Currently, most commercially available hydrogen is collected by reforming natural gas with steam. That means fossil fuels are still in the mix, which is a serious black mark against hydrogen use for fuel. While it’s possible to extract hydrogen from water, the process is rather energy intensive and isn’t yet commercially viable. Gerardine Botte of Ohio University believes she may have one possible solution. Instead of cracking hydrogen away from its tight bond in water, the University has demonstrated that it takes much less energy to extract hydrogen from urine, whether that’s synthetic urea or real, honest-to-goodness human urine. As the single most abundant waste on the planet, there’s certainly no shortage of urine in the world and, according to the Botte, this technology can be quickly and easily scaled up as a way to both generate hydrogen and help clean up sewage plants. Sounds like a win-win scenario to us. [Source: Chemistry World | Photo: estherase ] Filed under: Emerging Technologies , Etc. , Hydrogen , Green Daily Strange But True: Researchers extracing hydrogen from urine originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Nissan EV-02 prototype - click above for high res image gallery The widespread electric vehicle work done by the Renault-Nissan Alliance will make its way to the Netherlands soon now that the Dutch government has requested the Alliance join the government in its attempt to use electric vehicles to reduce CO 2 emissions in the country. Renault-Nissan says that they, “will fill the roles of front-runner and development partner in the introduction of electric vehicles to the Netherlands.” The alliance now has “nearly 30 agreements worldwide” with partners like local and state governments that will help it launch its first electric vehicle next year. Vehicle and charging testing is happening with municipalities and the like around the world, while two fleet companies are helping Renault-Nissan determine pricing and costs. Gallery: Quick Drive: Nissan EV-02 prototype Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc. [Source: Renault-Nissan Alliance] Continue reading Renault-Nissan will lead charge to bring electric vehicles to Netherlands Filed under: EV/Plug-in , Nissan , Europe/EU Renault-Nissan will lead charge to bring electric vehicles to Netherlands originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

2010 Honda Insight - Click above for high-res image gallery Initial strong sales of the 2010 Honda Insight slowed last month, but new models of the Toyota Prius and Ford Fusion helped give hybrids car sales in June 2009 a nine percent increase over last June. In the U.S., dealers sold 26,205 new hybrids in June, 49.6 of which (12,998 units) were Priuses. Compared to May, hybird sales were up two percent, according to data released by the automakers and complied by Green Car Advisor . This was the sixth month where hybrid increased in sales volumes. Potential reasons for the increase include the new models as well as rising gas prices (and the expectation thereof) and some uncommon hybrid sales incentives. Overall, sales were down for everyone but Subaru and Volvo compared to June 2008. Gallery: Ford Fusion hybrid [Source: Green Car Advisor ] Filed under: Hybrid , Ford , Honda , Subaru , Toyota , Volvo , Green Daily , USA Hybrid sale up despite another down month overall, Prius leads charge originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 04 Jul 2009 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Having just recently returned home from the TTXGP at the Isle of Man, where its race bike managed a very respectable second-place finish in its class, Barefoot Motors has officially opened its doors. The event, complete with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting ceremony, took place June 25th in Ashland, Oregon. Barefoot Motors’ new $12,000 Model One electric Earth Utility Vehicle was present and accounted for, and initial ride reports have been highly favorable. According to the company, its machine makes 40 horsepower and can hit speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. With enough capacity from its lithium iron phosphate batteries to travel for up to 40 miles, which translates into roughly four hours of constant use or eight hours of intermittent use, the Columbia Daily Tribune reports that Barefoot Motors believes its new EUV should be a hit with farmers and vineyard growers. [Source: Barefoot Motors ] Filed under: EV/Plug-in , USA Barefoot Motors officially opens doors for business originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Having just recently returned home from the TTXGP at the Isle of Man, where its race bike managed a very respectable second-place finish in its class, Barefoot Motors has officially opened its doors. The event, complete with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting ceremony, took place June 25th in Ashland, Oregon. Barefoot Motors’ new $12,000 Model One electric Earth Utility Vehicle was present and accounted for, and initial ride reports have been highly favorable. According to the company, its machine makes 40 horsepower and can hit speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. With enough capacity from its lithium iron phosphate batteries to travel for up to 40 miles, which translates into roughly four hours of constant use or eight hours of intermittent use, the Columbia Daily Tribune reports that Barefoot Motors believes its new EUV should be a hit with farmers and vineyard growers. [Source: Barefoot Motors ] Filed under: EV/Plug-in , USA Barefoot Motors officially opens doors for business originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Fisker Karma - Click above for high-res image gallery Considering the two fledgling automaker’s past history, it’s not terribly surprising that Henrik Fisker would want to distance his company from Tesla Motors. Recall that Fisker had originally been tasked with penning the design for the Tesla S electric sedan but later unveiled the Karma after being dismissed by the Silicon Valley automaker. There was a lawsuit , which was ruled in Fisker’s favor by an arbitration court. Speaking at a meeting of the Western Automotive Journalists Assoction, Fisker said, “The full-electric car [like the Tesla Roadster] is a niche market. Plug-in hybrids have a much bigger market.” Of course, not everyone agrees that PHEVs are the way to go . Fisker goes on to say that his company’s latest business plan will lead to profits at just 5,000 annual sales, though the goal remains 15,000 sales per year. What about the Chevy Volt, which uses a similar range-extended electric architecture as the Fisker Karma? Somewhat disparingly, Fisker suggests that GM’s future EV won’t really be competition for the Fisker, saying only, “It’s a Chevy.” He’s got a point, though, as the Volt is likely to cost about half what Fisker plans to ask for the Karma and surely won’t fit into the same luxury category as Fisker’s green machine. Gallery: Fisker Karma [Source: Hybrid Cars ] Filed under: EV/Plug-in , Hybrid Henrik Fisker distances his company from Tesla, GM originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Fisker Karma - Click above for high-res image gallery Considering the two fledgling automaker’s past history, it’s not terribly surprising that Henrik Fisker would want to distance his company from Tesla Motors. Recall that Fisker had originally been tasked with penning the design for the Tesla S electric sedan but later unveiled the Karma after being dismissed by the Silicon Valley automaker. There was a lawsuit , which was ruled in Fisker’s favor by an arbitration court. Speaking at a meeting of the Western Automotive Journalists Assoction, Fisker said, “The full-electric car [like the Tesla Roadster] is a niche market. Plug-in hybrids have a much bigger market.” Of course, not everyone agrees that PHEVs are the way to go . Fisker goes on to say that his company’s latest business plan will lead to profits at just 5,000 annual sales, though the goal remains 15,000 sales per year. What about the Chevy Volt, which uses a similar range-extended electric architecture as the Fisker Karma? Somewhat disparingly, Fisker suggests that GM’s future EV won’t really be competition for the Fisker, saying only, “It’s a Chevy.” He’s got a point, though, as the Volt is likely to cost about half what Fisker plans to ask for the Karma and surely won’t fit into the same luxury category as Fisker’s green machine. Gallery: Fisker Karma [Source: Hybrid Cars ] Filed under: EV/Plug-in , Hybrid Henrik Fisker distances his company from Tesla, GM originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

MINI E - click above for high-res image gallery The popularity of BMW’s MINI E test program in the United States has evidently prompted the company to expand production beyond the original 500 cars and add a smaller test fleet in Europe. The original plan, as announced last fall, was for 500 of the battery-powered MINIs to be made available in the U.S. and split between Southern California and the New York/New Jersey area. According to MINI USA spokeswoman Nathalie Bauters, there will be 450 of the cars in the U.S. with an additional 105 cars in Europe. Of the European fleet, 50 will go to the German capitol of Berlin, 40 to the British capitol in London and the last 15 will be used in and around Münich, hometown to BMW. That makes a total of 555 electric MINIs in a year-long (and controversial ) field test. In all likelihood we will be hearing something about the next phase of BMW’s electrification plans within the next 12 months, possibly at the LA Auto Show this fall where we first saw the MINI E last year . Gallery: MINI E [Source: BMW, Bigblogg.Motoring ] Filed under: EV/Plug-in , BMW , MINI BMW building more MINI Es for European testing originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

