Category Archives: Green Transport

BMW’s Hydrogen Car Actually Cleans The Air Around It

By Michael d'Estries  
April 17, 2008 – 2:24 pm

h7.jpg

BMW has been handing over their Hydrogen 7 sedan to several celebrities and other notables as part of a trial of the new technology out in the real world. The car is actually a hybrid of sorts that allows the owner to either use hydrogen or gasoline as the fuel of choice. This week, however, at the 2008 SAE World Congress in Detroit BMW showed off a pure hydrogen concept car that not only burns clean, but also emits fewer carbon monoxides than found in the air around it. From the article,

“This means the engine breaks down or converts the carbon monoxides it takes in. The emissions tests, run by Argonne Laboratories, also show a similar reduction in non-methane organic gasses. The vehicles other emissions are all so low that standard automobile emissions testing wouldn’t have detected them.”

How about that? Not only can you drink the waste water from this thing, but it will also make the air you breathe cleaner. Sounds like a must-have for any future inhabitant of Los Angeles.

BMW has no plans to market the hydrogen-only vehicle and will stick to the current H7 for future sales.

via Green Tech Blog

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$142 Billion In CA Health Savings With Zero-Emission Vehicles By 2030

By Michael d'Estries  
March 20, 2008 – 3:15 pm

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In a stunning release today, the American Lung Association of California announced that over $142 billion dollars in health costs could be saved by converting the entire California motor vehicle fleet from gasoline vehicles to zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) technologies in the 2010-2030 timeframe. The current fleet of cars costs the state close to $7.4 billion dollars in hospitalizations, premature deaths and illnesses. From the article,

“The study, conducted by TIAX LLC, a consulting firm specializing in transportation and alternative fuels research, also found that California can avoid at least .2 billion per year in health costs from reduction of dangerous particulate matter by converting the motor vehicle fleet to ZEVs instead of relying on the lowest emitting gasoline technologies. This
reduction in particulates means that California would annually avoid 300 cases of premature death, over 260 cases of chronic bronchitis, over 7,000 asthma attacks and more than 18,000 cases of upper and lower respiratory symptoms by moving to ZEV technology.”

The ALA prepared the study in advance of the California Air Resource Board moving to weaken the current “gold standard” program requirement from 25,000 to 2,500 zero-emission vehicles in the 2012-2014 timeframe. Members of the organization will urge the ARB to reconsider approving such a low volume of ZEVs. “The Air Resources Board is at a critical juncture right now,” said ALA Senior Policy Director Bonnie Holmes-Gen. “The Board has a tremendous opportunity to set a bold new vision for the ZEV program that includes strengthening the program to fully support the state’s goals for both healthy air and global warming reduction.”

It’s amazing that we’re still fighting laws that seek to further improve our health and environment. The hearing on the new amendment will take place next week, March 27th. For more information, jump here.

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GM Wants A City For Massive Fuel-Cell Test

By Michael d'Estries  
February 5, 2008 – 9:59 am

b027-gm2-0105n.jpgWith GM’s “Project Driveway” giving more than 100 families and individuals in New York City, Los Angeles, and Washington the opportunity to test fuel-cell vehicles over the next year, there’s new talk of ramping up the program to include an entire city. Of course, these hopes are a bit of a pipe dream at the moment — but it wasn’t too long ago that the thought of 100 fuel cell cars on the road was left to the imagination as well. Here’s how Larry Burns, the top scientist at General Motors envisions the experiment working:

“It would have to be a huge commuting metropolis such as New York, Detroit or Los Angeles — would agree to have dozens of hydrogen-fuel filling stations built throughout its region. The upcoming experiments with small groups of customers clustered around single fuelling stations isn’t sufficiently “real world,” he says. “What we need to have happen is for some city or metropolitan area to step up and say we’ll put 50 to 80 stations in place. We’ll locate them intelligently so our citizens are no farther than a couple of miles away from these places. “Once we have a commitment like that I think the auto industry would be capable of targeting its first real, true first-generation vehicles.”

