Green Transportation

The ZAP Alias

Performance• 0 – 60 mph : 7.7 seconds
• Vmax: 100 mph
• EV range: 100+ miles (160.9 kilometer)
• Vehicle kerb mass: 1612.6 lbs (733 kg)

Safety
ZAP-3 Homologated as a motorcycle with Enhanced safety features
• Seatbelts
• Roll hoop

General Info Development Updates:
• CAD Walk-a-round: http://www.zapworld.com/files/news/ZAP_AliasVideo.wmv
• Prototype now being developed. See presentation here:
http://www.investorideas.com/Forums/Media/Green2/zaap/default.aspx

With over 100,000 fuel efficient vehicles sold, ZAP (Zero Air Pollution®) plans to deliver the three-wheeled Alias electric vehicle in 2009.  The expected MSRP is US$32,500 and you can reserve one for $5,000.

ZAP has assembled a complete line of products for the environmentally conscious consumer.  With its new product offerings, the Company is positioned to become a leading brand and distribution portal of advanced technology vehicles.

ZAP is based in Santa Rosa, CA, USA.

www.zapworld.com

Part 1 of a series highlighting the history of solar/electric flight…

Aircraft Specifications

Wingspan: Solar Challenger, 46.5 feet (14.8 meters); Pathfinder, 98.4 feet (29.5 meters); Pathfinder-Plus, 121 feet (36.3 meters) Centurion, 206 feet (61.8 meters)

Length: Solar Challenger, 30.3 feet (9.22 meters); Pathfinder, Pathfinder-Plus, and Centurion, 12 feet (3.6 meters)

Wing chord: Solar Challenger, 5.8 feet (1.78 meters); Pathfinder, Pathfinder-Plus, and Centurion, 8 feet (2.4 meters)

Gross weight: Solar Challenger, about 336 pounds (152.8 kg); Pathfinder, about 560 pounds (252 kg.); Pathfinder-Plus, about 700 pounds (315 kg.) Centurion, varies depending on power availability and mission profile; approximately 1,900 pounds for a mission to 80,000 feet altitude.

Payload: Solar Challenger, weight of pilot, up to 150 pounds Pathfinder, up to 100 pounds (45 kg.); Pathfinder-Plus, up to 150 pounds (67.5 kg.) Centurion, varies depending on altitude; about 100 pounds. to 100,000 ft., 600 pounds. to 80,000 feet.

Airspeed: Solar Challenger, approx. 25-34 mph cruise Pathfinder, Pathfinder -Plus. approx. 17-20 mph cruise Centurion, approx. 17-21 mph cruise

Power: Arrays of solar cells, max. output: Solar Challenger, 2,700 Watts Pathfinder, about 7,500 Watts; Pathfinder-Plus, about 12,500 Watts Centurion, 31,000 Watts

Motors: Solar Challenger, one electric motor, 2.7 kW Pathfinder, six electric motors, 1.25 kW each Pathfinder-Plus, eight electric motors, 1.5 kW maximum each Centurion, 14 electric motors, 2.2 kW each

Manufacturer: AeroVironment, Inc.

Primary materials: Composites, plastic, foam.

  Pic 1.0:  Pathfinder                                                              NASA Photo

Flying Free

It’s been a long road, or flight, rather, from Kitty Hawk, USA 1903 to the fields of dreams that launch today’s amazing aeronautical achievements.  Air flight has changed world culture and how we interact with each other and the planet.  We are on the verge of another historical convergence of design, technology and determination that could have dramatic and long term effects on how we live and see our world:  Electric Flight.

What’s so promising about electric flight?  Electric flight and the alternative energy sources available to power it make perpetual flight possible.  Imagine the uses of airborne platforms capable of sustaining flight indefinitely.  Thanks to the long term public and private investments into both electric flight and alternative energy sources we are now seeing a dramatic convergence of technologies extending the possibilities of perpetual flight.

Whether powered by solar, fuel-cell or some other process, a perpetual-flight airborne platform has many uses.  Flying under its own power, a solar airplane could replace satellites which are costly to launch and almost impossible to repair or retrieve.  Low-cost, long-term flight aids in commercial mapping, surveillance, weather-monitoring even agricultural management. 

Their mission is ” to promote bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation and work through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America.

They do this by representing the interests of the nation’s 57 million cyclists. With a current membership of 300,000 affiliated cyclists, including 40,000 individuals and 600 affiliated organizations, the League works to bring better bicycling to your community”

The League was founded as the League of American Wheelmen in 1880. Bicyclists, known then as “wheelmen”, were challenged by rutted roads of gravel and dirt and faced antagonism from horsemen, wagon drivers, and pedestrians.

In an effort to improve riding conditions so they might better enjoy their newly discovered sport, more than 100,000 cyclists from across the United States joined the League to advocate for paved roads. The success of the League in its first advocacy efforts ultimately led to our national highway system.

[via] www.bikeleague.org

Image [via] www.nerve.com

GasSavers.org hails as one of the greatest available fuel saving resources for eco-minded drivers.

Their 201 suggested tips for saving gas while driving might be the most informative feature. Rather than attacking driving as a whole, the folks at GasSavers recognize fuel vehicles as a necessity that many simply have trouble detaching themselves from. Because of this they have compiled hints, tips and tricks to help you save money. While many, such as “Telecommuting” are obvious, some are far more instructional, for example when and when not one should use cruise control.

