It's replacement of the rails and making changes to bridges so that bigger shipping containers can be shipped along that line, in some cases making the bed of the railway lower if the bridge can't be make taller

> Good to replace rails, they do need it from time to time. And it's a pretty good idea in a slow economy to put people to work improving the infrastructure - makes sense to me at least. Understandable too - the size of shipping containers were once much smaller, so often bridges have to be raised or rail beds lowered - upgrades are essential, though a headache at times!

I was doing some interesting calculations last night, thinking about the possibility that as blacktop gets incredibly expensive, we may be looking for answers in the past for green roads in the future - here granite pavers were locally produced, and with roads costing between $105,000 to $135,000 per mile (equivalent to roughly 42,270 Pounds to 54,340 Pounds per km), it's approaching the point where granite pavers and brick pavers become competitive again as a paving option. I think the durability alone makes them a better choice in the long run, provided a flexible binder can be used between the pavers..

But that's all tangential to the subject matter! :laugh3: :builder2:

> One good sign, even in this remote corner of the planet, the local town in planning on putting in a walking/biking path along the road but not close to the pavement, quite an advancement for our area..

Translation of an article in the Danish free week-end paper "Søndagsavisen" (Sun Paper) this week-end October 21-23, 2011:

 

UNEXPECTED ELECTION OF HYBRID CAR AS CAR OF THE YEAR

 

OPEL AMPERA ELECTED CAR OF THE YEAR in Denmark 2012 due to its pioneer combination of electric motor and petrol engine.

 

by Steen Bachman [email protected] / translated by Nancy Boysen

 

The Motor Journalists' Club (MKD) has elected Opel Ampera "Car of the Year" due to the hybrid car's capacity to combine the best of the electric cars with a conventional internal combustion engine.

 

Ampera is primarily an electric car which is re-charged during the night and then you can drive to work in it in the daytime. For longer routes, a little petrol turbo engine is automatically stepping in and recharging the battery when the battery is almost low / there is no more power. The official range (for electric operation) is 83 km which is more than commuted by the average car driver in the European Union (EU) each day.

 

"It is unusual to elect such an expensive car (price DKK 590,000) as Car of the Year because this car will be too expensive for most families. But this car has been elected because it represents the technology of the future, says Mikkel Thomsager, chairman of the Motor Journalists' Club (MKD) and editor-in-chief of Bil Magasinet (a magazine for car enthusiasts / car owners).

 

Opel Ampera costs DKK 325,000 in Germany, but DKK 590,000 in Denmark due to the very high Danish car fees.

 

 

CAR OF THE YEAR IN DENMARK 2012

1. Opel Ampera, 131 points

2. BMW-1-series, 88 points

3. Ford Focus, 86 points

4. Kia Picanto, 78 points

5. Opel Zafira, 67 point

I've never even heard of the Opel Ampera :\

http://www.opel-ampera.com/index.php/mas/home - this is a good link with pictures of that car.

Nope, never even seen it before :laugh2:

One you would now consider buying? But it is rather expensive, but a car for the FUTURE.

Not a chance, it's a hybrid AND a Vauxhall. Never known anyone whose not had tons of issues that's owned a Vauxhall, and I'm not a fan of hybrid, as I live in the countryside so it would be running on petrol 90% of the time, wouldn't spend much time at low speeds or stuck in traffic. I would definitely go with a fuel efficient diesel if I had the cash for something like a Polo Blueline or whatever they're called, don't they get 70+mpg compared to a prius that gets like 50?

I wouldn't buy it, because it's a GM car.

 

And GM killed the electric car 10 or so years ago, can you imagine what process could have been made by now if they kept the EV1 project alive?

Well that's true - GM did undo all their work on the electric years back, but have made significant progress is the right direction recently with the Chevy Volt, which as it turns out is basically the same as the Opel Ampera with a few variable features, but made in Detroit whereas the Opels, I assume, are German made. Chevrolet Volt - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Also, the Opel Ampera is quite the sleek sports machine, a huge break from the traditional Opel look: Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera: What Are The Differences? Where the Chevy Volt is more contemporary looking - clean, smooth, and efficient.

But even if you drive a greater distance, given that 83 km is all-electric before the engine kicks in, you'll get great mileage on what little is needed for fuel-powered driving, and the rest is electric, which can be from wind or solar or geothermal, and other green sources.

But imagine where the world of the electric car would be today if GM didn't can the EV project.

