Benji Jerew, Author at The Green Optimistic

Mercedes-Benz Air Conditioning is Greener and Safer

Benji Jerew — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 20:46:19 +0000

In the 1990’s automotive air conditioning systems started switching over from CFC R-12 dichlorodifluoromethane to HFC R-134a tetrafluoroethane, which has significantly less of an ozone-depletion potential. Still, R-134a has a significant global warming potential (GWP), measuring 1,300 on the scale, which has prompted regulators to move for its discontinuation. New mandates specify that new vehicle […]

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Bob Lutz on Tesla Motors – “It’s Too Expensive to Run the Company”

Benji Jerew — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 14:04:39 +0000

Given that Bob Lutz has been head honcho for a number of automakers and departments of automakers, I would definitely take some stock in what he says about automakers in general, but I wonder if he’s right about Tesla Motors. In Bob Lutz’ recent article on Road & Track, he asserts that Tesla Motors needs […]

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Who Doesn’t Want This Beast Electric Scooter?

Benji Jerew — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 20:19:03 +0000

As a former Honda Ruckus-, alternative-fuels-, outdoors-, and fun-enthusiast, I can honestly say that this is the one thing that puts all of these things together, a solar-powered lithium-ion two-wheel drive Electric Ruckus, an electric scooter otherwise known as the DAYMAK BEAST D. First, let me tell you that the Honda Ruckus doesn’t seem like […]

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Consumer Reports Withdraws Tesla Model S “Recommended” Status

Benji Jerew — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 17:44:25 +0000

Today, on another episode of “Who Cares?” we are considering the implications of what Consumer Reports says about the Tesla Model S, who seems to be talking out both sides of its mouth. On the one hand, Consumer Reports (CR) has, on multiple occasions, given the Tesla Model S all thumbs up. Indeed, it’s hard […]

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Climate Change – Bill Nye Explains Why It’s a Problem

Benji Jerew — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 20:28:00 +0000

Aside from our disagreements on some things, Bill Nye “The Science Guy” has an exceptionally valid point when it comes to why this climate change is different from those other climate changes. Here’s the thing: Some people look at climate change history, particularly carbon dioxide levels, and point out at least two correlations with modern […]

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Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bicycle, a World-First by Linde AG

Benji Jerew — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 16:58:06 +0000

Linde, Germany’s largest supplier of industrial gas, including hydrogen, already has a number of hydrogen fuel stations, at least one hundred at last count, has developed the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell bicycle. Bicycles are already emissions-free, provide great exercise, and can be parked anywhere, even in your office. On the other hand, if you […]

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Tesla Autopilot Comes with Tesla Version 7.0 Software Update

Benji Jerew — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 23:42:52 +0000

The future is here, most of it anyway. Tesla Version 7.0, the software update that was just broadcast on Wednesday, includes Tesla Autopilot. The new software includes everything needed to take advantage of all the cameras and actuators that have been installed in many Tesla Model S since October 2014. The equipment includes a GPS […]

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Tesla Model X Launched – Huzzah!

Benji Jerew — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 00:52:52 +0000

Since the beginning, Tesla Motors has been a different company. It’s a car company, perhaps the most successful in the last half-a-century, as well as a tech company, which makes it somewhat hard to approach from a traditional automaker standpoint. After the Tesla Roadster made its debut, its success enabled the company to move the […]

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Electric Vehicles – Part of the Solution, but No Magic Bullet

Benji Jerew — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 02:00:40 +0000

If the werewolf is climate change, then we’ve been feeding the wolf too much, when what we really need is a silver bullet. The question is, who’s loading the gun and with what? Given that transportation covers about a third of emissions, at least in the US, or about a sixth of global emissions, one […]

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Audi e-tron Quattro Concept to Debut at 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show

Benji Jerew — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 18:34:17 +0000

The 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show will host the worldwide debut of the Audi e-tron Quattro Concept, an all-electric SUV. Audi’s off-again on-again electric vehicles program seems like it could be back for good. Audi has already proven its electric vehicle powertrains, in vehicles such as the Audi A6 e-tron PHEV and Audi A3 e-tron PHEV. […]

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Is Fisker Karma Back on Track? $30 Million Lease Deal in California Points to “Yes”

Benji Jerew — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 19:07:41 +0000

Fisker Automotive just didn’t have an easy time of it, between company restructuring, battery problems, and a series of unfortunate events, the premium plug-in hybrid automaker managed to deliver less than 3,000 units before it went bankrupt. Wanxiang Group, a Chinese autoparts giant, bought the company, with plans to restart production of the flagship vehicle, […]

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Chevy Volt Hypermilers Rejoice, 2016 Volt Offers 53 Miles Emissions-Free!

