GREENER MOTORING NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

Exchange and Mart survey reveals greener motoring tops New Year resolution list

Every New Year comes with the dreaded resolutions to find a new job, join the gym and do more for world peace. According to a new survey* from ExchangeandMart.co.uk 37.5% of people made driving-related New Year's resolutions for 2011. Trading in the current car for a greener model tops this year's list of resolutions, showing that the environment is still a key issue for motorists.

"Motorists seem to find their driving resolutions easier to stick to than the usual promises of cutting out the cake or giving up smoking, with 55% keeping the motoring resolutions they made in 2010," says Michael Tang, Marketing Communications Manager at Exchange and Mart. "Most interestingly, of those vowing to make changes, 30% want to trade in their current vehicle for a greener model, and 30% are looking for a smaller model. In 2010, the same percentage of people planned to go for a greener car, but just 20% were on the lookout for a smaller model.

"Reducing mileage, last year's top of the chart with a massive 37%, has dropped to third place with 25% of people cutting down on journeys. This may suggest that motorists are looking for sustainable ways to be greener and cut costs, without the inconvenience of leaving the car at home. Trading in the gas-guzzler for a green machine is a cost effective and convenient way to save money and reduce your impact on the environment, and it looks like the trend will continue for some time to come."

Exchange and Mart Top Motoring Resolutions for 2011

= 1 - Trade in car for a greener model

= 1 - Trade in for something smaller

3 - Reduce mileage

4 - Service car more regularly

5 - Make an effort to drive within speed limits

*Survey conducted December 2010-January 2011, 104 customers were surveyed across the UK.

New book The Efficient Driver's Handbook helps you save money and help the environment too!

This book describes in a clear, friendly manner everything today�s driver needs to know about choosing and using a car in an economical and eco-efficient way. It explains what matters most to the car buyer when optimum fuel economy and lowest emissions are priorities, and why four wheel drive and automatic transmission present challenges to eco-friendly driving.
Highly detailed advice on driving for best fuel economy is supplemented by helpful information on alternative fuels, hybrid powertrains, and much more. Featuring a thorough examination of the advantages and disadvantages of the most promising fuels of the future - electricity and hydrogen � this book is essential reading for the modern driver. More info.

ELECTRIC DREAMS MOVE A STEP CLOSER TO REALITY

Mass market electric cars moved a step closer today as Transport Secretary Philip Hammond awarded �24 million to further develop the UK's low carbon vehicle capability. The six winning projects - which together with contributions from business will receive total funding of �52m - are part of the latest Technology Strategy Board competition. Projects include the development of new engines for plug-in hybrid versions of Nissan, Lotus and Jaguar Land Rover cars, a lightweight electric bin wagon, development of lightweight materials for vehicle weight reduction, and new technologies using thermal energy to improve vehicle performance.

The Government also set out the eligibility criteria for its Plug-in Car Grant. Under the scheme motorists will receive a grant of up to �5,000 to purchase electric, plug-in hybrid or hydrogen fuelled cars. In order to be eligible, cars must meet appropriate safety standards and must have been crash tested. They must also meet minimum range and performance criteria.

The Government believes that this combined support will place the UK at the forefront of low carbon automotive development and provide a vital economic boost for the UK economy by giving us a key competitive advantage in this increasingly important global market.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said:

"I am determined to make this Government the greenest ever and transport will have a key role to play. But this will not be achieved by forcing people off the road - it's not the car that's the problem, it's the carbon.

"While I am convinced that rail will be the future of long distance inter-urban journeys, we can't ignore the fact that 84% of journeys are made by car and there is no realistic prospect of displacing the private car for point to point complex journeys.

"However, we are on the brink of a technological revolution that will transform the way we see motoring in the 21st century allowing the benefits that the private car delivers without destroying the planet in the process."

In line with the Coalition Agreement commitment to mandate a national recharging network, guidance has also been released to the 15 places interested in bidding for the second round of the Plugged-In-Places infrastructure programme. This sets out in more detail what we want from these projects to support our decision-making on a national recharging network.

Business Minister Mark Prisk said:

"The winning consortia are all exciting examples of the breadth and depth of the UK's technical capabilities in low carbon vehicles.

"Collaboration between UK-based vehicle manufacturers, supply chain companies and academia will help Britain become one of the leading centres for the design, development and manufacture of ultra-low carbon vehicles.

