Archive for category Green Cars
Is the Chevy Volt bankrupt too?
Posted by Jeffrey in General News, Green Cars on June 1st, 2009
Like many had guessed on Friday, GM filed for bankruptcy today. The question for many green-minded folks is, “What does that mean for the Chevy Volt?” One of the biggest questions is how can GM invest so much in the Volt if it’s not expected to be profitable for a very long time?
Another big question is why would anyone pay $35,000-$40,000 for a plug-in hybrid when you can get a new Toyota Prius plug-in today for a better price. (Contact us, and we’ll prove it!) Plus, the Prius is a proven car: you already know its quality, comfort, and dependability.
I guess we have to just wait and see exactly what happens with the Chevy Volt. Perhaps the Volt isn’t the answer for GM or green consumers.
Norwegian Think Car to be manufactured in Portland, OR?
Posted by Jeffrey in General News, Green Cars on May 28th, 2009
I like to think of the Pacific Northwest as leaders in the green vehicle movement. Soon, we may have Norwegian’s Think! EV built in Portland to give us some serious green credibility.
Reports began in April that Think North America could use an old Freightliners plant in Portland, OR to bring it’s small EV to the United States. The move would not only provide about 900 jobs to the area, but Oregon seems keen on using the partnership to explore building an EV infrastructure with charging stations. (Think is also talking with several other states, so no final decision has been made yet.)
What is Th!nk?
From the official Th!nk city page:
TH!NK city demands very little of you. In fact, not much more than a mobile phone. Just an overnight power top-up, and it’s ready to go in the morning.
TH!NK city is a modern urban car. With zero local emissions and an energy efficiency three times that of a traditional combustion engine car, it is a car for the environment. And it is a fun car for you. A choice of sodium or lithium batteries allows you to accommodate your car to your driving style, travelling up to 180 kilometres in one charge, with a top speed of 100km/h. Driving a silent car will give you a totally new experience.
It is a 100% electric vehicle that is currently being sold in Europe. It’s a two-seater, but has the option for two more smaller back seats. It is not only safe, but is made in an evironmentally-responsible manner, and it is made to be recycled at the end of its life. (Full specifications here.)
Electric Vehicles - Some cool things coming!
Posted by Jeffrey in Green Cars on April 23rd, 2009
First, I want to shamelessy plug Plug In America. This is a cool site with lots of great information about electric vehicles. Plug In America is a nonprofit organization based in California that promotes “Battery Electric and Plug-in Hybrid vehicles for the public to drive today.” I stumbled upon their site and was quite impressed with some of the up-and-coming electric vehicles. We all know about the Tesla Roadster, but do you really have $100,000.00 to spend on your ride? If not, then here are a few other vehicles you may be super excited about.
- 100% Electric
- Top Speed: 95 m.p.h
- Range: 100 miles off a 10-minute charge!
- Street Date: 2010
- Price: Not Set
- 100% Electric
- Top Speed: 80 m.p.h.
- Range: 100 miles
- Street Date: available in Japan now, maybe by 2012 in USA
- Price: Not Set
- 100% Electric
- Top Speed: 95 m.p.h.
- Range: 100 miles
- Street Date: Currently being leased for testing.
- Price: Test Lease is $850/month. MSRP not set
Increasing Fuel Efficiency with a Plug-In Hybrid
Posted by admin in Green Cars on April 11th, 2009
NPR’s Morning Edition recently spoke with Green Car Company owner Susan Fahnestock about what kind of fuel efficiency you can get with a plug-in hybrid. A U.S. Department of Energy report found that plug-in hybrids were showing only a little more than 50 mpg. when the vehicles are actually capable of much more.
Susan explained that plug-in hybrid drivers need to know how to drive in a manner that maximizes fuel efficiency. While it’s hard to shrug at 50 mpg, 80, 90, or even 100 mpg can mean incredible savings on fuel.
First thing you need to do is get rid of your lead foot. Accelerating quickly will cause the gas engine to engage. At 20 mph the electric motor is sufficient. Susan says to pretend like there is an egg under your foot, and if you hit it too hard, the egg will break.
Secondly, resist peer pressure. While you may feel pressured to keep up with other drivers, don’t feel obligated. It’s a balance between driving safely and operating the car so that it uses the battery to the greatest advantage.
If you’d like to tryout a plug-in Prius, we’d love to show you how! Visit our company site to see what’s available and how to contact us.
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