Green Transportation
Expert information on fuel-efficient cars, hybrids, renewable fuels and greener ways to get around.
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2/19/2009
MAX's aerodynamic makeover is underway with a new fender design.
2/17/2009
General Motors and Chrysler are preparing to submit restructuring plans to Congress in the hope of receiving billions of additional dollars in federal aid. Experts from the Union of Concerned Scientists say the two automakers should instead follow Ford’s lead and focus on improving the fuel efficiency of their vehicles.
2/11/2009
Cities testing the Chevy Volt are getting help from General Motors to become “plug-in ready,” which includes installing public and workplace charging systems and adjusting city codes to permit vehicle charging.
2/9/2009
The United States has the largest automobile fleet in the world — three cars for every four people — and is near the bottom of the pack in the use of fuel-efficient vehicles. A national network of high-speed rail trains would reduce the air pollution caused by the nation’s automobile fleet while also eliminating travel time and saving commuters money.
2/6/2009
The American Petroleum Institute reports that demand for crude oil in the United States dropped by 1.2 million barrels per day in 2008. The nation’s production of petroleum also dropped in 2008, reaching its lowest level since 1946.
2/3/2009
From the Science Channel, watch the Brink TV show's spotlight on MAX and its victory in the Escape from Berkeley race.
1/29/2009
Sequestered indoors, Jack goes to work on streamlining MAX's body.
1/28/2009
The president calls for higher fuel economy standards and pushes the EPA to revisit California's request to set stricter regulations on greenhouse gas emissions.
1/26/2009
President Barack Obama signed an executive order to help reduce automobile gas emissions in the United States. This is the first of many steps that the Obama administration plans to make to improve global warming.
1/22/2009
Large automakers can show off their high-efficiency vehicles in a new division of the Automotive X Prize, which was formerly only for teams working on developmental vehicles.
1/22/2009
Though many automakers are focused on increasing mpg with electric vehicles, some companies are looking to advancements in gasoline and diesel engine technology to achieve better gas mileage.
1/22/2009
Both Honda and Toyota revealed updated versions of their hybrid vehicles at the North American International Auto Show. The new generations of the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius are roomier, more powerful, and still maintain high fuel-efficiency ratings.
1/16/2009
Could MAX be the perfect car for driver's ed?
1/15/2009
At the famous auto show in Detroit, large automakers and small startup companies alike showcased electric vehicles.
1/15/2009
A new bill will give drivers money to buy newer, more fuel-efficient cars when they scrap their older, less fuel-efficient ones.
1/15/2009
South Korea’s LG Chem will produce the batteries for General Motors Corp.’s upcoming plug-in hybrid vehicle, the Chevy Volt. GM will build the battery packs itself in the United States at a manufacturing plant that will be constructed in Michigan. GM's most recent unveiling, a concept plug-in called the Cadillac Converj, shows the automaker plans to extend its use of hybrid technology.
1/13/2009
The U.S. Department of Energy is offering as much as $200 million for the development of biorefinieries, which can produce several biofuels and may also be able to produce bio-based chemicals, heat and power.
1/9/2009
The Army gets greener by switching 4,000 gas engine vehicles to electic vehicles starting Monday.
1/9/2009
Here's a 12-step process to green transportation bliss.
1/8/2009
With the current economy in a ... shall we say, precarious ... state, everyone could stand to save a few bucks. For commuters, carpooling and car-share programs are a great solution. You can reduce your gas and auto maintenance bills, plus get to know some new buddies.
1/8/2009
On the road to 100 mpg, Jack McCornack and MAX win the crown in the Escape from Berkeley alternative fuels rally. After starting with one gallon of gasoline or diesel, the rest of the 600-mile course had to be completed without using any petroleum-based fuel. Find out more about Escape from Berkeley, the competition, and how they did it.
1/7/2009
Jack gets a wallop of motivation for a fully enclosed cabin, and looks ahead to a future with inquisitive grandchildren.
12/23/2008
MAX turns heads and makes an impression at The EG, aka the Entertainment Gathering.
12/5/2008
MAX needs a roof, stat.
