We’re being told the climate is heating up and that we’ll all fry, sea level will rise, and other major cataclysmic changes will happen to the world around us. We’re also being told our cars (and other transportation) is a large part of the problem, and that we must switch to cleaner cars and transportation choices. If we don’t, the planet is toast and our grandchildren won’t have a place to live. Those may sound like extreme statements, and while I did play it up a bit, the actual predictions from climate scientists are dire. The question is, how can we as individuals make effective changes and collectively change enough of the transportation system to avert these problems?
OR: What’s the best car/transportation choice for us that can save the climate, ensure our grandchildren have a place to live, while not breaking our pocketbook?
The Long Tailpipe is all about a realistic look at the truth of our collective situation, the consequences of our collective actions, and what we can do differently.
While the problems are collective in nature, the collective-problem-matrix is constructed from our individual actions. Meaning that as we and our neighbors change our ways the collective results will change.
Electric Cars, Plug-in Hybrids, and other clean cars
Vehicle Information Resources: These sites list available vehicles, with specifications and other information to help select between them:
- US EPA Fueleconomy.gov website
- Plug-in Vehicle Tracker at PlugInAmerica.org
- Plug-in Vehicle Information at PlugInCars.com
Charging, Charging Networks and Applications: Electric and plug-in hybrid cars need to be plugged in to electricity to refuel. While the action is similar to refueling gasoline cars, it’s different enough to require learning new skills.
- Smart-phone apps for electric car charging stations
- Known electric car charging networks around the world
Understanding electricity as a fuel
- Understanding kiloWatt-hours in electric cars and other gizmos
- Electric car charging rates, how fast, how slow, what we need, and why
- Best electric car charging rate – fast, normal, slow – getting optimum driving flexibility
- End your Range Anxiety by developing range confidence
Car-Free Living, Mass Transit, Car Sharing
