Autoblog Green http://www.autobloggreen.com Autoblog Green http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog Green http://www.autobloggreen.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[RC Tesla Roadster arrives just in time for Christmas]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/20/rc-tesla-roadster-arrives-just-in-time-for-christmas/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/20/rc-tesla-roadster-arrives-just-in-time-for-christmas/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/20/rc-tesla-roadster-arrives-just-in-time-for-christmas/#commentsFiled under: , ,


How much would you pay for a battery-powered Tesla Roadster, one that you can steer from the comfort of your La-Z-Boy? For about three Andrew Jacksons, Trendtimes will ship you a 15-inch RC version of the electric hotness that drives "forwards, backwards, left, and right." The toy comes with battery pack, charger and wireless remotes. Excellent. Tesla spokesperson Rachel Konrad told AutoblogGreen that this is an officially licensed item, in that, "They asked for permission and we thought it was a great idea. It's going to be a hot holiday item for kids of all ages!"

If RC isn't your thing but you want a Tesla car for holiday gifts, try to track down the Tesla Hot Wheels or the ride-along kids version. At least this RC model has the same design as the original, unlike these.

[Source: Trendtimes via Chelsea Sexton]

RC Tesla Roadster arrives just in time for Christmas originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>rc roadsterrc teslaRcRoadsterRcTeslatesla RCtesla roadstertesla roadster rcTeslaRcTeslaRoadsterTeslaRoadsterRcFri, 20 Nov 2009 10:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Six UK teens rushed to hospital after drinking ethanol]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/16/six-uk-teens-rushed-to-hospital-after-drinking-ethanol/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/16/six-uk-teens-rushed-to-hospital-after-drinking-ethanol/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/16/six-uk-teens-rushed-to-hospital-after-drinking-ethanol/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ethanol can be used in ICE engines, can be made from renewable resources and, depending on whether it's been denatured or not, can technically be drunk. John McCain's 2007 joke aside, this is a bad idea. Physics Forums lists a few reasons why. Nonetheless, six teenagers in the UK thought that an episode of the BBC1 drama Waterloo Road portrayed a good idea when a young female character drank ethanol. So, sadly, the five girls and one boy (all either 14 or 15) copied the fictional character's action. They were then taken to the hospital, where it was discovered that none of them will suffer any long-term effects, according to UPI. Call it a "lucky break."

No one would want to ever drink ethanol once it's been mixed with gasoline (the smell! the taste!), but if you don't talk to your kids about ethanol, who will?

UPDATE: And again...

[Source: UPI, Telegraph]
Photo by ˙Cаvin 〄. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

Six UK teens rushed to hospital after drinking ethanol originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drinking ethanolDrinkingEthanolethanolteenagerteenagersteensMon, 16 Nov 2009 19:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Oh, come on: columnist compares driving efficiency with teaching religion]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/13/oh-come-on-columnist-compares-driving-efficiency-with-teaching/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/13/oh-come-on-columnist-compares-driving-efficiency-with-teaching/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/13/oh-come-on-columnist-compares-driving-efficiency-with-teaching/#commentsFiled under: , ,



We've disagreed with Detroit News columnist Manny Lopez in the past, but his most recent column is absurd. At issue is a bill in the Michigan State legislature that would require adding an environmental component to driver education programs. Lopez is against this. OK, fine. But his reasons are illogical. How many wrong points does Lopez make? Let's count, shall we?.

Lopez says that making young student drivers learn about fuel-efficient vehicles, carpooling and public transpiration is "environmental activism." He also believes teaching students these facts won't help them to make better decisions. Uhhh, say what? Is he really arguing that people can make smarter, more informed decisions with less information? We can only assume he employs the same logic when he pens a new opinion column.

Lopez also writes, "Since these courses aren't in the schools and parents have to pay for them out of their own pockets, they shouldn't have to pay for someone else's religion -- and trust me, environmental activism is a religion." BS. Avoiding jackrabbit starts and stops saves fuel. It's also safer to accelerate and decelerate in a responsible manner. Science, not faith, can prove this. Does anyone at the News even read what Lopez writes before it's published?