12/5/2008
General Motors, Ford Motor Company and Chrysler presented business plans to Congress yesterday in their attempts to receive federal bailout money. Each plan includes the production of hybrid and electric vehicles.
11/26/2008
It's time to calculate MAX's aerodynamic drag. Enter champagne science on a beer budget!
11/21/2008
Detroit automakers ask Congress for $25 billion, but that money could come with some energy efficiency strings.
11/19/2008
Brink TV show seeks "low-budget mad scientist." Jack and his MAX project fit the bill!
11/17/2008
The Department of Energy will offer loans to U.S. car manufacturers to expand and/or develop production of more fuel-efficient, lower carbon-emission vehicles.
11/7/2008
Just over the horizon is a host of electric vehicles that tout improved range and speed, and state-of-the-art battery technology. While the price tags will be high and availability will be spotty at first, the future of vehicular transportation looks bright. Here’s a list of the models that are hoping to make an appearance in 2009 or shortly thereafter.
11/5/2008
More bad news for large SUVs, even the hybrid versions thereof.
11/5/2008
It's the age-old tug of war between good looks and streamlined, aerodynamic design.
10/29/2008
Whether you're eagerly anticipating the Chevy Volt, or have never heard of this electric car, now is the perfect time to get to know this potentially groundbreaking vehicle. Expected to hit the streets in 2010, the Volt could revolutionize our "green" car choices and lead to a new generation of American-made electric cars that are efficient and reliable. Powered by lithium-ion batteries, the Volt will be able to travel 40 miles without using any gas. That's more than enough for the average daily driving of most people. Recharge at work and you might be able to drive daily without using a drop of gas.
10/28/2008
OPEC annouced it would cut oil production to stop oil prices from falling, which might be the best way to reduce American oil consumption.
10/24/2008
What kind of mpg did MAX get in the race? How did Jack get fuel along the way? How much can you get for a t-shirt and a copy of Mother Earth News? Answers to these exciting questions inside!
10/22/2008
There's huge potential for hybrid technology to improve the emissions and gas mileage of heavy trucks.
10/22/2008
This annual guide will help you identify the most fuel-efficient vehicle for your needs. The best of the best for 2009 models include hybrids and clean diesels.
10/15/2008
MAX debuts by taking the checkered flag of the 800+ mile, no gasoline consumed, Escape from Berkeley race.
10/15/2008
The low gas prices are something to celebrate in the short-run, but the cause is something that deserves a second, less optimistic outlook.
10/14/2008
MAX wins the Escape from Berkeley race!!
10/13/2008
Odyssey Day embarked from Washington D.C. a few weeks ago as a nationwide effort to encourage and promote the use of petroleum-free fuel. The day is sponsored by the Department of Energy's Clean Cities, which has helped reduce petroleum use by almost more than 2 billion gallons so far.
10/10/2008
MAX is encountering robust competition at Escape from Berkeley
10/10/2008
MAX is hitting 60 mpg. That's better than a Prius, and before we get serious about streamlining.
10/2/2008
What does MAX have in common with and old action, adventure, paranoia, social commentary BBC TV series of the '60s?
10/2/2008
The increasingly popular Toyota Prius, a gasoline-electric hybrid, is capable of about 50 miles per gallon. But how about 100 mpg instead? And seven miles of all-electric driving? That's what's possible with more batteries and the ability to recharge them via a standard household outlet. The idea of plug-in hybrids has been around for years, but now they are finally within the near future. Significant hurdles remain, but nearly every automaker has plug-in hybrid technology under development. Toyota, which made hybrids a household term with the Prius, has been cautiously developing a plug-in version of the Prius. Several are now on the road for testing and further development. Read this article to understand how plug-in hybrids work, the challenges of their development, and hear a firsthand account of driving a prototype plug-in Prius.
9/26/2008
Everyone's talking about drilling in Alaska, so why learn some numbers to do some talking of your own? Here are some statistics about why drilling in Alaska may not be the saving grace some think it is.
9/23/2008
MAX will enter a race, uhhhh we mean event, and will run on veggie oil.
