The 3 Elite Plug-In Hybrids You Dream Of

February 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

There are several plug-in hybrids either already available or slated for introduction in 2011 and 2012.

Of these, three—the Toyota Prius PHV, the Nissan Leaf, and the Chevy Volt—may be considered the elite options for car and mother nature lovers around the world. If you’re looking to purchase a new car, check these out.

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The Toyota Prius PHV will be available in 2012. This car is one more addition to the Nissan Prius line, and, in fact, it is largely based on the 3rd generation Prius that is currently available.
The main differences between the 3rd generation Prius and the Prius PHV are in the type of batteries that are used to provide the electric power, the ability to recharge from standard household current, and the ability to switch from electric to fuel-driven.

The batteries used in the Prius PHV are lithium-ion batteries. The batteries weigh very little, which ensures

they will not hinder fuel mileage performance, and allow a driving range of approximately 13 miles. When the batteries need recharging, the owner does not have to find a specific outlet in which to connect the plug.
The ordinary 110V current that is found in most households is sufficient to charge the battery in only three hours.When the fuel feature is activated, drivers can expect to receive somewhere in the range of 50 miles per gallons. This makes the Prius both energy and fuel-efficient.

The Nissan Leaf is the next candidate in the elite category of plug-in cars. This car has the capacity to hold five people, and has five doors to make it easy for all these people to enter and exit the car. In addition, the Leaf has a zero-emissions exhaust. The main reason for this is because the Leaf is totally electric; unlike hybrid vehicles, it cannot be switched over to fuel usage. This may not be a problem, though, since the Leaf can travel up to 100 miles between charges.

Occupying the number 3 spot is the Chevy Volt. This car will be available in 2012, but was introduced at the last Detroit Auto Show. According to the descriptions, the Chevy Volt will travel approximately 40 miles between charges on its lithium-ion batteries. When they are depleted, drivers can switch over to the fuel feature, which will use either gasoline of E85, which is an ethanol-gas blend.

A price has not yet been set for this model of plug-in car, but it is expected to be within the same range as other plug-ins. Prices have already been set for the Prius PHV and the Leaf, so drivers can begin making comparisons on these two models.

CONCLUSION
Any of these three cars would be a good choice for drivers who are concerned about protecting the environment but don’t want to sacrifice comfort or safety. Drivers who want to wait until the Chevy Volt price has been set before purchasing can do so, but they can also be researching the other two cars while they wait.
No matter when a consumer decides to purchase a new car, the fact that there are three to choose from will give them a wider of features and accessories to consider.

Filed Under: Eco-Friendly, Environment Tagged With: , , ,

What is “Going Green?”

February 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

You hear people talk all the time about how you have to be thinking about the health and well being of the earth. People think all the time about what they need to do to keep the earth in the best shape possible for future generations. Within that they often use the term “going green.” This seems like a fun idea and while many people embrace the spirit of the idea as a generality, they don’t often embrace the idea itself and really take the time out to get it right the first time. So here is a little overview on what it means to be green.

Green is not a color or a general way of life, it’s about taking your environment and putting it before yourself for as much as you can. It’s understanding that while you might want to build your wall around the things that you can do to save the environment, but not everyone around you is willing or able to do the same thing. You must understand that there are an enormous amount of people out there who do not share the passion that you share.

In order to save the environment you must think about it from what matters most. That doesn’t mean just not using things that kill the natural resources or that pollute the air, but rather that you must do things that promote change and promote better health and well being for the world. Sometimes that takes a little bit of research but once you get there you can certainly begin to make a difference.

So the first thing to do is to take a look at your daily life and see the kind of harm you do to the environment just by existing and going through your day to day operations. Once you figure out how your day normally is you can begin to think about the proper way to fix it. Then you will be really giving back.

