400 MPH on an electric motorcycle

Her husband created the Killacycle, the quickest EV on Earth. Her father is a mechanical genius and championship-winning designer and rider in the 1960′s. Introducing Eva Håkansson – who became immersed in the world of business and environmental science at Malardalen University in Sweden. Electric motorcycles are the quickest, cleanest, and most efficient vehicles. Lots of hard work (and money) resulted in the ElectroCat, a 100 MPH (top speed) electric bike with a range of about 50 miles per charge. This might sound meager compared to gasoline powered motorcycles, but Eva hopes to rework the ElectroCat to run in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, a grueling stage of 156 turns across over 12 miles which climbs over 4,700 feet in elevation. The course is taxing on even the best drivers in the best cars, and Eva hopes to be the first to do it on an electric motorcycle.

Eva figures she’ll need about 400 horsepower to make a good showing in Bonneville with their new streamliner. They don’t expect to break 400 mph first go-around, but are hoping to break Kent Riches’ 176 mph pass made with the Airtech-Lightning Bolt streamliner motorcycle. So far Eva and her husband, Bill Dubé have engineered suspension parts and the chrome-moly frame for their new creation.

The team doesn’t just embody green thinking in their motorcycles. Their tow rig and generator they use to recharge batteries run on biodiesel. The forklift they use is electric, and their daily driver is a 1986 VW Cabriolet converted to battery power. This team is doing their best to spread the green philosophy into motorsports and we applaud their work. We are looking forward to seeing their latest creation at Bonneville, and best of luck to the team.

Gordon Murray, best known as the creator of the McLaren F1 and SLR Mclaren, is now busy with a new project. Murray’s firm is collaborating with Zytek Automotive, a UK-based consultancy to create the most energy efficient production vehicle. Murray also worked on the T.25, which features the same basic structure, including a 3-seat arrangement like the famous McLaren F1 supercar. The T.27 isn’t much different than the T.25, except it will be given an all-electric battery-powered drivetrain. The car is 7.9 feet long and has a 12 kilowatt-hour battery pack with a 25 kilowatt electric motor driving the rear wheels. Zytek claims the system gives the car a range of 80-100 miles. Its turning radius is just 19.7 feet and at 4.3 feet wide, you could fit 3 of them side-by-side in a parking spot perpendicular to the lines. Squeezing the motor, single-speed transmission and electronics into one tidy unit reminds me of the electronics wars where smaller and smaller cameras and cell phones are being invented. At what point does a small electric car pass the threshold to become an electric kart?

Gordon Murray’s involvement excites us because of his no-nonsense approach (usually) to reducing weight, attention to weight distribution for balance, and desire for a great driver’s car with excellent performance. Murray is obsessed with efficiency in the car, but also in the manufacturing. In fact, Murray developed a new low-energy manufacturing system called the iStream for these city cars. It reduces the investment and energy required for manufacturing and expands flexibility. Engineering and design began November 2009, and tests are scheduled until April, 2011. Sometime next year investors will determine whether we really ever have the opportunity to buy these city cars, which will probably compete with the Smart Fortwo, and the anticipated Mini city car.

Well, you might have to wait a bit longer, but at least the video is here. The Fiesta’s commercial looks fun and I imagine it’ll be quite viral. We’re very excited about the Ford Fiesta, and the growing demographic of urban hipsters whose opinions are weighing heavily on current marketing campaigns. New cars are all about mileage, handling, and looks. We’re finally moving towards European sensibility when it comes to small, urban vehicles.

The American Fiesta has lost some of the panache of the very popular European model, but maintains the spirit. Some of the small differences include a longer nose, redesigned rear bumper, thicker springs to accommodate the heavier weight due to American safety regulations, a slightly redesigned interior, and instead of European projection headlamps and fog lamps we get the typical ugly headlamps and what appears to be glow sticks and aluminum foil fog lamps. The main thing we’re interested in, however is the handling. This is the Fiesta’s true strength. Compared to other subcompact cars, the Fiesta has a very well-tuned suspension. The Fiesta has not even been released yet, and it’s being called the “Best small car in America”. We’re excited about it, and optimistic that it will usher in a new era of American vehicles. We hope sales are good so other American companies see the need for well-tuned city cars that get great gas mileage.