And then, finally, this: "Most young people don't have the resources to choose what they get to drive, never mind shop around for one that has the 'attributes of a fuel-efficient vehicle.' They're just happy to get behind the wheel of a car, any car. And they're certainly not going to pay much, if any attention, to someone telling them to take the bus when their only goal in life at that moment is driving." No one is forcing young people to go buy a hybrid, no matter what bogeyman Lopez tries to conjure here. Driver training is exactly when we should be teaching young people about the ways that driving style affects fuel economy -- of any vehicle. Do it right and everyone benefits: the new driver saves money over his or her entire driving life, the U.S. imports less fuel. As we move to gasoline alternatives, having a smart right foot is going to be even more important to maximize the electric-only range of plug-in vehicles.

We can only assume that, sometime soon, Lopez will say he believes that green-minded politicians "hate the American auto industry." Oh, wait.


[Source: Detroit News via Green Car Reports]
Photo by Robert Couse-Baker. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

Oh, come on: columnist compares driving efficiency with teaching religion originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>driver trainingDriverTrainingmanny lopezMannyLopezstudent driverStudentDriverFri, 13 Nov 2009 11:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Carbon Footprints: Ditch the dog, get a Hummer H2, save the planet?]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/12/carbon-footprints-ditch-the-dog-get-a-hummer-h2-save-the-plan/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/12/carbon-footprints-ditch-the-dog-get-a-hummer-h2-save-the-plan/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/12/carbon-footprints-ditch-the-dog-get-a-hummer-h2-save-the-plan/#commentsFiled under: , ,



If you don't like dogs, there's now a new reason to continue avoiding canis domesticus. New Zealanders Robert and Brenda Vale have put forth the hypothesis that the care and feeding of a pooch is more environmentally harmful than rolling in a Toyota Land Cruiser. Those shifty, antisocial felines aren't much better, so don't get any more smug than you already are, cat people. One ten-pound feline's care is the same to the environment as a 3300-pound Volkswagen Golf, the theory goes.

The Vales present this work in their book "Time to Eat the Dog? The Real Guide to Sustainable Living." The animals that wind up in dog food burden the land while they're alive, and the amount of goodies that people lavish upon their dogs, from squeaky toy to special grooming sessions also do the equivalent work of burning the rainforest.

The claims have been disputed, of course - no doubt by more than a few dog lovers. The chief researcher for Seattle's Sightline Institute, Clark Williams-Derry, ran some numbers of his own and came up with results that don't square with the Vales. The think-tank scientist calculated that for the Vale's numbers to add up, the average dog would have to eat twice as much as the average person, an idea that is difficult to fathom since people are heavier than most dogs.

The takeaway from all this is simply that dog (and cat) ownership does have an ecological footprint. Like everything else in your life, keeping a pet is intertwined with our insatiable consumerism. The truly concerned will carefully consider where the products and items they purchase for their pets are made, what goes into them, and what that means for the planet. The rest of you will keep letting adorable little Beaufort leaves deposit on our lawns.

[Source: Seattle Times | Image: Andrew H. Walker/Getty]

Carbon Footprints: Ditch the dog, get a Hummer H2, save the planet? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbon footprintCarbonFootprintcat friendlyCatFriendlydogdog carbon footprintdog environmentdog friendlyDogCarbonFootprintDogEnvironmentDogFriendlydogsenvironmentenvironment dogenvironment petsenvironmentalenvironmental impactEnvironmentalImpactenvironmentalismenvironmentally friendlyEnvironmentallyFriendlyEnvironmentDogEnvironmentPetspetpet environmentpet friendlypet ownershipPetEnvironmentPetFriendlyPetOwnershippetsmartThu, 12 Nov 2009 11:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Drive the Model S (or maybe just the Tesla Roadster) in Gran Turismo 5]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/11/drive-the-model-s-or-maybe-just-the-tesla-roadster-in-gran-tur/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/11/drive-the-model-s-or-maybe-just-the-tesla-roadster-in-gran-tur/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/11/drive-the-model-s-or-maybe-just-the-tesla-roadster-in-gran-tur/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Yes, we know this isn't a Tesla. Watch the video after the jump.