"All of these projects had to demonstrate a credible route to market. This is about real business opportunities and high-tech jobs being created from the move to a low carbon economy."

Electric Cars �The Future is Now!, priced �12.99, is available to buy now direct from Veloce.

THE SMART WAY FROM LONDON TO EDINBURGH

The ASA have ruled in favour of smart, the iconic automotive brand, by supporting the brand�s London to Edinburgh television advertisement.



The ad shows a time-lapse sequence of the two-seater car driving from London to Edinburgh. The voiceover states that, �on one tiny 33 litre tank, a smart car can do 433 miles�.



The ASA has investigated and rejected claims that the ad is misleading.



In their adjudication the ASA stated: �We considered that the VCA* figures in conjunction with Mercedes� evidence was sufficient to support the claim that a smart car could do 433 miles on one tank of petrol. We concluded that the ad was not misleading.�

Source:newspress



Coming soon! the little book of smart � New Edition! By Paul Jackson.

In the little book of smart, now featuring a brand new extra chapter, author and smart fanatic Paul Jackson guides us through the history of the brand, its highs and lows, its successes and failures, up to the present day, with the very latest fortwo line-up promising major sales worldwide and, of course, helping to pave the way for a future for smart in the USA. It�s a fascinating tale, told succinctly and in an entertaining style, and complemented by full colour photography throughout. 144 pages packed with over 100 colour pictures and entertaining text make this a great little book. Click here for more info about the book.

POCKET ROCKET

The Mitsubishi i MiEV SPORT AIR Concept will be premiered at the forthcoming 2009 Geneva Motor Show in March.

Not a great deal of thought has been given by mainstream manufacturers to the proposition of a proper sports car as an electric vehicle (EV)� until now.


Taking a step beyond being merely �green�, this all-electric zero CO2 emission sports concept builds upon the fundamentals of the EV by marrying: the powerful acceleration and high torque inherent to electric motors and the safe driving dynamics that stem from i MiEV�s lithium-ion battery pack located within its long wheelbase and the low centre of gravity.
The i MiEV SPORT �AIR� is a new-age �pocket rocket� and signals the direction in which the Mitsubishi sports EV may take in the future.
Source:newspress

NEW SMART MODEL IN 2009

smart widens its appeal going into 2009 by launching a new model which gives customers even more value for money and continuing its drive towards a greener future.

On the back of the recently launched smart mhd (micro hybrid drive), which offers fuel savings of up to 24% in stop-start situations, the eagerly anticipated smart cdi, goes on sale in March 2009. The smart cdi returns a staggering 83.1 miles per gallon on the combined cycle and boasts the lowest CO2 emissions of any current production car at just 88g/km.

The smart brand has also been buoyed by the latest new car registration figures from the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders) which show smart is bucking the trend, despite the current economic doom and gloom. Registrations in 2008, at 7,526, were 43.3% improved on the 2007 figure.

A pioneering market trial of 100 fully electric smart fortwos is also underway in the UK. The smart ed emits no carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, particulate matter or any harmful substance. It has a top speed of 60mph (electronically limited), a range of 70 miles on a single charge, can achieve the equivalent of 300mpg, and is charged by simply plugging it directly into any UK mains 3 pin plug socket.
source:newspress


Coming very soon! the little book of smart � New Edition! by Paul Jackson.
*Brand new chapter brings this book right up-to-date for 2009.

Author and smart fanatic Paul Jackson guides us through the history of the brand, its highs and lows, its successes and failures, up to the present day, with the very latest fortwo line-up promising major sales worldwide and, of course, helping to pave the way for a future for smart in the USA. It�s a fascinating tale, told succinctly and in an entertaining style, and complemented by full colour photography throughout. 144 pages packed with over 100 colour pictures and entertaining text make this a great little book.
Click here for more info about the book.

JEEP� WRANGLER UNLIMITED EV

The Jeep� Wrangler Unlimited EV is a Range-extended Electric Vehicle that provides a glimpse into the future of a �Go Anywhere, Do Anything� vehicle with renowned Jeep Wrangler capability.

