To our readers: Sorry about the delayed post, but we were having problems with our servers last night.
San Jose is hosting the Plug-In 2008 conference this year which runs through July 24. It is the largest and first dedicated plug-in hybrid conference. This year, representatives from government, auto, and utility are discussing what is needed to make plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles a reality. In other words, they are dealing with the when scenario, not the if. One big issue being discussed is the electric grid upgrade that will need to happen in preparation for a surge in demand once plug-in hybrids are mass produced and sold.
Also in attendance are scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and exhibitors. New technology and research will be shared along with the latest innovations in plug-in technology and power grid infrastructure improvements. What makes this conference particularly exciting is that the conversation has changed from speculation and theory to planning for the inevitable introduction of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles.
I’m encouraged conferences and conversations like this are occurring. You can be sure more will come in the near future. Currently, the general consensus is that Toyota and GM will offer plug-in hybrids some time in 2010. You can be sure other automakers will be right behind them!
Two months ago, I wrote how high gas prices may actually be good in that we are beginning to change our often wasteful habits. As a nation, gas consumption is noticeably decreasing. We’re carpooling more, we consolidate errands, we avoid unnecessary trips, and we’re buying smaller cars. I can’t remember the last time larger, more powerful vehicles were out of vogue!
I just read a Time magazine article that discusses things we can like about $4 gas. It’s a great article which not only discusses the sacrifices we have to make, but also looks at the silver lining in terms of the positive adjustments we’ve made to accommodate high gas prices.
So, what can we possible like about $4 gas you ask? According to Amanda:
- As shipping costs increase, more jobs are coming back to the U.S.
- With increasing transportation costs, urban sprawl has dramatically decreased
- JB wrote about this – 4 day workweeks are reality in some companies and governments
- Decreased pollution
- We are more frugal – we check tire pressure more often and are buying smaller cars
- People are driving slower to save gas, which has resulted in fewer traffic deaths
- Insurance rates for some are decreasing as they drive less and qualify for lower mileage rates
- There is less traffic as people drive less, carpool more, and increase their use of public transportation
- With skyrocketing gas bills, police are walking and bicycling more, which means more police spending time in communities
- As people eat out less, obesity decreases
You may not agree with all these points, but Amanda does offer a fairly compelling perspective. We all hate to see people making sacrifices, especially when putting gas in the tank means being unable to put food on the table. However, as Amanda writes, “The suffering will go on. But the story, like any good tragedy, is not without redemption. “
I was looking into interesting alternatives to driving for your commute, and re-discovered casual car pools. Here in California, casual car poolers get to use the HOV lane, and don’t pay bridge tolls. What’s a casual car pool? Well, according to RideNow.org:
“Casual car pools” or “ad hoc car pools” are informal car pools that form when drivers and passengers meet — without specific prior arrangement — at designated locations.
It’s totally fascinating because it’s organic, and the site even lists a set of etiquette (don’t talk to the driver), and a list of drivers to avoid.From what I can tell, casual car pools have only sprung up in the S.F. Bay Area, and it’s really hard to get one going because it requires critical mass, but it’s a really interesting concept, and speaks to the fact that even though we are in a car society, there are many creative ways we can use to break the tyranny of $5 gas.Want to learn about some in your area? Do a Google search for ‘alternatives to driving’, and there are a ton of great resources. And let us know if you have any other interesting ideas.
A while back, I wrote about Wal-Mart’s efforts to go green, including their efforts to implement green technologies and push their supply chain to go green. I’m happy to report that Wal-Mart is continuing to forge ahead with its efforts.
Over the past two years in the U.S., Walmart has increased the number of local farmers it works with by 50 percent. It expects over $400 million of produce will come from local sources this year, which is defined as purchasing and selling produce in the same state. Before you scoff at the fact that Walmart defines local as the same state and not within some arbitrary 150 mile radius, remember Walmart’s massive scale and the fact that there probably aren’t many farmers who can support supplying a few Walmart stores, let alone a single one. Also, ask yourself how many times you’ve eaten a Florida or California orange or produce grown in another state. Sourcing intrastate is a big step forward, especially since produce travels 1,500 miles on average before reaching consumers’ homes.
Walmart gave peach sourcing as an example. By sourcing peaches from 18 states instead of two, Walmart saves 672,000 miles and 112,000 gallons of fuel, equivalent to approximately $1.4 million in transportation costs. Given grocery accounts for 41 percent of Walmart’s U.S. sales, it’s easy to see how savings like this add up quickly. In addition, by sourcing more produce locally, Walmart is ready to accommodate the already large and growing demand for organic produce.
One of Walmart’s biggest principles is to lower costs so savings can be passed onto customers. It’s no secret a big reason Walmart is going green is that it’s good fiscal policy for them. Walmart saves money through many of its green initiatives, and they’re not afraid to admit it. Walmart may not do everything right, but it’s efforts to go green should be applauded by all of us. The next step I’d love to see Walmart take is to identify how eco-friendly (or not) a product is relative to competing products in the same class.
See this receipt? For the first time, I broke the $70 mark a few days ago which kind of surprised me, but didn’t… On the one hand, $70 is a lot of money and do I really want this money to go towards gas? But on the other hand, it’s not like I’ve been living under a rock - news of rising oil prices is pretty hard to avoid if you read/watch the news.
Anyway, with the recent July 4th holiday, I’ve started hearing a lot more about people who are taking “staycations.” In case you haven’t already heard about this, a staycation is a vacation that is spent close to home.
Instead of taking a road trip, for example, a growing number of people are opting to spend their vacation time at home, enjoying their local surroundings.
Personally, I think this is a fabulous idea. You can relax in the comfort of your own home, check out the local attractions (how many of you have visited the museums in your city on the “free” day?), save money on transportation and food costs, etc.
I wonder, how many of you are doing the same this year? I have to admit, the thought of a staycation has crossed my mind. But, I guess it’s not worth worrying about as I have very few vacation days left that I can take at work!
