Tesla Motors Filing for IPO
Tesla Motors is easily one of my favorite car companies out there. They only currently have two models, the Roadster and the Model S, but their cars are light-years ahead of anything the big car manufacturers are offering. Both of their models are stylish and fast, yet get several hundred miles per charge.
In an effort to raise more funds to continue manufacturing its vehicles, Tesla is filing for a $100 million IPO. The goal is to starting making more Roadsters and having the Model S out by 2012 with the help of a federal loan along with these investment funds.
Their new Model S will cost $50,000 after a federal tax credit and are in the works of making a more practical model in the not so far future. As with any stock and especially a smaller company like Tesla, there is a chance in losing money. If you are interesting in buying stocks, this is one company that looks really promising though.
Is the Apple Tablet Eco-Friendly?
All the latest rave is on the just announced Apple Tablet. The device appears to be nothing more than a larger iPhone, but Apple is praising this as one of its most innovative devices.
Though the discussion of this new tablet may not seem relevant on this blog, there are some that feel it’s sustainably design could contribute to reducing the manufacture of many computer related products. TreeHugger does a great job in discussing both the positives and negatives of the tablet in terms of its sustainability.
Top Fuel Efficient SUVs
Back when I signed a lease deal on my Honda Pilot in 2007, I did not give gas mileage a whole lot of thought. I knew better than to buy a gigantic SUV that blatantly guzzled gas, but at the time, I thought that getting approximately 20 miles to the gallon, while also having all-wheel drive and seating space for seven, was a good deal all around. So, I went with the Pilot. A great car, I might add, I’ve enjoyed driving it, but unless big changes are in store for the Pilot in 2011, I think I can do a whole lot better on the green scale when I trade in my car this August (Honda, are you listening?). So, my search begins for a more fuel-efficient SUV with an all-wheel-drive option (I live in Maine) and room for two kids, a friend, and a dog. If car companies took orders like restaurants do, mine would look something like this:
- AWD
- Seven-seater
- Fuel efficient
- High safety rating
After doing a lot of research on fuel-efficient SUVs, it is clear that there are big differences between SUVs that have front-wheel-drive and those equipped with all-wheel drive. The good news is, if you don’t need the 4×4 option, there are some exciting new vehicles on the market for 2010. The bad news for people like me is, if all-wheel-drive is essential to maintaining your mental health during long winters, then it seems I may have to compromise considerably on fuel-efficiency. Based on my research so far and msn autos’ list of 2010’s Most Fuel-Efficient SUVs, the following cars are now on my short list:
1) Jeep Patriot/Compass
The Jeep Patriot/Compass is one of a few cross-over SUVs that offer mile-per-gallon numbers for 4×4 models that are comparable to FWD models. The Patriot/Compass gets 23 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. Not bad. I can also squeeze three booster seats side-by-side in the back seat, although it’s tight. Cargo space is also an issue and fitting our luggage, plus one dog in the back might be tough.
2) Chevy Equinox/GMC Terrain
The newly designed Equinox and its sister model, the Terrain, both available with AWD, get 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The fuel-efficiency of the FWD option is even better, so if you are not looking for an AWD vehicle, this cross-over would definitely be worth a second look. I also like the flexible rear seats, which make it possible to fit more cargo in the back when you need to. I am not sure if I can fit three booster seats in the back, but I will give it a try on the test-drive.
3) Lexus RX 450h Hybrid
Gorgeous looks? Check. Excellent safety record? Check. Fuel efficient? Check. The Lexus RX 450h Hybrid has it all. Getting an impressive 30 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, what’s not to like? To make it even more appealing, the Lexus has one of the largest cargo areas in its class. But unless I win the lottery in the next six months, this cross-over SUV will be too cost-prohibitive, with a sticker price between $41,000 and $43,000. But it still makes my list… because, well, I can dream, can’t I?
4) Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute/Mercury Mariner Hybrids
Come to find out, this trio of small cross-overs offer 30 mpg city/27 mpg highway. Seating five, these models reportedly also have lots of cargo space. They also cost around $10,000 less than the Lexus, which is hard to argue with.
5) Subaru Outback Wagon
The Subaru Outback Wagon, which got a new look for 2010, is Motor Trend’s Sport/Utility of the year.
With an excellent safety record, the Subaru comes with AWD as a standard feature with all models. So far so good, so let’s look at fuel efficiency …with several models to choose from, the most popular 2.5i is able to achieve an average of 19 city/27 highway, which is, unfortunately, not that great. But with great cargo space, full-time AWD, and a sticker price around $23,000, the Outback is still a contender, although its fuel-efficiency rating is only marginally better than the Pilot I am driving right now.
