USA companies are greener in 2008.
USA companies are greener in 2008. via treehugger [PR]
mission one. electric motorcycle.
Mission Motors builds the world’s fastest electric production motorcycle, Mission One.
Top speed is 150 MPH and an estimated range of 150 miles.
Designed for Mission Motors, the bike was unveiled at the TED 2009 conference at Long Beach, California, today.
The announcement formally debuts Mission Motors, a San Francisco-based company geared to redefine the world of performance motorcycles. The company was founded in 2007 by entrepreneurs Forrest North (CEO), Edward West (President), and Mason Cabot (VP of Engineering).
Building on their backgrounds in engineering, a desire to develop clean vehicles, and a passion for motorcycles, the Mission Motors founders developed a proprietary high energy lithium ion battery pack that could provide both the range and acceleration needed for a high performance sportbike. The company (named Hum Cycles at the time) placed second in the transportation category of the 2007 California Cleantech Open, the largest cleantech business plan competition on the West Coast.
Designer: Yves Behar of fuseproject
Producer: Mission Motors
Carbon dioxide scrubber.
It is cool to be green these days, and David Keith and his team think the Carbon Dioxide Scrubber could be the next big thing. This device is supposed to capturing CO2 straight from the air and purify it, making our air much cleaner.
Also known as the eCO2, this personal scrubber unit aims to help an individual reduce or even erase his/her personal carbon footprint throughout the day. How does it do this? Fashioned after a futuristic looking wristwatch, it relies on kinetic energy to power it, pulling in air via intake vents to collect CO2 and expelling clean air through its exhaust vents. We wonder whether wearing five of these on each arm will help us offset more than our fair share of carbon footprint. As an added bonus, the eCO2 also doubles up as a timepiece, and we think it has plenty of potential when used with a Wii while you’re busy trying to knock your opponent out in Wii Boxing.
Designer: james kershaw & Chad Garn
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS CONCEPT? — comment below.
Splashy trash.
Whether or not you must throw your trash on the street, what about pink and white polka dot designer trash bags? Or Anycoloryoulike?
Each bag is biodegradable and treated with repellent for even rodents of unusual size. Though this is a New York City art intervention initiative, you can splashy trash in your town too.
via momeld
Eco. Eye
New eco-company Kayu handcrafts sunglasses from pesticide-free bamboo.
The shades are oversized in a retro-stylish way (think Jackie O. goes green), but the best part is what’s behind the lenses: for every pair purchased, Kayu donates enough funds to cover one sight-restoring surgery in the developing world. So the shades are not only green, they give back the luxury of sight.
Producer:
Axon eco-car. 2010.
Anyone wondering what gasoline will cost in 2010? Here is a car from the Sexy Green Car Show you should keep abreast of. It’s a four seater eco car built from lightweight materials and should be on the market by 2010.
The British-designed Axon uses a tiny 500cc engine to give a fantastic 100 miles per gallon plus a top speed of 90 miles an hour.
It’s made from recycled carbon fibre – the same lightweight stuff used to make the bodies of Formula 1 cars.
And it has also been wind-tunnel tested to make it as aerodynamic as possible.
The two cylinder engine has only 43bhp, but that should be enough to help it keep up with other traffic because of the light weight.
It will meet the latest emissions standards, emitting only 70g/km of carbon dioxide according to the makers.
You can place an order now.
Interior
There is space for two adults and two children in child seats, and if the rear seats are not being used, this versatile design has a removable rear to turn it into a pickup.
The seat covers in the prototype are made from recycled denim and pin-striped suits, and will remain an option.
Fast facts
Price: £10,900 ($19,000 USD)
Mechanical: 43bhp, 500cc, 2 cyl petrol driving front wheels via 5 speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 90mph
0-62mph: N/A
Combined mpg: 100
Insurance group: N/A
CO2 emissions: 70g/km
BIK 15%
Warranty: N/A
Marks: 10/10 if the quality is there
Main Rival: VW Polo Bluemotion.
Megane coupe. Concept.
As with many of the concepts shown this year of the Renault Megane Coupe foreshadows a production version that’s set to be released at a later date. Of course, don’t expect the gullwing doors or the futuristic interior to find their way into production, but you can get a general idea of what Renault has in store for us when it presents its answer to the VW Scirocco Coupe in a couple of years.
Measuring in at 4,51m or 177.5-inches in length, the compact coupe is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine delivering 200 Hp that’s matted to a six-speed manual gearbox. According to the French carmaker, while the prototype coupe sprints from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.2 sec, it manages to deliver an avg fuel consumption of just 6.5 lt / 100 km or 36.2 MPG (US).
The existing Megane – along with its distinguished curved rear window – is on its way out, and Renault is assuredly working hard at a new design that will capture buyers’ attention in an increasingly crowded market. Maybe we will see more at the 2008 Paris Auto Show.
via autoblog
Nau is back.
On May 2, 2008, Nau announced that it was closing shop. The reason? They could not get financing to continue operations. If you don’t know who Nau is, they’re a uniquely new business—selling eco-friendly clothes with a unique business model: brick and mortar stores that displayed examples of their product but the purchases were online.
Ironically last August 06 when they launched, as a groundswell of environmental consciousness grew the economic capital markets were collapsing.
The latest as of September 8, 2008: The Road to Relaunch – Part 5
Who is Nau? In their own words…
Who are we and what are we trying to do here?
Good question. Nau is an outdoor apparel company born out of a desire to do business differently. From designing our clothes and developing our fabrics, to the way in which we build our stores, to our dedication to supporting organizations working for positive change, we are striving towards a more sustainable approach to being in business. At the core of our enterprise is the desire to expand the nature of the outdoor experience beyond athletic endeavors, and redefine what it means to align oneself with the outdoors.
We believe in the power of the collective, and we seek to turn that power towards the goal of positive change, in a variety of forms. Basically, we like to learn. And nothing furthers learning more than listening. So we’d like to listen to the people whose opinions we respect—like yours. We’re pretty sure there are a lot more folks like us out there—concerned, inquisitive people, looking for engaging, challenging and potentially transformative dialogue.
Tesla roadster.
High-design. Electric. 50-state approved (USA).
After quite a bit of tweaks, good and bad press the FDA finally blessed the Tesla in January 2008 and this red (green) car can go on sale. The car won’t solve the world problems, at least not this particular car — $100K — but it is a start.
Tesla is probably doing it right as they are a small company. Start with a small luxury — sport market and then move to the mass market. The big auto makers will probably beat them to a mass market electric.
Tesla says it’ll churn out 40 of the $100,000 cars per week. So put your name on the list. And there may be perks down the road too. In Norway if you drive an electric car you can drive in bux/taxi lanes, get free pass in toll booths, have parking near the entrance of large stores.
Interestingly at $100K this one is actually cheaper than most low end luxury cars. (more…)
World's cheapest car.
Value item: Tata Nano. A car christened “the peoples car” debuted in 2007 amid a lot of controversy. Its an unremarkable car if you don’t take into account that it’s sticker price is $2,500 USD. The negative is it is manufactured in India as an easy-entry into owning an automobile. Many feel that India’s densely populated cities, and streets, are ill-equipped to handle the additional emissions.
The car will have a 624-cc petrol engine generating 33 bhp of power. It will sport a 30-litre fuel tank and 4-speed manual gearshift. The car will come with air conditioning, but will have no power steering. It will have front disk and rear drum brakes. The company claims mileage of 23 km per litre. (more…)