to keep up with growing demand for public transportation. For many Americans public transportation is not an option and sadly the outlook at the pump is not positive. Commodities analyst Richard Hastings suspects that gas prices could easily break $6.00 a gallon. The last time the national average for gas went above $4.00 a gallon was back in 2008 and it took the massive credit collapse to bring gas prices back down. Hastings thinks the price at the pump might start to back down if the Fed increases interest rates in the fall. For now, however, gas prices will continue to rise and so will the calls to AAA. Source: Treehugger.com Andrew Meggison was born in the state of Maine and educated in Massachusetts. Andrew earned a Bachelor's Degree in Government and International Relations from Clark University and a Master's Degree in Political Science from Northeastern University. Being an 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.
|
| China Slows Trains on Safety Concerns Posted: 02 May 2011 08:35 AM PDT
Chinese bullet trains will be slowed from 220mph to 190mph as of July 1st. The reduced speed will allow for safer travel as well as a possibility of greater variation in ticket prices for travelers. Cheaper tickets will be issued for trains running at speeds from 125mph – 155mph and run on existing trucking rails rather than on main high speed commuter rails. With 56,000 miles of passenger rail and nearly 3 million employees, China is home to the world's largest train network. The Chinese train system is not just for transportation between China's spread out communities, the immense rail system also serves a symbol of China's technological expertise and growing wealth. China is building more tracks and faster trains than any other country in the world. While held in extreme prestige, the Chinese rail system does have its critics. Chinese engineers have said that the operation of such high speed bullet trains is risky and there are fears that the fast and continuing expansion of the railroads is more due to local Chinese politics rather than an actual social need for high speed rail transportation. The high price of train tickets and the multibillion dollar price tag for rail expansion projects has also raised eyebrows in a country where millions of families live in poverty. During the Lunar New Year holiday many Chinese working class travelers complained they could not afford high speed train tickets and that tickets for regular trains were sold out. A migrant worker became an internet sensation when he stripped to his underwear to protest outside a train ticket office after he waited 14 hours in line but could not get train tickets for himself and his family. China did overtake Japan last year as the world’s second largest economy after the United States. However, with 1.3 billion people, China barely places in the top 100 on the World Bank’s list of countries by average income per person. The Chinese national audit office reported in March that $28 million had been embezzled from a major Chinese rail expansion project and that some bullet train lines are not operating at optimal speed capacities. A 72 mile high speed line linking Beijing with Tianjin cost $3.3 billion to build; yet the line is so short for the high speed train that the train hits its 220 mph cruising speed for only a few minutes before it slows for arrival at the train station. With all their many faults, the Chinese bullet trains are a very successful form of clean energy transportation. The Chinese government hopes that successful technological leaps made in their rail system can be a jumping off point for China to transform into a worldwide creator of technology, rather than China just being an inexpensive place to manufacture goods. Current Chinese government plans call for spending $106 billion on railroad building this year alone. Chinese officials say the high speed rail network will grow to 8,000 miles of track by the end of this year and 10,000 miles of track by the year 2020. That is in addition the already 56,000 miles of passenger rail, containing both high speed rail and regular rail, already in place. China also aims to have the fastest trains in the world, with speeds up to 1,000 KPH (620 MPH). China’s bullet trains are based on German, French, and Japanese technology and recently a senior railway official said Chinese manufacturers might compete for contracts to build a high speed rail lines in California. News of a high speed rail system being established in California is nothing new and has been talked about for over 30 years. However, many American's identify passenger rail with cultural values that they fear. Passenger rail is physically restrictive, requires a form of central administration telling the traveler when they will depart and arrive at their destination, and for better or worse it is how the Europeans and Chinese travel. In a nation that is demanding to "take their country back", America is actually at risk of falling behind other developed nations in economic output, quality of life, and now mobility. Less than a decade ago China was still operating steam locomotives and now by 2014 China will have twice as many miles of high speed, clean running, rail as the rest of the world combined. Source: Yahoo News
Andrew Meggison was born in the state of Maine and educated in Massachusetts. Andrew earned a Bachelor's Degree in Government and International Relations from Clark University and a Master's Degree in Political Science from Northeastern University. Being an 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.