Benji Jerew — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 16:10:58 +0000

General Motors asked what Chevy Volt owners wanted more of, and the overwhelming response was “more range!” With the introduction of the 2016 Chevy Volt, everything is better, particularly range and fuel economy. First, General Motors upgraded the 17.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack to 18.4 kWh. According to EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) estimates, this gives […]

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Faraday Future Could be Tesla Motors Competitor by 2017

Benji Jerew — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 23:52:31 +0000

You’ve heard of Tesla Motors, for certain, which has pretty much nailed the electric vehicle race, and some figured that Fisker Automotive “coulda been a contender,” until it disappeared into thin air. True, Fisker could be coming back from the dead… but let’s talk about a company that seems like it might have a shot […]

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Obama’s Clean Energy Initiatives – We Need More Win!

Benji Jerew — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 14:51:33 +0000

In promoting a clean energy mix for the United States, in between zero-emissions vehicles, advanced rechargeable batteries, solar power and wind power initiatives, and implementing stricter emissions regulations across the board, it hasn’t been all “win.” Understandably, many of the technologies may very well have been ahead of their time or just poorly planned or […]

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Tesla Model S Customer Loyalty has No Equal

Benji Jerew — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 20:15:33 +0000

Mention Godzilla, Wrangler, or Mustang, and you’re sure to rouse the passions of an enthusiast, possibly against, but usually in favor of whatever that name stands for. Still, that passion pales in comparison to the enthusiasm that the Tesla Model S generates, to the point of inflamed debates regarding the merits of electric vehicles, tax […]

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California Steals EV Rebates from the Rich and Gives to the Needy

Benji Jerew — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 02:10:27 +0000

As many electric-car buyers know, when you decide to plunge into the electric-car world, you expect a specific amount of money to come back to you. For the last few years, EV rebates and tax credits have played an important role in the increase of electric-car purchases. These incentives have encouraged many to go the […]

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London’s First Electric Bus Announced

Benji Jerew — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 02:21:14 +0000

A special announcement was made at the Clean Bus Summit that will change, as of now, a good number of cities from around the world. This announcement was made by the mayor of London, Mayor Boris Johnson, in the first Clean Bus Summit to take place in London. He announced that London will have, not […]

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Toyota Mirai Offers the Most Zero-Emissions Miles

Benji Jerew — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 23:43:07 +0000

Fall 2016, Toyota North America plans to officially launch the world’s first full-production hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCV), the 2016 Toyota Mirai. Like all ZEVs (zero emissions vehicles), it generates no tailpipe emissions, just water vapor, since it is an FCV. Given that hydrogen fueling stations are in short supply, much like electric vehicle charging […]

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That Time Google Almost Bought Tesla Motors

Benji Jerew — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 17:12:53 +0000

Do you remember that time that Google almost bought Tesla Motors? A new book, Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future, due to be published May 19, shows just how close such a deal came. We’ve touched on the possibility of a tech company buying Tesla Motors a couple of times, […]

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Sudan the Rhinoceros Under Armed Guard, He’s the Last Male of His Kind

Benji Jerew — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 21:07:45 +0000

Fifty-five years ago, it was estimated that more than 2,000 Northern White Rhinoceros roamed the wild. About 15 years after that estimate, Sudan the rhinoceros was born, making him about 40 years old today. By 1984, he was one of barely over a dozen. Today, he is one of only five, and he also happens […]

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China’s Green Kandi Machine Dispenses an Electric Car

Benji Jerew — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 15:48:55 +0000

The Kandi Technologies Group, in China, runs an electric car sharing service, and it refers to these giant edifices as Kandi Machines! A couple of years ago, when I covered the 2013 New York Auto Show, I referred to it as “The Green Candy Store,” even though the only electric car I got to ride […]

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Louisiana State University Solid State Refrigerator Could be More Efficient

Benji Jerew — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 12:39:53 +0000

Refrigeration has gone through various stages, each of them more efficient and more effective than the last, but the demand for refrigeration is set for a big expansion, something on the order of $8 billion more by 2018, says Louisiana State University physics professor and lead researcher Shane Stadler. This big expansion in refrigeration and […]

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Oil Spill Prevention – Feds “Propose” Stronger Offshore Drilling Regulations

Benji Jerew — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 22:47:06 +0000

Five years after the catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, related to an explosion and series of unfortunate events on the Deepwater Horizon offshore drilling rig, the US Department of Interior (DOI) has proposed stronger regulations regarding offshore drilling safety and oil spill prevention measures. I’ll admit that, five years ago today, April […]

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Is an Electric Vehicle For You… Yet?

Benji Jerew — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 21:15:59 +0000

Usually, you’d expect a site like The Green Optimistic to give you a list of reasons why you should definitely buy an electric vehicle, so here’s something a little bit different. True, while I do feel that the electric vehicle will most likely replace all fossil-fuel-based transportation needs, I also realize there are certain circumstances […]

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Solar Power Blinds Make for Efficient Buildings

Benji Jerew — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 17:16:37 +0000

Solar power is all around us, if you look at things like trees, greenhouses, and cats, but can also be a problem for some of us. For example, looking at those beautiful glass-façade office buildings, one can’t help but relate how solar power must turn those things into skyscraper-sized greenhouses. While a little sunlight is […]

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2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid – It’s About Time, I Say!

