Ford Motors Unveils EcoBoost

Well, when it rains - it pours.  Somehow it seems that like celebrity deaths, stories on certain topics come in clumps.  Just the other day I wrote about the changes at Chevy.  Today, it’s Ford’s turn.  Ford is set to unveil what they are calling “EcoBoost.” Not sure how much Ford is putting on this for the future or if they’re just banking on this for the short-term.

What is EcoBoost?  It’s described as a “gas-turbo direct-injection engine.”  Yeah - I’m not sure what that means, either. From what I understand from reading the PDF on the Ford website, its still a standard gasoline engine.  They are just using a creative way to get 20-30% more efficiency from a standard gas engine.  At the same time they are reducing CO2 emissions by around 15% and increasing engine torque.  That seems like a fair tradeoff for right now, but I hope they have something better than that in their back-pocket for the future.  Like something with less oil dependency.  Why not put more into their PHEVs?

Ford Motor Company hopes to have the EcoBoost feature in 500,000 cars and trucks in the next five years.  The first vehicle to get it will be the 2009 Mercury MKS sedan.  The new Ford Explorer America concept truck (it kinda looks like those boxy Mercedes SUVs) will be shown at this year’s Detroit Auto Show and will showcase the new EcoBoost engine.

From today’s press release:
“EcoBoost is meaningful because it can be applied across a wide variety of engine types in a range of vehicles, from small cars to large trucks – and it’s affordable,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development. 

“Compared with the current cost of diesel and hybrid technologies, customers in North America can expect to recoup their initial investment in a 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine through fuel savings in approximately 30 months.  A diesel in North America will take an average of seven and one-half years, while the cost of a hybrid will take nearly 12 years to recoup – given equivalent miles driven per year and fuel costs,” he said.

I should mention that Ford, like most automakers, is making strides environmentally.  They already have seats in vehicles now that are made with soy-based foams.  They have worked with BP on establishing two hydrogen filling stations.  I’m sure there is more… 

I’m waiting for the auto announcement one day where I actually get excited rather than just being skeptical.  I know there are better ways out there.  Maybe someone will buy me one of those Air cars being made with TaTa Motors in India that just runs on compressed air.  Or perhaps the new ZAP-X car that is being developed with the design engineers from Lotus that is electric with solar and a slew of other exciting features…including photovoltaic glass for heating and cooling, 100% electric, 0-60 in under 5 seconds, 155mph, 350 miles per charge…okay…I have to stop now because I’m drooling on my keyboard again.

Source: Ford Motor Company

The Chevy Car Report

There were two stories about cars out recently, both concerning Chevy.  As you may or may not know, Chevy has been working on the Volt car.  Its one of the first commercially-made PHEVs (plugin hybrid electric vehicles) in the States.   They’ve been wanting to get this on the market by 2010 if not sooner, but as with a lot of technology there are setbacks.  The setback hinges on the lithium-ion batteries.  They have engineers working on perfecting a battery system for the car.  It’s not simple to just go out and get new ones like you would for a kids toy, so they kinda need to get it right the first time. 

There are some sexy factors going in to the Volt (I never thought I’d call an American car sexy, but hey, as Dylan says, “Time’s are a changin’”).   I’ll start off with the smaller factors - the PHEV.  Third-parties make kits for cars like the Prius to make them PHEV.  Those kits get the Prius over 100+ mpg.  The way their system will work is that you’ll go the first 40 miles off of battery power from the electric-side.  Then the engine would recharge the battery while driving on fuel.  Here’s a sexy factor, but its still fuel-dependent.  Chevy is making what they are calling the “E-Flex” system.  This system will allow the car to be fueled with diesel, E85, regular gas, and even hydrogen. 

We’ll see when it really comes out and by the time it does hit the market, how many other manufacturers will be right there with them…


The other Chevrolet announcement is about the new Chevy Tahoe Hybrid.  It kinda makes me throw-up in my mouth a little bit just talking about it.  The new Tahoe will get 21mpg city and 22mpg highway.  That’s almost double what it gets now - so that’s an improvement, right?  The price different is about $8,000 to get the hybrid drive versus the standard Tahoe. 

