Even the most environmentally minded among us often have to frequently rely on four wheel car transportation to get us from A to B so finding a low carbon emitting car, whether it’s a family car or a commuter vehicle, is important. Stop-start technology, which is also known as micro-hybrid technology, is tipped to become a standard component in vehicles and would be responsible for considerable carbon emission reductions.
The Green Village News for the ‘Transport and Travel’ Category
Micro-Hybrid Technology Could Stop-Start An Eco-Car Revolution
Friday, December 11th, 2009World Carfree Day 2009 Taking Place On 22nd September
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009
Tuesday 22nd September 2009 is World Carfree Day, the day each year when people are urged to leave their cars at home and use alternative transport. Around the world, different events take place to spread the word about the importance of relinquishing our hold on oil powered transportation and the alternative methods of transportation and public transport services that are available.
As well as helping cut worldwide carbon emissions by reducing the amount of cars on the road, the day also aims to increase awareness of the importance of reducing the amount of single person car trips we make, by increasing the number of people travelling by bus, train, bike or on foot and encouraging more people to carshare where possible. Single occupant car journeys contribute significantly to pollution and the extra vehicles clogging up the roads create added congestion that can be the bane of many of our lives.
Bike Bans Leave Kids Unable To Cycle To School
Tuesday, September 8th, 2009
Most people will be aware now that the kids are back at school, if only because of the added congestion that returns once the school gates reopen. Congestion that could be eased if fewer people relied on gas guzzling vehicles to transport their children to school each weekday morning were it not for a number of schools issuing bans on kids cycling to school.
Safety on the roads is being blamed as a primary reason for not permitting or strongly discouraging children to cycle into school, as a number of headteachers are concerned that roads are too busy and traffic too much of a threat for them to be prepared to take the risk of allowing children to arrive on two wheels instead of four. Although walking is still an option for those with the time, travelling by bike is often a more practical approach due to the increased distance that can be travelled within the same amount of time.
Peugeot and Mitsubishi Join Forces In Building European Electric Car
Saturday, September 5th, 2009
The electric car market is due to get another boost following an agreement between Japanese car manufacturer Mitsubishi, and French owned Peugeot. The new electric car, which will be based on the i-MieV built by Mitsubishi, will be sold to the European market and will be available under both Peugeot and Citroen brands.
The agreement, signed yesterday (4th September) in Paris by the CEO of Mitsubishi, Osamu Masuko, and the CEO of PSA Peugeot Citroen, Philippe Varin, is a significant step in demonstrating their partnership concerning the development of electric vehicles. The new electric car will add to the current portfolio of lower emission vehicles offered by Peugeot/Citroen, which will be further added to when their new hybrid diesel models are released in 2011.
Zero Emission Nissan ‘Leaf’ Electric Car Revealed
Monday, August 3rd, 2009
Car manufacturers Nissan have announced their new 100% electric car, the Leaf, will be rolled out in car showrooms by the end of next year. The zero carbon vehicle would not only have a greater range than other electric cars on the market but would also have a top speed of 90 miles per hour and will be available in Japan, the US, Europe and the UK.
The new electric car will sit in the £10-15k price bracket and will be the first mass-produced electric car on the market. In contrast to other electric cars, however, it will be looking to fill a gap in the family car market appealing to those wanting to reduce their family’s carbon footprint, as a 5 door hatchback with no carbon emissions. The green machine also boasts a 100 mile range between charges compared to the top figure of 70 miles for the city favourite, G-Wiz.
Christian Aid Hunt For Cyclists To Join Climate Change Rally In Copenhagen
Wednesday, July 29th, 2009
Charity Christian Aid is looking to put together a team of 50 cyclists of all levels of cycling ability to take part in a bike ride from London setting off on 9th December 2009. The group will arrive in Copenhagen in time for the start of the Climate Change Summit to join the thousands of climate protesters hoping to get their voices heard for decisive action to be taken in the fight against climate change.
The 140 mile journey will take place between 9th and 16th December with participants covering between 25 and 60 miles per day. The journey will take the cyclists through the English countryside to Harwich where the party will board a ferry. Following this, the route will continue through the Danish Islands until the riders reach Copenhagen itself. They will then get the opportunity to spend two days enjoying the city before returning to the UK.
Andrew Adonis Commits To New Greener Transport System
Tuesday, July 21st, 2009
Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis has announced government plans to improve the green credentials of the UK’s transport networks. Through the introduction of a number of new ambitious schemes, it is hoped that the carbon emissions caused by transportation within the UK can be significantly reduced.
Transport is currently responsible for causing 21% of the UK’s total carbon emissions, and as a result, Lord Adonis has identified this as a key area for helping Britain meet its targets for cutting emissions by 80% by 2050. The government will achieve this by investing in public transport, such as improving train services and further electrification of the rail network, investing in low carbon vehicles and, something which Adonis says is close to his own heart, ensuring a greater provision of bicycle storage facilities at railway stations to encourage greater transport integration through a promise of £5 million worth of investment.
EPA Grants California Greenhouse Gas Waiver
Tuesday, June 30th, 2009
Following the intervention of President Barack Obama signing a Presidential Memorandum requesting the Environmental Protection Agency to review the decision to deny the greenhouse gas waiver request submitted by California. The waiver will apply to California’s greenhouse gas emission standards for vehicles produced in 2009.
Under the Clean Air Act, California is given the authority to introduce and enforce stricter standards for cars and trucks than current federal law dictates. The original request was submitted in December 2005 by the California Air Resources Board but was denied in March 2006 on the basis that there was no need for California’s greenhouse gas emissions standards to meet “compelling and extraordinary conditions”.
Council Approves New ‘Park And Ride’ At Bathampton Meadows
Monday, May 25th, 2009
The city of Bath is renowned for its healing spas and history and attracts around 4 million visitors each year. City officials have approved plans as part of a £6 million transport scheme to build a new park and ride facility at Bathampton Meadows, which they argue will help stem the congestion and traffic problems Bath currently experiences.
Campaign group ‘Save Bathampton Meadows’, who began a petition in October 2008 to promote their cause and help get names on paper to show the council that the park and ride is not wanted. The site is thousands of years old, greenbelt and bordering the River Avon and sits in a valley, which campaigners say will make the development an eyesore and a blot on the landscape; unable to be missed from the viewing points all around the area. Save Bathampton Meadows’ spokeswoman Alison Millar said,
“This park and ride would spoil the meadows and be visible not only to hundreds of homes nearby but to people walking in the hills around it.”
University of Warwick Unveils WorldFirst Green Race Car
Monday, May 11th, 2009Most people would argue that motor racing and the environment don’t fit together well, and usually they’d be right. Especially when you consider the amount of parts, fuel and tyres that teams get through in a season. But thanks for the University of Warwick, that could change.
A new Formula 3 racing car that has been developed by the University of Warwick Team based in WMG (the Warwick Manufacturing Group) and the Warwick Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre boasts a range of environmentally sustainable technologies, including being fueled by waste chocolate and vegetable oil, a seat made foam made from soybean oil, and a steering wheel derived from root vegetables, specifically carrots. The car also incorporates new technology in the form of a catalyst coating on the radiator that destroys emissions.
