Electric Cars Now!: September 2007

Sunday, September 30, 2007

Save The Earth Tip Of The Day! - September 30th 2007

Here is September 30th, 2007 Save The Earth Tip Of The Day!:

Switch Off The Iron When There Is Just One Garment Left To DO

"All the small habitual changes we make to our energy consumption collectively will make a difference to the planet. At home, unplug the iron when only one or tow garments remain to be ironed: residual hear will be enough to do the job."

Daily Tips are from Philippe Bourseiller's 365 Ways To Save The Earth. To see the amazing pictures and the whole description, buy the book at your local bookseller. By using any tip provided by Electric Cars Now! via Philippe Bourseiller's 365 Ways To Save The Earth you agree to these terms and conditions.

Come Back Tomorrow For A New Tip!

Save The Earth Tip Of The Day! - September 29th 2007

Here is September 29th, 2007 Save The Earth Tip Of The Day!:

Evaluate Your Eco Labels And Buy According

"Don't be a lazy consumer. Study product labels and do your homework! Both you and the environment will be rewarded."

Friday, September 28, 2007

Order Your New Three Wheeled Vehicle

The Aptera, pictured above, is an electric vehicle. It can be purchased as a plug-in hybrid and get over 300 m.p.g. Or, it is also made as an all electric vehicle and gets a 120 mile range. Both models will sell for under $30,000 each.

The three wheeled Aptera is classified as a motorcycle in most states, and weighs under 850 pounds. It also has a solar powered air conditioner. Orders are now being accepted.

Autobloggreen Link

Save The Earth Tip Of The Day! - September 28th 2007

Here is September 28th, 2007 Save The Earth Tip Of The Day!:

Recycle Magazines And Newspapers

"Do not contribute to this cycle: recycle used paper and cardboard. It will be used to make new paper and cardboard, as well as egg cartons, packaging, tissues, paper napkins and tablecloths, and toilet paper. As for your recently bought catalogues and magazines, before putting them in the recycling, offer them to the waiting room of your local laundromat, dentist or hair dresser, where they will be read again and again."

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Save The Earth Tip Of The Day! - September 27th 2007

Here is September 27th, 2007 Save The Earth Tip Of The Day!:

Use Your Vote

"Do not forget that you also cast votes several times each day by what you buy, and by your choices as a consumer. These choices influence, sometimes even more than elections do, means of production and the way the economy is organized, and they contribute to the way in which society develops."

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Save The Earth Tip Of The Day! - September 26th 2007

Here is September 26th, 2007 Save The Earth Tip Of The Day!:

Ask Your Local Fish Dealer About The Fish He Offers

"Ask your fish dealer where his stock comes from , and about the problem of over-fishing."

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Save The Earth Tip Of The Day! - September 25th 2007

Here is September 25th, 2007 Save The Earth Tip Of The Day!:

Influence Your Condominium Association

"Every measure that is voted on can contribute to preserving the planet's natural resources, limiting pollution, and reducing water use. In meetings, speak out in defense of environmental measures, such as environmentally friendly heating, sorting of waste, low consumption lighting in common areas, creation of green spaces or shared gardens, maintenance of the plumbing system. And help your fellow members to become aware of these issues."

Monday, September 24, 2007

Save The Earth Tip Of The Day! - September 24th 2007

Here is September 24th, 2007 Save The Earth Tip Of The Day!:

Recycle Plastic

"At home, in the office, or when traveling, be sure to recycle plastic beverage bottles. Encourage your office to start a recycling program if it doesn't have one. Recycling a single plastic bottle saves enough energy to keep a 60 watt bulb lit for 6 hours."

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Save The Earth Tip Of The Day! - September 23rd 2007

Here is September 23rd, 2007 Save The Earth Tip Of The Day!:

Choose Household Appliances That Use Less Water

"If you are planning to replace your household washing appliances, allow your choice to be guided by the amount of water they use. Efficient dishwashers can use about 5 gallons of water per load-half the volume used by conventional dishwashers."

Saturday, September 22, 2007

The NYT Is Right. Where Is Our Affordable Electric Car?

Why Can't It Be A Sedan?

