Getting into our privacy booth on wheels, we believe to be independent. But it seems this so called “independence” comes with a price. The U.S. lost $78 BILLION dollars due to traffic congestion in 2005. U.S. citizens pay $164 BILLION dollars for traffic accidents every year, with the tragic loss of over 40,000 lives each year due to traffic accidents. We are slaves to our cars like a deadly addiction. Our current system is not efficient. Other countries have already started using high speed rail systems which offer efficient mass transportation using clean energy alternatives. Our traffic engineers should be diligently working on plans to build mass transportation systems that would cost less than $25 million per mile, to be able to compete with current automotive road building costs. The more advanced countries have rail systems running at speeds of 300 MPH, but systems could be designed to run at 450 MPH. It’s not to late to enter the race.
The new Opel Ampera Electric Car concept was unveiled recently at the 79th Geneva International Motor Show, March 3 2009. Adam Opel GmbH is a subsidiary of GM in Europe. The car’s exterior design first hit you with the unique macho though guy look on the front headlights. A good start for counteracting motor enthusiast’s weak opinion of electric cars. Boasting zero carbon emissions, the Ampera four-door electric hatchback offers a top speed of 130 Km/hr (80 miles per hour) with a range of 145 kilometers (90miles). It is powered by a 330 volt lithium ion battery and charges within 14 hours by plugging into any home A/C electric outlet.
In tune with Farm Aid‘s cause, renewable fuels can provide family farmers with new opportunities. A few ordinary people are making extraordinary differences in communities around the world by taking the initiative in this Biodiesel industry. For example: Andrew Cooper first heard about Biodiesel in 1998 from a fellow student when they were taking an engineering class at Humbolt State University, he started “Footprint Recycling” a community scale production facility in Arcata, Humboldt County, California. Melissa Hardy another Biodesel pioneer started the “Biodiesel Oasis,” a retail store selling Biodiesel B99 in Berkely. Australian Pete Bethune is skipper of Earthrace a powerboat attempting to break the round-the-world speed record running on Biodiesel. Celebrity promoters include actor/ranch owner Tommy Lee Jones, Iowa Senator Tom Arkin and of course folk hero/musician Willie Nelson, owner of BioWillie Diesel Fuels. Many more people are finding out that Biodiesel is a viable and ecological alternative. Funny that the word “Diesel” comes from the German inventor Rudolf Christian Karl Diesel who invented the diesel engine in 1982 fueled originally by peanut oil.
Setting a great example for sluggish car companies afraid to invest in groundbreaking innovation, Kia Motors Corporation unvelis the new Borrego Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) which boasts a high output 154 hosrpower fuel cell with 450 volts Supercapacitor. Extended driving range and ability to start motor in sub-zero temperatures top the list of new features. Let’s hope other companies can compete soon.