With the ink still drying from the deal, Green Earth Technologies and Gunnar Racing have formed a new racing team called: Green Earth Team Gunnar (GETG). This newly formed team will be competing in the American Le Mans (ALMS) racing series with their new Oreca-Courage manufactured FLM-09 racing car, which will using G-Oil. Gunnar Racing will be also utilizing G-OIL in their Porsche racing car, piloted by Gunnar Jeannette, who is also the youngest driver ever to compete in the 24 hours of Le Mans.

Here’s the official press release for those who want to read it:

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GREEN EATH TECHNOLOGIES INKS SPONSORSHIP DEAL WITH GUNNAR RACING FOR 2010 AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES

Green Earth Team Gunnar to be Featured in First G-OIL Commercial

Stamford, CT (March 11, 2010) – Green Earth Technologies (Pink Sheets: GETG), announced today that they have signed a deal with Gunnar Racing to create a Green Earth Team Gunnar (GETG) team. The new Oreca-Courage manufactured FLM-09 racing car will be the first American Le Mans Series (ALMS) car to use environment safe oil, G-OIL™, the world’s first bio-based and ultimate biodegradable motor oil approved by the American Petroleum Institute. The new GETG car will also be prominently featured in the companies’ first national commercial. In 2009, Green Earth Technologies signed a two-year deal naming G-OIL the “official motor oil of The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA).”

The ALMS is the only racing series in the world in which cars use one of four alternative fuels or energy sources that are virtually the same fuels that a consumer can purchase at a service station. In 2008 they created the Green Challenge, which awards teams that demonstrate the best overall performance, fuel efficiency and environmental impact during a race. Gunnar Racing has been at the forefront of the Green Challenge.

“Gunnar Racing is a top-notch first class racing organization and we are so proud to have them race with the Green Earth Technologies’ logo prominently featured on the new car,” said Jeffrey Loch, Founder and Chief Marketing and Branding Officer of Green Earth Technologies. He added, “Green Earth Team Gunnar is just the next step in the ALMS redefining racing as a green and responsible sport.”

The new Gunnar Porsche racing car will run on G-OIL and will be raced by Gunnar Jeannette, the youngest driver ever to complete the 24 Hours of Le Mans race as well as Christian Zugel and Elton Julian.

“We are excited to get on the tracks with our new car and show the world that Green Earth Team Gunnar is the one to beat for 2010,” said Kevin Jeannette CEO and founder of Gunnar Racing and Gunnar’s father. “It is a pleasure to partner with Green Earth Technologies, racing green and clean.”

Green Earth Technologies’ marketing plan for 2010 will heavily promote the newly formed Green Earth Team Gunnar with consumer and trade buzz. Alliance Agency, a division of Grey Group and GET’s AOR, will be producing a 30-second commercial spot for G-OIL, highlighting the new racing car. The commercial will air on upcoming ALMS telecasts on network and cable channels.

G-OIL is the world’s lowest petroleum, “eco-friendly,” ultimate biodegradable motor oil. Unlike traditional petrochemical-based motor oils from leading manufacturers, Green Earth Technologies’ G-OIL is made with American-grown renewable animal fats. These saturated fats, whose molecular single-bond carbon chains are similar to common petroleum oils, have no harsh effects on the environment, and drastically cut our dependence on foreign oil.

ABOUT GREEN EARTH TECHNOLOGIES
Green Earth Technologies produces G-branded superior performing green products made with American-grown base oils that utilize the power of nanotechnology to deliver environmentally friendly products with no compromise… meaning, consumers can now “do their part” without having to give up performance or value: Save the Earth – Sacrifice Nothing® is the Company’s tagline. The G-brand family of products include G-OIL(R), G-FUEL (TM), G-WASH(TM), G-GLASS(TM), G-CLEAN(TM), G-SCENT(TM), G-WHEEL(TM), and G-TIRE(TM), and are offered in a wide range of automotive categories including performance and appearance chemicals. GET products are now available at The Home Depot, Meijers, Kroger, Albertson’s, Giant, Shop Rite, VIP, National Auto, Fred Meyer, participating ACE & True Value dealers, Redners, Trader Horns, The Andersons, Biggs, Bennett Auto, Frank’s Auto Supermarket and Amazon.com. Please visit www.getg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about GET and its brands.

