|
Viewing 1 - 4 out of 4 Blogs.
In less than 7 years, Mercedes-Benz plans to ditch petroleum-powered vehicles from its lineup. Focusing on electric, fuel cell, and biofuels, the company is revving up research in alternative fuel sources and efficiency. The German car company has a few new powertrains in the line-up that European journalists have had the opportunity to test out in their facility in Spain. One vehicle includes the F700, powered by a DiesOtto engine that combines HCCI and spark ignition to get nearly the same efficiency as diesel, but minus the expensive after-treatment systems. The engine can run on biofuels, and we may have a purchasable vehicle by 2010 – a year that seems to be popular for the debut of a lot of new alternative fuel car models, making ’08 and ’09 simply thumb-twiddling years for consumers. I don’t know, maybe car makers just like the roundness of “2010.” The company’s next big step will be to launch a Smart electric car which is fuel and emission-free. Anyway, Mercedes is looking into electric vehicles, both battery powered and fuel cell powered. Not only are models in development, but we’ve also seen the company making steps towards their zero petroleum goal right now, from better cabs in London to Li-Ion battery improvements. The company also has about 100 Smart electric cars undergoing testing in London, with that favorite 2010 year as the projected market release date. Mercedes is making serious investments, already putting nearly $4 million into the pot of their long-term Sustainable Mobility plan, with another nearly $1.4 billion going in before 2014. While car models may be able to run on fuels other than gasoline or diesel, we have yet to find a method of both running and producing vehicles entirely free of fossil fuels. I’m waiting for a mainstream car line that creates renewable fuel, clean running vehicles out of 100% recycled materials in plants run on 100% renewable, clean power…Will I even be alive when that finally happens? I have hope.
Taken from Ecogeek, Via AutoblogGreen, The Sun
Tags: Mercedes Green Economic Hybrid Energy Conservation
I recently received this via email and thought it would be informative to all. This information was provided by a State Trooper. A woman said her son found his license plate missing so he called the police to file a report. They told him people were stealing the plates to get free gas. Given the rise in gas prices, people have taken to stealing license plates, putting them on their car, then getting gas and running. The gas station will have "your" license plate # and you could be in trouble for "pump and run." Check your car periodically to be sure you still have aplate. If you should find it missing, file a report immediately!!! Keep an eye on your license plate! Make sure you always know it's there! When the license plate is reported as the "drive off vehicle", it's YOU they contact! Be aware!!!! Be aware of your license plates, most of us never look to see if the plates are there or not. Now, I can see this being a viable case whereas the gas stations could report you but I'm pretty sure they would have a vehicle description as well. Should your plate be stolen and reported for a drive off then you've got a defense knowing your vehicle wouldn't match that off the drive off (unless it was an unfortunate coincidence the thief had the same car as you!).
Tags: License Plate Theft Automotive Awareness
I recently received yet another forwarded email from my grandfather (which are typically nonsense) that really stood out at me. Rather then rewrite it word for word, I'll just paste what the email said. It claims to be a true story but perhaps it's just another conspiracy-theory email; better safe then sorry though!This was written by Brendan Malcolm of Loganville, GA: "On April 24, 2008, I stopped at a Kangaroo BP gas station,
Located at 1325 Main Street , Cartersville , GA.My truck's gas
gauge was on 1/4 of a tank.I use the mid-grade, which was priced
at $3.71 per gallon.When my tank is at this point, it takes
Somewhere around 14 gallon's to fill it up.When the pump showed
14 gallons had been pumped I began to slow it down, then to my
surprise it went to 15, then 16.I even looked under my truck to see if it
Was being spilled.It was not.Then it showed 17 gallons had been
Pumped.It stopped at almost 18 gallons.This was very strange to
me, since my truck has only an 18 gallon tank.I went on my way a
little confused, then on the evening news I heard a report that 1
Out of 4 gas stations had calibrated their pumps to show more gas
Had been pumped than a person actually got.
Here is how to check a pump to see if you are getting the right
Amount:
Whichever grade you are using, put EXACTLY 10 GALLONS in your tank,
Then look at the dollar amount, if the dollar amount is notEXACTLY
10 times the price of the fuel you have chosen, then the pumps are
Rigged.In my case as I said the mid-grade was $3.71 9/10 per
Gallon, my dollar amount for 10 gallons shou ld have been $37.19.
If I had only check the pump.It doesn't matter where you pump gas,
Please check the 10 gallon price.If you do find a station that is
Cheating, contact the Georgia Agriculture Department, and direct
Your comments to Tommy Irvin, Commissioner.In other states contact
Proper authorities.
Please don't delete this until you have sent it to all people in
Your address book.We need to put a stop to this outrageous
Cheating of customers.The gas companies are making enough profits
At honest rates."
I always look at the gauge and calculate how many gallons vs. how much money the total is to confirm that it's correct. It seems like the only useful thing to be doing while pumping gas and inhaling the fumes you hate to love the smell of...or maybe that's just me.
What are everyone else's thoughts on the matter? Have you ever been cheated at the pump before? Post your comments!
Tags: Rigged Gas Pumps Cheating
I recently attended the 2008 Boost Mobile Hot Import Nights show in Boston, MA. The event was packed with people...so much so I couldn't get a decent shot of any of the cars. This brings to mind the question if HIN could allow for a press day when they do these type of events? This would allow for me to get some decent shots of cars and not have to worry about fighting the crowds of people who will gladly walk in front of your shot without thinking twice. Let me also ask that they give us some decent lighting! A majority of all the cars were stuffed away in dark areas which made it nearly impossible to get anything good on tape. Although the women and cars were beautiful, there were certain things that got to me about the show. Don't get me wrong now - I'm not bashing the show or anything about it because I think it's great for all who attend but I think the location of the event is it's greatest downfall. The Bay Side Expo Center in Boston, MA is old and a dump ( as mentioned by GKenns). If HIN could be held in the new DNC then the show would be 10 times better. The Bay Side Expo Center is dark, dingy, and the acoustics are terrible. There is so much pounding bass in such a small area at any given time that it's overwhelming - all you can hear is an bass pounding from all directions. By the time I left the show, I had a massive headache from all the noise. Lastly, I'm not sure how these girls get hired into doing something like this but good for them for putting up with stupid males who have less then half a brain. These guys stand in flocks, snap pictures with their cameras, and just stare and yell at the girls to take off their clothes. Now, I know this is intended BUT why not just do it all at once and get it over with? The Naughty Nos girls just stood there while a guy yelled at the crowd to scream "NOS!" over and over. What's the point of this? They don't want to yell "NOS!"...they want to see the girls! That's all for my venting today but let this be a lesson learned: 1. Wear ear plugs to the HIN events. 2. Convince HIN to get a better venue next year. 3. HIN should allow a press day or press time prior to the public being allowed in so media outlets can actually cover such an event. 4. Expect to see very little of everything because of the jam-packed crowds.
Tags: Hot Import Nights Boston Hin Tuner Show
|