Speaking to the video game freaks at IGN, video game designer Kazunori Yamauchi revealed that either the Tesla Roadster or the Model S will be available to drive in the upcoming Gran Turismo 5. We already knew that "the latest model" from Tesla would be in the game to drive and maybe smash all to hell, and the Model S would be a fun new option. Yamauchi mentions a vehicle called the Roadster S (while the video shows a picture of the Fisker Karma) and Yamauchi confirms it will appear in GT5. He also says he wants to get behind the wheel of the car IRL. No kidding. Watch the video after the jump.

Until GT5 releases in March, virtual Roadsters can be driven in Project Gotham Racing 4. Thanks to Patrick M. for the tip!

[Source: IGN]

Continue reading Drive the Model S (or maybe just the Tesla Roadster) in Gran Turismo 5

Drive the Model S (or maybe just the Tesla Roadster) in Gran Turismo 5 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gran turismoGran Turismo 5gran turismo sgran turismo teslaGranTurismoGranTurismo5GranTurismoSGranTurismoTeslagt5ignKazunori YamauchiKazunoriYamauchimodel s gt5ModelSGt5tesla model stesla video gameTeslaModelSTeslaVideoGameWed, 11 Nov 2009 16:04:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: IEA hiding truth about dwindling oil reserves]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/11/report-iae-hiding-truth-about-dwindling-oil-reserves/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/11/report-iae-hiding-truth-about-dwindling-oil-reserves/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/11/report-iae-hiding-truth-about-dwindling-oil-reserves/#commentsFiled under: ,



How much oil is left in the ground? No one knows precisely, but groups like the International Energy Agency are supposed to offer us a good estimate. Knowing how much oil is left helps set the price of the fuel and also determines how much public and political pressure there is for gasoline alternatives. So, it's kind of big news that a whistleblower says that the IEA has been "deliberately underplaying a looming shortage for fear of triggering panic buying." The unnamed "senior official" told the Guardian that the U.S. was a driving force behind clouding the situation.

The numbers work like this: this year, the IEA said that the world could produce 83 million barrels of oil, then raised that to 105 million. Supporters of the peak oil theory - the idea that the world has already produced at much oil in a year as it ever will and it's all downhill from here - called shenanigans. The whistleblower says that the IEA's 2030 predictions - once claimed to be 120 million barrels but was since downgraded to 105 million, "is much higher than can be justified and the IEA knows this. [...] Even 90m to 95m barrels a day would be impossible but there are fears that panic could spread on the financial markets if the figures were brought down further. And the Americans fear the end of oil supremacy because it would threaten their power over access to oil resources."

The reality of what's available underground is tremendously difficult to know - we've seen all sorts of estimates - but to hide whatever truth you do know from the public is worse than running out, don't you think?

[Source: Guardian]
Photo by johnny choura. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

REPORT: IEA hiding truth about dwindling oil reserves originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Renault-Nissan-Bajaj's Ultra-Low-Cost car project still alive]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/11/renault-nissan-bajajs-ultra-low-cost-car-project-still-alive/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/11/renault-nissan-bajajs-ultra-low-cost-car-project-still-alive/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/11/renault-nissan-bajajs-ultra-low-cost-car-project-still-alive/#commentsFiled under: ,



It's been a while since we've heard an update on the car coming from the joint venture of Renault-Nissan and Indian manufacturer Bajaj, a competitor to the Tata Nano. Carlos Ghosn, Renault-Nissan's CEO, fills us in with a statement that the ULC (Ultra Low Car) project is alive and well. What news do we learn? First, the 2011 release date has been pushed back to 2012. Second, the car is going to cost $3,000 (compared to the Nano's base price of around $2,000) and will still be available in a version that gets 70 mpg. According to Ghosn, the car will be designed, developed and produced by Bajaj, while Renault-Nissan will provide sales and marketing. We surmise that an export model, with either Nissan or Renault (or maybe Dacia) badges, is more than a possibility.

