This evening I watched a NOVA special on cars of the future. It featured two of my favorite radio guys: Tom and Ray Magliozzi of NPR’s “Car Talk”. They examined new technologies and ides for smart transportation, including alternative fuel sources for cars. Here are some of the points I found most interesting:

25% of all carbon emissions come from vehicles

The Rocky Mountain Institute is a think tank in Colorado- they focus on creating more efficient vehicles and have developed a carbon-based “Hyper Car” that’s totally interesting. It weights very little thus making it easy to power. Thoughts after listening: how do you make carbon fiber? Note: Carbon fiber is expensive.

* A Hybrid vehicle produce 30% less carbon emissions than vehicle the same size * Studies say using electric power could reduce emissions by 40% * Tens of millions vehicles could be recharged at off peak times with the existing electrical power plants we have.

Andrew Frank of UC Davis has invented the Plug In Hybrid.

GM has a concept car called the Chevy Volt and it’s really nice to look at. It harnesses power from electricity, ethanol burning/gas and hydrogen tanks/fuel cells

Read up on the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions