This Memorial Day, Embrace Strategic Sustainability

As Americans think about military service this week, let’s consider one lesson that the military stands to teach our companies: sustainability is a strategic imperative.  The U.S. military has been embracing green technologies for years, and more private companies should follow suit.

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Electric Vehicles and You: Making Sense of EVs vs. PHEVs

Over the next five years, manufacturers will unveil more than 20 models of electric vehicles that look and drive similar to your regular car. However, there is one key difference that will determine how well they fit your lifestyle: whether they are pure electric vehicles (EVs) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).

Pure Electric Vehicles (EVs): Meet the Nissan Leaf

Pure electric vehicles are powered solely by batteries. Their frames and bodies are often made from super light alloys specially designed to maximize performance. While EVs have been around since the early 1900s, the Nissan Leaf is the first mainstream EV to hit the U.S. market in this latest electric car renaissance.

Pros: Zero emissions from tail pipe, fewer moving parts than normal vehicles.
Cons: ‘Range anxiety’ from lack of high-capacity charging network. When the battery loses its charge, the car has no back-up power.
Est. Cost: $32,780/ $25,280 (before tax credits/after tax credits)
Electric Range: 100 miles
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Electric Vehicles: If They Build Them, Will You Buy?

In case you missed the news, more than 15 models of electric vehicles (EVs) are predicted to hit the market through 2012. But are EVs the right solution? Will they solve everyday problems, or are carmakers just pandering to the tree hugging hippies out there?

What’s Driving Electric Vehicle Production?

There are a number of objective cases for electric vehicles:

Oil Dependence — According to the Department of Energy (DOE), more than half of America’s oil is imported. Of the imported oil, roughly 65% to 75% is located in the Read more >>