[Source: AFP via Le Blog Auto]

Renault-Nissan-Bajaj's Ultra-Low-Cost car project still alive originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bajajlow costlow cost carLowCostLowCostCarulcultra low costultra lowcost carUltraLowCostUltraLowcostCarWed, 11 Nov 2009 08:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Renault launches sustainable mobility website]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/10/renault-launches-sustainable-mobility-website/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/10/renault-launches-sustainable-mobility-website/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/10/renault-launches-sustainable-mobility-website/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The Renault-Nissan alliance is pushing forward perhaps harder than any other established automaker with its electric vehicle efforts. Between the French and Japanese, brands they plan to have as many as eight different battery electric vehicles in production in the next few years. In order to make sure that there is a demand for these zero emissions vehicles, the companies are actively involved in promotional and educational programs for the environment and more friendly vehicles.

The latest product of that is the new sustainable-mobility.org web-site. The site is dedicated to teaching drivers about a variety of ways that they can reduce their carbon footprint from car sharing, driving EVs and other behavioral changes. Renault will be producing a series of feature stories and documentaries focusing on different aspects of sustainability. Right now the front page features an interview with Jean-Yves Le Coz, the director of sustainable mobility for Renault.

[Source: Renault]

Continue reading Renault launches sustainable mobility website

Renault launches sustainable mobility website originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>renaultrenault nissanrenault nissan alliancerenault nissan evRenaultNissanRenaultNissanAllianceRenaultNissanEvsustainabilitysustainablesustainable mobilitysustainable travelSustainableMobilitySustainableTravelTue, 10 Nov 2009 14:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Merrill Lynch goes out on a limb, says electric vehicles need to be sexy]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/10/merrill-lynch-goes-out-on-a-limb-says-electric-vehicles-need-to/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/10/merrill-lynch-goes-out-on-a-limb-says-electric-vehicles-need-to/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/10/merrill-lynch-goes-out-on-a-limb-says-electric-vehicles-need-to/#commentsFiled under: ,

Tesla Model S - Click above for high-res image gallery

Is the Tesla Roadster sexy? How about the Model S (pictured) or the Fisker Karma? It seems that most people would say they are, and that means the sales prospects look good, says Merrill Lynch. The Bank of America/Merrill Lynch global research firm recently looked into the future of cars with plugs and came away with a positive impression of EVs and PHEVs - as long as those vehicles leave a good impression on the potential buyer. Analyst Steven Milunovich told B-Net that, "EVs need to appeal to consumers on a psychological level, such as prestige and driving enjoyment. [...] When the cost of EVs is reasonably close to gas cars, then I think we reach a tipping point where people will start buying electric cars as long as they're cool and fun to drive. We'll soon start seeing all kinds of customizing, like adding wi-fi or LED lights."

It'll take a while for the cost of plug-in cars to get "reasonably close" to ICE vehicles. Until then, the pure environmental argument for EVs and PHEVs will be enough to sway some people. How many? Well, that's what we'll have to keep watching to find out.

[Source: B-Net]

Merrill Lynch goes out on a limb, says electric vehicles need to be sexy originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>designmerrill lynchMerrillLynchsexysexy designSexyDesignTue, 10 Nov 2009 12:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Pay-per-mile car insurance might come to California]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/09/pay-per-mile-car-insurance-might-come-to-california/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/09/pay-per-mile-car-insurance-might-come-to-california/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/09/pay-per-mile-car-insurance-might-come-to-california/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The idea of paying for your insurance by the mile is not new. MileMeter, in Texas, offers pay-as-you-drive (PAYD) rates and California has been using mileage brackets to set insurance rates for years. A new, more precise PAYD system is under discussion in California that would give people who drive less a financial incentive to do keep doing so - and maybe convince people on the fence to find an alternative when possible.

State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner recently issued regulations on what PAYD mileage verification plans could look like. It's likely that people with PAYD would think twice when getting behind the wheel and combine trips when possible. The Brookings Institution studied PAYD last year and found that driving would drop by eight percent if all U.S. drivers were under a PAYD system. Also, two-thirds of U.S. households would save an average of $270.

MileMeter is looking to expand to California, and MileMeter founder and CEO Chris Gay told the Sacramento Bee that, "Our take is that half the market out there is being overcharged and underserved - and that's who we aim to address." The bigger insurance companies are looking into PAYD, but have not yet decided to offer it in California. This is an idea that easy to implement and, in lieu of higher gasoline taxes, could have a dramatic impact.