I’m sure it drives like a dream and feels like sitting in the lap of luxury.  It’s great that they are working towards making more vehicles hybrids, but I see this car like putting lipstick on a pig.   The pig is just prettier and eats a little less now.  Maybe I’m pointing the finger in the wrong direction, though.  Maybe its the public who buys these cars who are the pigs?  I’m not saying all SUVs are horrendous.  Some are very practical for families.  But the ones that could be in the Macy’s Day Parade and  make monster trucks look normal aren’t necessary but American’s think they need them so they can take home half of Costco with them each time they go. 

Source: Detroit News and Seattle Times

CTA To Explore Leasing Hybrid Buses

If you’re not from the Chicago area, you may not be aware of the budget crisis for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA).  If the State of Illinois doesn’t bail out the CTA once again, then next month large cuts are coming.  Cuts include more route closing and loss of jobs.  Some people may not be to psyched about the proposal on the table to lease new buses. 

We all know that even though the CTA is in trouble, they aren’t going away.  So they still need to keep up their equipment and make sound decisions for the future.  Unfortunately, the timing just happens to be bad.  At the same meeting as the looming cuts, the CTA will discuss leasing 150 new hybrid buses.  That’s a lot of cash when you don’t have any to begin with…but the CTA estimates that it will save $7 million a year on fuel, labor, and maintenance.  The new buses will replace old vehicles that are at or past their usable lifecycle. 

Why now, though?  Why not wait?  Well - it is unfortunate timing, but Seattle opted not to lease the buses and the CTA has a chance at them now.  Buses take a long time to build and they can get them without the lengthy wait - in operation in the city by August.  So the CTA only has until January to decide before they go back on the auction block to another city. 

CTA Chair Carole Brown said the timing of the announcement may seem “insensitive,” but “given the time it takes to execute a new bus order, this opportunity is one that this board has to take a serious look at.”

The CTA has lagged behind other transit agencies in its use of alternative fuels and “green” technology. The hybrids get nearly 2 more miles per gallon than the 40-foot buses they would replace. These buses are 60ft long and are the accordian style.

I say go for it.  The timing sucks.  The State of Illinois should jump at the opportunity to get greener and help out.  The fact that our public transit in a major metropolitan area is in such disarray is horrible.  If Chicago wants the Olympics in 2016, they better get it together.  The better the public transit, the more cars we take off the roads. 

Giddy up!

Source: Chicago Sun-Times
Thanks for the heads-up, Eric.

Ireland Is Even Greener Now

When people think of Ireland, they think green.  Not green in the ecolution way, but green as in the rolling hillsides, lush meadows and moss covered rocks.  Ireland is on the ecolution bandwagon with new changes.  Starting in 2009, Ireland is banning all traditional incandescent light bulbs and replacing them with CFL’s (maybe they should go with some CCFLs?).   If all goes as planned, Ireland can reduce CO2 emissions by roughly 700,000 tonnes annually.  That’s a significant savings.  Greenpeace also notes that Ireland is the first country in the European Union to take action on changing to energy-efficient lighting nationally.  The EU took a pledge to switch to change their lighting solutions from incandescent bulbs by the end of the decade. 

Not only is Ireland forging ahead in electricity savings, they’re taking it to the roads.  Starting in July 2008, all new cars sold in Ireland or imported to Ireland will be taxes according to their emissions.  There will be seven different tax bands randing from 100 Euros to 2,000 Euros annually for the gas guzzlers.  So sure you can buy that big vehicle, but you’re going to pay for it in your pocket book…year…after year…after year.   

 Source: Reuters UK

Smart Car To Finally Hit US

Those quirky, pint-sized, goofy, two-seater cars were supposed to hit the US showrooms in 2005.  Well - they’re finally showing up in dealer show rooms in January.  Don’t rush out to pick one up, though - the pre-orders are already soldout.  You can get on the list, though.

The company itself is an odd pairing - Daimler (who owns Mercedes-Benz) and Swatch - yes - that Swatch - the plastic watch company from the ’80’s.  That would explain the odd, yet cool design.  Apparently, the panels can be removed to change the color of the car, as well.  I’m not exactly sure how that works.  I’m sure its not as easy as it was with those old Nokia cell phones.

The Mercedes Car Group says that the US will be the 37th country that the Smart cars will be sold in.  They’re mostly in Europe now, but I did see them in Canada close two years ago.  They’re catching on in urban areas where you don’t need the speed.  The 0-60 time is about 12 seconds - which is slow by most standards.  The company’s response to that is practical.  These cars are predominantly city cars.  They have a quick 0-30 speed.  That’s more important - stressing that in a city, you don’t need speed - you need to find a parking spot.  Bumper-to-bumper, you can fit two of these cars in one standard spot. 

