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The Alternative Consumer
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The Alternative Consumer provides product reviews, green news and info to the next wave of smart consumers - fresh thinkers who consciously style their lives with their health and the health of the Earth in the forefront of their mind; chic, savvy shopper
Recent Posts Tagged With 'transportation'
A New EV Family is Slated for our Future
Last week, the world class Frankfurt Motor Show served as the proving grounds for a line-up of efficient electrics. And topping the list of glitzy unveilings with four, all-electric cars was none other than Renault, Nissan’s sister company, with th...
world’s first electric tandem bike
Innovative electric bike maker PEDEGO has gone and made electric bike riding a communal endeavor by creating – what they claim is – the world’s first tandem electric bike. The electric two-seater, which will feature a 750 watt mot...
SUNNEV DIY solar car
Art Haines, a mechanical designer from Maine, came up with the idea of building a solar powered car. When he pitched the idea of having local high school students help him build the car to his local civic group, it was well received. He and eight...
Dahon’s Biologic FreeCharge - pedal-power your iPhone
The folding bike specialists at Dahon have come up with an energy efficient way to charge your iPod, iPhone, MP3 player or handheld device - bike power. The FreeCharge transfers power from a bike’s generator hub to a high-capacity battery, whic...
a new electric scooter hits the pavement
Well, it’s not a Segway. In fact, it doesn’t even look as cool as a Segway (my vote is not to opt for the detachable front basket, despite its practicality). But it’s new—and it’s about five times cheaper—than the original “ultimate” ...
San Francisco Bus Stops Go Solar
The San Francisco Muni lines, which already operate a range of eco-conscious vehicles (including more than 300 zero emission trolleybuses and 86 hybrid electric transit buses at 19% reduced fuel consumption), are taking energy-efficiency beyond the t...
NYC tests hybrid garbage trucks
Queen’s streets will soon be the beneficiary of New York City’s first hybrid garbage trucks. Three new first-of-a-kind DSNY refuse collection trucks and one diesel-hybrid electric rack truck, which will utilize some of the most environm...
the eniCycle - a gyroscopic electric unicycle
The eniCycle is a rechargeable, zero emissions, gyroscope-controlled means of transport that’s probably best suited for circus performers, individuals who are strapped for space and those determined to risk their lives making a statement about ...
a stream of green consciousness
New England states will be amping-up rail service under an ambitious plan that taps into federal stimulus cash to revitalize some sleepy burgs like Springfield, Worcester and Manchester. New rail lines will connect communities both big and small - ...
BMW’s first gas-electric hybrid on the way
Next spring, longtime diesel-favoring, car maker BMW plans to debut their first and perhaps only, gas-electric hybrid: the ActiveHybrid X6 “sports activity coupe,” essentially a mini crossover. Blending the smooth appeal and sporty performance of...
Ford hybrids to ‘talk to’ the power grid
If the electric car movement is going go mainstream it’s going to need some serious infrastructure. In that effort, Ford Motor Company has announced that it has developed an intelligent vehicle-to-grid communications and control system for it...
how low can you go? a back-to-basics car
Earlier this week, GM brought to life a new blog called “the lab,” that’s questioning consumers on what creature comforts they’re willing to trade for a bump in fuel economy. The concept stems from the automaker’s ECOinitiative project and...
Chevy Volt touts 230 mpg
This week, GM CEO Fritz Henderson rallied his troops to announce an anticipated fuel economy for the all-new, electric 2011 Chevy Volt of 230 mpg in the city. (Yep—that’s what those vague, green ads you might have seen last week are in reference ...
SunCat solar catamaran
Taiwan-based, Horizon Group, is developing a series of zero-emissions, solar powered boats. The first boat in the program is the stylish SunCat 23, a 23-foot, open deck catamaran. The SunCat, which will be powered by a 2.8 kilowatt electric outboar...
Toyota Highlander advanced fuel cell vehicle
Toyota Motors announced today the results of a recent collaborative fuel cell hybrid vehicle range and fuel economy field evaluation. The Toyota Highlander Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle - Advanced (FCHV-adv) - achieved an estimated range of 431 miles on ...
Nissan Unveils the All-New, Zero Emission LEAF
Last week, we were abuzz about Nissan’s newest: a 100 percent electric, zero-emission car that until this Saturday, had been kept tightly under wraps. Today, we can tell you that the compact cruiser is a five-passenger hatchback pod, designed f...
Ford explores using liquid wood in car making
Ford Motor Co. appears to be taking sustainability seriously. Researchers at Ford’s European Research Centre in Aachen, Germany recently announced they are investigating an innovative, new wood-plastic compound (WPC) – or liquid wood. The...
a look back - the Isetta microcar
Back in 1950’s post-war Europe, someone had a vision. A teensy, microcar for zipping around around the bustling, urban streets of Europe. Thus was born the Isetta, or bubble car, the dinosaur grandfather of today’s Smartcar. The car...
car insurers offering hybrid discount
The benefits to owning a hybrid car just keep growing. Not only do you reduce your carbon footprint, help the planet, reduce your gasoline expense and potentially qualify for a tax credit, but you may now get a fat 10% deduction on your car insuranc...
Solar Flowers help launch new Prius
Toyota is using these giant solar flowers as part of its launch of the 2010 Prius. Each of the five, 18′ tall plant sculptures seats up to 10 people. Solar panels on the petals and stem provide passersby and free-loaders with free wi-fi and pow...
dust in the wind - to what end?
Are off road vehicles and the use of deserts as playpens really worth the environmental impact? Aside from disturbing the natural habitats of wildlife and contributing to erosion and noise pollution… Siting research from the University of Ut...
Pet Airways - What’s up with that?
Canine travelers like myself can now fly First Class from NY to LA for $299. Pet Airways has been created to convey us pets across the USA with the comfort and care we deserve. The airline uses Beech 1900s, which, with the seats and overhead bins...
Tesla opens NYC showroom
If you’re planning a spin around Chelsea’s westside gallery row, looking for an excuse to escape a man-bar on 8th Avenue, or on you way to the High Line Park to work on your tan, there’s a new stop on your eco express - the new Tesl...
Honda’s CR-Z Hybrid Concept comes to life in 2010
Next February, the Japanese will enjoy a new option from Honda—the sporty CR-Z hybrid coupe (shorthand for Compact Renaissance Zero) — expected to hit the states later next year. The coupe, which will use Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist system ...
