Nissan Drive Electric Tour Hits 26 U.S. Cities

Posted on July 9, 2011 by quest

Nissan North America Inc. is bringing test drives of the all-electric Nissan LEAF to 26 cities across the United States, as part of Nissan’s “Drive Electric Tour.” The second phase tour kicks off today in Long Island, N.Y., on the heels of the Nissan LEAF achieving the milestone of 4,000 U.S. deliveries.

Nissan is resuming the tour, which began last fall, with a combination of new cities and return stops, due to the growing, nationwide enthusiasm for the Nissan LEAF – the first and only 100-percent electric, zero-emission vehicle available to the mass market. Since its launch in December 2010, Nissan has delivered more than 4,000 Nissan LEAF electric vehicles in the United States. The Nissan LEAF currently is available in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Tennessee, Texas, Oregon and Washington, with additional markets launching later this year. To date, more than 350,000 people have expressed interest in the Nissan LEAF by signing up for updates, including information on how to purchase and reserve a vehicle, at www.NissanUSA.com.

“As the Nissan LEAF gains momentum in its U.S. rollout, more consumers have expressed the desire to get behind the wheel and experience gas-free driving for themselves,” said Jon Brancheau, vice president, Marketing, NNA. “We’re thrilled to bring the ‘Drive Electric Tour’ to new cities across the country, as well as revisit several key markets where consumer interest continues to grow.”The Drive Electric Tour, a one-of-a-kind consumer driving experience, began in October 2010 and by March 27 had provided approximately 50,000 Nissan LEAF test drives in key markets across the country. The tour provides prospective Nissan LEAF owners the opportunity to learn about the car, its technology and features, and take it for a test drive. Current Nissan LEAF owners also are invited to participate and share their ownership experiences with others interested in electric-vehicle technology. Interested drivers can learn more about the tour, including specific locations, and register to drive the Nissan LEAF at Nissan’s “Drive Electric Tour.

Ecologist Warn Venice

Independence Day…Solar Panels Charge Electric Vehicle

Posted on July 2, 2011 by quest

George Parrott All Cars Electric: Almost every Tesla Roadster owner is probably a car enthusiast, but Mike Koenigs is also a true clean-power activist. First, he set up a “Life with Tesla” website when he got his car. Now he’s doing the final editing of an extended video meant to spread the word about the fun and freedom that comes with owning an all-electric car, in his case a Tesla Roadster. Mike should copyright the phrase he has highlights on his website–the “Tesla Grin”–which he illustrates on the faces of his passengers on demonstration rides. It’s something very special. Mike’s message is that the Tesla Roadster is a great thrill to drive, even to ride in as a passenger, and that with photovoltaic solar panels on one’s home, driving can be free of day-to-day fuel costs.

As highlighted in a recent Consumer Reports piece, the strategy that really pays off in owning an electric vehicle is to have a significantly large photovoltaic system at your home. It should be noted, however, that even with solar panels to provide all your energy (or energy credits) to charge a Tesla Roadster, that car’s required regular “tune-ups” are around $1000 per year! This synergy between electric vehicles and solar electric panels is updated daily at Christof Demont-Heinrich’s website which is devoted to exactly this topic.

Basically even if we don’t have the discretionary funds to afford a Tesla Roadster, many of us can live as Mike does. The Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi “i,” and other plug-in-cars cost far less than the Tesla did. Adding solar panels to a home gives us the equivalent of our own oil well and oil refinery together. Mike says that between the electricity he uses in his home and to power his Tesla, he’ll pay back the five-figure cost of his solar panels in less than five years. Perhaps few of us can enjoy the “Tesla grin,” but Mike’s broader message doesn’t require a Tesla–just a car that plugs into the wall for its power. By george parrott

THE TESLA GRIN

Van Jones Kicks off American Dream Movement

Top Artists To Perform For Solar and Renewable Energy In Japan

Posted on June 28, 2011 by quest

Crosby, Stills & Nash, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Jason Mraz, The Doobie Brothers, Tom Morello, John Hall, Kitaro, Jonathan Wilson, Sweet Honey in the Rock, and special guests are coming together for a special benefit event on Sunday, August 7, at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, CA. Proceeds from the concert will be distributed to Musicians United for Safe Energy (MUSE) to support Japan disaster relief efforts, and organizations worldwide working to promote safe, alternative, non-nuclear energy. The presenting sponsor VantagePoint Capital Partners is the leading global investor in energy innovation and efficiency. The show will begin at 3 PM. Children 10 and under admitted free on the lawn with an adult ticket. Tickets are on sale at Livenation

“The disaster in Fukushima is not only a disaster for Japan. It is a global disaster. We come together now across cultural boundaries, political and generational boundaries, to call for changes in the way we use energy, and in the ways we conduct the search for solutions to the problems facing humanity,” says Jackson Browne. “We join with the people of Japan, and people everywhere who believe in a non-nuclear future.” “From solar power plants and next-generation wind turbines to energy-efficient LED lighting and electric vehicles, we see technology innovations solving our most important energy needs,” says Alan Salzman, Managing Partner of VantagePoint Capital Partners, a global leader in funding the transformative energy companies of the 21st century. “We join with the many artists involved in this concert to raise funds for the Japan disaster relief efforts and call for sensible and clean energy solutions.”

It was shortly after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that triggered multiple meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan that the decision was made to coordinate a benefit. Shoreline Amphitheatre was chosen because of its close proximity to the Pacific Rim, Northern California’s history and deep association with Japan. “The MUSE concert will not only be a great show, it will hopefully entice the public to become better informed of the tremendous dangers of nuclear power,” says Graham Nash. “We have to keep real and true information flowing so that people can act on it.” “We’re so lucky to have been able to bring back some of the original MUSE team to collaborate with some new and younger artists for MUSE 2, so that we can immediately help with the Japan relief effort and raise funds and awareness for the no nukes issue,” says Bonnie Raitt. “I’m excited to be a part of this important and truly collaborative effort. It’s going to be a very special, one of a kind event.”

