Come See the VW Tiguan in San Francisco Tomorrow!

On Thursday, June 12, Volkswagen will host an exclusive media preview to showcase the latest innovations toward environmental sustainability. The event is the debut for the Tiguan HyMotion, the company’s first fuel cell hybrid compact SUV concept vehicle, powered by a zero emission electric motor.  Those attending the event will have a rare opportunity to view and test drive the HyMotion prototype, one of only two hydrogen powered compact SUV’s in the world.  As an added bonus, Volkswagen’s new “Clean Diesel” Jetta will also be available to test drive.  This sounds like a great opportunity to check out Volkswagen’s efforts to develop their own line of fuel efficient vehicles!

*If you are interested, RSVP to lzantop@mww.com

Thursday, June 12 2008
12-1 PM (Lunch)
1-4 PM (Press conference, demonstration, Q&A, test drive)

W Hotel
181 3rd Street
San Francisco, CA

The 1963 P50 Microvehicle From Great Britain

In 1962, before green was the buzzword of the world, the Manx Peel Engineering Company out of the UK developed a “microvehicle” with 3 wheels designed for one person (and maybe a shopping bag). 53 inches long and 39 inches wide, the car weighed just under 139 pounds. Not equipped with a reverse gear (or any other “luxury features”), the little car got around 100 miles per gallon and had a top speed of about 38 miles per hour. With a sticker price of only £198 the car was very inexpensive. 20 P50’s are still alive and running under the tender care of collectors and the car is considered street legal even today in Great Britian. The car currently holds the record for the smallest-ever automobile to go into mass production. This witty video from TopGear tells it all.

Improving The BMW Fuel Economy and Performance

Over the years BMW has not been gravitating towards hybrids in the same way that others in the industry have, reluctant to make these petrol/electric cars that will be more fuel efficient. However, their vehicles have seen some increase in fuel efficiency. We’ve noticed a small boost in performance and mileage in the Mini Cooper series (part of BMW), debuting with a very similar look but in a completely redone form with its 2007 model. The company has also been working to try out hydrogen technology (a not-so glorious technology popular in the early 2000’s) with the BMW Hydrogen 7, a production-ready model that has been put in the hands of 100 “leading figures from the worlds of culture, politics, business and the media.” We’re not sure if they’re going to release the feedback they’ve been getting with this trial run, but it would be great to hear what people are actually saying after extended use of the car.

BMW’s promoted concept called ActiveHybrid, represents the “future of BMW hybrid technologies”. It is slated to play a big role in their EfficientDynamics, a set of initiatives with components in the car focused on reducing fuel consumption and emission levels, without affecting “driving pleasure”, as they often mention in their promotional material. The overall aim of BMW’s ActiveHybrid is to achieve 20% less fuel consumption and emissions in many of their cars. To showcase their vision, the company has updated their X6 Concept car as a hybrid, with new styling, as well as explanations about how this new technology will function. BMW released their X6 concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2007.

Click here to see the 2008 BMW sustainability report

Get Your Electric Transport For $32,500

ZAP is a leading distributor of efficient, alternative energy vehicles for the US market. They’ve established over 20 licensed dealers and have plans to expand their distribution significantly in coming years. The XEBRA was introduced in 2006 and retails for under $10,000. The car will reach an excess speed of 40 miles per hour. The company has a Chinese manufacturing partner that has the capacity to make about 1,000 vehicles every month. Zap is working to get all required federal and state regulations approved in the United States. In addition to making vehicles that run on electricity, they are working to release another alternative energy vehicle called the OBVIO, designed to run on ethanol, gasoline or both. Last May of 2007, ZAP worked on a feasibility study with Lotus Engineering, the very well known OEM company that has a stellar history of designing, developing, manufacturing and marketing their own products in the trans industry. According to Lotus, the study is a “comprehensive research project into the creation of a new generation of ultra-efficient electric automobiles from concept to production.”



Zap’s newest model is called the Alias and for the price of $5000 you can make your reservation for one today. The total cost? Right now the MSRP is in the range of $32,500. The vehicle has front wheel drive with motors in the wheels. Its peak Horsepower is slated to be 321.85 (240 kW), it can do 0–60 miles per hour in 5.7 seconds while having the potential to travel at a maximum speed of 156mph. The electric vehicle is scheduled for release and delivery in 2009. It is estimated that the range it can travel without needing a charge will be over 100 miles.

For more information visit zapworld.com.

A 1930’s DIY Model-T With The Car Mileage of Today

This incredible story from ecomodder.com tells of a DIY aeromodding project from 1933 where a Ford Model T was redesigned with a custom fabricated teardrop body. The resulting car traveled at 70 miles per hour with its original engine while the original Model T only made it to 45. The streamlined car also got 38 miles per gallon while the original car was in the range of 25-30. Harry Stevinson who created the car, didn’t loose interest in automobile efficiency after the Model T. He was 17 when he created the aerodynamic Ford and in later years, equipped an Oldsmobile with a basic fuel economy meter to monitor gas consumption on the road.

For the full article of this amazing project visit metrompg.com.

Why Aren’t We All Driving Electric?

Imagine if we drove electric cars. Richard from Olympia, Washington did. He converted his 1975 VW Bug to electric. It goes up to 65 miles and hour and gets 40 miles to the charge. A blatant commentary on the pressing need for consumer electric vehicles. To listen to Tom Hanks talking about his electric car click here…

Belts Made From Belts

Linda Demers from à La Mode Designs sells products that are often made from post-industrial scrap. Through her site, you’ll find these great belts made from automobile seatbelts, an urban twist on the classic “d” ring belt. She say’s her biggest challenges are being able to find consistent reclaimed materials to use and sourcing manufacturers who can sell or donate smaller quantities.

City of Chicago to Buy 300 Hybrid Cars From Toyota for City Fleet

It seems that after seducing a lot of american households, Hybrid cars start to find their way to city car fleets. The city of Chicago has just signed a $8.7 million contract with Toyota to provide up to 300 hybrid vehicles - including 100 prius - to its 5,400 cars fleet.

Under the contract, the city will buy 100 Prius sedans, 100 Camry models and 100 Highlander SUVs from Northside Toyota in the next three years. A spokeswoman for the city’s Fleet Management Department says the city is trying to boost the number of alternative fuel cars by ten percent each year.

via Green Car Congress