6) Toyota Highlander AWD Hybrid
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is the only SUV I have found so far that seats seven, while still being able to compete with the smaller SUV cross-overs for overall fuel-efficiency. With 27 mpg city/25 highway, the Highlander is starting to look pretty good. Starting at just under $26,000, the Highlander Hybrid is less expensive than the Pilot and certainly would leave less of a carbon footprint. We may have a winner!
As I still have six months to make a decision, I am going to wait and see if any car companies will market a yet-unnamed SUV that is both roomy and has a fuel rating that can blow away the competition. If not, then I will have to weigh all of the options that are available at the time and decide which criteria are the most important….stay tuned!
msn.com autos’ entire top ten list of Most Fuel-Efficient SUVs can be found at:
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=1091150
Amazon Starts Partnership with EPEAT
The Green Electronics Council announced that Amazon will now be partnering with with its green electronics certification EPEAT. After substantial growth during the 2009 year, this could solidfy EPEAT as one of the world’s top green electronics rating tool.
Amazon has already tagged more than 800 of their electronic products with one of EPEAT’s three ratings: Gold, Silver and Bronze. Each rating is now a search filter within their electronics section to help make it easy to find which products contain their rating.
As EPEAT continues to grow, it will be interesting to see the impact that it could have on manufacturers.
Green Tech To Grow In 2010
Gartner, a top research firm, is predicting that green technology have high growth this upcoming year. According to the firm, green technology along with other key areas could cause great change to how businesses are run.
One the biggest reasons that many companies may start to switch to greener technologies are to help cut costs, and reduce their carbon emissions. Two of the major ways that companies may start to use over the next few years are virtualization and power management software. Both are easy ways to help businesses reduce their energy consumption while also saving money.
Another prediction by the firm is that technology markers will have to begin providing carbon emissions data about their products. The data could include both production and usage. This stems from the fact that people want to know how environmentally friendly the products they buy are.
Though this may be an unrealistic goal in the near future, this could really make consumer more aware of just how much energy it takes to get that piece of technology into their hands. If something like this were to occur, I wouldn’t be surprised to see manufacturers trying to reduce the amount of emissions used in production as well as pushing out more energy efficient products.
This is Green iPhone App
This Is Green just lanched its new iPhone app that could help make your life a lot more green. The app provides a variety of tips that could help save on your energy bill and live a more healthy and sustainable lifestyle.
ThisisGreen focuses in on providing you with basic green tips that can help you make you home more green. This tool was developed by two green professionals who worked together over the past 2 years to development this interactive and helpful application.
Map Feature
This tool allows you to go into any room of a house and provides tips on how to make this room more eco-friendly. A user friendly map is provided that easily zooms in and out to navigate through various parts of a typical home including our bedrooms, office and even our garage. Tips range from recycling ideas to water saving techniques all the way to environmentally friendly office supplies.
Categories
I have mentioned that research should be done before purchasing products to make sure that they are truly as green as they say. This app can allow you to bring all that research to the store with you. All this information is broken up into six categories that can make it easier to find what you need. Whether it involves saving energy or water tor the right building materials, the category feature can provide help.
Check Lists
The check lists feature has to be my favorite part of this part of this application. I always find ingredients and chemicals on products I am buying that I have no idea what they actually are and whether they are dangerous for us or the environment. This is especially import for beauty products, toys for our kids and electronics. Just as with the categories feature, this can allow you to take all this information to the store.
There even is a provided forum in which it makes it easy to receive and provide information with other uses.
Overall, This is Green seems like a great application to get if you own an iPhone. It only costs $.99 to help make it easy to get started with a more green lifestyle.
If you already have the This is Green iPhone app, please share your thoughts.
2010 CES Electronics Show Going Green
The 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is running from January 7th – 10th. The show is taking steps to make sure almost every part is as eco-friendly as possible.
Some of the main highlights of how they are going green include:
- Green Exhibits and Conference: CES will be feature a huge exhibit of green products called Sustainable Planet.
- Environmental Investments: Investing more than $100,000 to local environmental groups within Las Vegas.
- Carbon Neutral Air Travel: They are using EarthEra to offset all air travel to the conference.
- Eco-friendly Booths: The show is offering an eco-friendly package to participants that features recycled and environmentally friendly materials for the display.
- Recycling: Making recycling available throughout the conference, using recycled products where available and making sure to recycle over 50% of all waste generated from the show.
There are many more things the show is doing to be eco-friendly and it’s a step that more shows and conferences should be taking to lessen their environmental impact.
Every year CNet does a ‘Best of’ awards in several categories including Green Tech. I will keep everybody updated with the results.
