I had a terrific Skype call this morning with a fabulous Munich-based company: Govecs, a purveyor of extremely high-end German-engineered electric scooters. I hope to get a marketing and PR gig with them, but I have to admit that they’re doing an awful lot of stuff right in my absence; for example, they have more content online than you can shake a stick
Category:
Clean Transportation
Behind electricity, transportation is the second largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., according to the EPA. Twenty-seven percent of those transportation-related GHG emissions are attributed directly to freight trucks and commercial aircrafts. Companies across the spectrum, from major industrial manufacturers to CPGs, are finding new
Diesel vehicles are highly praised for being efficient—and a hoot to drive. But did you know that diesel cars could also save you a ton of money?
That’s the chief finding of a new study conducted by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI). The organization found that diesel
The car as the ultimate American icon, as represented in literature, cinema and all types of media, seems to be on its way out. And that’s a good thing, too.
Transportation is one of the biggest sources of emissions in the world, and a lifestyle based on cars is not healthy for environment. And not for people
Ford announced it will drop the price of the battery-powered 2014 Focus Electric—just weeks after company executives said the automaker would avoid the trend of lowering EV sticker prices. By dropping the price of the Focus Electric by $4,000, Ford joins an ongoing electric car price war in which $199 a month leases have become popular.
At the recent Sustainable Brands 2013 conference, I was able to speak with John Viera, Ford Motor Company’s Global Director of Sustainability. It has been clear for some time now that Ford is clearly on a winning path with innovative design translating into increased sales. At last count, sales were up 13% in June compared to the same month a year ago. Sales of
Is China backing off its push to have millions of electric vehicles on China’s roads in the next ten years? Not exactly. But recent statements by government officials do signal a change in strategy.
China is moving towards a plan which doesn’t see purchase incentives as the best way to encourage
New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan and New York City Bike Share have released a statistical report card of Citi Bike’s first month of operation, with riders taking more than a half-million trips since the bike share system launched.
Quantum leaps in automotive efficiency are often said to be just around the corner—only pending an imminent breakthrough in battery technology…or the discovery of an enzyme for making biofuel…or the development of a new economic model for hydrogen distribution. But the sleek two-seat car I drove yesterday—which can travel 110 kilometers on a
By 2025, the official average fuel efficiency of cars in the U.S. will be 54.5 miles per gallon, as established last year with an update of federal efficiency standards known as C.A.F.E. This equates to real-world mileage in the low-40-mpg range—a big jump from today’s average fuel economy around 24 miles per gallon. Despite fears that the increase in
After years of sluggish sales, the market for electric vehicles has surged in recent months in response to an escalating price war among automakers that has helped reduce the high up-front costs that have slowed the emerging EV sector.
Since Nissan reduced the price of its electric Leaf by
There are only a few plug-in electric vehicles on the market, but more are on the way. Meanwhile, there are already dozen of chargers out there, also known as Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE). Sure, the EV manufacturer recommends a certain brand. But there are so many to choose from, and others that claim to be compatible with your brand of
It’s not every day that I am afforded the opportunity to have a car dropped off at the airport terminal for me to just get in and drive for several days. When that opportunity comes up, there is no question what the answer is – yes! Recently, on my travels to Atlanta, a 2013 Kia Soul! was delivered to me outside the terminal at Hartsfield International Airport. Given the
There are clear signs that electric vehicles are becoming affordable to mainstream car buyers.
At the end of May, Honda announced a new lower price for all-electric Fit EV, which now has a lease price of $259 a month—reduced from $389 per month. It’s a sweet deal. There is no down payment, unlimited mileage, free routine maintenance, collision coverage and even a