 

My new mode of transport:

 

 

 

Fuel consumption is 10 carrots a mile

But imagine where the world of the electric car would be today if GM didn't can the EV project.

> You're right David, no doubt about it. GM could have really set the pace and led the charge, so-to-speak, for change. And if we had done what visionaries in the 30's had told us even back then, we would be sitting in much better shape today - vehicles with great efficiency built-in long before the oil crisis. Fuller had the right ideas, incredibly perceptive of the need for efficiency; how sad it is to see great movements lost because of greed and ignorance, but I think we've started to turn the corner on all this.

My new mode of transport:

 

 

 

Fuel consumption is 10 carrots a mile

:lol: All that, and only 1 Horse Power!;) ;) Good idea, not only do we need a slow food movement, we need a slow pace movement! I've been thinking for a long time how truly enjoyable moving at a slower speed is, all this rushing around doesn't even give us time to take in the views, enjoy the places we're at. Glad you can go this route!

I might even do the same, haul out the old buggy in back, fix er' up, and either pull it with horse-power or maybe just a small diesel engine under the seat and some biodiesel made from fryer waste. Emissions vary - one smells of donuts, the other smells of digested hay, but both smell wayy better than car exhaust!:laugh3:

Just free thoughts..

I'm imagining a car body made from a honeycombed material, natural fibers for the matrix, lignin or another biopolymer as the resin or binder, shell of a layering of criss-crossed fibers and more biopolymers, finished with some new type of finish, which is naturally tough, weather-resistant, with colors that don't fade, yet made in sync with nature..

Interiors of natural and biopolymer materials as well - all healthier from beginning to end, and in the end, it can all be pelletized and used as a biofuel, or decomposed as compost, or broken down into a myriad of other useful materials..

Just dreaming

Just free thoughts..

I'm imagining a car body made from a honeycombed material, natural fibers for the matrix, lignin or another biopolymer as the resin or binder, shell of a layering of criss-crossed fibers and more biopolymers, finished with some new type of finish, which is naturally tough, weather-resistant, with colors that don't fade, yet made in sync with nature..

Interiors of natural and biopolymer materials as well - all healthier from beginning to end, and in the end, it can all be pelletized and used as a biofuel, or decomposed as compost, or broken down into a myriad of other useful materials..

Just dreaming

 

Like this you mean?

 

Like this you mean?

 

:laugh3: I believe they used sheep's hair for the fibers, and I haven't a clue what the matrix for this baby is.

But I thought about that, yes, how ironic, behind the iron curtain was a car made from soft fuzzy sheep!:) U2's auto of choice actually..:cool: Actung Baby!

Ford, before the Ford Prefect (as in Life the Universe and Everything), made a car from soybeans. Yes, the ideal car for bean counters, a truly capitalistic model but it had such a drag coefficient, the economy from the car suffered greatly. :P Fortunately it did rebound when hammered, so not all was lost. Soybean Car - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

But of course, Ford used Hemp:cool: as the fiber in the car, which is only legal in countries where paranoia isn't the principal driving force. Here, a car made entirely of hemp was used in a movie, but I believe, it went up in smoke. :laugh3:

Organic Engines, now there's a muscle car!:cool:

 

Organic Engines

And check out their SUV:Organic Engines » The Sensible Utility Vehicle, A.K.A the SUV.

 

Because when you put the pedal to the metal, you can feel the beat of your :heart:heart:heart: rev up!:cyclist:

:sunny:

Pedal power is petal power!! :daisy:

One of the articles on today's Care2Causes was this one:

 

http://www.ecofriend.com/entry/green-wheels-streetscooter-electric-vehicle1/

 

The StreetScooter Electric Vehicle

 

The green machine:

 

StreetScooter is first of its kind low cost, light weight and environment friendly electric car being developed by a group of 80 auto parts suppliers, engineering firms, and electronics companies. Coordinated by the RWTH Aachen University, this project showcases a unique example of low cost automobile production. Each partner has collaborated to provide with best of their technology to maintain the low cost and the green credentials proposed initially. Showcased recently at the Frankfurt motor show, the StreetScooter boasts of many innovations to establish it as a green vehicle for the masses in coming years.

 

 

Green factor:

 

StreetScooter is a completely electric vehicle. It will run on rechargeable batteries and help save the scarce conventional fuels. This will provide the governments and research agencies with an opportunity to explore renewable sources for producing electricity to recharge the batteries. The vehicle uses latest communication technology such as smart phone-based plug-in solution.

