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Growing pains for green transportation

By Michael Kanellos
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
Published: December 20, 2007, 4:00 AM PST
 
Photos: Muscle cars with a conscience

It was another strong year for green transportation, but a lot of potential pitfalls in the industry became more apparent.

Just ask ethanol producers for the evidence. In 2005 and 2006, investors flocked to traditional ethanol makers, allowing companies like VeraSun Energy to go public. The high prices for the fuel, combined with the relatively low price of feedstocks it's made from, made the industry look attractive.

Then the price of corn shot up, budding profits turned to losses, and ethanol makers started to merge.

GreenFuel Technologies, meanwhile, had problems of a different kind. The company wants to capture carbon dioxide, feed it to algae, and then turn the algae into biodiesel. A pilot plant in Arizona proved adept at capturing carbon dioxide and growing algae. The problem was that it grew more algae than it could handle, and scientists are still trying to figure out ways to economically convert the green slime into fuel.

Makers of electric cars didn't have it as rough, but the story was similar. Consumers and investors got intrigued by the category in 2006. In 2007, though, Tesla Motors, Think, and Phoenix Motorcars had to push back the release of their cars until 2008. Tesla also changed CEOs and postponed its battery business.

GM

But let's look at the bright side of the green-car business. Biodiesel refiners, both large and small, began construction on large-scale plants. Biodiesel still requires subsidies to stay competitive in the U.S., but larger plants and new feedstocks will help eliminate the price gap over time. Scientists and venture investors also continued to collaborate on concocting cellulosic ethanol start-ups.

And the auto industry saw a wave of new entrants on the manufacturing side, including Venture Vehicles, Fisker Automotive, and Miles Automotive. More importantly, large, established manufactures like Nissan and Mitsubishi announced plans for eco-friendly cars. If history is a guide, the eco car market could follow the path of the PC market. Although most will fail, a few of the start-ups and some of the established manufacturers will make it and transform an industry.

 

Growing pains for green transportation

By Michael Kanellos
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
Published: December 20, 2007, 4:00 AM PST
 
Photos: Muscle cars with a conscience

It was another strong year for green transportation, but a lot of potential pitfalls in the industry became more apparent.

Just ask ethanol producers for the evidence. In 2005 and 2006, investors flocked to traditional ethanol makers, allowing companies like VeraSun Energy to go public. The high prices for the fuel, combined with the relatively low price of feedstocks it's made from, made the industry look attractive.

Then the price of corn shot up, budding profits turned to losses, and ethanol makers started to merge.

GreenFuel Technologies, meanwhile, had problems of a different kind. The company wants to capture carbon dioxide, feed it to algae, and then turn the algae into biodiesel. A pilot plant in Arizona proved adept at capturing carbon dioxide and growing algae. The problem was that it grew more algae than it could handle, and scientists are still trying to figure out ways to economically convert the green slime into fuel.

Makers of electric cars didn't have it as rough, but the story was similar. Consumers and investors got intrigued by the category in 2006. In 2007, though, Tesla Motors, Think, and Phoenix Motorcars had to push back the release of their cars until 2008. Tesla also changed CEOs and postponed its battery business.

GM

But let's look at the bright side of the green-car business. Biodiesel refiners, both large and small, began construction on large-scale plants. Biodiesel still requires subsidies to stay competitive in the U.S., but larger plants and new feedstocks will help eliminate the price gap over time. Scientists and venture investors also continued to collaborate on concocting cellulosic ethanol start-ups.

And the auto industry saw a wave of new entrants on the manufacturing side, including Venture Vehicles, Fisker Automotive, and Miles Automotive. More importantly, large, established manufactures like Nissan and Mitsubishi announced plans for eco-friendly cars. If history is a guide, the eco car market could follow the path of the PC market. Although most will fail, a few of the start-ups and some of the established manufacturers will make it and transform an industry.

 
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TIPS

Alternatives: reducing your car’s carbon impact through diversification.

