Both of those will be on display this week when the 104th Los Angeles Auto Show opens at the Convention Center. About 900,000 people are expected to attend the event that runs Nov. 18-27. The show is open on Thanksgiving.

Although no vehicles are sold during the show, car manufacturers from around the globe will be on hand to tout and answer questions about their products. Approximately 1,000 cars and more than 50 vehicle debuts are scheduled for the show, everything from SUVs to futuristic concept cars. Attendees will have the chance to check out the autos up close, sit inside, admire the gadgets and even test drive a few models.

A highlight of the show each year is the announcement of the Green Car Journal’s Green Car of the Year. This year’s finalists are the Ford Focus Electric, Honda Civic Natural Gas, Mitsubishi i, Toyota Prius V and Volkswagen Passat TDI.

With enhanced gas and diesel engines, and all-electric options, automakers are redefining “green.”

The Los Angeles Auto Show runs Nov. 18-27 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St. More information atlaautoshow.com.

HIT FROM: LADOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

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HIT FROM: Ecofabulous.com

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This marks a significant change in the company’s philosophy in the last several years. When the Toyota Prius and a few other hybrid models began to take off, the German car maker said it wanted to avoid the obvious inefficiency of carrying two power systems in one vehicle.

The new car adds a 55-horsepower electric motor for a combined output of 335 horsepower and the ability to travel on electric power alone for short distances. The hybrid power system charges its lithium-ion battery while the car is braking or coasting, with the electric motor acting as a generator.  A driving mode called ECO PRO shuts off and decouples the gasoline engine while coasting at speeds of up to 100 mph to make the most efficient use of energy that might otherwise be wasted.

Whats more is that the car’s drive-system electronics are also are linked to its navigation system, allowing analysis of the route and conditions. The car then adjusts to operate at high efficiency levels based on the route.

The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 arrives at US BMW centers in March 2012.

The post BMW TO RELEASE HYRBID 5-SERIES SEDAN appeared first on Green Jar.

The Miniwiz iPhone cases are also made to carry credit cards and an RFID card, so you have the option of tracking your phone should you lose it.

The material comes from by-products of rice farming- the rice husks are combined with the plastic to form POLLIBER™. That makes it more than a little tricky to make yourself, but if you’re in a DIY mood, we’ve got you covered.

HIT FROM: Treehugger.com

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Is green Nascar an oxymoron? After all, the sport is all about watching gas guzzlers drive at high speeds in circles for hours. Until 2007, race cars used leaded fuel. Tens of thousands of fans still drive to races in recreational vehicles and other gas hogs.

The post NASCAR STARTS AN IMPRESSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVE appeared first on Green Jar.

Each iBamboo is unique, crafted from a single piece of bamboo. Due to its creation from a natural material there is slight variation in the appearance of each speaker, though it will always help to amplify the sounds coming from your iPhone. Designed for the iPhone 4, the iBamboo works in a similar way to the Megaphone, resonating the sound down its length and out of the holes either end producing a stereo effect.

Bamboo is a truly sustainable material, it grows quickly and easily and decomposes when disposed of. The bamboo is machine cut to size, while the opening to allow the insertion of the iPhone is lazer cut to provide accuracy, each one is then hand finished. There is very little waste in the manufacturing of the iBamboo, adding to its environmental appeal.

The iBamboo is a lightweight speaker to carry with you, for use when camping, for a picnic, or any outdoor activity where you wish to have music. Though it will not have the same abilities as electronic speakers, its ability to amplify without the need for electricity and its use of natural sustainable material make it ideal for eco-friendly iPhone users. 

HIT FROM: Envirogadget.com

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Making America more competitive for the long haul

Echoing his January 2011 State of the Union Address, in which he said,

We need to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world

Obama outlined his new USD$447 billion American Jobs Act.

With six million long-term unemployed Americans – and 86 percent of the U.S. public “frustrated” or “angry” with the federal government, according to a recent poll – Obama took a feisty tone in addressing a Congress that has virtually been deadlocked for the past six months.

You should pass this now,

he insisted repeatedly during the half-hour address.

Although he made no direct reference to the “five million green jobs over 10 years” he had promised the U.S. electorate during his campaign, Obama directly targeted the need to provide public and private sector support to technology companies.

We now live in a world where technology has made it possible for companies to take their business anywhere, he noted. If we want them to start here and stay here and hire here … that’s a job for all of us. For government and for private companies. For states and for local communities – and for every American citizen. All of us will have to up our game. All of us will have to change the way we do business.