9/19/2008
Mopeds are springing up all over America, but are they really as environment-friendly as people make them out to be? Find out what I've learned and see if there's anything you want to add.
9/16/2008
The fine art of automotive design, especially high-mpg design.
9/8/2008
MAX version 2.0 is about to start moving. This may come as a surprise, but Jack is going to try it with biodiesel.
9/7/2008
As gas prices continue to climb, the pairing of wind energy with plug-in hybrids may be the solution we've all been waiting for. Wind power plants are already showing up around the country in places like Texas, California and Minnesota. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory estimates that if all cars were plug-in hybrids, we could power more than 70 percent with this type of power. The most surprising thing? The wind energy equivalent to a gallon of gas costs just $1.
9/6/2008
Use an energy saving electric scooter for commuting to work and running errands.
8/28/2008
MAX version 2.0 is underway.
8/23/2008
The cause and effects are pretty simple: gas prices go through the roof, Americans drive less; Americans drive less, American oil consumption goes down; Americans look for alternatives, public transportation use rises.
8/22/2008
Two veteran VW models return, but with new clean diesel technology.
8/21/2008
Zero to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Equivalent of 256 mpg. 220 mile range. Costs less than 2 cents per mile to drive. I'm in love. And you will be, too, after watching this video.
8/21/2008
MAX is back from the dead after its infamous wreck. So why is the frame gray?
8/15/2008
MAX has a three-wheeled distant cousin that's a diesel-electric hybrid.
8/12/2008
Honda cars are famously reliable, and now there's an online community for owners of 100,000+ mileage cars to share their stories.
8/5/2008
Breaking News: MAX Totaled
7/25/2008
MAX gets a small favor from high-end luxury sports cars.
7/24/2008
I've never been more excited for 2010.
7/24/2008
Today Ford announced a long overdue shift in its business emphasis: away from trucks and SUVs and toward small cars. Before setting this new direction, there has been plenty of struggle between old think and new think.
7/21/2008
Conservation over corn.
7/17/2008
Toyota announces its second hybrid to be manufactured in the United States. A Mississippi plant will begin producing the Prius in 2010.
7/16/2008
My low-fuel light came on. Gulp. Will it be a $50 filling?
7/16/2008
Is the glass half empty? Half full? Or is there just too much glass? I'm designing MAX to be just the right amount of "glass" for the vast majority of our driving. Here's to efficiency.
7/11/2008
We're at work on a 100-mpg DIY car! Come meet MAX and take a seat for what will be a long, but fun, journey.
7/9/2008
Whether you ride to work, to run errands or simply to exercise, a bike can be a superbly useful and fun tool. Before you buy a new bike, though, do your homework to find the right type for your needs. There are several options for a variety of different uses. The variety of bike types, components and accessories allow you to customize your gas-free ride to your lifestyle. This article will get you on the right track.
7/9/2008
72 mpg for under $6,000! How cool is that? Really, we want to know.
7/9/2008
Read about how UPS expects to save 176,000 gallons of fuel per year, thereby reducing their CO2 emissions by 1,786 metric tons annually.
7/9/2008
100 mpg with off-the-shelf technology? Jack McCornack isn’t crazy, he just believes cars can have a lot better fuel economy than we’ve settled for historically. Enter MAX — the Mother Earth News entry in the Auto X Prize competition, a $10 million race for practical cars that achieve 100 mpg. MAX may not win the Auto X Prize, but it will prove a point that 100 mpg is within reach without futuristic technology. This article details MAX’s origins and the early stages of its development.
7/8/2008
Random statistics on the painful price of gas for early July 2008.
7/8/2008
One of the top automotive journalists around agrees that the future is bright for plug-in hybrids, even more so than fuel-cell vehicles.
7/7/2008
You can run a truck on wood chips! No joke. Mother Earth News reported on this idea more than 25 years ago and the idea lives on. Using recycled water heaters, you can burn wood chips to power a truck, with little or no engine modifications required.
7/1/2008
Share the pain of rising gas prices together and join the discussion about what will finally motivate us to dramatically change our driving habits.