Larry isn’t leaving out the idea that U.S. policy or red tape might cause GM to choose another city somewhere in the world for the experiment; like Shanghai. One thing is for sure: Without a sufficient infrastructure in place, no real commercial tests of next-generation hydrogen vehicles can take place. Burns admits that Project Driveway is lacking in this area. “It’s been engineered to commercial specifications but we’re only doing 100″ hand-built units. “The next step is to do 1,000 of something.”

One thing is for sure: This will not happen without government support — so don’t expect anything till at least 2010. We’ve got a long way to go before fuel-cell vehicles make any type of impression on the automotive industry; not to mention the cost issues. Still, it would be cool to see an entire city participate in a hydrogen experiment across many different automotive brands. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.

via the province

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Solar Powered Robot Chariot Intends To Save The World

By Michael d'Estries  
January 4, 2008 – 9:55 am

chariot.jpg

And now for something completely different.

Bob Schneeveis, professor of neurology at Stanford, has invented a solar powered bi-pedal chariot pulled by a rollerblading robot. Yup. The entire system is driven by one 25lb electric motor that receives energy from batteries charged by solar panels on Schneeveis’s roof.

Oddity aside, this is actually quite a fluid design in terms of motion. Who wouldn’t want a robotic chariot pulling them around town? Would certainly make grabbing groceries interesting. Check out the video below.

via ecofriend

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Ugly Stick Solar Car Costs Almost $25K!

Crappy vehicle. Great golf cart.

By Michael d'Estries  
January 3, 2008 – 3:46 pm

Introducing the ugliest solar car to hit the market yet. No, really. You can make a case for looking beyond the aesthetics of this vehicle and holding high the green credentials, but the $25K price tag for this thing will definitely weigh you down in the end. For your hard-earned cash you’ll receive zero doors, odd styrofoam-like bucket seats, and a three-hour battery that will max out at around 43 mph.

The car is being produced by a team of builders and racers from Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung University of Applied Science. The “winning” design was based on a successful vehicle that ranked second of fifty cars in the latest Australian World Solar Challenge. Quite the achievement — but I question why they felt it might be a commercial success for $25K. If you’re not going to have any doors, at least throw some cup holders in there!

via clover thoughts

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Popular Science Takes The Aptera Electric Car For A Test Drive

Where Scifi meets the road

By Michael d'Estries  
December 21, 2007 – 3:28 pm

The new Aptera vehicle embodies everything science fiction dreamers thought automobiles would look like in the 21st Century. Minus, of course, the ability to fly. Not only is it crafted in a style that would make The Jetsons proud, but it uses electricity to quietly cruise the streets at speeds up to 90mph. Add in the “WTF is that?!” reaction from drivers and passerbys alike and you’ve got yourself the perfect excuse to fork over the under $30K or so needed for this ride.

Well, in my head at least, that’s the perfect excuse. The more reserved out there may want to wait a bit to see how this first generation of the Aptera does before getting rid of their Sonatas. There are, however, some other really cool facts about this car that might push you over. For instance:

  • Aptera founder and CEO Steve Fambro says sticking your hand out the window of an average car driving 55 mph creates more drag than the Aptera’s entire body.
  • The Typ-1 e uses a rearview system with three cameras that display images on small dash panels where analog gauges would normally sit. (Traditional rearview mirrors will still probably make it to production as well.)
  • The roof top solar panels can charge either you laptop or the vehicle’s AC system when not in use.
  • The Typ-1 e is expected to have a target range of 120 miles per charge. A ful1 recharge of the pack will take about 4 to 6 hours with a standard 110-volt outlet.

Here’s what Popular Science thought of the vehicle’s ride:

“Turn the dial to the “D” position, and the Aptera accelerates like many other pure EVs, with a constant rush of torque. The powertrain pulls strongly up to 50 mph or so (the fastest the streets on our route would allow). Interestingly, when you floor the accelerator, there’s a moment when the reareand jacks up slightly as the torque is applied. It’s a slight feeling, as it is on some shaft-drive motorcycles—and it’s kind of fun. It makes the acceleration feel stronger than it is.”