[Source: Sacramento Bee via MMN]
Photo by Wouter Kiel. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

Pay-per-mile car insurance might come to California originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>insuranceinsurance companiesInsuranceCompaniesmileagemileage insurancemileage taxMileageInsuranceMileageTaxpay as you drivepay-per-milePayAsYouDrivepaydMon, 09 Nov 2009 19:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Garmin Eco-Route cable will sell for $149, could appear soon]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/09/garmin-eco-route-cable-will-sell-for-149-could-appear-soon/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/09/garmin-eco-route-cable-will-sell-for-149-could-appear-soon/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/09/garmin-eco-route-cable-will-sell-for-149-could-appear-soon/#commentsFiled under: ,


Garmin EcoRoute screen shots - click above for image gallery

At last January's Consumer Electronics Show, Garmin announced a new optional extra for its Nuvi GPS system. The Eco-Route adds the ability for 1xxx series Nuvis to display a variety of vehicle information about what is going on in the engine. The cable plugs into the cars OBD-II diagnostic communications port to read out an array of data including fuel and air information, throttle position, combustion mixture and more. The system also includes a driving challenge that users can use to help train themselves to drive more efficiently. In addition, the Nuvi now allows drivers to select a more economical route that may or may not be the fastest or shortest route. The connection cable is priced at $149 but no on-sale date has been announced. It could be shipping before the end of the year or early 2010.

Gallery: Garmin EcoRoute screen shots


[Source: GPSCity via Engadget]

Garmin Eco-Route cable will sell for $149, could appear soon originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Garmingarmin ecoroutegarmin nuviGarminEcorouteGarminNuviMon, 09 Nov 2009 15:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Zytek teams up with Gordon Murray for T.27, an all-electric version of the T.25]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/06/zytek-teams-up-with-gordon-murray-for-t-27-an-all-electric-vers/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/06/zytek-teams-up-with-gordon-murray-for-t-27-an-all-electric-vers/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/06/zytek-teams-up-with-gordon-murray-for-t-27-an-all-electric-vers/#commentsFiled under: ,



Zytek Automotive has worked on electric drivetrains for the Smart ED and the Mercedes F1 KERS system. This week, Zytek announced a partnership with Gordon Murray Design for a new all-electric city car called the T.27. Gordon Murray is the force behind the T.25, the tiny three-seater that was designed to use a 660cc turbocharged engine. The T.27 is basically a plug-in version of the efficient T.25.

The UK government, through the Technology Strategy Board, is funding the project with 4.5 million pounds. This is half of the 9 million pounds it will take to make four prototypes by February 2011. Aside from the vehicles, the project will also:
further explore the possibility of scaling up and building a manufacturing facility in the UK, with the ultimate goal of producing the T.27 in Britain; to keep the new technology and intellectual property rights within the UK; and to make this affordable, fun and environmentally friendly car available for purchase.
Many more details after the jump.

[Source: Gordon Murray Design]

Continue reading Zytek teams up with Gordon Murray for T.27, an all-electric version of the T.25

Zytek teams up with Gordon Murray for T.27, an all-electric version of the T.25 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gordon murraygordon murray designsgordon murray t.25gordon murray t.27gordon murray t25gordon murray t27GordonMurrayGordonMurrayDesignsGordonMurrayT.25GordonMurrayT.27GordonMurrayT25GordonMurrayT27t.25t.27t25t27zytekzytek gordon murrayzytek hybridzytek kersZytekGordonMurrayZytekHybridZytekKersFri, 06 Nov 2009 13:01:00 EST<![CDATA[LA Auto Show Design Challenge entrants reveal Youthmobile 2030 designs]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/05/la-auto-show-design-challenge-entrants-reveal-youthmobile-2030-d/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/05/la-auto-show-design-challenge-entrants-reveal-youthmobile-2030-d/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/05/la-auto-show-design-challenge-entrants-reveal-youthmobile-2030-d/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Mazda Souga Concept from LA Design Challenge 2009 - Click above for high-res image gallery

This year's iteration of the annual Design Challenge at the LA Auto Show asks the question: How will a new generation of drivers age 16-23 - raised with cell phones, web cams and online communities - emotionally connect to the automobile in 2030? We don't know the answer either, but at least six designers from some of the world's top automakers decided to give it a go with their own ideas. if you thought the Aptera was futuristic, check these out.

