The unofficial theme of the second night of the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver was the building of a green economy. In speech after speech, the Democrats pointed to Barack Obama’s plan to put 1 million plug-in hybrid electric vehicles on American roads by 2015—and to rebuild the American auto industry in the process—as the cornerstone of his plan for energy independence.
Original post by admin
Dale Vince, CEO of the renewable energy company Ecotricity, and his enthusiastic vehicle engineer, Richard Jenkins, are camped out at Lake LeFroy, a huge salt flat in Western Australia. When weather conditions improve, Vince and Jenkins will be attempting to take back the wind-power land speed record from Bob Schumacher, whose Iron Duck has held the record at 116.7 since March 20th, 1999. But their design—dubbed “Greenbird”—may have implications beyond the Guinness Book of World Records.
Original post by alan
Over the last two years, soaring gasoline prices, post-9/11 concerns over energy independence, and growing awareness of carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas all came together. Public demand forced the US Congress to strengthen fuel-economy standards last year, raising the requirement to 35 mpg by 2020. (The actual math is complex; each automaker has a slightly different target to meet, based on sales mix.)
Original post by zach
Microcars like Daimler’s Smart have populated the streets of Europe and Japan for decades. But until recently, you couldn’t find an American auto executive or analyst who thought they had a chance to become a popular and profitable niche in the United States. The arrival of the Smart ForTwo on American shores—and the onset of skyrocketing gas prices—have changed that picture.
Original post by admin