Drive electric meet up also spotlights solar

Posted on November 1, 2010 by quest

Not long ago SolarWorld a leading global solar panel manufacturer awarded Muhammad Yunus Nobel Peace Prize laureate and micro-finance pioneer, the 2010 SolarWorld Einstein Award for his breakthrough concept of micro-loans for the poor, which have helped millions of people worldwide to escape poverty. Now SolarWorld will serve as the sole Oregon host site of the “drive electric tour” sponsored by Nissan LEAF on Nov. 5, 6 and 7, giving the region’s many electric-vehicle enthusiasts a long-awaited chance to get behind the wheel of a zero-emission Nissan LEAF. The tour highlights mutual aims of electric vehicles and solar power.

The tour stop on SolarWorld’s busy campus points to the advances of two industry pioneers in promoting technologies that affordably curb environmentally noxious gases. Nissan is presenting its LEAF sedan as the first mass-produced, affordable 100%-electric-with-zero-emissions vehicle.The SolarWorld stop on Nissan’s “drive electric tour” is the sixth in a 22-city route that began in October and ends in March. The tour features several display areas, each highlighting a specific attribute or benefit of the car. Visitors will be able to drive the Nissan LEAF with a “co-pilot” to answer their questions and show them of all the interior features of the car. Visitors also can inquire about SolarWorld.

The Portland metropolitan-area market has proven to be an enthusiastic adopter of both the Nissan LEAF and SolarWorld’s solar panels, according to officials of both companies. Consumers there have reserved the Nissan LEAF and selected SolarWorld panels at vigorous rates. “The day of the all-electric Nissan LEAF, as well as expanded production of SolarWorld’s high-performance solar panels, has come,” said Gordon Brinser, President of SolarWorld Industries America Inc. “We are only too delighted that in Oregon the two are arriving in exactly the same place.” “Nissan deliberately chose the SolarWorld campus as an ideal place to showcase our exciting driving solution to the twin pressing needs for high affordability and no emissions,” said Jay Schaffer, Promotions and Lifestyle Marketing Manager, Nissan North America. “Both companies’ visions are lighting the way to a bright future for key products and technologies that do their jobs superlatively well, put consumers on a sounder environmental footing and work for their pocketbooks.”

For reservations, times and other details relating to all stops along the “drive electric tour,”

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GE to order tens of thousands of Electric Vehicles

Posted on October 29, 2010 by quest

In a move that will put some confidence into the future and sustainability of the reborn electric vehicle industry; Word out of London is that General Electric will order tens of thousands of electric vehicles. GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt was speaking from London and said it will be the largest order in history. GE is a global powerhouse and diversified technology, media and financial services company. They are already in power generation including solar and wind energy. Rachel Layne and Alan Ohnsman reporting for

SunPower on Colorado Solar Ranch

Bay Area based SunPower just announced an agreement with Iberdrola Renewables to design and build a 30-megawatt photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant on 216 acres of private land in Colorado’s Alamosa County. Expected to be fully operational by the end of 2011, construction will begin this year and create approximately 100 jobs. Iberdrola Renewables is developing the solar ranch, and will own and operate it. The company will sell the electricity under a long term contract to Xcel Energy, for distribution on the region’s utility grid. The project will create employment opportunities and provide revenue for schools, health, fire, and other critical services in Alamosa County.

The plant will use SunPower E19 solar panels, mounted on SunPower(R) Tracker systems. SunPower Trackers tilt the solar panels toward the sun as it moves across the sky, increasing energy capture and providing more power on hot summer days when utilities need it most.

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San Francisco to offer Electric Vehicle Taxi Service

Posted on October 29, 2010 by quest

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission with the backing of U.S. Department of Transportation, announced a commitment to bring a switchable battery, electric taxis service to San Francisco and San Jose. This comes just after a recent decision by LA Metro to roll out electric vehicle charging stations around Los Angeles. As for the bay area this announcement further cements the region position as the “EV Capital of the U.S.” The program is a partnership between a company called Better Place, which has been successfully operating a EV taxi program in Tokyo, Yellow Cab, various state agencies, and community organizations. This marks a significant milestone towards accelerating the mass adoption of electric vehicles in the Bay Area because this program will touch a broad audience and demonstrate a solution that offers drivers a more convenient option than today’s gasoline cars.

Over the next three years, the program will deploy and operate four battery switch stations in the San Francisco to San Jose corridor, that supports a fleet of zero-emission, switchable taxis. This fleet will offer many thousands of Bay Area residents and visitors their first EV(electric vehicle) experience. The program also has the potential to help California and the Bay Area meet their aggressive energy and climate policy goals when scaled to the entire region.

“Today marks a significant milestone in our march towards accelerating the mass adoption of electric cars in the Bay Area. This program will enable us to reach a broad audience and demonstrate a solution that offers drivers a more convenient option than today’s gasoline cars,” said Jason Wolf, VP of North America for Better Place. “The battery switch model is gaining momentum globally. Our Tokyo EV taxi program has proven to be an example to major metropolitan areas around the world, and we are pleased that the MTC recognized this and the Bay Area is taking a leadership position in the U.S.”