First up are the eSpira and eOra from Audi, which are controlled by thought and by the minutest adjustments to the pilot's body. Next we have the General Motors Car Hero... yes, the name is borrowed from the popular Guitar Hero line of games and the car, as you might imagine, "turns driving into gaming." What happens when the inevitable "Game Over" comes at the end? Moving along, we come to the Honda Helix, a shape-shifting vehicle that borrows actual DNA from its owner. Yuck, we don't want to be a car, we want to drive a car.

Which brings us to the Mazda Souga, easily our favorite out of this crop of concepts. This vision for the future would have each owner design his own car for the low price of $2,000 while paying an additional monthly usage fee that also covers the price of electricity to power the Souga.

Nissan's vision for the future includes cars that get their power from an electrically-charged roadway called the GRID, and the vowel-challenged V2G UNLMTD is quickly hacked into an OFF-GRID transportation device by the next breed of young hackers. Lastly, we have the Toyota Link. According to Toyota, future college students will have nearly no income and will rely on mass transit vehicles like the Link that allow them to interact via their various social networks on their daily commutes. Sounds boring to us, but what do we know?

Be sure to check out all six designs in our high-res image gallery below and hit the jump for the official press release.



[Source: LA Design Challenge]

Continue reading LA Auto Show Design Challenge entrants reveal Youthmobile 2030 designs

LA Auto Show Design Challenge entrants reveal Youthmobile 2030 designs originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audi eoraaudi espiraAudiEoraAudiEspiradesign challengedesign challenge 2009DesignChallengeDesignChallenge2009general motors car heroGeneralMotorsCarHerohonda helixHondaHelixLA Design challengeLA Design Challenge 2009LaDesignChallengeLaDesignChallenge2009mazda sougaMazdaSouganissan v2gnissan v2g unmltdNissanV2gNissanV2gUnmltdtoyota linkToyotaLinkThu, 05 Nov 2009 18:57:00 EST<![CDATA[EPA testing green pavement to clean rainwater runoff]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/05/epa-testing-green-pavement-to-clean-rainwater-runoff/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/05/epa-testing-green-pavement-to-clean-rainwater-runoff/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/05/epa-testing-green-pavement-to-clean-rainwater-runoff/#commentsFiled under:



Green pavement? What's so exciting about that? If I wanted to test out some green pavement, all I'd need to do is make a run to the local Home Depot, pick up a can of green paint and dump it outside my driveway, right? Well, that's not exactly what we're talking about here, of course. But just what is "green pavement" anyway?

In this case, the pavement in question has been designed to suck up the nasty pollutants from vehicles and fertilizers from rainwater runoff. Here's what EPA Acting Regional Administrator George Pavlou has to say on the subject:
Runoff from parking lots and driveways is a significant source of water pollution in the United States and puts undo stress on our water infrastructure, especially in densely-populated urban areas.
There are literally millions of parking lots all over the United States and the rest of the world, and many of those are concentrated in densely-populated urban areas. What can we do about all that potential water pollution? That's exactly what the EPA is working to figure out. Over the next ten years, the EPA will be testing various porous pavement materials in its parking lots along with plants that are good at filtering and absorbing parking lot pollutants.

[Source: Wired | Photo: China Photos/Getty Images]

EPA testing green pavement to clean rainwater runoff originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>environmental protection agencyEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyepagreen pavementGreenPavementporous pavementPorousPavementrunoffwaterwater runoffWaterRunoffThu, 05 Nov 2009 11:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Rendered racing fantasy: 1-Liter Racing surfs to the future]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/04/rendered-racing-fantasy-1-liter-racing-surfs-to-the-fuutre/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/04/rendered-racing-fantasy-1-liter-racing-surfs-to-the-fuutre/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/04/rendered-racing-fantasy-1-liter-racing-surfs-to-the-fuutre/#commentsFiled under: , ,

One Liter Racing - Click above for high-res image gallery

We recently saw a rendering for the purely-speculative Audi Avatar, which was based on the outlandish vehicles seen in some futuristic racing video games. A new set of renderings takes the unreal racing game concept a bit further and imagines an entire league that uses hyper-efficient racing vehicles sprinting around a course while using just one liter of fuel. As we know from VW's 1-liter concept vehicle, in the right vehicle, a liter of fuel can take you quite a distance.

