Clean Fleet Reporthybrid & electric cars smart charged with renewable energy
New Electric Vehicles – Save Gas, Save the Planet Excerpt
There are over 40,000 electric vehicles in the United States, with more being made and sold every day. In most situations, the limited range and speed of light electric vehicles are acceptable. Several automakers are targeting 2010 to sell electric vehicles in the United States that you can charge in your garage and other places. If you live in a household with more than one car, the EV may be perfect for one of your cars.
The Promise of Electric Vehicles – Save Gas, Save the Planet Excerpt
Tom Hanks has supported improving the environment for years both with words and actions such as driving electric vehicles. “I still have a Toyota RAV4 EV and never spent a penny on gasoline for it,” he said. Happy with his Toyota EV, he added a second electric car. Many other people are experimenting with conversions to electric. The most notable are hybrid owners. Hundreds own electric vehicles in this university town. The city’s parks and recreation department saves money using EVs that displace expensive gasoline cars and trucks. The university is a major user of electric vehicles.
Resistance is Futile – Save Gas, Save the Planet Excerpt
Being aerodynamic and using low rolling resistance tires are reasons that the Toyota Prius achieves good fuel economy. When you buy your next vehicle, look for cars with better miles-per-gallon due to use of advanced powertrains. There are more than one hundred car models that offer over 40 miles per gallon. An increased number of these models are being made available in the United States. People are often surprised by the excellent safety of some lighter vehicles with excellent fuel economy.
It’s Time to Lose Weight – Save Gas, Save The Planet Excerpt
Americans spend an extra $3 billion on fuel because vehicles are heavier than they were in 1960. Cars need to go on a diet. Vehicles can be better designed. Minor reductions in weight and drag can improve fuel economy up to 50 percent for a cost of a couple of hundred bucks. With the growing use of aluminum, composite materials, and aerodynamic design, we will see diesel cars delivering 100 miles per gallon and more if they are hybrid.
Hybrids – Save Gas, Save The Planet Excerpt
Millions of hybrids are now on the road, saving fuel and making driving more pleasant. Most cars are only powered by an internal combustion engine fueled with gasoline. Electric vehicles are powered by electric motors that are often three times more efficient than a gasoline engine. Hybrid technology is improving the fuel economy of some SUVs. The Ford Escape Hybrid, for example, offers over 30 miles per gallon.
The Circle of Life – Save Gas, Save The Planet Excerpt
There is no one correct answer for the best vehicle, or even type of vehicle, to best save gas and save the planet. People have different needs at different times of their life, and different driving conditions. Michael enjoyed living car-free when he went to the university but love, marriage, and parenthood meant getting a car. When the children are grown, Michael and Beth plan to return to one vehicle.
You Can Make a Difference – Save Gas, Save The Planet Excerpt
You can make a difference. The first chapters of Save Gas, Save the Planet will help you consider what you want in your next car. There are also many ways to reduce miles and improve fuel economy with your current car. Your actions and your words will influence more people than you expect. None of these are all-or-nothing ideas. Consider realistic improvements for yourself, your family, your friends, and your community.
Magical Solutions – Save Gas, Save The Planet Excerpt
We want to believe in magic but unfortunately, there is no one magical solution. Save Gas, Save the Planet captures over 120 different ways that people are making a difference by riding clean, riding together, and riding less. As you read Save Gas, Save the Planet, you will discover a number of ways to burn less fuel without needing a new car. When, and if, you are ready for a new car, you will make a better choice.
Your Money – Save Gas, Save The Planet Excerpt
This excerpt from the book Save Gas, Save the Planet outlines the important relationship between transportation and your finances. Your vehicle is your second biggest expense. In addition to personally saving thousands, you can help the nation save billions. People share tips and stories about how they save by riding smart and riding clean.
Transportation 2.0 – Save Gas, Save The Planet Excerpt
This excerpt from the book Save Gas, Save the Planet highlights the future of Transportation 2.0. During the next 20 years we will witness a major shift from vehicles that are mostly mechanical to vehicles that are primarily electronic. People share tips and stories about how they save by riding smart, riding less, riding together, and riding clean.
Nissan Tennessee Plant Capacity = 150,000 Electric Cars per Year
Nissan’s Tennessee assembly plant will have the capacity to build 150,000 Nissan LEAF electric cars per year, and 200,000 lithium-ion battery packs per year. Production starts in early 2013. The lithium packs could also be used in future Nissan hybrids. DOE Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced the $1.4 billion loan agreement with Nissan North America.
$620 Million for Smart Grid and Energy Storage Projects will spur Renewables
DOE awards $620 million for projects around the country to demonstrate advanced Smart Grid technologies and integrated systems that will help build a smarter, more efficient, more resilient electrical grid. Electric cars will be smart charged and lithium batteries reused in grid demonstrations. These 32 projects include large-scale energy storage which will enable wind and solar power to be delivered when needed. Projects include most states and over 50 utilities serving over 100 million Americans.
Electric Cars Facilitate Smart Grid 2.0
The electric car will help make the smart grid relevant to consumers. Right now most cars use inefficient engines fueled with gasoline or diesel. In the coming decades, many cars will use electricity. With a smart grid, renewable energy will do much of the charging. New electric cars from Nissan, Toyota, GM, Ford and others will use a charging standard J1772. The new charging units at home and work will include a smart meter chip. When a driver plugs-in, charging will follow preferences pre-established by the car owner. Many will prefer to save money and charge at night when rates are cheaper.
PG&E to Smart Charge 219,000 Electric Cars
This year, Newsweek ranked PG&E the greenest utility in the country due to its strong commitment to customer energy efficiency programs and renewable energy (RE) programs. 219,000 and 845,000 electric cars will be charged by this one utility by 2020, as renewable energy starts to replace gasoline as the preferred fill-up. Although smart charging provides for two-way communication, electricity will only be delivered one-way from the grid to the vehicle.
High-Speed Rail Unlocks Intermodal Potential
A central transportation hub in California is the Diridon Station in San Jose. In ten years, the Diridon Station is likely to see high volumes of travelers as high-speed rail shuttles people to and from San Francisco in 30 minutes. Intermodal transportation is likely to include light-rail, bus rapid transit, zero-emission buses, people-movers, and electric vehicles.
