Green Options » hybrid vehicle

Car Manufacturers Might be Getting Ahead of Themselves in Electric Vehicle Production

Beth Graddon-Hodgson — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:47:38 +0000

As various countires and cities around the world are rolling out policies with regards to the integration of charging stations that would allow for greater use of electric and hybrid vehicles, it’s becoming more apparent that perhaps the development of vehicular technology is moving substantially faster than might be realistic.

Read more of this story »

US Army Plans To Deploy Hybrid Spy Ship Over Afghanistan

Beth Graddon-Hodgson — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 05:18:05 +0000

By 2011 the US Army’s Space & Missile Defense Command has plans to deploy a spy ship, which will be unmanned over Afghanistan. While this is a controversial move in itself, some eco-enthusiasts are applauding the consideration to model the aircraft after an experimental hybrid airship which took flight on a number of occasions in 2006.

Read more of this story »

The First Algae Fueled Car Travels from San Francisco to Washington, DC

Beth Graddon-Hodgson — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:07:08 +0000

The Veggie Van Organization unveiled the first algae fuel powered car this week in San Francisco. It’s actually a plug-in Prius that has been converted with the nickel-metal hydride battery. The green vehicle doesn’t run strictly on algae, but rather a 5% algae/95% gasoline blend. Since this vehicle uses a standard engine without any modifications, it demonstrates the opportunity to use alternative fuel sources like algae in a vehicle, and only 5% algae might be used today, but it gives some hope for the future.

Read more of this story »

Earth Conscious Insurance - It Can Save You Money to Go Green

Brenda Keener — Fri, 01 May 2009 00:02:56 +0000

Green business practices are not limited to factories and buildings anymore. According to Yahoo Finance, some insurance companies are offering clients who drive green cars or live in green homes a break on their premiums. Still others are offering to rebuild a green home that is lost due to fire or other catastrophes “greener” than it was before.

Novato based Fireman’s Fund is now offering a 5% discount on homeowner’s policies for those who live in LEED certified homes. Fireman’s also offers a Green Upgrade, which allows a homeowner the option to rebuild it greener with a slight premium adder.

Farmer’s Insurance offers up to a 10% discount for drivers of hybrid vehicles currently, and is planning to offer a new Green homeowner’s policy in 28 states by this summer.

Very soon, it will pay to go green!

American Battery Maker Seeks Goal to Mass-Produce Lithium-Ion Battery for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles

Amiel Blajchman — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 07:00:13 +0000

Ener1, profiled here, develops and manufactures lithium-ion batteries designed for use in next generation hybrid and electric vehicles. In recent news, Ener1 purchased South Korean battery maker Enertech. This purchase will take Ener1 one step closer to its goal of becoming the first company to mass-produce a cost-competitive lithium-ion battery for hybrid and electric vehicles.

Enertech is one of just a handful of companies that specializes in producing large format flat (or “prismatic”) cells, which Ener1 believes offer significant performance and manufacturing advantages over more common cylindrical designs. Enertech operates a 200,000-square-foot plant outside Seoul, South Korea capable of producing cells for 15,000 electric vehicle battery packs per year.

Read more of this story »