Southwest Greens Travel with Eco-Friendlier Plane

Air travel has gained a reputation of being an environmentally detrimental method of transportation, guzzling petroleum-based fuels and emitting an array of harmful gases into the atmosphere.  While solar planes and biomass jet fuel may still be wishful thinking, a number of airlines are taking initiative and doing their part to minimize the impact of flight.  Southwest's eco-friendly policies are on the forefront with the introduction of a new green plane that promises to improve fuel efficiency and cut emissions.

The Green(er) Jet

Rather than invest in bio and algae-based fuel research like some airlines, Southwest is implementing eco-friendly materials that reduce the weight of their aircraft, thus saving fuel, while also reducing waste and minimizing interior maintenance.  

The test plane, a Boeing 737-700, features:

• Smaller life vest bags made of canvas instead of metal, reducing weight by a pound per passenger and providing increased leg room and storage space;
• Lighter weight foam fill in passenger seats that reduce weight while improving comfort;
• Recyclable aluminum seat rub strips rather than plastic to maximize durability and minimize waste;
• Recycled carpet, installed in sections for easy localized replacement - also reducing waste as well as labor costs;

Two new eco-friendly seat covers are being tested on the green plane: e-leather, a synthetic scuff-resistant leather alternative made of post-consumer waste, and IZIT Leather, a long-lasting, lightweight alternative to premium leather.  The combined changes offer an overall weight reduction of nearly 5 pounds per seat and could save the airline as much as $10 million per year in fuel and maintenance costs.

Other Eco Initiatives From Southwest

Like many airline companies, Southwest has already switched to paperless tickets.  Styrofoam cups have been replaced with eco-friendlier paper and winglets have been installed to improve fleet efficiency.  A better onboard recycling program will also be underway for all Southwest flights, beginning this November.

Green Standards From Other Airlines

I'm sure we'll see more eco initiatives hitting the runways as competition heats up between the airline companies.  Some programs already in place include:

• Organic meal options from Virgin America;
• Energy efficient terminals and extensive recycling from JetBlue;
• New fleets with increased efficiency from American Airlines.

Visit Greenopia's airline sustainability rankings to see how other airlines are going green.

Source: PRNewsWire

Images: lrargerich, AComment

Are You Ready to Tango? Meet the Eco-Car of Tomorrow

Sleek and fast, with the ability to travel up to 200 miles on a single charge, the electric hybrid Tango is leading the way when it comes to eco-friendly transport.  With power that rivals that of a Viper, and speed that leaves a Cobra far behind, the Tango boasts the size and maneuverability of a motorcycle with the performance of a sports car - all without using a drop of fuel.

Performance and Handling

At a width of just 39 inches, the Tango can go where other cars can't - and can probably get there faster.  The futuristic commuter car is 5" narrower than a typical motorcycle and only 8.5 feet long for quick and easy parking wherever you may go.  

Can a car this compact really perform?

• 0 to 60 in 4 seconds,
• Top speed of at least 135 mph,
• And a range of 40 to 200 miles, depending on the battery chosen.

The Tango also has the ability to tow a standard gasoline generator, making it possible to travel anywhere the road may take you, just like any gas-powered vehicle.

Safety and Comfort

Not only can the skinny, speedy Tango perform like a luxury sportster, it is one of the safest cars available.  Low ground clearance minimizes the risk of rollovers while a steel roll cage that exceeds race car requirements protects the car's occupants if there is a crash.  The Tango's narrow, motorcycle-like design offers acceleration and maneuverability to avoid most accidents completely.

When it comes to space, comfort, and storage, the Tango provides much more than it's appearance would lead you to believe.  The single front driver's seat has nearly the same arm room as the oversized Dodge Ram and can comfortably accommodate drivers over 6-foot tall.  The removable backseat offers enough leg room for an adult passenger and can still carry a few groceries without sacrificing the comfort of your passenger.  Without the backseat, the Tango can easily hold large suitcases, briefcases for work, and other cargo.