 

Also, the developers have designed a new solution for heating and air conditioning. While the heating and air conditioning systems of conventional vehicles are known to have negative effect on the fuel economy, the StreetScooter provides a new solution for this. According to Professor Achim Kampker, CEO of StreetScooter GmbH, the new heat pump used in the vehicle consumes only about 20 per cent of energy as compared to conventional systems.

 

The powertrain

 

The electric vehicle has been designed to achieve a top speed of about 74 miles per hour. It can run for about 50 miles on a single recharge. In comparison to other electric cars that are converted combustion engine vehicles, the engine of StreetScooter has been developed from scratch to provide a 'safe and reliable car for use in an urban environment.'

 

The prototype of the vehicle consists of several adjustable steel sections which can be adjusted to produce derivatives such as a two-seater, a convertible or a compact utility vehicle by the producers. A modular lithium-ion battery system is placed in the underbody of the car. Customers will have the freedom to opt for one, two or three batteries according to their needs. Each battery can last for about 28 miles on a single recharge.

 

For ensuring the safety of users, the car has been equipped with two front air bags, anti-lock braking systems and an electronic stability program. In most of the electric cars, the high voltage batteries put the users at risk during accidents and even the garage workers need to be specially trained to handle them. However, according to Professor Kampker, the 60V battery would pose no danger to users in case of an accident.

 

 

The highs:

 

The StreetScooter has been designed for urban consumers who travel everyday for about 10-25 kilometer. This will provide them an opportunity to have the benefit of traveling in a personal vehicle and without contributing to global green house gas emissions. The low price will induce many two-wheeler owners to opt for a car-like experience while commuting for job, business or colleges. The system is also equipped with modern infotainment gadgets and will provide the users an opportunity for recreation. They can play popular smart phone games like Angry Birds.

 

 

Also, there is an integrated touch pad for displaying the battery status instead of the conventional battery guage. The developers have devised an innovative plan for keeping the cost of the vehicle low. As such, the buyers will have the freedom to get a battery on lease and pay the cost in monthly installments. The battery will be replaced for free if it turns out defective.

 

 

The lows:

 

The present model of this lightweight electric vehicle is a two-seater and offers little space for luggage. It will face stiff competition from other popular models which provides more comfort, though they are costly and not affordable by all. Also, one of the major problem that has hampered the popularity of electric vehicles is the availability of recharge stations. The mass acceptance of StreetScooter will be possible only if proper recharging solutions are also developed alongside the vehicle itself.

 

Also, since most of electricity is produced from non-renewable sources, it is difficult to assess the overall green credentials of the new vehicle. The popularity of electric cars may increase the burden on conventional sources of power and this would remain unless renewable and environment friendly energy sources are also explored.

 

Cost and availability:

 

The StreetScooter will be available for $7,000. The commercial production of the vehicle will start for European markets in 2013.

I dislike this time of year, having my lights on kills my MPG by a good 5 miles

Street Scooter! (for some reason, this scooter always comes to mind:106_scooter.jpg (JPEG Image, 779x599 pixels) :laugh3:

But yes, this vehicle sounds good so far! I think that by adding a small, light-weight engine-gen set it might be feasible a little faster in the marketplace, since then the freedom to go farther if one wishes is there without question. Maybe it would add 100 kg, but hey, that's negligible. The battery swapping stations or fast-recharge stations sound nice, but that takes time to build the infrastructure. Maybe if it's made simple enough, it will be a go though - either needs to happen to make these commuter cars desirable, since cars are all about personal freedom when one wants it. Great Article Nancy!;)

The highs:

 

The StreetScooter has been designed for urban consumers who travel everyday for about 10-25 kilometer. This will provide them an opportunity to have the benefit of traveling in a personal vehicle and without contributing to global green house gas emissions. The low price will induce many two-wheeler owners to opt for a car-like experience while commuting for job, business or colleges. The system is also equipped with modern infotainment gadgets and will provide the users an opportunity for recreation. They can play popular smart phone games like Angry Birds.

 

 

Also, there is an integrated touch pad for displaying the battery status instead of the conventional battery guage. The developers have devised an innovative plan for keeping the cost of the vehicle low. As such, the buyers will have the freedom to get a battery on lease and pay the cost in monthly installments. The battery will be replaced for free if it turns out defective.

