sustainable style foundation*

Could this be the next Elmo-esque toy craze? The H-Racer from Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies is a toy hydrogen car. It comes with it's own fuel cell refueling station that creates hydrogen fuel by combining solar power and water. Apparently it doesn't run for all that long, but that's because it's fuel cell is so small. But hey, still way cool for any budding eco-kid on the block. I remember having many a remote-controlled car growing up...all battery powered of course. The H Racer is like a chemistry set and toy car combined.

Just like buying stuff is impossible to avoid, so too is getting around. School, work, errands and fun keep us all on the move. In our ongoing look at quick changes you can make to your lifestyle by the end of the day, we'll peruse the idea that you don't have to drive yourself everywhere you need to go.

C is for Catch a ride. There are tons of ways to get out from behind the wheel. Hop on the bus, join a carpool, ride a bike...the list goes on and on. Why should you do it? It's cheaper than driving yourself, there's less parking to worry with, and you get to bypass traffic using the HOV lanes. It saves time, money, energy, fuel and the headache of being stuck in traffic (again). There are lots of excuses to go solo: schedules don't match up, mass transit isn't nearby, don't like to wait for the bus, etc. and we've heard 'em all before, so here's a list of resources to get you off your duff and carpooling and bus-riding like a pro in no time.

Carpooling networks and services:
NuRide
eRideShare
Carpool Connect
Rideshare Online
CommuterLink
Drive2Day

City-specific programs:
San Francisco/Easy Bay: Casual Car Pool
Seattle: Carpool Match NW

Mass transit:
Los Angeles -- Los Angeles County Metro
New York -- Metropolitan Transportation Authority
San Francisco -- SF Muni
Seattle -- King County Metro

October is also International Walk to School Month. For the first time, events have been stretched out over the entire month, so check out what's happening in your neck of the woods when it comes to hoofing it. It isn't just for students any more!

Over at AutoblogGreen, there's a nice two-part summation of the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to alternative fuels (Part 1, Part 2). Aside from simply defining how CNG (Compressed Natural Gas), E85 (85% ethanol), biodiesel, SVO (Straight Vegetable Oil) and Electricity work, there's also a pretty good analysis of pros & cons, as well as real-world issues like cost, availability and long-term sustainability. After the rundown of what's what, what goes where, they ultimately pick the winner. Which is it? We won't ruin the surprise, but here's a hint: the fuel at the top of the heap isn't a liquid. Be confused no more, and read it here. [AutoblogGreen]

Over at Gristmill, Sarah has a cute review of The Last Kiss, the movie starring Zach Braff, Jacinda Barrett and Toyota's Prius, featured in the second line of the movie. From Sarah's review, "As the film begins, the lens is focused knee-height at a number of women (with very nice legs) walking at a crosswalk. The camera then pans up very slowly to focus on the front of a black Prius -- Toyota logo very much visible. As the shot continues to move up, two main characters -- Michael (Braff) and Jenna (Barrett) -- are seen seated in the car.

Jenna says something to Michael to the effect of 'What are you thinking about?' And Michael replies, 'I was just thinking how convenient it is for me that it's considered hip to drive a $20,000 hybrid car.' Or something like that. I only managed to scribble parts of that second line on my napkin..."

Sounds like an Oscar-worthy performance to us; the more people that see Zach Braff and think "Toyota Prius" the better. [The Last Kiss] via

Just launched today, Lexus Hybrid Living is a new site with information and ideas about experiencing a life filled with sustainable style. There are two sections: Hybrid Living Tours takes you on video podcast tours of New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, guiding you to spas, hotels, boutiques and more; Hybrid Living Profiles features architects and fashion and interior designers who are on the cutting edge of the fusion of sustainability and style, and features some of our favorites, including Q Collection and Linda Loudermilk. Nice! [Hybrid Living Tour]

The next time you travel, travel green. Rental car giant Hertz has thrown its hat into the sustainability ring by offering a "Green Collection" of cars. The selection of four models, the Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, Buick LaCrosse and Hyundai Sonata, get at least 28 mpg; most of the Camrys, Fusions and LaCrosses also carry EPA's SmartWay certification, indicating lower emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases. With more than 35,000 cars in the Green Collection, Hertz guarantees availability at 50 major airport locations across the US; more than 18,000 of them are also SmartWay certified. Each of the Green Collection can be reserved by specific make and model at either hertz.com, by calling Hertz at 1-800-654-3131 or by ringing up your favorite travel agent. [Hertz] via [GreenBiz]

Jeffrey Hollender is President & CEO of Seventh Generation, one of more sustainable companies around. They produce non-toxic cleaning products and generally work hard to make the world a better place. They have a blog, The Inspired Protagonist, that is the voice of the company and tracks their day-to-day progress. In a recent post, Jeffrey talks about purchasing a 1983 Mercedes with over 128,000 miles on it; he bought it with the idea to convert it to run on straight vegetable oil (SVO) or waste vegetable oil (WVO). Once done, he'll be able to pour old fryer grease or other form of veggie oil into his tank, and take off down the road. We're looking forward to keeping track of how he does; way to walk the walk, Jeffrey! [The Inspired Protagonist]

Rusty Wallace recently climbed out of his racecar and in to the role of activist, joining Julia Roberts as a spokesperson and advisory board member for Earth Biofuels, Inc. Wallace and Roberts aren't the only celebs lending their time and talents to the company that produces biofuels; Willie Nelson and Morgan Freeman are also on the board of directors. Though retired from the NASCAR circuit, Wallace remains active in the sport, as a team owner in the NASCAR Busch Series. He's also an auto racing analyst for ESPN and ABC Sports; here's hoping he'll use his high-profile status in the sport to spread the good word about biodiesel. "Biofuels are the future and essential in the energy equation, and Earth Biofuels is leading the way in developing and distributing biodiesel and ethanol fuel," Wallace said. "As someone who has spent his life racing cars, I understand the importance of cleaner burning fuels that provide improved efficiency, while also helping to reduce the nation's dependence on foreign sources." [Yahoo!] via