Benji Jerew — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 16:35:38 +0000

It seems kind of surprising to me that I can finally say this, but Toyota has finally released the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, unveiled at the New York International Auto Show. It’s about time, I say, and for a number of good reasons. With the Toyota RAV4 and hybrid vehicle technology, Toyota practically invented two segments […]

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Tesla 70D – Tesla Motors’ New Model S Base Model

Benji Jerew — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 15:56:58 +0000

This morning, Tesla Motors announced a new model for its Tesla Model S lineup, the new Tesla Model S 70D. The Tesla 70d will start at $75,000. The former Tesla Model S 60 is out, and the new Tesla Model S 70D is in, a new base model for the lineup, the new sedan featuring […]

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Climate Change Explained in Under a Minute [Video]

Benji Jerew — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 18:15:45 +0000

If someone were to ask you to explain climate change and why you believe it exists, how long do you think it would take? Really, climate change isn’t all that complicated, and you don’t even need any charts. The only thing you need to know is the role of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, carbon […]

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Are Biofuel Crops Actually Increasing Carbon Emissions?

Benji Jerew — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 04:16:18 +0000

On the surface, planting biofuels crops might seem to be a good carbon-neutral endeavor, but research indicates quite the opposite. Could growing biofuel crops to fuel your flex-fuel vehicle actually be worse for the environment? A new UW-Madison (University of Wisconsin at Madison) study seems to indicate quite the opposite. The way we see it, […]

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BMW i8 Wins 2015 World Green Car Award at NYIAS 2015

Benji Jerew — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 18:52:45 +0000

It sounds like a repeat of last year’s Auto Show news, really only two digits’ difference, because the winner of the 2015 World Green Car Award is the BMW i8. Last year, at the 2014 New York International Auto Show, the BMW i3 took the award, so there’s your two digits. This year, it may […]

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Tesla Model 3 will Top 200 Miles Range Minimum, says Musk

Benji Jerew — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 05:32:35 +0000

Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk says that the Tesla Model 3 will be an exceptional electric vehicle, not only because big sister Tesla Model S and big brother Tesla Model X are awesome, but also because it will be endowed with exceptional range, over 200 miles in the real world. The idea behind the Tesla […]

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Nissan LEAF Battery More Reliable Than Conventional Engines

Benji Jerew — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 19:40:27 +0000

According to data aggregated by Warranty Direct, in the UK, the Nissan LEAF battery pack is (surprise!) more reliable than conventional engines, by how much? Before answering that question, think for a second about the opposition. Ask any electric vehicle skeptic about electric vehicles, such as the world’s best-selling Nissan LEAF, and you’ll get responses […]

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Extinction Measures – Drones Protect Elephants and Rhinos in South Africa

Benji Jerew — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 03:21:26 +0000

A new project, Air Shepherd, is using drones to protect declining numbers of African elephants and rhinoceros from poachers, the pilot program an amazing 100% effective! Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), more commonly known as “drones,” have been raising a lot of hackles in recent years, particularly in relation to public security and military operations. Today, […]

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Beijing Coal Power’s Last Breath will be in 2016

Benji Jerew — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 03:08:56 +0000

We’ve been covering Beijing’s growing air pollution problem for some time now, as the city fights to decide between coal power and its growing energy needs. The problem with coal power is that it is easy, practically just laying there, ready to burn. It also happens to be one of the dirtiest fossil fuel sources […]

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Lithium-Ion Battery Enhanced with Recycled Packing Peanuts – Purdue University

Benji Jerew — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 19:34:03 +0000

Purdue University researchers stumbled upon an even better electrode material than currently used in the lithium-ion battery, made even better because it involved recycled packing peanuts. If you’ve ever shopped online, especially for something delicate, you’ve probably received an oversized box, your item, and a bunch of starch-based or polystyrene-based packing peanuts. Now, because I […]

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Electric Vehicles Could Reduce Summer City Emissions, say Researchers

Benji Jerew — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 18:34:55 +0000

We already know that electric vehicles can significantly reduce emissions, merely by virtue of the fact that they can be recharged via renewable energy, but a new study suggests that their effect on emissions is greater than their own emissions reduction. By themselves, electric vehicles generate zero emissions, but they also don’t generate nearly as […]

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Cheaper Graphene Possible, say Caltech Researchers

Benji Jerew — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 19:13:26 +0000

Since its official discovery just over a decade ago, graphene has taken the scientific world by storm, and scientists and researchers are just scratching the surface of possible applications in the modern and future world. Indeed, we’ve seen graphene applications in everything from electric vehicle battery packs to water purification, not to mention supercapacitors, hydrogen […]

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Nissan Leaf “TRON Edition” on Dutch Smart Highway

Benji Jerew — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 19:10:26 +0000

Here at The Green Optimistic, we love solar power, and it turns out that lots of Nissan Leaf owners love solar power, too. We already know that electric vehicle emissions, such as those associated with the Nissan Leaf, are entirely dependent on where you charge. If your power grid is mainly fossil-fuel based, then of […]

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Tesla Motors is Now Open For Business in New Jersey!

