Most Energy Efficient Cell Phone

Although it is not on the market yet, the most energy efficient phone around is the Samsung Blue Earth. It partially runs off of solar power. Although it doesn’t completely run off the sun, by charging the phone with the solar panels, you are capable of making one phone call at a time. Not only is it energy efficient, but also is made from a material called PCM, a recycled plastic from water bottles.

Another feature of the phone is that it contains an “eco” mode, which adjusts screen brightness, back light duration, and Bluetooth usage. Now there is one more feature that doesn’t really help the environment, but it shows how much carbon dioxide emission you save by walking rather than driving. Lastly, it comes in recycled packaging with an energy efficient charger.

Personally, I would use this phone. It’s not like the other energy efficient phones that are unattractive to be quite honest with you. It’s a phone where if you didn’t notice the solar panels at first, you would think it was just as ordinary as anything else.

Greenest Car Ever Unveiled

The most energy efficient car that is known right now is the Aptera. It looks like no other car around today, but something from the future. At first, the car promised at least a 200-MPG driving range but now the company has stepped up it’s game, and now is going for a 300-MPG range in typical driving conditions. Not only do they just have this version, but they are also coming out with a new car that is an all-electric version in addition to the plug-in hybrid model. The new model promises to last around 120 miles before needing to be recharged.

Both vehicles include some luxury features such as both, driver and passenger side airbags, interior and exterior LED lighting and a “solar assisted” climate control system. They also have “advanced drive computer” that includes GPS, a rear-view camera, and a complete vehicle diagnostic system. For a car like this you think it would be extremely expensive, however it only runs around $20,000 for the regular one, and the hybrid model runs for a little more money. You are currently able to reserve one of the vehicles for about $500, and they are coming out in about 12 months or so.

In my opinion, this car doesn’t look safe at all. It looks like if something hits you have a high risk of getting hurt. Also, since there are three wheels on the vehicle it may be a lot different to drive than the traditional four wheels, but I don’t know. If it is different it may take people some time to adjust from their old four wheel ways to the new three wheel concept. It could be an issue for some to get used to it. I personally would not by this car, but it may appeal to some.

Photo Credit: nickwheeleroz

A new plug-in hybrid called the VentureOne, which will arrive in the showrooms soon is one of the most unique vehicles we have ever seen.  It is a combination of a motorcycle and a car that has two seats and runs on three wheels.  It will be able to ride similar to the style of a motorcycle turning sharp corners and leaning from side to side.  The vehicle apparently uses advanced technology to determine the perfect balance while driving.  When I first learned about the three-wheel car, it seemed a bit dangerous, but it will supposedly be thirty times safer than a standard motorcycle.  It will have all the safety features of a vehicle like airbags, bumpers, and impact protection, and it’s going to be environmentally friendly getting about 100 mpg and equipped with two 20 kW electric motors and a 17 kWh lithium ion battery pack.  More importantly the manufacturer is really trying to show how environmentally friendly the vehicle is, coming in three different shades of green.  I’m surprised that they are coming out with this vehicle because I am not sure how many people will find it appealing.  It is a very cool piece of technology, but I am not sure that the average driver will choose to purchase one of these.  Despite being fast and fuel efficient, it will be expensive and drivers might not find it safe.

Another interesting soon to be vehicle in the hybrid market is the Honda FCX Clarity, a fuel cell car that will be available in 2008.  The vehicle will run on a hydrogen fuel cell stack.  It will produce electricity, but no exhaust emissions will come out of the tailpipe.  Honda is also working on trying to build a hydrogen fueling station for homes.  It would be very convenient for an owner of one of these cars if the company were able to create such a home based refueling station.  What I really took notice of was that the hydrogen station would also supply a house owner with heat and electricity in addition to producing hydrogen fuel.  From the natural gas, it would generate the hydrogen for homes.  I could imagine that this would expensive, but would be extremely efficient reducing energy costs as well as emissions dangerous to the environment.  It is unlikely that this home fueling station will be out for several more years.  It’s a really intriguing idea that people should take notice of, but who knows what other types of fuel-efficient vehicles will come out during that period of time.

There are now numerous different types of fuel-efficient cars out now and many arriving in the future.  Drivers need to take an interest in what is coming out and should take a closer look.  They might be more expensive then the average car, but are incredibly more efficient and better for the environment.

Photo Credit: geognerd