 

 

The lows:

 

The present model of this lightweight electric vehicle is a two-seater and offers little space for luggage. It will face stiff competition from other popular models which provides more comfort, though they are costly and not affordable by all. Also, one of the major problem that has hampered the popularity of electric vehicles is the availability of recharge stations. The mass acceptance of StreetScooter will be possible only if proper recharging solutions are also developed alongside the vehicle itself.

 

Also, since most of electricity is produced from non-renewable sources, it is difficult to assess the overall green credentials of the new vehicle. The popularity of electric cars may increase the burden on conventional sources of power and this would remain unless renewable and environment friendly energy sources are also explored.

 

Cost and availability:

 

The StreetScooter will be available for $7,000. The commercial production of the vehicle will start for European markets in 2013.

 

========================================================

Q: David, "I dislike this time of year, having my lights on kills my MPG by a good 5 miles "

> Yea, that bugs me too! I wonder, if the new LED lights are available for headlights and if their efficiency warrants their usage for headlamps?

 

And the best way to save the planet, when you're not walking or riding a bike, is to enjoy where you're at! :sunny: And you'll save money, lots of it. So, invest in a new set of wheels, invest in a...

New Grand Piano!!:elvis: You'll feel like a King:crown:, sitting in front of your very own John Lennon - Steinway & Sons

or this one, styled with the sleek look of a classic Cris-Craft boat:mudkip:! Julianne - Steinway & Sons

And if you prefer a Baldwin, with rich wood tones and richer sounds, Gibson.com: Baldwin M1

Or the top-selling Yamaha line:hat:, done in a fine black lacquer: C3 - C Series - Grand Pianos - Pianos & Keyboards - Musical Instruments - Products - Yamaha United States

I dislike this time of year, having my lights on kills my MPG by a good 5 miles

I've got the answer. Simply switch off the headlamps! Use them sparingly, otherwise just use the clearance lights. :laugh3: Travel as though you're in a military convoy at night..:cool:

Or maybe LED headlamps will save the day? I guess I get annoyed here as well, especially when one enters one of those "headlights on for safety" test zones, which maybe is a good idea on a cloudy or dark day, obviously at night, but I always think about the energy costs to doing that.

In the very near future I plan to post an article from the Danish newspaper Berlingske Tidende about the biggest challenges facing the electric car in Denmark (i.a. barriers in the Danish laws) and the expectations in relation to how widespread electric cars will be in Denmark have been downgraded in the electric car business.

 

In the days of COP15 in Copenhagen the expectations were 20% electric cars on the roads in 2020. Now the hope is for 10%.

In the very near future I plan to post an article from the Danish newspaper Berlingske Tidende about the biggest challenges facing the electric car in Denmark (i.a. barriers in the Danish laws) and the expectations in relation to how widespread electric cars will be in Denmark have been downgraded in the electric car business.

 

In the days of COP15 in Copenhagen the expectations were 20% electric cars on the roads in 2020. Now the hope is for 10%.

Sounds interesting Nancy, though it seems that electric cars need to play a larger role, considering all the planetary risks and environmental risks associated with our current trajectory of fossil fuel usage. I suppose we will only catch up with that reality when we make it so?

Seems like Denmark would be ideally suited for the electric car, commuted being not so large, distance apart reasonable? Perhaps the barriers in the Danish Laws are the principal hurtle to be overcome?

Here, it seems that there is a knowledge gap, where the average consumer knows little about the realities of the planet's ecological and biosphere systems even in this day of enlightenment. Perhaps that is changing though, as even the Gulf Coast area now realizes, after the oil spill wiped out the fisheries and messed up the waters and beaches and air quality, that everything we do affects the web of life, and we are intimately woven into it.

Looking forward to that post!

They should make cars greener with the amount the charge for fuel, it's over £6 a gallon now!!.

They should make cars greener with the amount the charge for fuel, it's over £6 a gallon now!!.

 

That's the governement tax for you. To them motorists are cash cows and the cost of fuel hits the price of everything you buy

http://drivesteady.com/fuel-efficiency-in-2012

 

Fuel Efficiency in 2012: What’s the New Norm per Gallon?

 

“Fill her up” and “top it off” are two cringe-worthy phrases that car and truck drivers hate having to say when they drive up to the gas pump. With gas prices on the rise, what used to cost $30 to fill up will now set you back $50-70.

