Motor Monday

Corn—Switchgrass Biofuel

Chris Keenan — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:01:56 +0000

For many experts, advanced biofuels made from plants, specifically lignocellulosic biomass, are the most promising fuels for our future. Scientists introduced the maize (corn) gene to switchgrass in the hopes that it would lessen the amount of lignin in the cell walls of the switchgrass plant. And that’s precisely what happened.

MotionPower Speed Bumps

Chris Keenan — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:01:30 +0000

New Energy Technologies created MotionPower™ speed bumps that harness energy from cars driving over speed bumps. A successful test run occurred when the speed bumps were installed outside of a civic center.

Charging Stations

Chris Keenan — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:01:41 +0000

Cities across the globe have started installing charging stations for electric cars as these stations will be a necessity on American roads. However, one university, Western Michigan University, found out that not all environmentalists are enthusiastic about this, as the university cleared trees for the stations.

Eco Friendly Cars

Steve Auger — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:08:39 +0000

Whether your aim is to save money on gas or to reduce your impact on the planet, buying an environmentally-friendly car is becoming more of a viable option. For some, it can be a difficult leap of faith to take, but by following the advice given below, buying an eco-friendly car can be a worry-free process.

Exhaust Fumes

Steve Auger — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:37:42 +0000

No matter how you choose to travel—whether by car, bus, bike, or foot—one major fact of life is that we all deal with exhaust emissions on an almost constant basis. What many people don’t realize is the serious health effects that long-term exposure to exhaust fumes can have on the human body.

Zipping Around

Steve Auger — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:00:40 +0000

The invention of Zipcar is revolutionizing the way the world travels. Cities such as Baltimore have reduced the amount of car ownership in the last year since Zipcar has come into existence. So you may be wondering, what is Zipcar and how does it help the environment? The answer is simple. Zipcar is a company that introduced the concept of car sharing. Sound unusual? It really isn’t once you understand how it works.

New Electric Car Charging Modules

Steve Auger — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 18:10:30 +0000

WattStations are the new electric car charging "modules" designed by GE and Yves Behar. These chargers will start appearing in cities (and hopefully homes) in 2011, and promise to charge a car batter in 4-8 hours, which is not only a huge improvement over "level 1" charging technology (12+ hours) but will be perfect for commuters who can charge their cars during the work day.

Green Car News

Steve Auger — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:01:47 +0000

Below is a summary of the internet's top news and blog posts issued over the past week.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reported on U.S. new vehicle fuel economy; for the fifth straight year there has been an increase in new vehicle fuel efficiency and decrease in carbon dioxide emissions. And fuel economy is up 9% since 2004.

Filling Your Gas Tank

Steve Auger — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:05:54 +0000

Today I would like to provide some do's & Don'ts with filling up your gas tank.

Tire Pressure

Steve Auger — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:42:15 +0000

Did you know that most drivers lose from 10% to 50% of their car's tire tread life due to poorly maintained air pressure? Tire disposal is a significant environmental problem.   Another environmental issue is reduced fuel efficiency resulting from the extra energy required for vehicles to travel with under-inflated tires.

You should check tire pressure at least once per month, more often during the summer months when the temperature is hotter.   Always use an accurate air gauge, not those provided at service stations. They tend to be grossly inaccurate. Also do not judge air pressure by looking at the tires.

The proper method of checking the air pressure is when the tires are cold. It is good practice to check first thing in the morning before driving anywhere. If any of the tires are under-inflated then drive straight to the service station.

If you have to drive your vehicle more than 1 km then the tires are considered "hot". Take another tire pressure measurement with your accurate gauge and note the difference from cold temperature. Inflate the tire(s) to a level equal to the manufacturer recommended cold temperature plus the difference at high temperature.

Make sure that the tires are equipped with valve caps to keep out moisture.   Moisture will cause air to leak from the tire faster.