Reuters: Environment
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The U.S. government will require automakers to produce 35 mpg cars by 2020. But what if you don’t want to wait 12 years? What if you want to buy a 35 mpg car today? There is a solution. You could always go buy your car in China. China’s cars have been getting 35 mpg for over three years.
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Electric cars are on the fast track to mainstream. This week, Chrysler announced a full fleet of electric cars for 2010. Some say “green” cars are a fad, but if anything the trend is in its infancy. Be prepared: Americans will buy more electric cars than gasoline cars by 2020. Why? One big reason: electricity is cheaper than gasoline. A lot cheaper. This article explains the rest.
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In the latest case of pre-election pandering, both McCain and Obama have made the miraculous campaign promise of lowering gasoline prices while also cutting US carbon dioxide emissions. Although the strategy might earn them votes come November, it’s time for Americans to realize that we can’t have cheap oil and cut emissions too.
Calls for action from ex-CEOs, GM striking partnerships with utilities, expansions in battery production, preparation by city governments — this last week has been a beehive of activity as plug-in hybrids are getting closer and closer to mass-market reality.
The average hybrid customer five years ago cared more about the greenness of the car than how quickly the investment was recouped. Today’s consumers, however, are desperately seeking ways to save on gas.
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Nice try for an oil guy. T. Boone Pickens, the Texas oilman and billionaire, recently announced his ambitious plan to wean America off foreign oil. One part of his plan is smart; the other less so. This article explains why.
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For all the talk of Chinese demand driving up oil prices, Califonia consumes slightly more gasoline than all of China at 20 billion gallons per year. On a per capita basis, California burn about 40 times as much gas than China. Yet, the trend is for Chinese demand to grow rapidly, and this is likely to continue for many years. If you think prices are high now, imagine what would happen if Chinese consumers were to consume oil as quickly as Californians on a per capita basis. Maybe then Californians would start changing their driving decisions.
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Trina Solar, a Chinese solar manufacturer, announced this week it will supply LISA Airplanes with solar cells to power a luxury aircraft. The solar cells will provide power for take-off and in-cabin instruments; a fuel cell will provide additional power. This announcement follows biofuel experiments by multiple commercial airline operators.