An article in Sunday's New York Time's tells about how there is no affordable all electric sedan that looks like a gas powered sedan. Yes, there are NEVs, or Neighborhood Electric Vehicles, that go under 25 m.p.h, but if you're a regular guy who wants a nice all electric sedan that is highway capable for under $30,000 its impossible to find one. Autobloggreen has this quote from the article:

"Strip away the promises and the offerings are virtually nonexistent. Not a single purely electric vehicle with four seats and the ability to reach highway speeds is being mass-produced anywhere in the world. ... There is still not a single E.V. or plug-in hybrid available that can approach the driving range, interior room and performance of a typical gas-powered family sedan, at anywhere near the price that an average consumer would pay."

Autobloggreen Link

Save The Earth Tip Of The Day! - September 22nd, 2007

Here is September 22nd, 2007 Save The Earth Tip Of The Day!:

Drive Smoothly

"You can help to preserve the planet's reserves. In cities, take care to avoid accelerating and braking too hard and too frequently. This manner of aggressive driving increases fuel consumption by 40%, which means spending money needlessly and aggravating urban air pollution."

Friday, September 21, 2007

Batteries For Less

EnerDel says they plan to sell batteries for electric cars that will cost about $1,500. That price is for a lithium ion battery, which is cheaper now then it's ever been. The price is also about half of a nicked-metal hydride battery used in past electric cars.

EnerDel hopes to have them in cars by September 2009. There are three phases as part of an 18 month program. Phase one is done.

Autobloggreen Link

Nissan Electric Car For 2010

Nissan's European product boss Pierre Loing told BusinessCar that Nissan plans to have a production electric car in Japan by the end of the decade, meaning it could be in 2010 or sooner. The car will have some of the same features of the concept Mixim shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Not many other details were given.

Autobloggreen Link

Save The Earth Tip Of The Day! - September 21st, 2007

Here is September 21st, 2007 Save The Earth Tip Of The Day!:

Avoid Washing At Too High A Temperature

"Wherever we look, energy savings are possible. Washing and rinsing your clothes on the cold-water cycle connected to a gas- powered water heater will cost you just $.40 a cycle in energy use. The same machine set to a hot wash with a warm rinse will cost at least four times as much per load."

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Save The Earth Tip Of The Day! - September 20th, 2007

Here is September 20th, 2007 Save The Earth Tip Of The Day!:

Choose Sustainable School Supplies

"Choose pencil sharpeners and rulers in metal or wood (neither colored nor varnished). These will last longer and produce less pollution than their plastic equivalents. Choose a solar-powered calculator rather than a battery-powered one. Buy an assortment of folders and notebooks made from recycled paper. Above all, sift through last year's stationery supplies and reuse as much as possible to avoid buying the same reusable product again. Encourage your child to trade supplies with friends to foster and ethic of reuse."

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Save The Earth Tip Of The Day! - September 19th, 2007

Here is September 19th, 2007 Save The Earth Tip Of The Day!:

Smart Growth Is About Smart Choices

"Smart growth is not just about how we develop land, but also about where people demand to live. Live as close to your place of work as possible. Commit to public transportation alternatives and rediscover the vibrant , urban neighborhood where you live and work."

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Save The Earth Tip Of The Day! - September 18th, 2007

Here is September 18th, 2007 Save The Earth Tip Of The Day!:

Use White Vinegar To Remove Limescale

"Chemical compounds are widespread in farming, as well as in the household cleaners that have invaded our homes. In some cases they are unnecessary. To remove limescale from tiles taps, kettles, and irons, just use white vinegar."

Monday, September 17, 2007

Save The Earth Tip Of The Day! - September 17th, 2007

Here is September 17th, 2007 Save The Earth Tip Of The Day!:

Plant A Tree

"Plant a tree: you will be joining the fight against global warming and the atmospheric pollution caused by carbon dioxide emissions."

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Save The Earth Tip Of The Day! - September 16th, 2007

Here is September 14th, 2007 Save The Earth Tip Of The Day!:

Introduce Environmental Education To Schools

"If you would like environmental education to have a higher priority in your children's education, spend some time investigating the organization that offer educational resources. It is a good way to increase awareness among students, teachers, and other parents."