Ultimately, however, what really makes this thing worth believing in is to see it in motion. Jump here to check out PopSci’s full review and to catch the video test drive. You can visit Aptera’s official site here.

What do you think? Would you pick one up?

Thanks to Bill Hobbs for the tip!

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Eco-Boat Powered In Part By Human Fat Attempts World Record

Hungry for Americans

By Michael d'Estries  
December 20, 2007 – 11:17 am

The United States has been sitting (literally) on a massive reserve of fuel that until now may have gone unnoticed.

The 78 foot alternative fuel powered wave-piercing trimaran called Earthrace is finding a new energy source in human fat. The ship’s captain, New Zealander Pete Bethune, underwent underwent liposuction and donated enough to produce 100ml of biofuel, while two other, larger volunteers also had the procedure, making a total of 10 litres of human fat.

All in all, that’s enough fat to help the boat travel about 15km. The remaining mix comes from 100 per cent biodiesel. The Earthrace will attempt this March to circumnavigate the globe in 65 days — breaking the previous record set in 1998 of 75 days.

Obviously, I don’t think we’re going to see Senator Stevens arguing to tap into the more than five million Americans that are considered “morbidly obese” — but it does make you consider the amazing possibilities in terms of fuel alternatives that are all around us. That, and perhaps we should go on a diet before some alien species invades looking for it’s own next generation energy source. We certainly would provide enough “umpf” for lightspeed.

via daily mail

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Kite-Assisted Ship Prepares For January Maiden Voyage

Over $1,600/day in fuel savings expected

By Michael d'Estries  
December 19, 2007 – 1:45 pm

Harnessing the winds to propel ships around the world has been a successful form of renewable energy for hundreds of years. While it fell out of favor over century ago due to its unpredictable nature and the rise of alternative fuels, a new company called Skysails is reintroducing the concept to tankers and ocean transport mammoths looking to cut costs, reduce energy consumption, and put a little green in their portfolios. They will start next month by attaching a $725,000 computer-controlled kite to a 443ft German cargo ship as it sails across the Atlantic to Venezuela, up to Boston and back to Europe. From the article,

“To latch onto the powerful winds prevailing well above the surface, the kite attached to the high-tech steerage unit flies up to 300 meters high to tug the 10,000-tonne ship forward, supporting its diesel engines and cutting fuel consumption.

Under favorable wind conditions, the 160-square meter kite shaped like a paraglider is expected to reduce fuel costs by up to 20 percent or more ($1,600 per day) and cut, by a similarly significant amount, its carbon dioxide emissions.”

Obviously, Skysails isn’t the only watching the maiden voyage with anticipation. The maritime industry as a whole is especially interested in technology that can reduce fuel costs in a time when prices are rising substantially. If everything goes as planned, the company will equip 4-8 ships next year — and up to 1,500 by 2015.

Sure, it’s a drop in the bucket when you consider the more than 50,000 merchant ships sailing the high seas every year transporting goods; but it’s an important alternative that may prove to be a wise investment for large fleets and a stepping stone to increased efficiency in moving cargo around the world. Stay tuned for updates on the total savings and impressions!

via reuters

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More Ethanol = More Fertilizer Needed for Corn

Taking stock of fertilizer company stocks

By Beth McKenna  
December 15, 2007 – 11:43 pm

There is a flip side to about everything in life, isn’t there?

Take corn-based ethanol. It’s a plus for the Midwestern farmers growing corn as it provides them with more demand for their crop. It’s a negative for people buying food — expecially those on tight budgets — as the additional demand drives up food prices.

To be fair, let’s note that there are also other factors that have driven up food prices to historic highs: rising transportation (fuel) costs; and growing affluence in Asia, which has led to an increase in demand for meat, which in turn has driven demand for grain to feed livestock. 

As many readers likely know, the US already has ethanol subsidies in place. And, as some may know, Congress just passed a bill increasing those subsidies (and Bush has said he’ll sign the bill now that several of the original clean energy subsidies were taken out).