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom said, “In November 2008, I was joined by Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and Better Place in calling for making the San Francisco Bay Area the EV Capital of America, “This partnership with Better Place to build the first electric taxi program with switchable battery EVs in the U.S. helps make this a reality.”

NEWS & VIEWS AT THE GREEN WALL

Mayor Reed sets new sustainable vision for Atlanta

Posted on October 26, 2010 by quest

With the start of Atlanta’s Sustainability Week, now through October 29, 2010 Mayor Kasim Reed set out a new goal for Atlanta to be a top 10 US Sustainable City. The release of Mayor Reed and the City of Atlanta’s Sustainability Plan is the first event of the city’s first Sustainability Week, which runs Oct. 25-29. Each day of the week includes daily activities and programs highlighting different focus areas of the plan, such as water quality and conservation, energy efficiency, jobs growth, local foods, and electric vehicles.

By implementing the plan the City of Atlanta will reduce toxic emissions by 25 percent and reduce energy use for existing municipal operations 15 percent both by 2020. Renewable energy will represent five percent of total municipal use by 2015.
Additionally the plan will bring local food within 10 minutes of 75 percent of all residents by 2020. “Being a more sustainable city not only protects and preserves the environment, it makes economic sense for the city,” said Mandy Mahoney, Atlanta’s first Director of Sustainability. “It helps drive financial savings and efficiency and creates jobs.” The City of Atlanta’s Office of Sustainability already has established a strong track record of success. One of Atlanta’s first wins in sustainability was to become the first city in Georgia to determine its municipal carbon footprint, which occurred in 2008. By 2010, Atlanta reduced its footprint by 12.5 percent.

“I believe the City of Atlanta should be a leading example of how a major urban municipality can take greater responsibility for efficient energy and water use, the conservation of green space, and the promotion of a healthier, cleaner and greener environment,” Mayor Reed said. “It is vital we take concrete, measurable actions around sustainability now to protect the future of our city.”

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Americans’ Knowledge of Climate Change

LA charging up

Posted on October 18, 2010 by quest

In a city like Los Angeles where everything is dependent on the automobile this is a move in the right direction. LA Metro, EV Connect and the California Energy Commission will be conducting a pilot program to assess the integration of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) into the transportation network and consumer behavior and ridership patterns.

EV Connect has 15 years of experience in the electric vehicle industry and is now a leading provider of EV Infrastructure solutions dedicated to widespread electric vehicle adoption of electrified transportation. EV Connect also services the entire spectrum of businesses and municipalities that are well-placed to benefit from the EV revolution as charging station hosts, including universities, hotels and resorts, and big box retailers and shopping centers.

“This project will bring the city of Los Angeles closer to achieving its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 35 percent below 1990 levels by 2030,” said Energy Commissioner Anthony Eggert. “The Energy Commission is proud to be a part of this first-of-its-kind PEV infrastructure rollout with EV Connect and Metro.” The transportation emissions accounts for 40 percent of greenhouse gas in the State of California. So this project could have a great impact. “We are looking forward to the success of this pilot effort, which will encourage drivers of plug-in electric vehicles to use Metro while charging their vehicles at our transit stations,” said Metro Board Chair and Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe. “At Metro we demonstrate best practices in sustainability with over 2,500 clean air buses along with a commitment in building all new transit facilities to LEED standards. This project is another example of how Metro is protecting the environment.” Several sites around LA have been selected for the project.

“This is the first study of its kind to analyze the integration of EV solutions into a transit network,” said Jordan Ramer, CEO of EV Connect. “The data procured from this study will establish industry benchmarks on charge and ride commuters which will help shape the future of multi modal transportation.”

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Green Drive Expo new to Bay Area

Posted on October 8, 2010 by quest

Here’s another first for the Bay Area. The 1st Green Drive Expo. The Green Drive Expo held tomorrow October 9, 2010 is an opportunity to see the latest clean energy and fuel efficient vehicles. Toyota, Ford, and Nissan are some of the Sponsors of the event. Which will be held at Craneway Pavillion 1414 Harbour Way South, Marina District of Richmond, California. At the Expo you’ll get a chance to explore the full range of green alternative transportation from concept cars to purchase-ready vehicles including electric cars, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, biodiesel, diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG), and more. The Admission: $10 and Full expo access to Test drives, a full spectrum of green and clean vehicles from experts and enthusiasts and informative exhibits and vendors.

The show will also present The MPG Challenge which is a friendly competition that Green Drive Expo Bay Area VIPs can compete in, pitting themselves against others to see who can use the least amount of fuel on an open course route. This is the first time the Green Drive Expo MPG Challenge has been run in the Bay Area, so it will be interesting to see who will come out on top. Overall it is meant to be a friendly competition and it is fun to compare yourself against others. Everyone is encouraged to bring their vehicle and do their best.
Whether you’re experienced with electric vehicles or simply considering your family’s first hybrid, Green Drive Expo Bay Area presented by Autobytel is the place to explore technology, fuel efficiency, cost savings and eco-conscious transportation.