VoteVets TV ad refused by Fox News

No matter your political affiliation, most Americans would agree that depending on foreign countries to provide oil negatively impacts us in more ways than one. These impacts are economic as well as political by empowering hostile regimes. VoteVets, a veterans group is trying to eliminate our dependence on foreign oil. They created a TV ad about some of the brutal realities, which aired on CNN and MSNBC. According to TreeHugger, Fox News refused to air the ad, calling it “too confusing.” TreeHugger suggests the real reason is more complicated. They point out that Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal owns a 7% stake in News Corp. (which owns FOX), so suggesting the U.S. should abolish foreign dependence on oil would be a conflict of interest. Needless to say, VoteVets was disappointed with Fox’s decision. The organization’s senior advisor, Richard Smith responded,

Back in 2007, Rupert Murdoch, owner of News Corporation, announced he would become a green campaigner. He suggested he was devoted to “educating and engaging” his viewers about global warming. Murdoch was a former skeptic who confessed to having been “somewhat wary of the global warming debate.” While we believe Fox has made strides in improving the company’s carbon footprint and educating their viewers on topics of green energy, there are also countless examples of Fox News’ failure to report “fair and balanced” news.

While we believe Fox’s motivations for the decision surround a conflict of interest, rather than an intentional desire to misinform, what do you think? Is Fox News right to reject the commercial? Is their reasoning that the ad is truly “too confusing”? Watch the commercial and let us know your thoughts. Thanks, TreeHugger.

Whether you’re a green motoring enthusiast or a technology nerd, you’ve probably heard about iPhone apps that help you carpool. With tools such as PickupPal, Zipride, Ridester, 511 Rideshare, it’s becoming popular to find carpool buddies online. It helps the environment, improves road congestion, and gives you somebody to converse with on that commute. Anybody who’s used Craigslist to buy or sell things knows that finding random people online can be good or really bad. Therefore, you might need additional motivation to offer somebody a ride to work who doesn’t own a car. Perhaps if they paid you in cold hard cash?

Currently it is illegal for you to rent your private vehicle to people for money in most states. Insurance companies understandably don’t like the idea, nor does the government since they would like to collect tax money from licensed taxi services. In San Francisco there have been questions raised lately about this. Few people in San Francisco own cars since garages, parking, and taxes are so high there. On one end there are pedestrians and public transportation users. On the other end, there are car owners spending lots of money for their cars to sit. Inevitably the demand for private car sharing was going to come up and money talks. You could decide on your rate, and rent out your vehicle to someone in need. This would be facilitated through an organization which absorbs the insurance costs for that day’s rental and you get paid. The renter would be able to find a vehicle when he/she needed, and you’d be able to collect money for lending out your car.

A new bill in California (AB 1871) has been written up to change California law to allow personal vehicles to be rented out, without the risk of losing insurance coverage. Companies like Zipcar have allowed people to find hourly rental cars belonging to Zipcar for a while now. Many people in urban areas have already chosen a lifestyle without owning an expensive 3,000 pound hunk of metal. Hertz and other rental companies have already adopted hourly rentals so the idea of renting out our own cars isn’t too mindblowing. If being green is all about efficiency, hooking idle cars up with people in need of wheels is smart.

Would you consider renting your car out to the public?
Would you consider driving a stranger’s car?
What drawbacks or benefits do you see?
Leave your feedback in the comments.

Yup, a GT3 Hybrid. For those who don’t follow automotive news and may have missed the official debut of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid at the Geneva Auto Show, then this is breaking news! For those who already know, here’s another article loaded with information you already read 300 times…

Not only is this a 911, a car that already gets 28 mpg (claimed by other owners), you now have a 911 in gt3 trim with an electric front axel that houses two electric motors giving you additional power on top of 480bhp. Almost sounds like a KERS based system making its way into a 911, but it isn’t. It’s something different.

How It Works: The front axels house two electric motors producing 60kW for each front wheel. The interesting concept is the battery-less (that’s right!) system that utilizes an electrical flywheel power generator fitted in the interior next to the driver and is able to deliver energy to the electric motors up front.

