QUICKVIEW: That was the question I asked myself recently while doing research for my last post on electric vehicles. In that post I raised the issue of economic payback for hybrids and found that the Prius had a very attractive payback given its fuel savings and relatively low premium to conventional family sedans. Which got me thinking: wouldn’t the payback be the best for those vehicles that use the most fuel, like local delivery trucks which are constantly in stop-and-go traffic and spend a bulk of their time idling? In other words, why aren’t all UPS trucks hybrids? Continue reading Why Aren’t All UPS Trucks Hybrids?
FEATURE: New York City is working hard to serve as a model of a sustainable 21st century metropolis. With more than 8 million inhabitants, a world class mass transit system, vibrant parks and outdoor spaces, and one of the cleanest public water supplies on the planet, NYC appears in prime position to take a leadership role in the sustainable use and management of its plentiful natural resources. However, there is one area where NYC falls short, and falls far short – it has very dirty air. Inevitably, highly populated, closely quartered metropolitan areas will always face more challenges with air quality than rural areas, but New York City’s air isn’t just bad – it’s really bad. 
Few business topics garner more media attention these days than the commercial launch of electric vehicles. From Telsa’s rollercoaster IPO to Nissan’s waiting list for the all-electric Leaf, it seems as though everywhere we look we hear stories of rising interest in electric vehicles (“EVs”). But apart from the environmental concerns of early green adopters, what will motivate widespread consumer embrace of EVs? 
TOSS-UP: The information age has brought about a deluge of data that has revolutionized the world and currently impacts just about every aspect of our lives. Until recently, however, the information age had passed over our home energy use like Santa over a Jewish kid’s house on Christmas. 
FEATURE: In 2006, the Costa Rican government approved a hydroelectric energy project costing more than $2 billion which will serve one million families by 2016. At 630 MW, it will be the largest renewable energy generator on the Central American isthmus and will offer electricity at one of the lowest prices in the area, approximately 7 cents per kilowatt hour.
FEATURE: Since the public was first introduced to Tesla Motors and its Roadster in July 2006, the subsequent ride has been far bumpier than, say, a ride in one of Tesla’s $109,000 Roadsters. However, from the first unveiling of the stunning, sexy and powerful Tesla Roadster that promised to revolutionize electric vehicles, to the repeated production delays, the bankruptcy rumors, the layoffs, and even the guarantees of founder and CEO Elon Musk that if all else failed he’d fund the cash strapped company himself, Tesla Motors has captured our imaginations like few startups before it. 
