Eco-friendly Car for Everyday

Tesla Motors has announced the release of the Model S, an eco-friendly luxury sedan with all-electric technology for the rest of the world who needs a real car, not just a sportscar. Most people don't realize (or have forgotten) that the Roadster was always mainly seen as a tool to generate the excitement and support to release a moderately priced sedan, and here it is.


The Tesla Model S and Roadster

With a range up to 300 miles and 45-minute QuickCharge, the Model S can carry five adults and two children in quiet comfort – and you can charge it from any outlet, without ever stopping for gas. The mass-produced electric vehicle offers performance, efficiency and unrivaled utility for a base price of $49,900, making it the only car you’ll ever need.

The Model S offers 100 percent torque, 100 percent of the time without jerky shifting and a fraction of the noise and harshness of internal combustion engines. This smooth and constant power delivery, combined with the sporty handling of the chassis and suspension, leads to a superior driving experience. Performance of 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds and a 120 mph top speed nearly equal the Roadster, but with sport sedan dynamics. All-wheel-drive available allows you to take this energy efficient car almost anywhere.

The Model S powertrain features a liquid-cooled, floor-mounted battery pack and a single-speed gearbox, delivering effortless acceleration, responsive handling and quiet simplicity -- no fancy clutchwork or gear-shifting required. Energy efficiency is exceptional - the Model S costs about $4 to fully charge, a bargain even when gasoline is $1 per gallon. Eco-friendly design and luxury are nicely balanced in this sedan, including expected features like Pandora Radio or the 17 inch touchscreen with in-car 3G connectivity let you consult Google Maps to find your way.

Limited range is one of the biggest complaints with electric cars, and it looks like Tesla has been listening. The Model S has three battery pack options which offer a range of 160, 230 or 300 miles per charge. With the 45 minute QuickCharge or a 5 minute battery swap, you can drive from LA to San Francisco, Washington to New York or take even longer road trips in about the same time as in a conventional car.



I can personally see using this car as my everyday car with clients, commuting, and family road trip vacations. The base price is more attainable for most people, and should help ensure it will fly off the factory line.

New Hybrid Sportscar from Toyota

Another exciting development in eco-friendly transportation may be on the horizon in the form of a sporty car based on tried and true hybrid technology from Toyota. As a long-time loyal Toyota owner who likes a sporty car that can deliver performance and economy, I am thrilled to see this breaking news.



Toyota executive vice president Masatami Takimoto has reportedly confirmed the MR2 sportscar will soon be hitting the road, remade from its older version into a Prius-inspired hybrid vehicle. The new MR2 will draw inspiration (and technology) from the iconic Toyota Prius, with the goal of creating a mass market hybrid sportscar that is as fun to drive as it is green. No actual renderings of the car have been released, but based on rumors and existing concepts for the ft-HS concept car, it is expected to be a sporty, low-slung coupe cross between the old MR2 and the Prius.

Toyota’s development of the MR2 will not compete directly with the Tesla Roadster, but rather creates a car that can do a reasonable 0-60mph in seven seconds and get an incredible 60mpg, presumably at a much more achievable price point. We are all familiar with Toyota’s efforts to create a mass market electric vehicle. The Prius, after all, is the best known green car on the market. So looking to capitalize on such technology while creating a sportier, much more dynamic looking vehicle has great implications for both a consumer market and the corporation’s innovation.

Based on the automaker's current line of eminently reliable, practical and fuel efficient machinery, it's easy to forget that Toyota has a past full of exciting sports cars. A couple of years back, Toyota decided to highlight the fact that it knows how to built a sporty-looking vehicle with the FT-HS concept, which mated a performance-minded hybrid powertrain with edgy, low-slung bodywork.

If indeed true, this new sporty hybrid would go up against Honda's expected CR-Z hybrid hatchback. Unlike its rival from Honda, though, the MR2 would feature rear-wheel drive, and that's something to get excited about.

Simple steps to improving your overall "greenness" at home

As energy costs skyrocket, warnings of climate change rise and money tightens, Americans are becoming more open to investing in green features for their homes that result in reduced energy costs and clear consciences.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standard is the most commonly used green building standard--it was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, a nonprofit trade organization, and tallies points based on multiple criteria. One drawback of this system is that some features may be more earth-friendly than others and not given weighted credit. Instead of relying on this point system exclusively, buyers and homeowners should have a comprehensive green plan in place.

Simple steps to consider in your overall green plan

The key mistake is not taking a global view of what green building is. People focus on health issues, supply chain issues, design issues--but all of these things together are important to living more responsibly. Still, taking any steps to be more eco-friendly is moving in the right direction.

Expensive features such as solar panels are a potential pitfall when there isn't a comprehensive green plan. Putting a solar array on a roof will offset energy costs but if the wood inside is non-sustainable the home is not as green as it could be.

A home's ability to seal in heat and air tops the list of easiest and greenest fixes for existing homes. The most important thing is the energy envelope of the house. The best way to insure a tight seal is through foam sealants, insulation and weather stripping for windows and doors to keep cool air in during the summer and heat inside during the winter.

Lowering your carbon footprint is another good first step. Your carbon footprint is calculated in tons of carbon dioxide output and is a measure of a home's emissions. Good ways to directly cut your carbon footprint are through the use of Energy-Star appliances, compact fluorescent light bulbs and proper insulation. Installing Energy-Star appliances can reduce your home’s carbon output by a projected two tons.

Updating your water heating system also helps. On-demand, tankless water heaters use 25% to 35% less energy than conventional tanks. That's because tankless water heaters heat water only as it heads to a faucet or shower head--instead of constantly heating and storing it in an inefficient tank.

Homes that employ multi-use spaces are another promising green trend. Every room in a house decreases a home's energy efficiency because more space requires more heating or cooling and, thus, more electricity or gas. For example, most families often don't use their formal dining room or living room other than holidays, preferring to eat in a breakfast nook off the kitchen or relax in a den. However, the lightly used rooms still consume energy year round. Multi-use spaces combine functions and adapt homes to fit lifestyle patterns.