Designed by Moritz Martin, the 1 Liter Racing League would be run in unusual locations (think shallow water and beaches) in order to mimic "the effortless gliding of skim boards" on some patches of the course. The wheels can retract in order to "surf" over wet patches and the cars have "a rear wheel-mounted air nozzle for frictionless steering during slides." Check out the renderings in the gallery below.

Gallery: 1 Liter Racing League


[Source: One Liter Racing via Yanko Design]

Rendered racing fantasy: 1-Liter Racing surfs to the future originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1 liter racing1LiterRacingmoritz martinMoritzMartinone liter racingOneLiterRacingyanko designYankoDesignWed, 04 Nov 2009 14:53:00 EST<![CDATA[<i>BusinessWeek</i>: Prius one of the 50 Ugliest Cars of the Past 50 Years]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/04/businessweek-prius-one-of-the-50-ugliest-cars-of-the-pas/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/04/businessweek-prius-one-of-the-50-ugliest-cars-of-the-pas/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/04/businessweek-prius-one-of-the-50-ugliest-cars-of-the-pas/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder. While some cars seem to be almost universally loved for their gorgeous lines and undeniable sense of style - the Lamborghini Miura and Shelby Daytona Coupe certainly come to mind - others, such as the new Honda Crosstour and even the latest Nissan GT-R - not to mention nearly everything currently wearing the Acura badge - sport more debatable duds.

And what of the car that's most commonly associated with the green movement? Of course, that would be the Toyota Prius, and we know that some happen to find the car rather attractive... whether that's for its slip-through-the-wind styling or the high fuel mileage - made possible in part by that styling - that its owners happily enjoy. According to BusinessWeek, though, the second-gen Prius is one of the 50 Ugliest Cars of the Past 50 Years. Not a distinction any owner wants their car to carry.

Take heart, Prius owners. There are a number of questionable vehicles on the list. For instance, the classically boxy Volvo 240 isn't ugly at all... it's purposeful and practical. Neither are the Lamborghini LM002, 2002 BMW 7 Series, Tata Nano or Toyota iQ deserving of inclusion on this unflattering list. Lastly, does anyone really think the DeLorean is that unattractive? Unabashedly '80s? Sure. Ugly? Nah.


Gallery: 2009 Toyota Prius


[Source: BusinessWeek]

BusinessWeek: Prius one of the 50 Ugliest Cars of the Past 50 Years originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ugliest car everugliest carsugliest cars of all timeUgliestCarEverUgliestCarsUgliestCarsOfAllTimeugly bettyugly carugly carsUglyBettyUglyCarUglyCarsWed, 04 Nov 2009 12:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Smart Fortwo: World's Most Fuel Efficient Drift Car?]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/04/smart-fortwo-worlds-most-fuel-efficient-drift-car/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/04/smart-fortwo-worlds-most-fuel-efficient-drift-car/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/04/smart-fortwo-worlds-most-fuel-efficient-drift-car/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2009 Smart ForTwo Cabriolet - Click above for high-res image gallery

Rear-wheel drive, two seats, short wheelbase, sequential manual gearbox, available in either closed-roof or convertible body styles... sounds suspiciously like a sportscar, no? Yet nobody in their right mind would conclude after driving the Smart Fortwo that it is in the least bit sporty. Fuel efficient? Sure. Exciting? Not in the least.

No matter, a well-trained driver can make just about anything on four wheels respond the way in which he pleases. And that includes drifting extraordinaire Sam Hubinette, who tells his fans in a recent blog posting that he's traveling to Spain to film a "pretty intense" car/motorcycle chase scene for an upcoming flick called Night and Day, starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. Must be nice.

As you've likely surmised by now, Hubinette's chariot for the stunt will be a Smart Fortwo. Hubinette says he's never tried drifting a Smart... maybe the producers will be willing to shell out some of their $130 million budget to put something with a bit more power under the Fortwo's rear bonnet. Nah, probably not. And so we have what may be the World's Most Fuel Efficient Drift Car. Quick - someone better call Guinness.