- Bicycle. You don’t have to bike everywhere, but simply incorporating bike transportation into your lifestyle will not only reduce your gas consumption but keep you in great shape as well. Start by using your bicycle for errands - such as going to the corner mart for beer, the grocery store for dinner, and the drug store for shampoo. If you bike daily for 10-30 minutes, you’ll get all the cardiovascular exercise you need in a week, and save 1-4 gallons of gas per week. That means $16-64 saved a month. Not bad.

- Walk. Sounds silly, but what’s sillier is seeing people drive from one side of the strip mall to the other. Explore the joy of walking a little bit every day - it’s healthy and energizing.

- Carpool. No longer is carpooling all about tolerating the annoying coworker. Convenient and pleasant carpooling programs are popping up everywhere and all kinds of custom scenarios are being conceived. Erideshare is a reliable option. Save half or more on your gas bill.

- Telecommute. In today’s information-based job market, rarely does a position require that you be present every day. It’s mostly a psychological hurdle, but you can and should make a compelling case to your boss to telecommute one or two days per week. Studies show telecommuting increases productivity and employee health (which saves the boss money on health insurance). Start with those arguments and add the emotional call to action of being an ethical citizen concerned for the planet as your final touch.

- Look for ways to drive less. Fuel has been so plentiful and so (relatively) inexpensive that we have simply taken it for granted that multiple errands and disorganized shopping routes are no big deal. Spend a week with a log, keeping track of your various trips and driving patterns, and then look for ways to make things more streamlined. For example, group your errands by distance and drive in an organized path that minimizes distance.

- Mass transit. San Francisco has BART. New York has the subway. Chicago has the L. Los Angeles has…well, wherever you live, consider mass transit for your work commute. Many mass transit systems are quite modern and even offer Wifi; and the potential for as much as $5 saved daily is attractive, as well. (P.S. Los Angeles actually does have options, as do most large cities; check this list.)

Alternatives: reducing your car’s carbon impact through diversification.

- Bicycle. You don’t have to bike everywhere, but simply incorporating bike transportation into your lifestyle will not only reduce your gas consumption but keep you in great shape as well. Start by using your bicycle for errands - such as going to the corner mart for beer, the grocery store for dinner, and the drug store for shampoo. If you bike daily for 10-30 minutes, you’ll get all the cardiovascular exercise you need in a week, and save 1-4 gallons of gas per week. That means $16-64 saved a month. Not bad.

- Walk. Sounds silly, but what’s sillier is seeing people drive from one side of the strip mall to the other. Explore the joy of walking a little bit every day - it’s healthy and energizing.

- Carpool. No longer is carpooling all about tolerating the annoying coworker. Convenient and pleasant carpooling programs are popping up everywhere and all kinds of custom scenarios are being conceived. Erideshare is a reliable option. Save half or more on your gas bill.

- Telecommute. In today’s information-based job market, rarely does a position require that you be present every day. It’s mostly a psychological hurdle, but you can and should make a compelling case to your boss to telecommute one or two days per week. Studies show telecommuting increases productivity and employee health (which saves the boss money on health insurance). Start with those arguments and add the emotional call to action of being an ethical citizen concerned for the planet as your final touch.

- Look for ways to drive less. Fuel has been so plentiful and so (relatively) inexpensive that we have simply taken it for granted that multiple errands and disorganized shopping routes are no big deal. Spend a week with a log, keeping track of your various trips and driving patterns, and then look for ways to make things more streamlined. For example, group your errands by distance and drive in an organized path that minimizes distance.

- Mass transit. San Francisco has BART. New York has the subway. Chicago has the L. Los Angeles has…well, wherever you live, consider mass transit for your work commute. Many mass transit systems are quite modern and even offer Wifi; and the potential for as much as $5 saved daily is attractive, as well. (P.S. Los Angeles actually does have options, as do most large cities; check this list.)