My other car is going Green(ish).
On most weekends my other car, the carbon pumper, gets to do the non-commuter type trips. I always feel like I’m stepping backwards (in human advancement terms) when I’m driving it, even though it’s a well put together car (Honda CRV). So it was a great delight to discover today that my regular carbon transfer station (petrol station) had gone Green! I remember reading an article about ethanol a while ago that wasn’t too flattering about the environmental benefits of the ethanol because of all the non-green steps involved in it’s production.
Well, as usual, they just don’t get it. It’s not about the immediate impact on the environment that makes buying ethanol blended fuels important, it’s about encouraging an industry that has the potential to be very environmentally sound. The processing can be “greened-up” as demand grows. It’s a bit like hybrid “electric” vehicles but that’s another story. Anyhow, I swear that my carbon pumper is happier, now that it’s running on something that’s a tiny little bit greener. 
November 8th, 2006 at 9:09 pm
Dude! You like build an electric car to cut emissions, then undo all your hard word by pumping the atmosphere with smog from a 4WD. With cars like the VW Golf Diesel returning 5.5l/100kms, it makes the 11+ of the CRV monsterous.
You’ve certainly made a very positive step, now how about a motorcycle?
November 9th, 2006 at 7:45 pm
Hi Mr Bloggs,
I wondered how long it would take for a purist to take the high moral ground.
I make it very clear to anybody who listens that electric vehicles are the perfect second car. In my case I do more than twice as many kilometers per year in my Echo (10,000+) than CRV, which I bought seven years ago.
Apart from the practical reason behind owning a tall family station wagon (the CRV is hardly a 4WD), my “hybrid” set up is still much more environmentally friendly than a VW Golf and a motorbike.
Mind you, if you used biodiesel in that Golf then I’d be impressed.
November 11th, 2006 at 6:56 am
Ahh, maybe not the high moral ground, as pollution wise, most combustible fuel is not environmentally sound; including Biodiesel and Ethanol blends as they still produce CO2. Now Hydrogen…
As for motorcycles, whilst an electric one would be a novelty (I’ll have to look that up) the owner of a motorcyle or scooter (not claiming to be one) already has a big advantage over a car owner given the small amount of energy and resources to produce the machine in the first place. Not just the miniscule fuel consumption.
I’m not having a shot at anyone, we can all make efforts to reduce the amount of pollution and consumption of limited resources. Some might even suggest walking, bicycling and public transport…
Keep at Shaun, I’m certainly impressed by your efforts.
Joe
November 11th, 2006 at 9:22 pm
Mr Bloggs,
While Biodiesel and Ethanol aren’t perfect, they do have a carbon cycle. It’s just that more effort needs to be put into reducing CO2 emissions during production. You won’t have any argument from me about the hydrogen hoax however.
My goal has always been to show people that the same vehicle they choose to drive today doesn’t have to be a carbon-pumper. Motorcycles, walking and public transport are irrelevant, in that context. Fortunately most people I talk to understand that.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Ooh oops i just wrote a huge comment and when i submitted it it came up blank! Please tell me it worked right? I dont want to sumit it again if i do not have to! Either the blog bugged out or i am an idiot, the latter doesnt surprise me lol.
October 31st, 2009 at 11:47 am
Hi just thought i will let you know that i had a issue with this blog coming up blank as well. Might be monkeys in the page.