[Source: Toxic Drift]

Smart Fortwo: World's Most Fuel Efficient Drift Car? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cameron diazCameronDiazfortwofortwo driftFortwoDrifthubinettenight and dayNightAndDaysam hubinetteSamHubinettesmartsmart driftsmart fortwoSmartDriftSmartFortwotom cruiseTomCruiseWed, 04 Nov 2009 08:02:00 EST<![CDATA[UK expands fuel economy label to include used cars]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/03/uk-expands-fuel-economy-label-to-include-used-cars/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/03/uk-expands-fuel-economy-label-to-include-used-cars/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/03/uk-expands-fuel-economy-label-to-include-used-cars/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The UK's Minister for Transport, Sadiq Khan, has announced a new color-coded label that would help identify the most fuel-efficient cars right in the showroom. This label will also include information about the car's CO2 emissions, estimated fuel costs over 12,000 miles and MPG. This label was created by the British Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) and, although it's not mandatory yet, 94 percent of British car dealers have signed up to display it on new and new-ish cars. That's right, these labels are designed not only for new cars, but for used vehicles as well, with information available for cars dating back to 2001 (check the mock-up here). Dealers can register to use the system either individually at www.vca.gov.uk or through their manufacturer. Read full press release after the jump.

[Source: DfT]

Continue reading UK expands fuel economy label to include used cars

UK expands fuel economy label to include used cars originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>color labelColorLabelfuel labelFuelLabelSadiq KhanSadiqKhanused car fuel economy labelUsedCarFuelEconomyLabelTue, 03 Nov 2009 18:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Turn those blister packs into fuel with the Envion oil generator]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/03/turn-those-blister-packs-into-fuel-with-the-envion-oil-generator/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/03/turn-those-blister-packs-into-fuel-with-the-envion-oil-generator/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/03/turn-those-blister-packs-into-fuel-with-the-envion-oil-generator/#commentsFiled under: ,


It's no secret that we generate a phenomenal amount of garbage, especially here in the United States, and a lot of that trash consists of plastics. Plastics hit us in a number of ways. Most plastics are are produced, at least in part, from petroleum and the plastics don't decompose when put it in the ground. Now, there may finally be a solution that addresses both sides of that equation (one that doesn't consider the idea of using less plastic).

Envion has created an oil generator that consumes plastics and cracks them in a vacuum to produce light and medium oils. The process is claimed to be energy positive, with more energy available in the oil produced than it takes to crack the plastics. According to Envion, it costs about $10/barrel to generate the oil, considerably less than the current world price of crude.

A commercial unit can process 10,000 tons of plastic per year into 30,000-50,000 barrels of oil. A demonstrator is currently running at the Montgomery County Solid Waste Transfer Station in Derwood, Maryland.

[Source: PureGreenCars]

Turn those blister packs into fuel with the Envion oil generator originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>envionoilplasticplastic into oilPlasticIntoOilplasticsTue, 03 Nov 2009 18:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Tesla Taxi would be fun to ride in, but it's just for show]]>http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/01/tesla-taxi-would-be-fun-to-ride-in-but-its-just-for-show/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/01/tesla-taxi-would-be-fun-to-ride-in-but-its-just-for-show/http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/11/01/tesla-taxi-would-be-fun-to-ride-in-but-its-just-for-show/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Some people love their profession so much they decorate their cars to show the world how they earn their beans. Such is the case of the owner of a New York taxi company who lives near Monaco and operates mostly hybrid taxis in the Big Apple. Apparently, he has a few beans to show off. The car in question has been painted in the iconic yellow and black taxi cab colors and was exhibited at the French Côte d'Azur where it caused a bit of a sensation. It won't be used to ferry customers around, but that option might still be coming some day to Abu Dhabi and Qatar.

[Source: Le Blog Auto]

Tesla Taxi would be fun to ride in, but it's just for show originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cote dazurCoteDazurny taxiNyTaxitaxitaxi paintTaxiPaintteslatesla roadsterTeslaRoadsterSun, 01 Nov 2009 15:07:00 EST