The Tesla Roadster has been making news all over the world (we spied it last week) following it's big unveiling last week, and the good people at AutoblogGreen have tracked down the Chairman of Tesla Motors for a chat about the hot electric roadster. Elon Musk talks at length about Tesla Motors, the future of electric vehicles and why the Prius is a gas-guzzler. They've got big plans for the car that can do 0-60 in about four seconds, goes about 250 miles on each charge, which, when you do the math, works out to about 135 miles per gallon, and a cost of one penny per mile! Included in the future is a red carpet arrival at the Oscars, and maybe even more models for the family, Mom and Pop, and more. Read it all over at AutoblogGreen: [Q&A with Elon Musk] and [Tesla Motors]

Pretty Woman Julia Roberts has followed in the footsteps of Daryl Hannah, Willie Nelson and Morgan Freeman as a biofuel booster. She has signed on to chair a new Advisory Committee and be a spokesperson of Earth Biofuels. Based in Dallas, TX, the company has received support from other high-profile celebs in the past, with both Nelson and Freeman on their Board of Directors.

"It's very important that we expand our use of clean energy and make a long-term commitment to it," Roberts said. "Biodiesel and ethanol are better for the environment and for the air we breathe."

The Advisory Board will provide guidance to senior management on key issues and will serve to broaden biofuels awareness on a national scale. Earth Biofuels and Ms. Roberts will collaborate on a program to encourage the use of clean-burning biodiesel fuel in the more than 500,000 diesel school buses currently in service across the United States.

"The use of biodiesel is a positive step toward minimizing pollutive emissions and greenhouse gases," Roberts added. By focusing on school buses, we can affect the health and wellbeing of the people most susceptible to that pollution -- our children -- today."

Go Julia go! [Earth Biofuels] via [Eco Chick]

Whoa, baby! Tesla Motors' new Roadster is turning some heads, as well it should be. The 100% electric car burns rubber instead of burning gas to the tune of 0-60 in about four seconds. It'll get you about 250 miles on each charge, which, when you do the math, works out to about 135 miles per gallon, and a cost of one penny per mile! It's even got an iPod dock built right in. A full charge is reached in about three and a half hours, making it easy to do overnight.

Not just another pie-in-the-sky prototype, the Roadster will be available for sale in California during the summer of 2007. Chicago will follow with a delivery date in the fall of 2007. The cars will then also be available in New York and Miami probably beginning in late 2007. We're looking forward to seeing them hit the road. [Tesla Motors] via [Jalopnik]

The new Toyota Camry Hybrid is practically driving itself off the lot in it's second month of availability. According to Toyota's July 3 press release, the American-made Camry Hybrid sold 4,268 units in June; according to some quick math over at the Fast Company blog, that's the first time any hybrid other than the Prius has sold more than 3500 units per month so far in 2006. June's sales of the Camry Hybrid helped Toyota extend its market share dominance of the hybrid sector to a whopping 78%; the Camry's 4,268 units is second to the Prius' 9,696, with Toyota's Highlander Hybrid rounding out the top three with 2,705 units sold. Could the Camry Hybrid overtake it's older brother? [Fast Company Blog] via [Hugg]

DaimlerChrysler has announced plans to launch a gasoline-electric hybrid for the 2008 model year. According to DaimlerChrysler Board Member Dr. Thomas Weber, the company will commercialize an S-class mild hybrid; further mild-hybrid models are in development for subsequent years. Mild hybrid engines, like the one in use in Honda's Accord hybrid, provide electric-powered assistance to the gasoline engine; full hybrids, like Toyota's Prius, alternate between their gasoline or electric motors depending on driving conditions.

DaimlerChrysler introduced both gasoline and diesel Mercedes mild-hybrid concept cars based on the S-Class at last year’s Frankfurt auto show. Between this and the news that an electric version of DaimlerChrysler's smart cars are on the way, things are looking a little greener at the German company, and that's a good thing.[Handelsblatt] (German) via [Green Car Congress]

Boeing's 747, the big workhorse for cross-country and international flights since the late 1960's, has been redesigned for the 21st Century. The new features, including the bowed, bird-like wings and cleaner, more efficient engines, are designed to make the plane more aerodynamic and fuel-efficient; the resulting decrease in exhaust will make the plane much more environmentally friendly than the older version. Dubbed the 747-8, the plane slightly resembles Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner; the first freighter versions of the 747-8 will be rolled out in 2009, with passenger versions to follow. Looks like a smooth ride... [Boeing 747-8] via [Gizmodo]

Following up on our earlier post about smart car's coming to the US comes the news that the DaimlerChrysler-owned diminuitive cars will soon come in an all-electric version. DaimlerChrysler showed a prototype of a smart fortwo (their two-seater) electric vehicle (ev) in 2005. The prototype smart fortwo ev featured electricity consumption of 12 kWh per 100 kilometers, giving the car a range of about 60 miles per eight-hour charge. The real deal will appear next week at London's British International Motor Show, and we think they might be a big hit with those in the UK; with London's congestion charge, high price of gas, parking incentives that some councils give for electric cars and the government's road tax exemption all mean London is at the forefront of the electric car boom. The caveat: DaimlerChrysler reportedly will only offer the smart ev for leasing at about £375 (US$690) per month, mainly to large companies wanting to use them as pool cars. They're cool enough that we hope they ev's can swim and that we'll see them soon in the States. [Guardian] via