The president made the following commitments that would support green technology, including photovoltaic energy generation, saying that his economic plan has the elements to:

•Mobilize business leaders to train 10,000 American engineers a year, by providing company internships and training;

•Cover tuition for workers who learn more skills at community colleges;

•Provide incentives and support to ensure that “the next generation of manufacturing takes root, not in China or Europe, “but in the United States”;

•Cut away the red tape that prevents too many rapidly growing startup companies from raising capital and going public;

•Provide a 50 percent payroll tax cut for small businesses;

•Give small business owners a tax credit when they hire new workers – and give all companies a $4,000 tax credit if they hire anyone who has spent more than six months looking for a job;

•Offer a tax credit to anyone who hires a military veteran;

•Pay small business owners who have contracts with the federal government “in half the time” that it takes now;

•Allow all businesses to continue writing off the investments they make in 2012; and

•Clear the way for a series of trade agreements that will make it easier for U.S. companies to sell their products in Panama, Colombia and South Korea, while also helping the workers whose jobs have been affected by global competition.

With support from Congress, Obama said that his plan would be a game-changer, noting,

It will provide a jolt to an economy that has stalled, and give companies confidence that if they invest and if they hire, there will be customers for their products and services.

As was to be expected, Democrats largely praised the plan.

Hit From: Energyprofessionalnetwork.com

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Porsche is now taking orders for the German carmaker’s first publicly available hybrid sports car, the 918 Spyder.

Unveiled as a concept car one year ago at the Geneva Motor Show, the 918 Spyder is a plug-in hybrid car powered by a 500-horsepower V8 gasoline engine and two electric motors — one each in the front and rear axles — that will produce at least 218 horsepower more, Porsche promises.

The car’s top speed will be 199 miles per hour, Porsche claims, and it will be capable of zero-to-60 acceleration in just 3.1 seconds. The 918 Spyder will also be able to drive under electric power at speeds up to 94 miles per hour, at least for “limited distances.”

While official fuel economy figures are not yet available, Porsche anticipates the 918 Spyder will get about 78 miles per gallon.

A two-seat convertible, the 918 Spyder will have removable roof panels that can be stored in the car’s front-end luggage compartment.

Only 918 of the cars will be produced at a base price of $845,000 each. While Porsche dealers are taking orders now, production won’t start until September, 2013.

*Porsche currently has two other hybrid models, the Cayenne Hybrid SUV, currently on sale, and the Panamera Hybrid four-door hatchback, entering production soon. Porsche also has a hybrid race car competing in LeMans endurance races

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Now we should be clear that this is not Batman’s ride of choice for the upcoming Christopher Nolan film The Dark Knight Rises, but the vehicle that will be used in the Batman Live World Arena Tour.

Drawing upon his experience designing the McLaren F1, Murray’s new Bat-concept car features a carbon-fiber body that reportedly ‘breathes’. The vehicle is also powered by a hydrogen fuel cell and a brace of lithium-ion batteries.

However, while we liked Murray’s enthuiasm for the green technology, we have to ask one thing: Neon lights?! Neon went out with the awful Batman & Robin movie and has no place on a 21st century Batmobile. It’s a shame because apart from those horrible LED wheels, the vehicle does resemble the rocket-powered Caped Crusader vehicles of yore.

Here’s hoping Christopher Nolan and co. will try and make the Dark Knight’s ride greener for the upcoming film.

Read more: Holy Environmentalism Batman! The Dark Knight’s Greener Batmobile | Inhabitat – Green Design Will Save the World

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Features a modern look:

Manufactured by Karbon kinetics Limited the Gocycle is made from injection molded magnesium making it extremely light. It comes with a 9Ah MiMH battery which allows the rider to ride a considerably longer distance of approximately 30kms just from a single charge. It can functions as a regular, electric bike with a push of a button, placed to the left of the handlebar. The Gocycle is one of its kinds, featuring a fully enclosed, multi-gear drive system. Designed by an ex-car designer, the bike takes the electric bike to a whole new level with its ultra modern and smooth look.

Get ready for a joy ride:

The Gocycle is a rider’s delight with stunning looks. It is immensely powerful to give an easy and enjoyable ride even going up the steepest slopes. The bike is fully transportable since the bike can be re-assembled and it does not demand oiling, keeping the user away from wardrobe malfunction.

HIT FROM: GREENDIARY.COM

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