So, for now, there’s no sense debating whether increased ethanol subsidies are a good or bad thing. For our purposes, this saying applies: IT IS WHAT IT IS.

The bottom-line: More corn being grown to produce the additional ethanol means that more fertilizer will be needed. Fertilizer company stocks, which have posted scorching returns over the past year (and longer), should continue to do well.

Here’s a look at some of the major fertilizer companies (in order of market cap*):

  1. Potash (NYSE: POT) – Canadian firm specializing in potash**, a form of potassium carbonate, as well as nitrogen and phosphate, fertilizers. Some stats: $39.7 B market cap; 173% 1-year stock return; 1.9 beta; 24% Return on Equity (ROE); 30% operating margin (OM); 39% quarterly revenue growth & 67% quarterly earnings growth.
  2. Mosaic (NYSE: MOS) — Minnesota-based company that is the industry’s other giant potash producer. Stats: $36.6 B market cap; 276% 1-year return; 1.5 beta; 15% ROE; 14% OM; 55% Q revenue growth & 180% Q earnings growth.  
  3. Agrium (NYSE: AGU) – Canadian company involved in nitrogen-based, potash, sulfur, and phosphate-based fertilizers. Stats: $7.8 B market cap; 92% 1-year return; other stats not immediately available (not listed on Yahoo Finance).
  4. CF Industries (NYSE:CF) — Illinois-based company that operates in two segments, nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers. Stats: $5.4 B market cap; 304% 1-year return; 0.9 beta; 27% ROE; 18% OM; 46% Q revenue growth & 1085% Q earnings growth.  
  5. Terra Industries (NYSE:TRA) — Iowa-based company that produces nitrogen and methanol products for agricultural and industrial markets. Stats: $3.6 B market cap; 260% 1-year return; 1.9 beta; 15% ROE; 23% OM; 28% Q revenue growth & 426% Q earnings growth.  
  6. Terra Nitrogen (NYSE:TNH) — Iowa-based limited partnership (LP) with a focus on nitrogen fertilizer products. Stats: $2.3 B market cap; 272% 1-year return; 2.3 beta; 98% ROE; 27% OM; 45% Q revenue growth & 232% Q earnings growth.  

*Market capitalization (cap): # shares of company stock x stock price

**Potash: There’s a limited amount of potash production globally, thus, it’s a very profitable product for those companies producing it. Potash comes from mines, and the cost of replicating these massive mines represents a major ”barrier to entry” or “moat” (meaning other companies can’t easily get into this biz).

Before investing, do like one of those Midwestern farmers and dig, dig, dig! A bit deeper. 

This article is not a recommendation to buy or sell any securities.

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Energy Bill Boosts Ethanol Prospects

By Bill Hobbs  
December 15, 2007 – 3:10 pm

Thomson Financial News reports on the winners and losers in the stock market thanks to progress in the Senate on an energy bill. Big winner: ethanol stocks. But the end of tax breaks for solar power isn’t likely to hurt solar stocks, analysts say.

Alternative-energy shares traded broadly higher Friday after the U.S. Senate passed an energy legislation bill that set a mandate for expanded use of biofuels and increased fuel-economy standards for new vehicles and energy-efficiency standards for appliances and buildings. Ethanol shares, in particular, got a boost from the bill, which includes a renewable-fuel standard of 36 billion gallons of biofuel by 2022 and set a mandate for nine billion gallons of blended biofuel in 2008.

The Powershares Wilderhill Clean Energy Portfolio (NASDAQ: CLNE), an exchange-traded fund, surpassed its annual high Friday by 4 cents, rising to $26.53, while the Global Alternative, another exchange-traded fund, traded near its annual high of $60.78 with a high Friday of $57.86.

Some analysts think ethanol stocks could potentially rise by 20% to 30% from their current level, if the legislation passes.

The American Coalition for Ethanol is pleased.

The House takes up the legislation next week.

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