Benji Jerew — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 21:20:36 +0000

Tesla Motors’ direct sales model has repeatedly drawn fire from the ADAs (automobile dealership associations), which has led to prohibition in a number of states. Tesla Motors can’t sell any cars in Texas, for example, and buyers have to jump through hoops to get one delivered to them, and that’s not the only state with […]

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Elon Musk – Autonomous Vehicles Could Result in a Ban on Human Drivers

Benji Jerew — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 14:19:39 +0000

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, says that autonomous vehicles will take greater control over highway traffic in the next few years but, once they are fully capable, from garage to destination, they could even outmode human drivers altogether. This is a constant sticking point between autonomous vehicle proponents and opponents, and we’ve had a […]

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Tesla Model S Towing – A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Benji Jerew — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 23:16:11 +0000

You could tow with a Tesla, as much as you could tow with a Prius, but we wouldn’t recommend it. On the other hand, you can buy a hitch receiver for a Toyota Prius as well as you can buy one for an electric vehicle (maybe), but should you tow with an electric vehicle? Indeed, […]

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Self-storing Solar Power Possible with Graphene, says Sunvault Energy

Benji Jerew — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 22:49:55 +0000

Graphene, in concept, has been around since the latter half of the 1800s, but it wasn’t until just over a decade ago that scientists were actually able to isolate atom-thick sheets of carbon, “a million times thinner than paper, stronger than diamond, and more conductive than copper,” as described by American Physical Society. Since then, […]

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BYD’s New Gigafactory Could Lower Lithium-Ion Battery Prices

Benji Jerew — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 17:25:22 +0000

As discussed, one of the things that keeps electric vehicles expensive, particularly with regard to their range per charge, is the price of lithium-ion battery packs. Chinese automaker BYD already produced a number of electric vehicles, even electric buses, and says it will triple its capacity in the next three years, putting it just about […]

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Electric Vehicle Battery Prices Forced Down by VW

Benji Jerew — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 20:22:38 +0000

Demand and deployment for electric vehicles remains low, but automakers tend to agree that the technology could be the biggest shift in automotive technology since the invention of the automatic transmission. The problem, of course, that electric vehicle batteries are far more expensive than any conventional powertrain. A brand new four-cylinder engine might cost $4,000, […]

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Nimbus e-Car Concept Touring – “The Ultimate Hippie Van?”

Benji Jerew — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 18:32:27 +0000

Here’s an electric vehicle concept that you probably haven’t seen at the auto shows, which is unfortunate, because I think a lot of enthusiasts would love the Nimbus e-Car Concept, envisioned by Brazilian artist Eduardo Galvani. Today, we might envision the 1960s hippie movement with international peace movements, tree-hugging, and so-called “free love.” In this […]

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NASA’s New Solar Powered Space Travel Device Violates Laws of Physics

Benji Jerew — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 17:35:34 +0000

NASA just discovered that science classes nowadays are actually obsolete. A principle that violates any rule of physics known to man has recently been demonstrated to work in a solar powered device, by NASA themselves. Just to get off the planet requires a lot of energy, which means some sort of propellant must be expended. […]

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Lightweight Cars Will Drive Fuel Economy Future, say Carmakers

Benji Jerew — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 04:44:47 +0000

Fuel economy in the automotive industry has been largely dependent on aerodynamics and powertrain enhancements, but lightweight cars are going to take us into the future. Since CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards were first implemented by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), back in 1978, the main means of reducing fuel consumption and emissions has […]

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Fuel Cell Cars to Price Competitively with Clean-Diesel, says Toyota

Benji Jerew — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 19:13:50 +0000

Fuel cell cars are nothing new, and their price is certainly nothing to sniff at, which makes some people wonder who will adopt the technology. Of course, paying around $60,000 for a modestly-equipped midsize sedan, because it runs on a hydrogen fuel cell, would attract a certain number of buyers. That’s why the Tesla Model […]

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Renewable Energy is Reliable, Says Report

Benji Jerew — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 13:16:51 +0000

We know that most forms of renewable energy are intermittent, which some have used as a scare tactic to keep people from investing, either emotionally or materially, in clean energy technology. It’s true, renewable energy, such as solar power, depends on sunshine, or hydroelectric power, depends on rainfall, so a new energy future could be […]

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Autonomous Vehicles Having Issues With Rain and Snow

Benji Jerew — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 18:32:29 +0000

Traffic Cop or Inflatable Wacky Waving Tube Man – Autonomous Vehicle has no idea. With autonomous vehicles, also known as self-driving cars, it seems that we could be on the threshold of a cleaner and safer highway system, but are the obstacles too much to overcome? As we’ve discussed, there are plenty of questions regarding […]

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Sea Level Rise Not Just a Theory in Northeastern US

Benji Jerew — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 08:19:32 +0000