Filed Under: Earth, Eco-Friendly Tagged With: , , , , ,

High Society? Use it to Help the Planet

January 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If you belong to high society and people know your name, why not use that to do something highly valuable with your time? You can’t save the planet all on your own, but you can find a way to get others to help you. Many people like to have a cause, but they just aren’t sure what it should be. That gives you the chance to step up and show them how much good they could be doing for themselves and for others by being eco-friendly. Spread the word to others, and get them to continue to spread the word, so you can bring more people around to your cause.

Even if you’re not sure how much good you can do, you’ll never know if you don’t try. There are probably many other people in your social circles who are interested in helping the planet, but you might not know it if you don’t talk to them. Rather than assume that you won’t be getting any help or you’re the only one who feels the way you do, it’s better if you start exploring what other people have to say and focus on how all of you can work together for the common good. When people work together, they’re much more likely to get things accomplished than when they work alone.

Every day that goes by is an opportunity to for you and others like you to help Mother Earth and everything that calls her home. There are some easy ways to start doing that, and if you begin there will be plenty of other people who will follow your example. That’s part of the value of having people know your name and take interest in what you do – you have a chance to help a lot of people see that they can do small things that add up to a lot of good for the world.

Filed Under: Environment Tagged With: , , , ,

Is Climate Change Real?

January 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Scientists say that the climate is changing. There are arguments about whether that’s true or whether that’s just a made up issue that’s not actually important. It’s hard to determine fact from fiction, sometimes. That’s especially true when there are so many conflicting stories and it’s hard to know which ones are the most factual. For a long time, the media will say one thing. Then, there will be a study that says something completely different. Who and what should you believe? Some of your own research will need to come into play, if you’re going to make a decision on something like climate change.

Of course, you can also push the information to the ‘back burner’ of your mind and just not worry about it, but that won’t really solve anything in the end. If climate change is real and you’re ignoring it, that could lead to serious problems for you later on. If it isn’t real, you haven’t lost anything by ignoring it. The best thing to do is just make sure that you are paying attention to what both sides of the argument say and learning about climate change for yourself. The more you learn independently, the better able you will be to make a decision that’s right for you. That way you won’t be ignoring the issue or spending too much time worrying about something that might never come to pass.

You shouldn’t assume that there are no reasons to consider climate change. Scientists have been studying the issue for a long time, and they know that there’s something to the weather changes that have been taking place. Whether they are the result of a man-made problem or they are only part of the cycle of the planet, though, is hard to tell. There are many different theories, and none of them have been conclusively proven to be accurate as of yet.

Filed Under: Environment Tagged With: , , , ,

Your Business Can Help the Environment

January 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If you want to do something good for the planet, there are plenty of options. One of them is to let your business help the earth by doing the right kinds of things when it comes to recycling, cleaning, and other areas. Don’t assume that you can’t help if your business isn’t specifically tailored to protecting the environment. Any business can help out. First, are you and all of your employees recycling? If you’re not, now is the time to start seeing what you can do. If there’s a recycling program in your area, get involved. If not, you can do it on your own.

You’ll need separate containers for paper/cardboard, glass, and plastic. If you plan to recycle electronics, you’ll also need a container for any technology that breaks and that you’ll want to recycle. Don’t just throw it away because it doesn’t work anymore. You can take it to a proper recycling facility and let it be transformed into something useable. Recycled computer hardware is a growing business because people can get inexpensive parts and help the environment at the same time. It’s a winning situation for everyone involved, so there’s no reason not to get involved with it.

Encouraging your employees to take advantage of recycling is good, but there’s still more you can do. What kinds of cleaning supplies do you use in your business? If they aren’t organic and friendly to the environment, you may want to look for something that is. They cost a bit more, but they work well and they’re very helpful to the planet. They don’t contain harsh chemicals that end up in streams and ultimately in drinking water, so that’s good news for everyone. It’s a great thing to own a business, but it’s also an important responsibility that you shouldn’t take lightly. The planet is depending on you.

Filed Under: Environment, Green Business & Marketing Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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