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1. Hybrid Fuel Economy Drops with the Temperature
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2. HOW TO: Make Your Own Applique Shirt!
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3. Inhabitat Blog Picks of the Week
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4. GREEN GIFT GUIDE: Gifts That Give Back
Hybrid Fuel Economy Drops with the Temperature
khallgeisler - Bikes & Cars
In my review of the Honda Civic Hybrid, I mentioned that my fuel economy was nearly 10 mpg lower than the EPA estimates, and wondered if it had to do with the cold temperatures that week. Could freezing temps have an effect on the batteries or the electric motor? Or was I imagining things?
I checked in with my informal panel of experts, the Oregon Electric Vehicle Association, whose members drive hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and EVs. According to these road-tested experts, I wasn’t imagining things, but I didn’t have the whole story.
First of all, Oregon adds ethanol to the gasoline in winter, which reduces fuel economy by about 4%, which I had forgotten about. Second, the snow and gravel would increase friction, which would lower the mpgs. Hybrids also lose energy heating up the whole engine and keeping it warm. Hybrid drivers can combat the drop in mpgs by turning off the defrost and heat while idling to get the gasoline engine to shut off as it does in more pleasant weather.
Several OEVA members also mentioned that everyone, hybrid and conventional car drivers alike, have been driving more carefully in the snow and ice. The techniques we use to avoid sliding into parked cars are the same ones that save gas overall and extend the range of electric vehicles:
- Start very slowly
- Take your foot off the gas far from the stop sign
- Keep a huge gap between your front bumper and the next car’s rear bumper
One final word of caution: Hybrids are usually fitted with low-rolling-resistance tires to maximize the mpgs. These are pretty awful in winter weather, so if you’ve got a hybrid and live in an area that sees a fair amount of fluffy white stuff, it’s probably worth it to invest in a set of snow tires.
HOW TO: Make Your Own Applique Shirt!
Jill Fehrenbacher - 2008 Holiday Gift Guide
Looking to get crafty and save money with your Christmas gifts this year? If you are looking for presents for small kids, here’s a crafty idea that is sure to please the little guys in your life! Applique shirts are all the rage in children’s boutiques, and you can easily make your own cute and unique one by salvaging a couple old stained items of clothing that might otherwise be headed to the junk heap.
HERE’S HOW >
Inhabitat Blog Picks of the Week
Olivia Chen - Architecture
With so much sustainable design goodness out there on the world wide interwebs, and so little time to find it all, we thought we would share some of our favorite stories of the week. From wonderfully green eye-candy to promising trends and initiatives, we are happy to report that the despite the tough economic times, we are finding plenty of things to be cheery about this holiday season.
Apartment Therapy’s Re-Nest features holiday-themed textiles that are subtly elegant in design and made of hemp and organic cotton from Amenity Textiles.
Go urban! The AIA says studies show that housing preferences are shifting towards denser environments with easy access to public transit.
Designboom has Mario Stadelmann’s toeloop chairs: curvy, graceful chairs made of recycled polymer.
World Architecture News tells us that RMJM, BMW, and Harvard’s GSD are teaming up to research sustainable solutions for affordable housing.
GREEN GIFT GUIDE: Gifts That Give Back
Alexandra Kain - 2008 Holiday Gift Guide
It’s easy to get “wrapped up” in the holiday giving spirit, but why not think bigger than just your immediate family, and consider giving back to humanity and the planet. It’s a big world out there and there are plenty of people and environments in need. Whether you’re supporting global development by purchasing artisan crafts or restoring damaged habitats by planting trees or saving endangered species, these gifts that give back will make the world a better place.
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