Ask any climate change denier about sea level rise, and you’ll get the usual mishmash of “lacking anecdotal evidence” and “normal cycle” nonsense, instead of pointing to the facts. On the Northeast Coast of the United States, however, sea level rise is a very real and measurable thing. It’s not just a theory that Northeastern […]

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Big Hole in Russia Appearing Due to Climate Change

Benji Jerew — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 19:20:36 +0000

Thanks to ever-increasing amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that human activity is pumping into the atmosphere, climate change is increasing average temperatures globally. In the arctic, some point to disappearing ice shelves and methane plumes as proof that climate change is happening. In the permafrost of the Russian steppe, people point at […]

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DIY Hybrid Battery Repair Using Baking Soda

Benji Jerew — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 19:17:49 +0000

We’ve been talking about how expensive hybrid batteries are, and this can be a major problem for owners of hybrid vehicles, especially as they age and performance and fuel economy begin to suffer. Worse still is if you happen to buy a hybrid car with no warranty and get the dreaded “Christmas Tree” dash (Look […]

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Elux Karma – ex-Fisker’s New Name, say Wanxiang Sources

Benji Jerew — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 20:33:15 +0000

Wanxiang is dropping the name “Fisker” and going with the new “Elux” brand name. The Elux Karma could be in production by mid-2016, though a production facility has yet to be finalized (read: mid-2017?). Following the story of the Fisker Karma, we find ups and downs that could constitute one of the biggest disappointments in […]

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“Let Tesla Direct Sales Be,” says Letter to the States

Benji Jerew — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 21:26:32 +0000

Americans have a love / hate relationship with Tesla direct sales model, but it depends on if you’re a buyer or not. Specifically, it depends on if you are a buyer or an automobile dealership. Most buyers love buying direct from Tesla Motors, whether online or in a Tesla Store, even giving the Tesla Model […]

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25,000 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Planned for California

Benji Jerew — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 20:50:53 +0000

To help California meet its clean air goals, PG&E (Pacific Gas & Electric Company) have asked state regulators for permission to roll out an unprecedented 25,000 electric vehicle charging stations. California seems to be a contradiction. On the one hand, California is one of the most advanced in terms of clean energy policy and technology, […]

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Tesla Roadster 3.0 Features Over 340 Miles Range!

Benji Jerew — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 06:27:45 +0000

The Tesla Roadster may not have one of the longest histories, but it certainly is an illustrious one. If it ever makes it to production, the Tesla Roadster 3.0 will leave all of its own accolades in the dust. The Tesla Roadster is not a hypermiler, much like the Tesla Model S is not a […]

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General Motors to Use Wind Power for Reaching Renewable Energy Goals

Benji Jerew — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 20:10:28 +0000

We’ve been following General Motors’ renewable energy plans for a long time, and this is the first time that we’ve heard of the global company turning to wind power. In addition to recycling and energy-efficiency programs, General Motors has set for itself the goal of 125 MW (megawatts) renewable energy capacity by 2020. For the […]

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Oil Spill West Virginia – Tanker Derails and Explodes (and Just Keeps Burning)

Benji Jerew — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 20:06:13 +0000

Yesterday, February 16, 2015, a CSX oil tanker train derailed outside of the small towns of Mount Carbon and Boomer, West Virginia, some 33 miles southeast of Charleston, South Carolina. As oil extraction booms in the United States, so does the need for transportation. Unfortunately, the booming oil transportation industry has resulted in even more […]

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Electric Car Battery Life – What to Expect

Benji Jerew — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 07:27:31 +0000

Considering a Tesla Model S or other electric car? Whoa, what will you do when the battery finally dies? Yes, we’ve all heard the arguments filed against electric cars, such as the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt. The most famous of electric cars might be the Tesla Model S, the first car to boast any appreciable […]

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China Wind Power Growing Faster Than United States’

Benji Jerew — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 20:05:10 +0000

Covering renewable energy achievements, United States President Barack Obama noted that US wind power generation is number one in the world, but that’s not the whole story. True, wind power generation in the United States is the biggest in the world, just over 175 TWh (terawatt-hours), just ahead of China, which produced 169 TWh last […]

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Burlington, Vermont – 100% Powered by Renewable Energy

Benji Jerew — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 13:19:14 +0000

If you ever get a chance, you should definitely take a ride through The Green Mountain State, Vermont, in the Northeast, one reason being that you can visit the Nation’s first city entirely powered by renewable energy, Burlington. Seeing as Vermont is situated only about an hour from where I used to live, it should […]

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Renewable Energy Sources Attractive as Oil Price Increases

Benji Jerew — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 12:55:54 +0000

Renewable energy sources just wouldn’t be very high on the priority list with the price of oil less than half that of even six months ago, one might think today. Indeed, OPEC doesn’t seem inclined to decrease oil production anytime soon, most likely hoping it can cripple Russia, which is already in trouble because of […]

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Do Electric Cars Have Gears? No. Here’s Why

Benji Jerew — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 07:43:14 +0000

Here’s a conversation that piqued my interest today: “Are electric vehicle transmissions necessary?”, or “Do electric cars have gears?”. Really, could multispeed gearing do anything for electric vehicle performance, acceleration, speed, efficiency, or otherwise? (For the purposes of this discussion, we’re leaving out heavy-duty applications, such as delivery trucks or tractor-trailers.) After decades of driving […]

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Home Solar Power System – Should You Buy or Lease?

