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Fisker Starts Putting Government Loan to Use

By Ted Nelson ecomii.com
October 29, 2009
File under: Alternative Fuels, Alternative Transportation, Auto Industry, Electric, Hybrid

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2009 Fisker Karma

Fisker Automotive will begin deploying its government loan designated to spur U.S. production of fuel-efficient vehicles by buying and restoring an out-of-use GM plant in Delaware. Fisker paid only $18 million for the idle plant, but plans to spend an additional $175 million on refurbishing it. This Wilmington plant will be the manufacturing site for the company’s second model, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sedan.

The factory–originally built by GM in 1947–will reach full production capacity of 75,000-100,000 vehicles a year by 2014. By that point Fisker estimates that reopening the plant will create 2,000 factory jobs. The automaker expects production from this plant will create an additional 3,000 vendor and supplier jobs. …read more of Fisker Starts Putting Government Loan to Use here

 
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Energy Department Money Going To Big And Small Carmakers

By Ted Nelson ecomii.com
October 8, 2009
File under: Alternative Fuels, Alternative Transportation, Auto Industry, Economy, Electric, Innovation

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The energy department has begun to dole out $25 billion in loans designated for the development of fuel-efficient vehicles. The program is designed to grease the wheels for technological innovation that will drive the auto industry of tomorrow to occur here in the United States.

After decades of job cuts in the US auto industry, the federal government is hoping that innovation can revitalize the sector and create employment.

The first $8 billion was handed out back in July, with Fisker being announced as a loan recipient just this week. GM and Chrysler have been excluded from this program to date, since they do not meet the economic viability standard for loan recipients. …read more of Energy Department Money Going To Big And Small Carmakers here

 
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The Relationship Between Green Building and Green Cars

By Ted Nelson ecomii.com
August 20, 2009
File under: Alternative Transportation, Public Transportation, Sustainable Practices

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Image: Beige Alert Flickr CC

There is an inescapable link between building and personal transportation: what we build where determines where we drive when. All the greenhouse gases (GHGs) and smog emitted by cars come about because someone is trying to get somewhere, usually a building. When green building is mentioned the design, materials, and functionality of a building typically come to mind.

However, there is a larger town planning aspect which also must be considered. Sustainable town planning includes placing buildings in such a way that self-powered and public transportation are encouraged.

If you have to get on the highway to get to anything zoned for nonresidential use, it’s very hard to live a sustainable lifestyle. Sustainable town planning doesn’t just help the environment, it leads to more livable communities and a higher quality of life. …read more of The Relationship Between Green Building and Green Cars here

 
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“Cash-for-Clunkers”: The actual cars

By Ted Nelson ecomii.com
August 17, 2009
File under: Alternative Transportation, Auto Industry, Economy

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The “Cash-for-Clunkers” program–officially the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS)–was not designed by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) only as an environmental program.

Some environmental impact was certain given the requirement that newly purchased vehicles be more fuel efficient than trade-ins, but the program is primarily a way to boost auto sales. CARS has met or surpassed expectations on both accounts.

People are rushing to trade in their “clunkers:” the initial $1 billion dollars in funding was given out quickly, prompting congress to push an additional $2 billion into the program. As of August 13th, 338,659 transactions have been submitted.

This is great news for the auto industry, …read more of “Cash-for-Clunkers”: The actual cars here

 
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Toyota Kelp Car: Wave of the Future

By Marie Oser ecomii.com
May 21, 2009
File under: Alternative Transportation, Innovation

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Bioplastics, an emerging technology that uses plant resins to make biodegradable and compostable plastic from renewable resources, is a field that is constantly evolving with new materials and technology.

This technology actually creates plastic resins by fermenting the starches and sugars in corn, sugarcane and other plants into lactic acid. The lactic acid is converted into a plastic substance, which is heated and shaped before being used in product manufacture.

The production of bioplastics results in the emission of far less carbon dioxide than traditional plastics, and is being used for everything from gift cards, deli containers and picnic ware to mobile phone cases and auto parts. Auto parts?

In 2003, Toyota Motor Corporation became the first automaker in the world to use bioplastics in the manufacture of auto parts, employing them in covers for the spare tire and for plastic trays inside the passenger compartment. These days Toyota is in development with an ultra light, super efficient plug-in hybrid with a bioplastic body made of seaweed that could be in the showroom in the 10 to 15 years. …read more of Toyota Kelp Car: Wave of the Future here

 
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Discover the latest developments in improving technologies, tightening auto standards, fuel alternatives and how to make your current car eco-friendly. Find out which companies are investing in energy efficient vehicles.

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