By Tina Casey •
December 23, 2009
As a construction industry giant, Caterpillar is best known for moving earth, and now the company seems ready to move the entire off-road vehicle and equipment sector into more sustainable technology that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and cuts reliance on fossil fuels.
With its new D7E tractor, Caterpillar is out to demonstrate that a diesel-electric hybrid tractor can save fuel and beat the performance of diesel-only equipment. If it proves a successful mix of energy-efficient power and maneuverability, the D7E could inspire other manufacturers to adopt hybrid technology for a wide range of offroad vehicles and equipment, including smaller engines that account of a significant chunk of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., such lawn mowers and ATV’s.
By Jeff Kart •
August 19, 2009
Labor Day will soon be upon us, and with it, the unofficial end of summer. Back to school time. Summer is the season for camping, getting out of the city and getting a little dirty in the woods. Some folks like to tent it. Some folks like a travel trailer, with their own bathroom (my wife included).
But one problem with campers is how much they weigh, the large vehicles needed to tow them and frequent trips to the gas station. Travel trailers are getting lighter and lighter, however, and easier and more affordable to pull. Take a look at the latest entry, from EverGreen (like the tree) in Middlebury, Indiana.
By Joe Walsh •
August 13, 2009
In their rush to get an extra $2 billion out the door, Congress overlooked several possible tweaks that might have made the Cash for Clunkers program a more sustainable economic stimulant and a “greener” environmental program.
By Mridul Chadha •
April 6, 2009
After Tata Nano, another Indian automaker Bajaj is on schedule to launch the ‘world’s most efficient petrol fueled car’ in 2011.
By Susan Kraemer •
November 12, 2008
A cute adaptation of the fuel efficient little Smartfortwo Greenstumbler found on display at SEMA2008 in Nevada.
20,000 Smartfortwos have sold here in the U.S, without wings.
They already slow the evildoers who would end the planetary habitat of our species, just to scrape up the last few trillions off of our petrodollars.
So they are already super-hero cars just because they get 46 miles to the gallon.
But is this [...]
By Nick Chambers •
October 21, 2008
I rolled my Toyota Yaris three times this morning after hitting a six-foot-high dirt embankment at highway speed. I crawled out with no more than a bump on my head, seat belt burn, and a massively stiff neck. So, for all you small car safety-doubters out there, I’ve now got personal experience to say otherwise.
Inevitably, whenever we post about small electric cars, funky three-wheelers, or any other small fuel-efficient vehicle here at Gas 2.0, we get typical responses along the lines of “It may get 60 mpg, but that thing’s a death trap,” or “It’s nice to drive electric, but would you trust that car to your family?”
After this morning’s shenanigans, I can unequivocally say “Yes. Yes I would trust my family to a small fuel-efficient car, and I’m miraculously alive and mostly uninjured… so no, it’s not a death trap.”
By Andrew Williams •
September 18, 2008
Following a meeting earlier this week with House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi, the ‘big three’ US automakers are optimistic about their prospects of receiving a multi-billion dollar loan.
