Green Education: Energy

When historians look back on this moment in history, will they see a turning point? It is possible, as new studies seem to confirm what many people have already assumed; the developing world has hit peak car saturation. Since the massive economic meltdown of 2007-08, car sales have shrunk, and continue to shrink, not just in the U.S. but also in Europe. But don’t celebrate yet. The post Is The First World Hitting Peak Car? appeared first on Gas 2.

Sometimes it feels like we are picking on Fisker, because for the past year it has been one bad, sad news story after another. But it is hard to deny that Fisker faces a grim outlook unless they can get a much-needed injection of cash. This means the U.S. based automaker, which builds and ships cars over from Finland, has gone to China in search of funding...and they may have found it. The post Fisker Seeking Chinese Savior By Next Month appeared first on Gas 2.

Most electric vehicles are slow, practical affairs designed for a pedestrian life of going from point A to point B in a leisurely, efficient fashion. But not the Tesla Model S, a performance electric sedan that has the same acceleration as many supercars. Don’t believe us? Watch this video of a Model S sedan handily defeating a Dodge Viper SRT10 at the drag strip this past weekend. The post Video: Tesla Model S Beats Viper At Drag Strip, Sets EV Racing Record appeared first on Gas 2.

A velomobile like a small car, but it operates like a bicycle in that it is pedal-powered. The Elf is an electric velomobile/bicycle developed by Organic Transit, which allows you to switch between 100% electric power so you can relax when tired, or 100% pedal power if you want to extend your overall range and get some exercise. The post Are Velomobiles the Future? The Elf Thinks So appeared first on Gas 2.

In some parts of the country, there is a very real and rational discussion about the role electric vehicles will play in transportation, especially when it comes to paying taxes. Without the need to buy gasoline, EVs avoid paying for taxes on the same roads they use. But a proposal by Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell would eliminate the gas tax, while levying a $115 a year free on electric and plug-in hybrid drivers. Seriously? The post Virginia’s Governor Proposes Anti-EV Legislation appeared first on Gas 2.

When the Nissan Leaf received a surprise price cut of $6,400 earlier in the month, it was a shot across the bow to automakers everywhere. With the world’s most-popular mass market electric car now far more affordable, Ford apparently felt the need to launch its own round of incentives to stimulate EV sales. Now consumers can save more than $10,000 by leasing a Ford Focus Electric, while cash buyers will see their price drop by $2,000. The post Ford Focus Electric Cost Cut, But Still Not Competitive appeared first on Gas 2.

Slow. Boring. Practical. The Nissan Leaf is all of these things, though the true performance potential of this Japanese EV has yet to be tapped. But a rumored NISMO version of the Nissan Leaf could inject some much-needed excitement into the Leaf lineup...but only if you live in Japan. The post Nissan Leaf Getting NISMO Version, But Only For Japan appeared first on Gas 2.

We've talked at length about how awesome the all-new Mazda6 diesel race car is going to be, and finally the day has arrived when we get to see this ride in action. Video after the jump. The post Video: On Board The Mazda6 Diesel Race Car appeared first on Gas 2.

Chevy Volt sales may be seem blow, but they still outsold the rest of the plug-in cars on the U.S market in 2012. In 2012, they accounted for 45% of all plug-in electric car sales in the United States, at 23,461 units, and when you account for the Volt's European cousin, the Opel Ampera, the picture looks even rosier. The post Chevy Volt Vehicles Outsell All Plug-In Cars in the U.S, and Here is Why appeared first on Gas 2.

In Europe, and especially countries like the UK, where fuel costs $7 or $8 a gallon, diesel vehicles account for more than half of the new car market because of their high fuel economy. But a host of mitigating factors, including the higher insurance costs for diesel vehicles, could stretch the payback time out by years. The post Do Fuel Types Affect Insurance Costs? appeared first on Gas 2.

See that cluster of lights by North Dakota? That’s the result of fracking. Six years ago that light cluster did not exist. The reason is over the past years natural gas extraction though the use of fracking has increased exponentially as a result of the push for alternative fuel use and technological achievements. The post The Impact Of Fracking On America’s Economy… From Space appeared first on Gas 2.

French car company Peugeot has unveiled an air powered hybrid car, the Hybrid Air Concept, with the goal to have the car on the road by 2016. The air engine has been in development for more than two years with over 100 leading scientists and engineers working on the air powered car in top secret conditions at Peugeot’s research and development center at Velizy, south of Paris. The post The Peugeot Air Powered Hybrid Car Could Hit Streets By 2016 appeared first on Gas 2.

It wasn't all that long ago that I was a poor college student hard hit for cash. The thought never occurred to me that maybe I could save a few buck by walking or biking to class instead of storming around campus in my 1995 Pontiac Trans Am. Man, I miss that car. Today, college students are more keen on their transportation options, and this handy-dandy infographic breaks down the most popular options. The post The College Commute: How To Save On Your Way To Class appeared first on Gas 2.

While President Obama’s goal of 1 million EVs and plug-in hybrids on the road by 2015 seems increasingly out of reach, China still remains bullish on electrified vehicles. The Chinese city of Shenzen has decided to lead by example and put in an order for 500 BYD e6 EVs to bolster the ranks of its police fleet. This isn’t the first EV contract BYD has won with Shenzen, but it is one of the biggest. The post Chinese City Adds 500 BYD e6 EVs To Police Fleet appeared first on Gas 2.