I know what you all want to know - what is the sticker price and what is the gas mileage?  Three models will be sold in the US ranging from $12k to $17k - the “pricey” model is the convertible.  The gas mileage is estimated to be around 40mpg - but they are still doing testing in the States.

Source: Smart Car USA, USA Today

P.S. If you’re a tall person, this might just be the car for you - no really…

Idle-Free School Zones

Everytime I take my daughter to her elementary school, there are loads of SUVs parked waiting to pickup their children.  The problem is that they are all sitting there waiting - WITH THEIR ENGINES ON.  It’s ridiculous.  There are some parents who arrive 15min early so that they get a good spot and then proceed to idle the entire time.  I finally got pissed enough that I wrote to the principal of the school.  She told me, “Thanks.  I will run it by the staff at our next meeting.”  I figured that was the end of it.  I’d never hear about it again, but at least I said my peace.

Each week, the school sends home a newsletter with the kids.  Much to my surprise was a section on “Idle-Free Zones.”  She even mentioned points that I didn’t bring up in my original email.  I had sent a list of links and videos when I emailed her.  So she actually read them and paid attention.  She wrote of the pollutants in the air and how children are the most susceptible.  She listed out the resources that I sent her for the parents to check out.  I guess there is some hope!

No-Idle Zones are pretty self-explanatory.  There is a larger movement in Canada and the west coast than around here.  I’ve never heard of any being implemented in the Chicago area.  I did happen to mention that this could be very good P.R., too.  The Canadian government even has an entire section on its website devoted to Idle-Free Zones.  They list out sections for individuals, school, businesses, etc.  They have a section on facts and myths.  For instance, a modern cars engine will be warm in about 30 seconds of driving - so lose that excuse.   Air Watch Northwest has an entire kit that includes templates for signage, letters to parents, letters to the principal, letters to teachers, fact sheets, information for bus drivers, and so on. 

No-Idling isn’t only for school zones.  This is for everywhere.  If you’re going to be stopped at a light for more than 20-30 seconds, then it is more fuel-efficient to turn off your engine…and NO it is not hard on your starter.  Modern cars are designed to handle it.  In parts of Germany, the traffic lights flash for a few seconds to let you know that its time to turn the engine back on.  In New York, its illegal to let your car idle for more than 3 minutes as told in this article in The New Yorker.

It’s not asking that much.  Turn off your engines.  More kids are getting asthma now than ever.  The atmosphere isn’t getting much cleaner.  Stop being selfish and be smart.  Woodsy the Owl said it best, “Give a hoot, don’t pollute!”

More Resources:

• Investigative reporter video
• Videos from ChildrenCAN
• Share The Air
• Air Watch Northwest No-Idle Kits
• North Carolina school initiative

$100 Barrels of Oil… Coming soon

There’s a decent article in today’s NY Times about the current oil conditions and the rising global demand…the article only focused on what is happening…not what the remedy may be…so I’ll wait for another time to debate the possibilities…

Its only a matter of time…days, really.  Oil closed at $95 barrel yesterday.  Will the $100 threshold come and go or is there a pyschological implication that will make the economy flip out?  Time will tell.  The only thing that I know for sure is that the world is too dependent on fossil fuels.  Everyone knows that.  It wasn’t too long ago that oil went over $50 and then $55 - and people were shocked - gas prices shot up - heating costs rose, etc.  Maybe people are used to seeing the shock and won’t care much about the $100.  Who knows…

I see a couple issues with our dependency on oil.  For one, oil is dirty and polluting.  Two, its a finite resource that we predominantly get from the ever-volatile Middle East or we ruin our planet drilling for new oil.  One big reason that oil prices are going up is that the rest of the world is catching up to the U.S. in becoming industrialized.  More and more people in India and China are getting cars.  More companies are building huge manufacturing plants - often with no regard to the environment what-so-ever. 

More than any other country, China represents the scope of that challenge. As it turned into a global economic behemoth over the last decade, China also became a major energy user. - NY Times

So what is the answer?  Of course I have ideas on that and I’ll go into them more in detail in the future.  Wind, solar, PHEVs, etc.