Welcome to the new age of Greener vehicles.
Time was, electric vehicles were promoted as the zero emissions saviours of the future, but the distance they could travel before recharging, and long recharge times led searchers to the hybrid vehicle, combining the advantages of a quiet, zero-emissions electric motor, with the range extending and battery charging capability of a small engine. This seemed to promise a solution, but effective mpg gains weren’t much better than a efficient diesel, batteries were expensive and emissions were still dirty.
Enter the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), a hybrid engine-electric, with the ability to plug in for recharging, cleaner point of use for electric only short trips, and long range capability. Combined with a efficient diesel, and clean burning biodiesel or vegetable oil, this could be the solution the automotive industry has been looking for. For more info, see the following sites:
Alternative Fuel Cars: Plug-In Hybrids and Electric Cars
Hybrids? Some opt to go all-electric
Plug-In Hybrids: State Of Play, History & Players
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Light-Duty Vehicle Research Project (PDF)
Victor Tikhonov converted a Honda from gasoline to DC Electric. A few years later, he upgraded it to a AC Electric propulsion system. Everything he modified, from removing the engine, installing the electric motor, control and instrumentation systems, adapting existing accessories, to performance testing is laid out for all to observe, and hopefully replicate with their own vehicles. Since electricity can be generated with solar panels and wind generators, a electric vehicle is an appropriate addition to the off-grid home.
CHARLEY Boorman went off-grid with best friend Ewan McGregor but has not been able to find work since.
Since the pair returned from their motorcycle journey in aid of UNICEF, very few job offers have come his way. Charley has had to make do with promoting the DVD and book of the pair’s Long Way Round adventure.
McGregor, on the other hand, is one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars. He is currently in Los Angeles filming the sci-fi thriller The Island with Scarlett Johansson. …
Hollywood actress Daryl Hannah insists millions of people could follow her example and drive a car fueled by vegetable oil; they just need a diesel engine.
Based primarily in Colorado, Hannah lives an environmentally-friendly existence with a solar-powered home. When she leaves the confines of her house, she drives around in her 1983 EL CAMINO, which has had no special work done to it to get it running on bio-diesel.
She says, “Basically, in 1900 at the World Fair, RUDOLPH DIESEL invented the diesel engine to run on peanut oil so farmers could grow their own fuel. So any diesel engine can still run on vegetable oil. It doesn’t cause greenhouse gases and has lower carbon dioxide and all the other emissions.
“There are about 250 (gas) stations in the country now that sell it, but you can also order it online. I get it in my little town in the mountains from our local fast food restaurants. They donate it to us and my caretaker makes it. But when I’m in LA, I order it online and it’s delivered in 55 hours with a pump just like you get at a gas station.”
Hannah admits her car often smells of French fries or donuts because of the oil.
More info…
Shake off your prejudice and start looking for your tow bar; the chicest (and easiest) way to be independent comes in the form of the good, old-fashioned caravan.
Always strong on the conceptual front, (a house on wheels that you can take anywhere? Keep changing the view? Genius.) it was let down badly by unchic design. Now, finally, the cool caravan has arrived. And you can hire it for a weekend.…
Off-Grid loves any excuse to kick back and enjoy the view, and design team The Collaborators have made it possible to do that just about anywhere. Their Pods come in all shapes and sizes, and they allow you to create your own space and relax, wherever you can find a place to hang your pod.
Transported in its own flat carrying case and coined “The seat to watch the apocalypse by”, all you have to do is find a nice tree or girder and swing whenever you feel inspired.…
Gaining access to off-grid and green energy ideas couldn’t get any easier; the Green Energy Machine (GEM), from the National Energy Foundation will come to you. Designed to raise awareness through schools, fairs and exhibitions, it carries information and demonstrations on key renewable energy concepts. As well as carrying on board a wind turbine, wood burning stove, solar devices including solar bike and fountain, you can get free impartial advice on renewable energy sources. If you think you have an event, know a school that could benefit from a visit or just want to see it action call +44 (0)1908 665555 or visit www.nef.org.uk …
Christian drives for free, in his 1980 Mercedes Benz 300 TD. This diesel wagon was converted to run on vegetable oil, and is powered with the recycled waste oil that the restaurants pay to have landfilled. It burns clean, is renewable, reduces greenhouse gases, and is virtually free. See how the conversion was done courtesy of Green Trust.
Steve Spence,Director, Green Trust
Halfords make bikes, car, outdoors and workshop equipment and motorcycle accessories. They are always recruiting and have a website especially for that: www.halfordscareers.com. Roles range from store manager to IT technician or leading role in the head office. They have a graduate recruitment programme, gforce, for which you just need a degree, in any subject, and ambition to work in buying or marketing.…
Bicycle trailers are the solution if you’ve got children or are always carrying stuff around. These days, trailers are safe, sleek and practical. Here are the best ones we’ve come across.
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