Benji Jerew — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 17:28:55 +0000

Taking a look at residential solar power systems, a lot has changed in the last decade. True, solar power systems have been around for decades, exorbitantly expensive being just one reason why there weren’t a lot of systems being installed. Even five years ago, a 5 kW solar power system cost in the range of […]

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Electric Vehicle Incentives in France – 10,000 Euros

Benji Jerew — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 12:40:21 +0000

Are electric vehicle incentives the path toward cleaner air? New legislation in France offers up to €10,000 in incentives, could be a step in the right direction! Taking a look at the air quality in some of the world’s cities, such as Beijing, Los Angeles, or Paris, and one can see, quite literally, the big problem that […]

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Toyota Mirai Coming to Japan and California

Benji Jerew — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 13:04:18 +0000

The 2016 Toyota Mirai, world’s first production hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, will arrive in California and Japan dealers by the second half of 2015, along with a special perk, free hydrogen fuel for the duration of the lease! While none of the technologies in the Mirai are particularly new, Toyota put them together in a way […]

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2015 BMW i3 SuperBowl Ad Turned Many Eyes to EVs

Benji Jerew — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 14:48:36 +0000

BMW i3’s advert was on everyone’s TV screens this SuperBowl, which may mean a lot to the electric car industry. No matter what the rest of the world says, “American” football gets the most views in the United States, which made it the perfect venue for a “newfangled idea,” the electric vehicle. Last year, the […]

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Coastal Residents Facing Climate Change – Fight or Flight?

Benji Jerew — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 07:44:22 +0000

By now, we can clearly see it’s a fact that climate change is changing a lot of things and, at least for some, that animal fight or flight mechanism is kicking in. Some of the climate change facts aren’t readily visible, such as disappearing fish stocks or methane plumes in the Arctic. On the other hand, […]

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Toyota Mirai Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car – Just a “Better Battery”, Says Exec

Benji Jerew — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 21:03:45 +0000

Personally, I think both battery electric cars and hydrogen fuel cell cars, such as the Toyota Mirai, have a place in the future of transportation, but maybe the solution isn’t that clearly cut. Ahh, the age-old debate between battery electric cars and hydrogen fuel cell cars… Actually, can we call it an “age-old debate” if it’s […]

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Should Tesla Motors Franchise? If Yes, With Whom?

Benji Jerew — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 16:22:57 +0000

Tesla Motors has long been chastised for its adoption of the direct-sales model, much to the dismay of many automobile dealer associations. Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk, at the 2015 Automotive News World Congress (link might be behind a paywall), was encouraging other automakers to adopt electric vehicles, expanding on the success of models such […]

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Ford Fuel Economy Will be Won by Carbon Fiber, not Aluminum

Benji Jerew — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 20:16:48 +0000

With the introduction of the new Ford F-150 and its lighter aluminum body work, many had come to the conclusion that Ford would introduce aluminum across the lineup to improve fuel economy. Not so, says Ford Motor Company executive Joe Hinrichs. While the adoption of aluminum body panels does shave some 700 pounds off the […]

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Oil Spill – Pipeline Break Spills into Yellowstone River

Benji Jerew — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 15:50:38 +0000

Saturday morning, an oil pipeline burst outside of Glendive, Montana, resulting in an oil spill, some 300 to 1,200 barrels of oil, some of which made it into the Yellowstone River. Unfortunately, oil. Regarding this particular oil spill, Bridger Pipeline Company is still investigating the cause of the pipeline break. It was estimated that the […]

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How NOT to Kill the Electric Car – Drop Gas Prices

Benji Jerew — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 14:42:00 +0000

Especially for commuters, plummeting gasoline prices are common and welcome knowledge, but will it kill the electric car? For some analysts, opponents, and plain old haters, falling gasoline prices would have to be the “killing blow” to the electric car. In their minds, the only reason to buy an electric car, or hybrid, for that […]

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Sea Level Rise Accelerating Due to Climate Change

Benji Jerew — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 14:13:24 +0000

While it has been long known that climate change is effecting sea level rise, it seems that the measurements haven’t been quite accurate over the last century, making recent corrections a cause for alarm. There’s a good reason that “climate change” was previously referred to as “global warming,” because global temperatures are rising. Some have […]

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Trojane Solar Power, Not Your Average Green “Donut Shop”

Benji Jerew — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 17:06:19 +0000

To call Trojane a simple “donut shop,” as if it were merely another Dunkin’ Donuts, wouldn’t be fair, because Trojane produces a world-class confection. Also, because Trojane is solar powered, it deserves special mention here on The Green Optimistic. Like most “donut shops,” Trojane produces donuts, or “doughnuts,” depending on spelling convention, some 5,000 per […]

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You Guys REALLY Don’t Like Selling Electric Vehicles, Do You?