6/25/2008
What's the plural of Prius? Whatever it is, there are lots of them out there.
6/24/2008
Here's a rundown of the many reasons behind the recent rise in the price of gas.
6/24/2008
Oil companies are hungry for more land to drill. But meanwhile they aren't drilling in numerous approved areas.
6/12/2008
Out with the biggest SUVs, in with smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.
6/10/2008
Among the latest cars with better-than-average gas mileage, you may be surprised to learn there are 30 that are capable of 30 mpg or better. Three cars in particular represent a growing emphasis on reliable small cars with better gas mileage: the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris. In this article, you'll find detailed reviews for those three, plus snapshots of 27 other 30-mpg cars. The reviews of each car include price, green scores and driving-quality ratings. Record high gas prices may be here to stay, but the good news is so are more fuel-efficient cars.
5/8/2008
Get ready for better gas mileage!
4/27/2008
The race for 100 mpg gets a very sweet reward.
4/4/2008
A crazy idea to make a car battery last forever is quite crazy indeed.
4/2/2008
Current ethanol comes from corn. Although many companies have tried to promote it as the solution to America's dependence on foreign oil, the current product does not live up to this promise ... yet. Corn ethanol has downsides such as reduced fuel economy, water pollution and can even contribute to higher food prices. Attention has switched to cellulosic ethanol made from non-food resources such as switchgrass, but the process has not been perfected.
2/25/2008
Biofuels, particularly ethanol, have had plenty of recent hype as a possible homegrown replacement for gasoline. However, production of corn-based ethanol in the United States is driving up grain prices and possibly harming the environment.
2/1/2008
As the eco-friendly alternative to AAA, the Better World Club provides 24/7 roadside assistance in all 50 states. In addition to services similar to AAA, such as assisting drivers with jumpstarts and tire repairs, BWC has a roadside assistance plan for bicycles, and a 15 percent discount on new memberships for owners of hybrid and biodiesel vehicles. Plus, 1 percent of their revenue is donated to environmental cleanup and advocacy.
1/30/2008
An automotive whiz explains why it's not a great idea to let your car warm up by idling.
1/24/2008
Greener ways to get around, from hybrid cars to electric bikes to public transportation.
12/1/2007
The X Prize Foundation wants to break our addiction to oil and slow the effects of climate change. They’re offering a multimillion dollar prize to the first team to create a low-emission, 100 mpg car that’s safe, affordable and ready for mass production. The contest is gaining speed internationally, with more than 30 teams from numerous countries. Mother Earth News is an official sponsor of reader Jack McCornack’s roadster entry; watch it evolve and learn how to make your own!
12/1/2007
With a few modifications, you could burn vegetable oil to power your diesel car or truck. People across the country are using conversion kits to retrofit their vehicles. Others are taking a do-it-yourself approach. Some burn free waste vegetable oil from local restaurants; others burn clean straight vegetable oil. But there’s a catch: Technically, it may not be legal.
11/5/2007
Parents and educators will find this new book helpful in education and efforts to reduce the harmful exhaust emissions children breathe on school buses.
10/30/2007
Bicycles make great 'green' transportation. Riding a bike produces no pollution, consumes no fossil fuel, and even helps you stay in shape. As an added bonus, bikes get some of the best parking places on the planet. (That's because you can park your bike almost anywhere. Yes, it's a dream come true!)
10/26/2007
Forget what your grandpa told you — there's no need to warm up your car every cold winter morning.
10/12/2007
Here's another gas mileage myth busted: it's better to turn off your engine than to leave it idling.
10/5/2007
Sometimes the most direct route to your destination may not be the most fuel-efficient.
9/14/2007
5W-30? 10W-30? Be sure you get the right motor oil grade.
9/7/2007
You can boost your mpg by losing the cargo in your trunk. Then help reduce global warming emissions by sweating off a few pounds.
9/3/2007
From human-powered flight to electric vehicles, Paul MacCready was one of the most brilliant inventors of our time.
8/31/2007
Green means go, but don't go too quickly.
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