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Save The Earth Tip Of The Day! - September 15th, 2007

Here is September 15th, 2007 Save The Earth Tip Of The Day!:

Refuse To Accept Paper Telephone Directories

"How many tines have you looked in your telephone directories this year? If you do not use them, refuse to accept one. Use the Internet to look up phone numbers instead. The Web is also good for finding maps or looking up foreign numbers."

Friday, September 14, 2007

Plug-In SUV: "2009-Ish"

GM's Jill Lajdziak

GM is on a roll with all their advancements in plug-in hybrids. Not only do they hope to have the Concept Chevy Volt on the road around 2010, they also hope to have a plug-in Saturn VUE on the road in "2009-ish". The VUE is Saturn's 5 seater SUV. Currently the VUE comes in a regular hybrid form. It also recently got a complete face lift for the 2008 model year.

From Autobloggreen: "The Detroit Free Press' Mark Phelan is now reporting that Jill Lajdziak told him in Frankfurt this week that the plug-in Vue is coming "very quickly ... in 2009-ish."

Autobloggreen Link

GM Already Advertising Volt

General Motors is already advertising the Concept Chevy Volt, at least 3 years before production. These ads include videos (see the Youtube video above) and building ads (see the picture. Both the video and the picture are from Autobloggreen). I think this is a great way to get people excited about the future of transportation. What do you think? Is this a good way to promote the car? Leave your opinion in the comments.

Autobloggreen Link

Save The Earth Tip Of The Day! - September 14th, 2007

Here is September 14th, 2007 Save The Earth Tip Of The Day!:

Choose The Right Light Bulbs

"To make your lighting more environmentally friendly, take a look at your bulbs. The powerful light of a 100-watt bulb does not suit a bedroom or a bright room. Watch your halogen lamp: it consumes as much energy as two washing machines over a year. Redirect your wall lights or general lighting that chiefly plays on the ceiling. For your garage, consider neon lights, which are as energy- efficient as compact fluorescent light bulbs. And if your are planning to do some painting, remember that light-colored walls make the best use of light, and require less artificial lighting."

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Save The Earth Tip Of The Day! - September 13th, 2007

Here is September 13th, 2007 Save The Earth Tip Of The Day!:

Adopt A Pet From Your Local Animal Shelter

"Read up on the ASPCA's guidelines for adopting a pet. If you decide that you and your family are ready to make this commitment, don't spend money needlessly in a pet shop, thus encouraging even more pets to be raised. Find your next family member at the local animal shelter, instead. "

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Internet Problem

You may have noticed that there was not a Save The Earth Tip Of The Day! published yesterday. This was due to an internet problem we were having here at the Electric Cars Now! headquarters. It seems to be fixed now and both yesterday's and today's tips are now available. Sorry for any inconvenience this has caused.

Save The Earth Tip Of The Day! - September 12th, 2007

Here is September 12th, 2007 Save The Earth Tip Of The Day!:

Do Not Use Chemicals Near Water

"Do not use fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides if your are near water , such as a well, stream, pool, or marsh. After each application, these products soak into the soil, sometimes permanently polluting aquifers."

Save The Earth Tip Of The Day! - September 11th, 2007

Here is September 11th, 2007 Save The Earth Tip Of The Day!:

Replace Meat Protein With Protein From Vegetable Sources

"The frequent consumption of meat in wealthy nations is a recent phenomenon, even though it has been shown to be harmful to health by increasing the risk of heart attack and obesity. Replace meat with vegetable protein, such as soy, beans, and peas. Cooked soy beans are the best source of vegetable protein and a delicious snack when boiled and salted."

Monday, September 10, 2007

100 Posts!!!

Thanks to your continued support, we are proud to say that this very post, is Electric Cars Now! 100th post on our Blogger homepage! Thanks again to our loyal readers who help make Electric Cars Now! a success!

Smart Car Clone

This January the Smart-For-Two (a two seater Smart car) will be available in America. It looks almost like the car pictured above, but slightly different. But if you're one of those people who can't wait, like Chinese clones, and low speed electric vehicles, then this is the car for you!