Benji Jerew — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 21:08:11 +0000

With the introduction of the first commercially-successful electric vehicles, things have started to change in how vehicles are sold. Of course, we’re not talking about the General Motors EV1, which was more of a research project than mass-production electric vehicle. We’re talking about Tesla Motors’ Tesla Roadster and Tesla Model S, which started an electric […]

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Did the Chevy Bolt EV Concept Just Beat the Tesla Model 3?

Benji Jerew — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 20:03:45 +0000

General Motors has been teasing us with an upgraded Chevy Volt 2.0, and it could be this new electric vehicle, the Chevy Bolt EV concept, featuring a consumer-friendly price tag and exceptional range. Did General Motors’ Chevy Bolt EV just beat Tesla Motors’ upcoming Tesla Model 3 to the punch? As we recall, Tesla Motors […]

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Electric Vehicle Emissions and “Creative” Headlines

Benji Jerew — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 02:04:19 +0000

When researchers at the University of Minnesota did a study on electric vehicle emissions, I’m fairly certain that they had no idea that it would turn into, well, this… The problem is not the report, which can be best summed up by this video: On the other hand, there is a disturbing number of articles […]

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Gasoline Prices – “It Won’t Last,” says Obama

Benji Jerew — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 20:21:13 +0000

One might think that we, as a species, have an excellent collective memory, but every time that gasoline prices fluctuate, everyone goes nuts, in one way or another. For example, when gasoline prices shot up in the mid-1970s in the United States, everyone went crazy. There were gasoline shortages and rationing, and suddenly everyone thought […]

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Tesla Motors’ Gigafactory Construction Under Way

Benji Jerew — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 14:41:49 +0000

With construction of the Tesla Gigafactory (is that really its name?), Tesla Motors expects to be able to get lithium-ion battery pricing down below $100/kWh, which will enable production of an affordable mass-market electric vehicle. If we recall, the Tesla Motors plan wasn’t simply to offer high-end electric vehicles to the rich and famous, but […]

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New Software Could Improve Conventional Vehicle Fuel Economy by 15%

Benji Jerew — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 16:41:28 +0000

Mechanically-speaking, the internal combustion has changed little in the last century, refinements enabling more power and better fuel economy, but there are limits. The first electronic controls on internal combustion engines appeared some forty years ago, tuning for more refined spark delivery, better power output, better fuel economy, and fewer emissions. Fast-forward forty years, and […]

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Advancing Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology – Toyota Opens Patent Vault

Benji Jerew — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 20:02:41 +0000

Over the last couple of decades, a lot of research and development money has been poured into hydrogen fuel cell technology, one form of clean transportation technology that Toyota has hedged its bets on, as opposed to battery electric vehicles. In fact, Toyota has gone so far as to say that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles […]

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Falling Gas Prices Not Affecting Electric Vehicle and Plug-In Hybrid Sales

Benji Jerew — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 17:00:11 +0000

For the latter half of 2014, gasoline prices have dropped precipitously, some 40% lower than just six months ago, which some feel may suppress the sales of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles. Interestingly, this hasn’t turned out to be the case. Last week, I wrote a piece on gasoline prices vs Tesla Motors’ electric vehicles, […]

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Volkswagen Electric Vehicles’ Range to Triple in the Future

Benji Jerew — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 19:42:46 +0000

Currently, Volkswagen electric vehicles, as well as every other electric vehicle, use conventional lithium-ion battery technology. On the energy storage level, practically the only thing that separates the Volkswagen electric vehicles from Tesla Motors electric vehicles, such as the e-Golf and Model S is the configuration and capacity of the lithium-on battery pack. Indeed, the […]

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Tesla Motors vs Falling Gasoline Prices – This Won’t Hurt a Bit

Benji Jerew — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 18:27:25 +0000

We have a question for all buyers of Tesla Motors and Toyota Prius high-efficiency vehicles: “Why did you buy your electric vehicle or hybrid electric vehicle?” There seems to be two schools of thought on this. One might say that people buy these cars because they are better for the environment. Tesla Motors, for example, […]

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Chevy Volt-based Crossover, Chevy Crossvolt, Coming to NAIAS 2015?