Another interesting technical item is the generator itself is an electric motor with its own rotor spinning at 40,000 rpm. This allows for the generator to store energy mechanically as rotational energy, which differs from most Hybrid systems. The flywheel generator is charged whenever the brakes are applied with the two electric motors reversing their function on the front axle and acting themselves as generators.
The driver can then release the stored energy with a push of a button and feel the instantaneous rush of boosted power. The draw back is the recharge cycle (about 6-8 seconds) that the system needs in order to make the boosted power available again. On track it seems it could work out in between corners, but it all depends on the track. Also Porsche does claim that with the hybrid system, the car doesn’t need to store as much fuel, effectively lightening the car. Without the weight of batteries, this may actually be true.

Porsche is planning to make several testing runs on the Nürburgring to make sure all the bugs are worked out. Stayed tuned for more updates.

Video:

Gallery:

Green Earth Technologies have come up with an API approved biodegradable motor oil. What does the API (American Petroleum Institute) mean for us? It means that the product meets the correct specifications to use in our high performance gasoline engine. Even if you still have doubts, know that Green Earth Technologies is running their product with the Gunnar Racing team in ALMS. So chances are it can take the abuse of daily driving abuse.

So what is G-Oil? Manufactured from rendered beef tallow, it has the same molecular structure traditional petroleum-based products. The company states that “it takes three barrels of crude oil to make one barrel of motor oil, but it only takes only one barrel of animal fat to produce one barrel of G-Oil”, which is pretty amazing. Unfortunately there aren’t enough barrels of animal fat to solve the world’s oil problems, but when it comes to lubrication Green Earth Technologies may have the best Green solution out there.

Only question in my mind are the operating temperature ranges for the oil and how many miles do can you go before you need to change the oil.

1. Register as a new member on Green-Racer.com
2. Post 3 topics of discussion within the forum area that relates to alternative fuel.

THAT’S IT! ENTER NOW

No purchase is necessary to enter the contest.

Green-Racer.com is a alternative fuel community that caters to the performance minded individuals out there who still enjoy speed/performance. “Going Green” doesn’t have to mean boring and our goal is not only to see what the latest “Green” performance cars have the offer, but to figure out ways to incorporate “Green” into our existing cars.

To Enter The Contest, Please Click Here.

That’s right a Green Dream Team.  Created by the American Le Mans Series, the Green Dream Team is real and is a first for Motorsports.  Paul Drayson, David Brabham, Johnny O’Connell, Chris Dyson, and Gunnar Jeannette make up the group, all of who represent a green initiative in American Le Mans Racing.

• Paul Drayson and his Lola-Judd prototype competes on cellulosic E85
• David Brabham who is the Series reigning champion for Patron Highcroft Racing, uses E10
• Johnny O’Connell races for Corvette Racing and uses cellulosic E85.
• Chris Dyson not only drives a Mazda-powered Lola prototype he is also the team principle for Dyson Racing.  His prototype runs on Isobutanol.
• Gunnar Jeannette is the youngest driver ever to compete in the 24 hour of Le Mans and drives for G-Oil’s Green Earth Team Gunnar, which runs on a biodegradable fuel made from beef tallow (G-0il).

All of us at Green-Racer are excited that American Le Mans is helping to pave the way for environmentally friendly motorsports.

Official Press Release from American Le Mans:

Green Dream Team” Announced;
Believed to be First in Sports

Long Beach, CA (April 16) – The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón today unveiled its “Green Dream Team”, a collection of five drivers who will serve as the Global Leader in Green Racing’s ambassadors for its green racing initiatives. The announcement is believed to be the first of its kind in sports addressing the concerns of the global warming, the environment and reducing dependence on foreign fuels and energy sources.

The drivers comprising the Green Dream Team represent five distinct voices of varying initiatives in a movement that began in 2006. It has resulted in the world’s premier sports car series approving and racing five alternative fuels by all competitors in its field.