 

If you’re tired and a bit frustrated with seeing your hard earned money fly out of your wallet and into the back pockets of oil companies, then 2012 might just be the year for you. Car manufacturers are working harder than ever to create vehicles that are more fuel-efficient and can get more miles per gallon.

 

To better understand why 2012 should be declared the year of fuel-efficient cars, let’s take a quick journey and explore what government changes can be expected to encourage this type of efficiency, what car manufacturers are doing to make cars more fuel-efficient and look at some examples of car or truck models that meet these new strict standards and guidelines.

 

Change is Happening: New Government Standards for Fuel Efficiency

 

In 2009, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created a set of guidelines that require car manufacturers to utilize modern technology and produce more fuel-efficient cars or small trucks.

 

The guidelines, which were eventually passed by Congress, apply to all newly manufactured vehicles, with the exception of semis and large trucks, that have a model year date of 2012 or beyond.The guidelines outlined by the NHTSA and the EPA include:

• In 2012, the average miles per gallon for cars and light trucks must be 29.7. Small cars must get an average of 33.3 MPG, and light trucks an average of 25.4 MPG.

• Every year from 2012 till 2016, the overall average miles per gallon for cars and light trucks will increase by a little over a gallon a year. For example, 2014 model cars and trucks must have an average of 31.3 MPG. In 2016, the combined miles per gallon will level off at 34.1.

• Each car make and model will have its own fuel efficiency target goal. Large SUVs will not be required to get the same miles per gallon as a compact sedan, but will have to meet an independent goal for that particular make and model.

Early reports suggest that these new guidelines will save over 60 billion gallons of fuel every year, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 16%.

 

How to Achieve the Fuel-Efficient Vehicle Dream: Possible Changes

 

Creating fuel-efficient vehicles that meet the government standards might seem to an outsider to be an impossible goal. Luckily, car manufacturers can incorporate various technologies such as direct fuel injections, hybrid engines, and variable transmissions into their new car models to help lower their fuel consumption.

 

Let’s lift the hood and explore some of these new changes you might find when purchasing a 2012 or newer vehicle.

 

Direct Fuel Injection System

 

Direct fuel injection works at creating a more fuel-efficient vehicle by distributing the gasoline directly into the cylinder. This shortcut in distribution of the fuel means that the car requires less gasoline to start the engine.

 

Continuously Variable Transmissions

 

Car transmission systems are responsible for helping cars switch gears and accelerate. Cars that use a continuously variable transmission can burn 6% less gasoline. Less fuel is needed because the process of accelerating and/or switching gears is smoother with this type of transmission.

 

Hybrid Technology and/or Electric Cars

 

Hybrid technology is used to create vehicles with engines that can run part of the time on an alternative fuel, such as electricity. While gas is still required to run the car, the ability to operate off of electricity increases the car’s fuel-efficiency by not having to rely solely on gas to keep the car running.

 

Three Examples of 2012 Fuel-Efficient Car or Truck Models

 

Lexus CT 200h

Miles Per Gallon: 42 highway and city combined

 

People often associate fuel efficiency with a Toyota or Honda car model, but the Lexus CT 200h lets you drive in style without worrying about wasting too much gas. With a combined highway and city miles per gallon of 42, you’ll be way ahead of the government standard of 29.7.

 

Toyota Prius Third Generation

Miles Per Gallon: 50 highway and city combined

 

If you were to crown a king or queen of fuel-efficient cars, then the Toyota Prius Hybrid would be royalty for sure. The third generation 2012 model is the most fuel-efficient model yet, combining an electric/gas hybrid engine with variable transmission and direct fuel injection systems. Depending upon your driving habits you could go weeks without having to stop at a gas station.

 

2012 Ford Focus Electric

Miles Per Gallon: Zero – gas free

 

Car dealers are running out of the 2012 Ford Focus Electric cars before they even hit the dealership parking lot. One of the first electric cars that is 100% gas-free, consumers all over the United States can’t wait to kick their oil habit and rely upon this new fuel-efficient vehicle.

 

Conclusion

 

If you’re looking to decrease your reliance upon gasoline or fuel then 2012 is truly the year for you. With advances in technology and new government standards, the norm for fuel-efficient cars will be anything over 29.7 miles per gallon. Additionally, with the introduction of a 100% gas-free vehicle, it’s just a matter of time before you’re saying “good-bye” to gas for good.