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited EV prototype is a two-wheel drive Wrangler. However, Chrysler�s ENVI organization is exploring four-wheel-drive, in-wheel electric motors to demonstrate the full reach of the Company�s advanced electric-drive technologies. When this technology is developed by ENVI, the instant high torque of the electric-drive motor and the ability to precisely control each wheel independently will result in off-road capability ideally suited for the Jeep brand, without compromising on-road capability.
The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited EV features a new ENVI Green Pearl exterior color, integrating full body-side �EV� graphics.
Source:newspress

Jeep Wrangler By Robert Ackerson.
This book features all Jeep Wrangler models built from 1987 through 2006. It contains complete details of annual changes, model-by-model, .their prices and those of trim levels, and options. It is illustrated with hundreds of color photographs of virtually every Wrangler model, their interiors, distinguishing features and options. A detailed index assures the reader of quick access to information of interest. Adding to the depth of the book' detailed text are excerpts from interviews with key Jeep officials and designers,as well as contributions from many Wrangler owners and enthusiasts.
Click here for more info about the book.

London congestion charge

The latest report from Transport for London states that despite 70,000 fewer cars a day entering the central zone and 30,000 fewer in the Western Extension, congestion in both of these areas is every bit as bad as it was before the charge was introduced.
It had been suggested that Ken Livingstone's transport scheme was a deliberate policy to obstruct traffic. The report seems to show just that. It was claimed that by paying even more money to use the roads, drivers will benefit from lower congestion. However, on the face of it, an increase in traffic lights and reduction of available road space means that drivers are just paying through the nose to sit in the same jams as before.

The Association of British Drivers (ABD) has drawn up a set of proposals on the matter. These include a review of all bus lanes to ensure that they do not restrict overall road capacity, and the removal of at least 20 per cent of the traffic lights in central London by identifying those which do nothing but obstruct traffic flow.

Boris Johnson has made a start by reviewing the flow implications of all proposed schemes, and announcing the death of roadspace-eating bendy buses.

World First - Nissan Eco Pedal

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, today unveiled the Eco Pedal - a world-first technology scheduled for release in 2009, designed to assist drivers in becoming more fuel-efficient.

The Eco Pedal is designed to act as a counter push-back control mechanism on the accelerator if the system detects excess pressure, helping to inform the driver that they might be using more fuel than required. Reportedly, it could improve a drivers fuel efficiency by 5 to 10%. An eco-driving indicator integrated into the instrument panel feeds the driver with real-time fuel consumption levels to help improve his/her driving behaviour.

Nissan is taking a three-pronged approach to reducing carbon dioxide emissions, comprising improvements in vehicle technologies, driving behaviour and traffic conditions. It could be argued, however, that the ECO Pedal has the potential to compromise safety in the name of fuel efficiency � but if this how an individual motorist views the technology, it can be turned off.

For the definitive history of Nissan's Z-cars, see the Veloce book Nissan 300ZX & 350Z - The Z-car Story



click here for more info

Honda FCX Clarity. The car that emits only water from its exhaust pipe!

This week, Honda's zero emission, hydrogen fuel cell cars have started to roll off the production line. After 19 years of development, this car marks the beginning of a new era of cleaner motoring.

The car uses a fuel cell stack - a device that uses an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) to convert chemical energy into electrical energy to power a motor that drives the car's wheels. Honda's FC stack simultaneously generates electricity and water, emitting no CO2 or other harmful emissions.

Next year, Honda's more affordable hybrid car goes on sale in the UK. So as the technology becomes cheaper more people will be able to adopt it, consequently reducing global car emissions.

Check out Acura NSX-Honda's Supercar by Brian Long published by Veloce Publishing.



The definitive story of Honda's amazing supercar, the NSX.



click here for more info about the book

Reducing The Carbon Footprint Within The Publishing Industry

The previous post gave an indication that cars could undergo a dramatic change in offsetting their impact on global warming. The publishing industry itself could also follow a similar direction. With bookfaironline.net it's central premise is to digitalise the book fair process so that there is no need to travel to and from location. In doing so, they are inviting publishers to join them in reducing the carbon footprint within the publishing industry. However, the site is currently just an empty box waiting for content. Although the site offers a �1,000 voucher for publisher's wishing to participate, very few appear to have done so at this stage.

Carbon Calculator

Carbon Calculator

cool carbon footprint calculator, you can compare against 20% reduction target and national average. Mine's quite big due to my driving!

How big is YOUR footprint?