Owning a Tango

Currently, the Tango T600 is only owned by 11 lucky eco drivers - including George Clooney who purchased the very first model, a black Tango, in 2005 for $85,000.  The T600 is available by special order and arrives as a mostly-assembled kit car, requiring a $10,000 deposit.  The total cost is around $150,000.

A mass production model, the T200, is planned for the near future and could be as inexpensive as $20,000.  A waiting list is already being created for the T200.  You can add your name to the list by participating in the manufacturer's survey - or place an order for the T600 - by visiting the Commuter Car's website.

Images via Commuter Cars Tango

Additional info: New York Post

Exotic Transport Gets Greener - Lamborghini, Ferrari Go Hybrid

After gaining the rank of the least fuel efficient 2-seater on the market, Lamborghini is making headway toward a more eco-friendly sports car.  Exotic rival, Ferrari is also planning a new hybrid drivetrain that promises better efficiency, lower emissions, and the company's primary goal - better performance.

What's in Store for the Green Lamborghini?

The newest model of the Gallardo has seen minor improvements in fuel economy, up 3 mpg from the 14 mpg seen in previous models - much better than the 8 mpg Murcielago, but not rivaling the sleek electric Tesla Roadster.  Lamborghini also plans to cut company carbon emissions by 30% over the next 6 years.  Solar power is already being integrated into their Italian manufacturing plant to achieve this goal.

Lamborghini vehicles will see a decrease in emissions of at least 35% by 2015.  Aside from the new hybrid drivetrain, plans for the green Lamborghini include:

• Biofuel engines;
• Unique start-stop systems;
• And lighter vehicle frames.

Ferrari's Green Intentions

Ferrari promised to reduce carbon output by a whopping 40% no later than 2012, already implementing a Kinetic Energy Recovery System that recovers wasted energy through regenerative braking in their Formula One race cars.  Plans for a Ferrari hybrid drivetrain were announced earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show.

Four-wheel drive technology will allow one set of wheels to be handled by a traditional transmission driven engine, while the other pair will operate through either an electric motor or 2 in-wheel motors.  The system is currently being tested in the 599 Fiorano, which could debut later this year, but we probably won't see the green Ferrari in production until 2015.

For the Planet or for the Profit?

Despite the green promises of both exotic sports car manufacturers, Ferrari admits their hybrid plans are geared more toward vehicle performance rather than efficiency and eco-friendliness.  European emissions standards will get much stricter in 2014, with the US requiring similar regulations by 2016 - something both companies must comply with to continue selling their super-fast roadsters.

Will the green Lamborghini and hybrid Ferrari make a difference in improving the planet or will the future models just serve to keep the companies in business?  We'll have to wait and see!

Sources and Images: Green Car Reports; GreenBiz

2009 New York Auto Show Brings Shades of Green With New Concepts

This weekend marks one of the most important events of the year for car manufacturers, automative dealers, and car enthusiasts around the world.  This year's International Auto Show has a lot in store for the environmentally conscious as well. Along with our green transportation favorites - the amazingly powerful Mercedes BlueTec; the award winning Honda Clarity fuel cell, and, of course, the super-economic Prius - we're seeing plenty of new eco concepts emerging.

This prototype blends the work of GM with the revolutionary design of Segway. The PUMA has room for 2 passengers and features seating rather than the stand-up design of the Segway. The electric motor eliminates fuel dependency and the design would cost half as much as traditional autos to manufacture.  

Giving the sleek Tesla Roadster a bit of competition, the Fisker Sunset is a sporty plug-in hybrid concept.  Production is planned for late 2009 and the curvy convertible will be just slightly more affordable than the Roadster with an $87,000 price tag.

Scion unveiled the sassy micro-subcompact iQ this weekend, featuring 3+1 seating to be more functional than the typical micro car.  The Scion iQ also boasts a smaller carbon footprint than the super-eco Smart Car.  

Images/Sources: Green Car Examiner

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