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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

For anyone looking for the "greenest" ride out there, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has scored all vehicles on greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, from 0 to 10, with 10 being the best. Forbes narrowed the list down further, selecting those who scored 9.5 or higher in air pollution, and then ranked them from 1 to 10 via their greenhouse gas scores. Interestingly, there are a few hybrid SUVs that made the list:

1. 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid
2. 2006 Toyota Prius
3. 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
4. 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid
5. 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid
6. 2007 Ford Focus
7. 2006 Mazda3
8. 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
9. 2007 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
10. 2006 Saturn Ion

For more info, including the methodology and scoring procedures, see what Forbes has to say, via AutoblogGreen.

The Wall Street Journal, Germany's Der Spiegel, and the Detroit News are all independently reporting that DaimlerChrysler will announce plans to begin selling the super-efficient smart car in the United States in 2007. A little birdie told us to expect the announcement today (Tuesday), but we have yet to hear the good word. All three reports indicated the car would come to the United States in 2007. DaimlerChrysler is widely expected to roll out the next-generation smart ForTwo in April 2007, which would coincide with the US debut. The diminuitive cars popular in Europe for some time, have been available in limited numbers in the States since April, when a car imported called ZAP began bringing the Smart ForTwo in limited numbers to US customers. DaimlerChrysler has officially sold Smart cars in Canada for the past few years. [Left Lane News] via [Digg]

Yes, I know this is old news but I just have to bring it up again. The good peeps at Global Green have partnered up with Brad Pitt to bring a little attention and creativity to the future of New Orleans. Per Global Green's webssite: "the Sustainable Design Competition for New Orleans is a design challenge that combines Global Green USA's commitment to green affordable housing, sustainable cities, and climate solutions that work for communities, with Brad Pitt's passion for intelligent architecture and determination to combat inequity". Um...NICE! Looking forward to seeing the entries.

Just ran across Greencar Magazine at the bookstore recently. Really impressed with how advanced the design of hybrids and other alternative fuel vehicles has come...even surprised me. Worth tracking down at your favorite book/magazine store.

Yep, blown away by another magazine. The most recent issue of Fast Company Magazine is chock full of sustainability. A couple items in "Feedback" regarding their March issue to begin with. In their "Fast Talk" section, one of the highlighted individuals is Patty Herrera, Director of Multicultural Initiatives for the Oakland Raiders. The team has had many diversity firsts, including the first Hispanic head coach and then later, Art Shell, the first African American head coach. What really got me was that they now broadcast the games in Navajo. AWESOME! Next there is of course Ford's hybrid add with Kermit the Frog. Move onto an article title "Deconstructing Wal-Mart's Wonder Truck" which evaluated their fleet's efforts to improve envrironmental performance. Followed by a short blurb on Lord Richard Rogers efforts to enrich the Queens waterfront in NYC which will include some environmentally efficient materials. Next a feature article by Charles Fishman titled "A Farming Fairy Tale" which exlpores what life on the farm would be like (actually what life would be like for all of us) if a switch to organic happened overnight. Also a great book review of "Organic, Inc.". And last but not least, a great back and forth in their column "Open Debate" on feeding the world with Billy Shore of Share Our Strength and William Easterly NYU Professor.