MINI E - click above for high-res image gallery The popularity of BMW’s MINI E test program in the United States has evidently prompted the company to expand production beyond the original 500 cars and add a smaller test fleet in Europe. The original plan, as announced last fall, was for 500 of the battery-powered MINIs to be made available in the U.S. and split between Southern California and the New York/New Jersey area. According to MINI USA spokeswoman Nathalie Bauters, there will be 450 of the cars in the U.S. with an additional 105 cars in Europe. Of the European fleet, 50 will go to the German capitol of Berlin, 40 to the British capitol in London and the last 15 will be used in and around Münich, hometown to BMW. That makes a total of 555 electric MINIs in a year-long (and controversial ) field test. In all likelihood we will be hearing something about the next phase of BMW’s electrification plans within the next 12 months, possibly at the LA Auto Show this fall where we first saw the MINI E last year . Gallery: MINI E [Source: BMW, Bigblogg.Motoring ] Filed under: EV/Plug-in , BMW , MINI BMW building more MINI Es for European testing originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

The Obama administration said Wednesday it has suspended joint military operations with Honduras to protest a coup that forced President Manuel Zelaya into exile. The U.S. withheld stronger action in hopes of negotiating a peaceful return of the country’s elected leader. The Organization of American States, meeting in Washington, gave Honduran coup leaders three days to restore Zelaya to power — under threat of suspending Honduras’s OAS membership. Afterward, several officials said the administration is still reviewing the possibility of cutting off U.S. aid. Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, said, “We continue to monitor the situation and will respond accordingly as events transpire.” At the State Department, spokesman Ian C. Kelly said the department’s top diplomat for the Americas, Thomas Shannon, met with Zelaya at OAS headquarters on Tuesday evening. Kelly would not reveal details, except to say Zelaya thanked the administration for supporting his unconditional return to power. Kelly said he was not aware of any plan to recall the U.S. ambassador from the Honduran capital. Another official, speaking on condition of anonymity in order to discuss internal deliberations, said the administration believes it stands a better chance of achieving a peaceful outcome if it keeps a diplomat in Tegucigalpa. The official also said the U.S. was not advocating that the matter be taken up by the U.N. Security Council. Kelly said the administration was still studying whether the forced removal of Zelaya was a military coup in a legal sense that would trigger a cutoff or suspension of American financial assistance. “Our legal advisers are actively assessing the facts and the law in question, which we take very seriously,” Kelly said. The administration appeared to be counting on the threat of Honduras having its OAS membership suspended as leverage in getting Zelaya back in power. While the administration joined the OAS in calling for Zelaya’s unconditional return, with no limits on his presidential powers, it also seemed open to some form of compromise. U.S. officials said they were pleased that Zelaya, who had vowed to return to Honduras on Thursday, put that off after the OAS announced the three-day deadline for the country’s interim leaders to accept him back. Zelaya was in Panama on Wednesday to attend that country’s presidential inauguration. Zelaya said he would put off his return until the weekend. The decision to suspend U.S. military activities in Honduras was announced by Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman, who said, “We’ve postponed any activities in Honduras right now as we assess that situation.” Whitman would not be specific, but the suspension could have broad implications because the United States runs a large Central American security and counternarcotics operation from a jointly run air base in Honduras. Whitman said only operations affecting Honduras itself are on hold. Earlier, OAS Secretary-General Jose Miguel Insulza delivered what he called “an ultimatum” for Zelaya’s safe return. In a sharply worded resolution, the OAS said it vehemently condemned the coup and “the arbitrary detention and expulsion” of Zelaya. The coup, the OAS resolution said, has produced an “unconstitutional alteration of the democratic order.” Calling Zelaya’s overthrow an “old-fashioned coup,” Insulza said: “We need to show clearly that military coups will not be accepted. We thought we were in an era when military coups were no longer possible in this hemisphere.” Zelaya has said he intends to return home accompanied by Insulza, the presidents of Argentina and Ecuador and the head of the U.N. General Assembly to seek restoration of his authority. Roberto Micheletti, named by Honduras’ Congress as the new president, said Tuesday that Zelaya could be met with an arrest warrant if he returned. Article address: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090702/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_us_honduras This is totally messed up, Zelaya tried to circumvent Honduras’ constitution to keep himself in power indefinitly and we’re supporting him?! Iran shoots it’s own citizens and we say we don’t care, we’ll still negotiate with you. Now we have a country enforcing it’s constitional laws and we want to punish them for it? This is just disgusting.