|
| Chevy Volt Getting An Average of 1,000 Miles Per Fillup Posted: 02 May 2011 08:10 AM PDT
GM’s new Chevrolet Volt is posting some impressive statistics that consumers of our current $4-a-gallon gasoline climate might be interested in in hearing. According to GM’s press release, Volt owners are going nearly a month between fill-ups. In mileage terms they were getting approximately 800 miles between fill-ups in the month of December, and that figure has risen to an average of about 1,000 miles in the month of March as owners learn how to maximize their EV efficiency. “It’s become a game to achieve as many miles as I can in EV mode,” according to Volt owner Steve Wojtanek, from Boca Raton, Fla. “I have made it my goal to drive as efficiently as possible and I am seeing the results, with more than 3,417 miles under my belt – of which 2,225 are EV miles.” Wojtanek says he averages 122 miles per gallon. Volt owner Gary Davis of Greenville, S.C. is eking out even more impressive efficiency statistics. “In my Volt I’ve driven 4,600 miles on 8.4 gallons of gas,” he says. “That’s an impressive 547 mpg that I am achieving with my Volt.” Clearly Davis is using his Volt almost exclusively in EV mode, making short commutes during the day and charging at night. The Volt’s range in EV mode is a rather pedestrian 25-50 miles, with variations accounted for by terrain, weather, driver technique, and battery age. However, with 80% of U.S. drivers making daily commutes of 40 miles or less, the Volt’s EV range falls perfectly within what the average commuter is demanding from their vehicles. Paired with a full tank of gas, the Volt’s total range extends to 379 miles, which should satisfy any long-range demands and quell what’s known in the biz as “range anxiety”. Clearly this is the next generation of hybrid technology. Volt owners are showing they can blow the Prius’ fuel-efficiency standards out of the water and save a fortune on fuel costs. Stay tuned as I further examine the Volt in an upcoming post. Source: General Motors Official Release Going Pump Free: Volt Owners Go 1,000 Miles Between Fill-Ups
Many owners are challenging themselves to see how long they can go gasoline-free 2011-04-21 DETROIT – Chevrolet Volt owners made fewer trips to the gas station in March, going an average of 30 days – or nearly a month – between fill-ups. In fact, some Volt owners say they are challenging themselves to see how fuel-efficient they can be by tracking how far and how long they can go without buying gasoline. “Volt owners drove an average of 800 miles between fill-ups since the Volt launched in December, and in March they averaged 1,000 miles,” said Cristi Landy, Volt marketing director. “When the majority of miles driven are electrically, gas usage decreases significantly.” “I am surprised how infrequently I go to the gas station. It’s become a game to achieve as many miles as I can in EV mode,” said Steve Wojtanek, a Volt buyer in Boca Raton, Fla. “I have made it my goal to drive as efficiently as possible and I am seeing the results, with more than 3,417 miles under my belt – of which 2,225 are EV miles.” A Volt owner since December, Wojtanek is averaging 122 miles per gallon and visiting the gas station about once a month. “On April 11, I had to buy gas for the first time since filling up on Jan. 9,” said Volt owner Gary Davis of Greenville, S.C. “In my Volt I’ve driven 4,600 miles on 8.4 gallons of gas. That’s an impressive 547 mpg that I am achieving with my Volt.” “Today in the U.S., 80 percent of drivers commute fewer than 40 miles a day, making the Chevy Volt a great daily driver,” said Landy. “We’re hearing from customers like Steve Wojtanek and Gary Davis, who are seeing great daily results.” The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle with extended-range capability. On a fully charged battery and tank of gas, the Volt has a total driving range of up to 379 miles. Because the Volt can use gasoline to create its own electricity in extended-range mode, long trips are possible. Typical electric driving range is 25-50 miles depending on temperature, terrain, driving technique and battery age. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a gas-powered engine-generator seamlessly engages to extend the driving range until the vehicle can be recharged. About Chevrolet Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 140 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers “gas-friendly to gas-free” solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com
|
| Electric Motorcycle and Scooter Sales to Skyrocket Posted: 02 May 2011 06:00 AM PDT
• Western Europe: 109,945 e-motorcycles, 91,625 e-scooters Growth like this would boost the overall electric 2-wheeler market from its present size (approx. 17 million units in 2011) to an estimated (again, by Pikes Research) 138 million units by 2017. Senior analyst Dave Hurst writes that increasing population density will become a challenge for transportation systems and that e-motorcycles and scooters have a strong appeal to consumers and governments, alike. "They are relatively low cost to own," explains Hurst. "They do not take a lot of space, and are easy to maintain, therefore making them attractive for city dwellers. Governments also like these vehicles because they can utilize existing transportation and electricity infrastructure without the congestion problems and emissions impacts of conventional automobiles." What will it take to finally get Americans out of their cars and on to two wheels? Money and time are effective incentives. There are the strides being made in major cities on both coasts to promote the bike/motorcycle culture as a realistic alternative to cars in places like L.A. (where lane splitting is legal) and New York City. Maybe the added benefit of "being green" and staying (relatively) immune to gasoline prices will finally be the tipping point. Source: SmartPlanet
|
| 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