MetaEfficient Reviews » Transportation

Delta Airliners Integrating Wheeltug Hybrid Motor Technology

benjamin — Wed, 06 May 2009 22:50:28 +0000

Delta Airliners Integrating Wheeltug Hybrid Motor Technology (photo: Pylon757 via Flickr)

Hybrid vehicles keep getting bigger: first there were tiny experimental cars, then hybrid SUVs began to appear on the road. And now some of Delta’s next-generation Boeing 737 aircraft (like the one pictured above) will be equipped with Wheeltug hybrid motors for taxiing on the ground. These motors will improve efficiency and safety while planes maneuver around the tarmac, reducing fuel use and maintenance requirements.
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Shai Agassi’s Plan To Get 100% Electric Cars On The Road

Justin — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:45:49 +0000

I’m an advocate for car-free cities (on this note, see the newly published Carfree Design Manual by J. H. Crawford). But 100% electric cars are certainly preferable to gasoline-powered cars. Therefore I found this recent presentation by Shai Agassi of Better Place to be of inspiring. He argues that hybrids won’t work, and ethnol isn’t feasible. He says cars need to be run on 100% electric power derived from clean energy sources (i.e. wind, solar).

Boeing 787: The World’s Most Efficient Airliner

benjamin — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:16:17 +0000

Boeing 787: The World’s Most Efficient Airliner (photo: markjhandel via Flickr)

Air travel can present an efficiency dilemma. Trips that wouldn’t be possible by any other means because of time or distance are suddenly viable – though when it comes to manufacturing and fuel resources, airplanes admittedly aren’t the most efficient mode of transportation. But Boeing’s newest passenger jet, the 787 Dreamliner, aims to take a big efficiency step forward with a range of production improvements and design solutions.
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GM And Segway Unveil Their Electric 2-Seater

Justin — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:46:10 +0000

Yesterday, GM and Segway unveiled an electric-powered urban vehicle called the Puma. The Puma seats two people, and is said to reach a top speed of 35 miles per hour. The vehicle can go 35 miles before needing a recharge.

Larry Burns, vice president of research and development for GM, said it would cost about 35 cents to charge the Puma’s lithium ion battery system — essentially a larger version of the power system for the Segway Personal Transporter. (more…)

AC Propulsion Converts Cars To Electric Power

Justin — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:23:04 +0000

Click here to view the embedded video.

Here’s a video from a company called AC Propulsion, showing how straightforward it is to convert your car to electric power. (more…)

The Best Rated Car GPS Navigators

Pamela — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 07:16:40 +0000

The Best Rated Car GPS Navigators

Nine years ago, GPS readings from a constellation of more than twenty satellites became available to civilians with an accuracy of about 20 meters. In the past five years or so, one of the handiest applications of GPS technology has been the development of mobile GPS devices designed to go into a car to help a driver navigate as she drives. (more…)

New Longtail Utility Bike: The Madsen kg271

Justin — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:51:02 +0000

Here’s a rare find — a new longtail bike. This bike is called the kg271, and it’s made by Madsen Cycles. They describe the bike as an “urban utility bike”. It comes in two versions: one with a rack built with oversized steel tubing, and another version with a bucket that incorporates a removable seat and two seatbelts.

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The Best Commuter Bikes Of 2009

Justin — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 19:31:38 +0000

The sales of commuters bikes in the U.S. have grown quickly in the last couple years. Commuter bikes are those that include features useful for commuting to work or around town — like fenders, chain guards, storage racks, comfortable seats, lights and puncture-resistant tires.

Let’s take a look at some the best commuter bikes of 2009:

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2010 Prius To Use Solar Power

Justin — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:52:58 +0000

“Prius,” in Latin, means roughly “to go before.” Since its first appearance in 1997, Toyota’s iconic hybrid has lived up to its name, with more than 1.5 million sold world wide. Revamped in 2003 with Toyota’s hybrid synergy drive, the Prius is now entering its third generation with the 2010 model to be available later this year. And, in keeping with its tradition of “going before,” this Prius will be equipped with solar panels on the roof, a significant first for the automotive industry. (more…)

100% Electric Aptera Unveiled

Justin — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 03:44:46 +0000

I first mentioned the Aptera last year, when it was being test driven. This car’s eye-catching design isn’t just for show — it’s designed to be a very, very efficient vehicle. Just check out the video below you’ll see what I’m talking about:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Much like a jet, the shape of the Aptera is designed to be highly aerodynamic. (more…)