The concert stage will be powered by an integrated system of clean, alternative energy sources, using solar, biodiesel, and wind technologies. The energy-saving GRNLite LED lighting rig for the show has been donated by Bandit Lites, and Schubert Systems has donated the sound rig. In addition, Shoreline is the largest Green certified concert venue in the United States and is a founding member of the Green Music Group. One goal is that the concert will inspire musicians in other areas to organize shows that both employ and promote safe energy alternatives, and that raise funds for disaster relief efforts and for groups—local, regional, national, and international alike—advocating non-nuclear programs and initiatives.

ENERGY FROM THE WIND AND WAVES

Google Launches Largest Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Posted on June 11, 2011 by quest

Coulomb Technologies today announced that Google, Inc. has deployed more than 70 electric vehicle charging stations managed by the ChargePoint Network at its worldwide headquarters in Mountain View, CA. The charging stations are used by employee-owned electric vehicles, as well as the company’s growing car sharing program for Googlers (GFleet), which includes Chevrolet Volts and Nissan LEAFs. With plans for 250 more charging stations on its campus, and a goal to make 5 percent of its campus parking EV-ready, Google’s installation is the largest workplace charging installation for electric vehicles in the country. Google has created a video on their Green Blog detailing their green transportation initiatives.

“By investing in new, green transportation technologies, Google is making a significant contribution to reducing our own greenhouse gas emissions,” said Rolf Schreiber technical program manager, Electric Transportation, at Google. “Our EVs and charging stations are part of our broader green transportation system that includes biodiesel shuttles that Googlers use to commute to work instead of driving their own cars. But we’re only one company among many, so we hope our green transportation initiatives serve as a model for other companies to incorporate sustainability programs into their own workplaces.”

“Google continues to drive innovation and leadership in the workplace. The results of their clean transportation efforts are remarkable, taking the equivalent of over 2000 cars off the road every day,” said Bret Sewell, Coulomb Executive Vice President. “We are proud that the ChargePoint Network plays a key role in this success by providing Google a complete electric vehicle charging solution.”

VIDEO NEW YORK ECO FASHION WEEK

Obama Starts Federal Electric Vehicle Fleet

Posted on May 26, 2011 by quest

Today, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, General Services Administrator Martha Johnson, and White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley announced a major step in moving the Federal fleet further towards advanced vehicles and decreased petroleum consumption, while also cutting costs associated with fuel consumption. Implementation of these new requirements will move the government to purchasing 100 percent alternative fuel vehicles by 2015 and drive agencies to meet the required 30 percent decrease in petroleum consumption by 2020 under Executive Order 13514 on Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance signed by President Obama in October 2009.

In conjunction with the Memorandum, the General Services Administration (GSA) today launched a pilot project to incorporate electric vehicles and technologies into the Federal fleet. GSA announced its initial purchase of more than 100 electric vehicles for a vehicle pilot. These vehicles will be leased to 20 agencies, including the Department of Energy, and will be located in Washington, DC; Detroit, MI; Los Angeles, CA; San Diego, CA; and San Francisco, CA. As manager of Federal fleets and buildings, GSA will also coordinate with these agencies to establish necessary infrastructure for fueling and recharging at Federal building locations receiving the first round of vehicles.

“As the nation’s largest vehicle fleet operator, the President’s fleet management directives and GSA’s electric vehicle pilot will cut the Federal fleet’s petroleum use and support the development of domestic, clean energy technologies – supporting the President’s goal of cutting imports by a third by 2025 and continuing to build a 21st century clean energy economy, while also saving taxpayer dollars,” said Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

EVA MENDES A GREEN CELEBRITY

UCLA Predicts L A To Be Electric Vehicle Leader

Posted on May 16, 2011 by quest

Los Angeles will be a U.S. leader in electric vehicle adoption, according to a new study published by the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation and the UCLA Anderson School of Management. “This offers the city the opportunity to reduce the local and global environmental impacts of vehicle travel, as most Angelenos rely on an automobile for much of their travel,” said Luskin Center project director Juan Matute.

“Based on our study, we expect that rising gasoline prices will naturally shift the demand from conventional combustion cars to electric vehicles,” adds study co-author Jeffrey Dubin, UCLA Anderson School of Management adjunct professor of economics and statistics.“For many buyers, electric vehicles will be hard to ignore,” said Luskin Center director and associate professor of public policy, J.R. DeShazo. “However, the analysis predicts just over 2,000 electric vehicles will be sold in Los Angeles in 2011. This number is due to the limited supply of electric vehicles; even if more residents are inclined to purchase them, it just isn’t possible right now.”

The research team predicts that the supply of electric vehicles will be limited until 2013 or 2014. In 2015, the team predicts that electric vehicles will comprise 9% of new vehicles purchased by Los Angeles residents. One area where the City can have a significant impact is by helping renters and residents of multifamily housing—who comprise about 70% of L.A. residents—access charging areas. Many of these residents do not own their garage, and face difficulties in installing electric vehicle charging equipment at home. Those who park on the street have even greater difficulty accessing charging at home.

UCLA Anderson MBA students Ross Barney, Annamaria Csontos, Jonathan Um, and Nini Wu conducted the year-long study under the direction of Professor Jeffrey Dubin. The research team worked with the City of Los Angeles and the Clinton Climate Initiative to conduct the study.