Paul Drayson drives and operates Drayson Racing. Drayson is an official lord – Lord Drayson – in Great Britain’s Parliament and serves as that country’s Minister of Science and Innovation. Prior to that post, he was Great Britain’s Minister of Defense Procurement. He is a leading voice worldwide on environmental issues as they pertain to alternative fuels and energies. His Lola-Judd prototype competes on cellulosic E85, a second generation bio-fuel.

David Brabham is often considered the founder of the Series’ green movement via a letter he wrote to Founder Don Panoz and President/CEO Scott Atherton in 2004, suggesting the Series seriously consider alternative fuels as a strategy.Brabham, who is the Series’ reigning champion for Patrón Highcroft Racing, also was a member of the overall winning team last year at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Patrón Highcroft races using E10, virtually the same fuel that consumers purchase at the service station.

Johnny O’Connell races for Corvette Racing, a team that was the first to announce in 2008 that it would compete using cellulosic E85. It not only won a GT1 class championship that season, but it also was the inaugural winner of the Green Challenge™, an award created by the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and SAE International for teams that scored best in fuel efficiency, environmental impact and overall performance. O’Connell has started more American Le Mans Series races than anyone in its history, 103. He has a collective 14 wins in the world’s top endurance classics – the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, Petit Le Mans and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Chris Dyson drives for and is a principal of Dyson Racing. The BP-supported team that races a Mazda-powered Lola prototype made history last fall when it became the first race car ever to race (unclassified) using the biofuel, isobutanol. The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón made isobutanol its fifth officially approved energy source at the beginning of the 2010 season. Dyson is a former Series champion (2003) in LMP2.

Gunnar Jeannette at 18 became the youngest driver ever to complete the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This season, he drives for G-Oil’s Green Earth Team Gunnar in the new LMP Challenge class. His ORECA FLM09 competes using Green Earth Technologies’ G-Oil, a biodegradable fuel made from beef tallow. G-Oil is also the official motor oil of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón and the International Motorsports Association (IMSA), the Series’ sanctioning body.

As members of the “Green Dream Team”, drivers will represent the Series at events promoting its position as the Global Leader in Green Racing. These will include Green Tech Talks to fans at track, promotional events and media messaging outlets such as in-broadcast telecasts, blogs, Twitter and various website initiatives. The group will also collaborate to devise various opportunities for additional teams and fans to become involved and embrace the concept of green racing.

“Green Racing does not mean boring,” emphasized Drayson. “It’s high tech, high drama racing with the latest technology in cars, engines, fuels, and tires competing in the frantic class battles of the American Le Mans Series. It’s an extreme speed R&D lab where we learn how speed and efficiency on track translates into better cars on the street.”

The “Green Dream Team” was announced by Series President and CEO Scott Atherton at the “Race Goes Green” conference in Long Beach hosted by SEMA and the Motorsport International Association as part of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Air time for SPEED’s live broadcast of the race is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local).

About the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón

The American Le Mans Series, based in Braselton, GA, is the world’s leading sports car series. In the tradition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, multiple classes of cars – Prototype and Grand Touring – race on the track at the same time to create compelling race action and constant passing. The Series has more automobile marques involved than any other major race series in the world as manufacturers develop relevant technologies on track that transfer directly to the customer showroom. All cars in the Series race on one of five alternative fuels or energy sources (see above). It operates a nine-race schedule in top markets throughout North America.

About the MICHELIN® Green X® Challenge

The MICHELIN® GREEN X® Challenge, developed in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and SAE International is a race within the race at all American Le Mans Series events. All entries compete with E10 ethanol-blended gasoline; E85R gasoline-blended ethanol, GTL (natural gas to liquid) biodiesel, E10-electric hybrid power or isobutanol gasoline. Teams win by delivering the best overall performance, fuel efficiency and smallest environmental impact throughout the race. Using a formula developed by the Argonne National Labs that includes more than 30 different factors, real-time standings are posted on timing and scoring screens throughout the race. The American Le Mans Series is the only series currently recognized as “Green Racing” by the U. S. Department of Energy; Environmental Protection Agency and SAE International. The MICHELIN® GREEN X® Challenge trophies are presented to the respective Prototype and GT winners. The bases for the unique MICHELIN® GREEN X® Challenge trophies are made of rubber recycled from MICHELIN® GREEN X® labeled consumer tires.