Benji Jerew — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 15:25:28 +0000

A few years ago, General Motors filed to protect the name “Chevy Crossvolt,” designated for a crossover sport utility vehicle based on the Chevy Volt extended-range electric vehicle (EREV). In 2010, General Motors unveiled a crossover EREV concept, the Chevy Volt MPV5. Later, in 2011, the company filed to protect the name “Crossvolt,” which seemed […]

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Google’s Autonomous Car Ready for Road Testing

Benji Jerew — Fri, 26 Dec 2014 18:05:21 +0000

Google is not an automaker, but has been using its considerable technological weight to develop autonomous drive. The result of this Google Skunkworks research and development project is a prototype autonomous drive vehicle, the Google Car. For the last few years, we’ve seen quite a few different things in Google’s autonomous drive, “prototypes of prototypes,” […]

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Holidays or Anydays – Controlling Food Waste Helps the Environment

Benji Jerew — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 14:52:40 +0000

No one wants to admit that they’re wasting anything, but sometimes, such as during the holiday season, we go overboard. The result is waste, including packaging and gift-wrap waste, money waste, and even food waste, pretty much all of it bad for our wallets and the environment. Considering that there are millions of people who […]

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Tesla Model S Battery Swap Pilot Program – Online Soon in California

Benji Jerew — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 15:59:01 +0000

It’s been a few months in coming, but Tesla Motors is finally making good on its promise to offer battery swapping, for realz this time, for the Tesla Model S. We all know at least three things about the Tesla Model S: 1) It’s quite the performer, that is, it has a high fun-to-drive quotient, […]

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Just Add Water – Lithium-Air Battery Energy Storage Increases by 500%

Benji Jerew — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 15:03:19 +0000

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have stumbled upon a solution to the “sudden death” phenomenon in lithium-air battery chemistry: just add water! New rechargeable battery technology is constanty in development, as we’ve spent lots of time covering here, from solid-state lithium-ion battery technology to metal-air battery chemistry. Many of these technologies, such as lithium-air battery […]

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Sunswift eVe 2.0 Could Become Word’s First Street-Legal Solar-Powered Electric Vehicle

Benji Jerew — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 15:30:07 +0000

University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia – After many successes over the years, building and racing solar-powered electric vehicles, UNSW is now striking to build the first road-legal solar-powered electric vehicle, the Sunswift eVe 2.0. The vehicle that the Sunswift eVe 2.0 is based on could probably be best described as a stripped-down solar-powered […]

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Formula E Round Three in Uruguay is Good Green Fun

Benji Jerew — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 19:25:43 +0000

A brand new take on green fun, the third round of Formula E racing has seen some exciting upsets and challenges, all with a unique sound and lower emissions than typical race cars. Emissions are everywhere, from your last cheeseburger to motorsports, but not in Formula E racing, at least nothing like Formula 1 racing. […]

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The Truth About Electric Vehicle Emissions

Benji Jerew — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 17:05:40 +0000

Much like creative cropping can completely change the nature of a photo, creative writing can completely change the nature of a report, such as a recent electric vehicle emissions report released by the University of Minnesota (UM). As we know, electric vehicles themselves do not generate emissions, as they do not burn fossil fuels. On […]

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Does Cheap Gasoline Make Toyota Prius Less Attractive?

Benji Jerew — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 19:00:11 +0000

Toyota Prius is a hybrid electric vehicle, the most popular in the United States and just one of over six million Toyota hybrid vehicles sold around the world. There are two reasons to buy a hybrid vehicle, such as the Toyota Prius, which offers better fuel economy than just about everything else on the road […]

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Tesla Motors Still Pushing for Direct Sales in Texas

Benji Jerew — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 19:21:51 +0000

Buying and owning a Tesla in Texas is, lacking better words, far too complicated, of course, because Texas law does not allow automakers to sell directly to the consumer. Owning a Tesla in Texas, however, is even more difficult that you might imagine, because it only starts with buying from Tesla Motors. For example, Tesla […]

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Solid-State Lithium-Ion Battery Funded by Samsung

Benji Jerew — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 17:13:01 +0000

Current lithium-ion battery technology has some limitations, but could solid-state lithium-ion battery technology eliminate these? The key to a renewable energy future, including solar power, wind power, and electric vehicles, is a good energy storage system. In some applications, lithium-ion battery packs are making these a possibility. For example, as spectacularly, albeit undeservedly viral, demonstrated […]

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2015 Volvo XC90 T8 – World’s Best High-MPG Performance SUV

Benji Jerew — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 01:15:36 +0000

The 2015 Volvo XC90 T8 is a one-of-a-kind sport utility vehicle (SUV), with space for up to seven passengers and sports car performance, and fuel economy rivalling even compact cars! Usually, here at The Green Optimistic, we look with disdain on sport utility vehicles, especially when people get excited that the latest version gets an […]

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Backfire – Michigan Says Burning Tires is a Renewable Energy Source

Benji Jerew — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 19:37:57 +0000

“Tire burning” and “Renewable Energy” doesn’t seem to make a whole lot of sense to me, especially considering that tires are made from synthetic rubber, which comes from petroleum, which is NOT a “renewable” resource. Please tell me, then, what fuzzy commodities calculator Michigan legislators are using to come up with House Bill 5205? Sponsored […]

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Beyond Paper – “Send me your ‘breakthrough’ rechargeable battery cell,” says Elon Musk

Benji Jerew — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 17:53:21 +0000

Rechargeable battery technology is everywhere around us, from smartphones to smart buildings, and everyone is constantly on the watch for “the next big thing,” to which Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk says, “send me a sample.” We really should have a section dedicated to “the next big thing” in rechargeable battery technology, and it would […]

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