Green Options » compact

Lexus to Launch Compact Hybrid in 2010

Andrew Williams — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 13:24:44 +0000

Japanese luxury car-maker Lexus has announced plans to launch a five-door compact hybrid hatchback. The new model looks set to be a major competitor to the BMW 1-Series and Audi A3 in the hot-hatch segment.

The new model will be showcased in September at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show and is due to go on sale in the UK by autumn 2010.

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Nissan to Launch Compact Hybrids

Andrew Williams — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:44:19 +0000

Nissan has announced plans to sell compact hybrid vehicles based on its own technology in Japan, starting from 2011.

The Japanese outfit intends to make a low-cost, compact powertrain featuring an integrated electric motor providing supplemental power to the main gasoline engine. Energy will be provided by high-performance lithium-ion batteries.

According to Nissan the hybrids should be more than twice as fuel efficient as the equivalent gas-powered offerings.

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Never Mind the New York Times - Buy a Compact Fluorescent Lightbulb

Tina Casey — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 23:50:54 +0000

An article in the March 28 New York Times contained some pretty unflattering remarks about compact fluorescent light bulbs. Since the bulbs were never given a chance to speak in their own defense, I guess it’s up to us fluorescent bulb-huggers to speak for them. So, here goes.

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Chrysler to Launch ‘PeaPod’ Electric Cars Worldwide in 2010

Andrew Williams — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:53:25 +0000

Chrysler has announced plans to launch its PeaPod electric car worldwide in 2010. The compact city EV will be available as a one-seater, a two-seater or a utility van, at prices starting from around $20,000.

Developed by Chrysler-owned Green Eco Mobility (GEM), the PeaPod is capable of travelling 40 miles on a single charge. According to the company’s innovation chief, Peter Arnell, this is more than enough for most daily commutes.

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Tip o’ the Day: A Bright Idea

Rebecca Carter — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 13:43:15 +0000

Have you heard this one before? "A light bulb walks into a bar…" Wait, that's not right. Let's try it again, "What's bright and light and white all over?" Okay, we're not the best joke tellers in the world, but we do know the punchline: CFL.

Switching over to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) is one of those solutions that is so simple and so effective, we all just need to do it. Says EnergyStar.gov, if we all change just one incandescent bulb to a CFL, "we would save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 800,000 cars."

Sometimes there is a solution so simple, that we've just got to do it. Yes, CFL bulbs cost a little more, but they also last much longer and use a quarter of the energy. This means that you will save money on your electricity bill - around $30/year per bulb.

If you haven't made the switch yet, use today as your opportunity to do so. Some hints:

Since CFLs last so long, they are great for hard to reach places. Imagine not having to change the bulb for 5 years!
CFLs don't generate heat like incandescents do, so they won't make you cool the room any more than is absolutely necessary.
CFLs do take a minute to warm up, so they are not as useful in closets or areas that a light is usually on for just a few seconds.
You'll receive the biggest impact on your energy bill by replacing the lights you use the most often and for the longest period of time.

Rebecca says: I never wanted to switch because I remembered the CFLs from years ago in my grandparent's house. It felt like a fluorescent bulb with a very cold tone to the color of the light. Now, it is almost impossible to tell the difference. Plus, when else can you have the light on and think, "I'm saving energy right now?"

CFL Resources:

EnergyStar.gov

Wikipedia: CFL