Here at Electric Cars Now! we have not covered the Smart car before, because it is not electric. Unlike the Smart car, the vehicle pictured above is. The FlyBo is a Chinese made Smart car clone, that can go up to 25 m.p.h. and up to 70 miles per charge. It will soon be available at the Great Lakes Auto Sales of Saginaw, MI.

Autobloggreen Link

Save The Earth Tip Of The Day! - September 10th, 2007

Here is September 10th, 2007 Save The Earth Tip Of The Day!:

Try Sharing A Car

"In several metropolitan areas around the country, car-sharing programs have gained a lot of popularity over the last few years. A magnetic card gives your access to a fleet of vehicles that can be picked up at various points in the city; you pay according to how long you use them and how fay your travel. Someone else worries about the maintenance and other costs-you just get in and go!"

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Save The Earth Tip Of The Day! - September 9th, 2007

Here is September 9th, 2007 Save The Earth Tip Of The Day!:

Borrow Or Lend Your Power Tools

"Rather than investing in new tools, try another approach. Why not borrow them from a neighbor or family member, or buy them together and take turns using them? Consider starting a tool-sharing program in the neighborhood. Learn your neighbor's needs and interests."

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Save The Earth Tip Of The Day! - September 8th, 2007

Here is September 8th, 2007 Save The Earth Tip Of The Day!:

Soundproof Your Floors To Avoid Disturbing The Neighbors

"Carpeting is the best way to soundproof the floor in your apartment. If you have a tiled of hardwood floor, consider putting blocks under the feet of the furniture, placing electrical appliances on shock-absorbing pads to reduce the vibrations transmitted through the floor, and putting down rugs to dampen the sound of footsteps."

Friday, September 7, 2007

New Poll!

The Poll's page has been updated! Now, you can view the results of the poll that closed on Friday and there is a new poll about plug-in cars that will close on September 30. So happy voting!

Poll's Page Link

Blast From The Past

Is today's car hybrid technology a blast from the past? It very well could be according to Autobloggreen via a 1969 issue of Popular Science. The article talks about a 1969 GM concept car, the XP-883. This car could go all electric when driving under 10 m.p.h. It also was able to switch to all electric mode. So why did this car never go into production? GM officials never gave it a go.

From the Popular Science article:

"Wouldn't it be great to have a car that changed from electric drive for use around town to gasoline power for highway driving? Impossible? Impractical? No-GM has built one, and it makes so much sense that we feel they're missing a bet if they don't put it into production."
"You may think this little hybrid is pretty far advanced, but the fact is, it can be built today. It's not held up because engineers are searching for a breakthrough."
"You can run the XP-883 either as an all-electric, or with hybrid drive. Even if you select the hybrid, it will run on electric power alone up to 10 m.p.h."
"In case your batteries run down, the car is equipped with an on-board charger that can be connected to an external 115-volt AC source."
"But whether, and when, you'll drive one is something GM chiefs haven't made up their minds about yet."

I wonder what our world would be like today if everyone had used this car instead of a regular sedan. Cheaper gas? Less pollution? Less lung problems? Maybe. We will never know because of GM.

Autobloggreen Link

Teen Converts Truck To All Electric Power

16 year old Andrew Angellotti had a lot of extra time and an extra $6,000. With his spare time and money, he decided to convert his 1988 Mazda B2200 into an all electric pickup. The truck has a top speed of 55 m.p.h. with a range of 40 miles.

Angellotti talks about his work:

"I've always had an interest in vehicles of any kind. I also have a "do more with less" attitude, and a concern for what the petroleum industry is doing to our society and our environment. I want to show how easy it is to convert to electric, and how practical these vehicles are for everyday driving."

His project began in August 2006, and just ended. Congratulations!

Autobloggreen Link

Save The Earth Tip Of The Day! - September 7th, 2007

Here is September 7th, 2007 Save The Earth Tip Of The Day!:

Follow The Rules In Protected Areas

"Observe the instructions displayed at the entrances to parks-they are there for a reason. You will not disturb the wildlife if you keep your dog on a leash, and by following the marked trails you can avoid accidentally stepping on protected plants."