Also on the site are community forums, a ‘Garage,’ where users can buy and sell their vehicles, not to mention blog posts at GasSavers.net and a current listing for the top 10 gas mileage-saving vehicles. (In case you were wondering, the 2008 Honda Ruckus moterscooter comes in at #1 for achieving a remarkable 107.9 miles per gallon.

By Kevin Wilder BGM

[via] GasSavers.org

In 1937 the Hindenburg ship caught fire over Lakehurst, New Jersey, killing over 36 people.
Ever since this occurrence, backtracking to the late 19th century design has always seemed like an unusual concept. But by implementing new technologies, many progressive engineers are returning to the model as a possible solution to ever-escalating fuel prices and global warming.

This is the dream of French architect Jean-Marie Massaud, who’s low carbon-emission version of the aircraft can achieve top speeds of around 100 miles per hour. Several classes of models are being researched by both governments and private companies. These newly-updated airship vessels, that float rather than fly, are known as dirigibles.

ZLT Zeppelin Lufstchifftechnik’s model is expected to begin service later this year for sightseeing tours. Another is a 690-foot whale-shaped ship called the Manned Cloud. Targeted at wealthy passengers, this sort of “flying cruise ship” will have its own hotel.

At this point all of the vehicle’s research in the U.S. has been conducted for military purposes.

By Kevin Wilder BGM

[via] The New York Times

A few years back, Intelligent Energy claimed their ENV Bike would redefine the future of alternative transportation. With 12 years of research under their belts, the developers still haven’t found anyone willing to invest in the project. And by looks of the website, it appears they’d prefer selling the design-in-progress altogether.

From ENV Bike:

“Here in America, we would love to see these products hit the market. But we lack the infrastructure needed to deliver, store, and dispense hydrogen into your vehicle. What is currently being done to bring these technologies? Not a lot. The oil companies have succeeded in keeping alternative fuels out of the mainstream.”

The relatively lightweight, emission-free bike runs entirely on hydrogen. More practical than any others on the market, the electrical bike will achieve 100 miles per tank and gain top speeds of 50 mph. By utilizing simple button controlling, inexperienced riders should be able to drive it without a problem. Expected production costs are around US$6,000.

By Kevin Wilder BGM

[via] ENV Bike

Fall is right around the corner. And while many might laugh at all prospects of walking until summer is long gone, others have already made the switch.

Walk Score is a new site ranking the walkability of 2,508 neighborhoods in the largest 40 U.S. cities. Neighborhoods are graded on a 100-point scale, each falling into several categories including Walkers’ Paradise, Very Walkable, Somewhat Walkable or Car-Dependent. The site makes use of the ever-improving Google maps system. After entering an address, Walk Score checks available lists to spot nearby grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, parks and so forth. The site also mentions a few shortcomings to hopefully be improved upon in future updates. Some excluded ranking components include street safety, topography and weather-related problems, which are all potential factors making it harder to walk in some places. My simplest advice is this: before considering a move to a new location, it’d be a good idea to check this site. Spending an extra $100 in rent might not make a difference when factoring in the effects driver’s have on the environment, economy and their own wallets.

Article and photo by Kevin Wilder BGM

[via] The National Geographic Green Guide

Well, isn’t this pretty nifty?! You can complain all you want about elevated gas prices, you can whine until the cows come home, but none of your woes will change the price of fuel. It’s time to stop complaining and start taking action. Driving less and walking more is a way to not only save some money, but a fine way to save the environment and get some exercise as well.

And wouldn’t you know it? Google has added a cool new feature onto their direction mapping service. Just like when you get directions by car, you enter your place of origin and your destination, but once you hit submit and get the automobile results, you’ll see a “Walking” option on the upper left pane, under the “For car” option. The service lists the itenary pretty much like its car companion, though cutting out the unsafe walking roads. We don’t want to be walking through any freeways.

All in all, Google has made a pretty cool addition to their family of tools and services. The walking directions will surely inspire some people to let the car sit for awhile as they go for their new found walking treks. If you want to give the service a test run for yourself, just head over to Google Maps.

[via] www.coolest-gadgets.com

The money are in the bank for this shark looking car. The new funds will be used to start initial production of the Typ-1, a radically different vehicle that marries advanced aerodynamics with light-weight composite technology. Additionally, the company plans to use the newly raised funds for a new manufacturing facility located in Vista, California near the company’s present headquarters in Carlsbad. The Series C round of venture funding came Idealab, Esenjay Investments, The Simons Family, The Beall Family Trust and Google, Inc.

Aptera has received over 3,300 deposits from California-only buyers eager to be among the first to drive this new vehicle.

The Aptera Typ-1 will be the most efficient passenger vehicle in the world. The first production models are planned to be available in December 2008 with the production rate increasing throughout 2009. With a coefficient of drag literally one-third of a subcompact car and less than half the weight, the all-electric version will get up to 120 miles per charge, while the hybrid version, which will follow in about 12 months, will achieve close to 300 MPG.

“With energy prices and oil prices where they are, we feel dramatic increases in the efficiency of transportation, like the Typ-1, are greatly needed,” said Bill Gross, chairman and CEO of Idealab. “The Aptera Typ-1 is designed to be the lowest energy way to transport two passengers safely from point A to point B. Clearly, our expectations for this first vehicle and this company are very high.”

[via] www.aptera.com