Build your own car

Early in the life of this blog, I mentioned one concept that whose time I thought would – mass market custom automobiles. And why not? We are an individual society and there are those who have always bristled at owning something the masses also own – be that for reasons of individual expression or elitism. Funny how those two words work together.

I have finally seen one of the first products to address this. Trexa is a company offering an electric drivetrain for $16k. On that platform, one is able to design and build any variation. I can't wait to see the designs this allows. There's no steering wheel so the entire car could be driven using buttons and levers, if one so chooses.

I have a good mind to design a few myself and see how much it would cost.

Hat tip: Gizmodo

Urban farm

One topic that seems to arise over and over again when discussing 'green' is self-sufficiency. Particularly urban self-sufficiency. This usually takes the form of agriculture integrated into the urban environment. In New York, this has been present for a while. I now live in the East Village and I'm amazed how many gardens and farms there are throughout this area.

This company, Plantagon, sees an entire building devoted to the production of food and other forms of plant life. This dome will have a circular internal layout to ensure that almost every plant will get direct sunlight. I think it's quite an interesting solution.

I am generally for this but it seems a little far fetched to me. These are all in the heart of the city and the land will cost a fortune to procure. I do like being able to add farmer/gardener to the list of professions that one can do in the city. Cities need a strong blue collar workforce.

Hat tip [ArchDaily]

Shorter and squatter

Kelloggs is testing a new package – a shorter and squatter cereal box. It will take a while to educate the public about what has been a stable form factor for years. But it makes sense. That tall box wastes room in pantries. Very few boxes come filled with as much product as the box claims through its height. It may be a challenge to train consumers that smaller is better but as other manufacturers talk about saving money. Preferably with that savings passed on to consumers. Savings always makes for an easier conversation.

Hat tip – Courtesy of an excellent article on the shrinking of packaging by Ted Mininni at Dieline.

Finally, attractive solar panels

I've been sick, which explains my prolific postings today. I'm watching Renovation Nation, with Steve Thomas, of This Old House fame.

In this episode, he profiles an innovative solar panel company Atlantis Energy, that produces solar panels that are mounted to slate roofing tiles. That way, someone can have a solar roof without the ugliness that typically comes from solar panels. As you can see, it looks almost indistinguishable from a normal roof. Fantastic work.

Karma, baby

I'm behind on my auto posts – and blog reviews. I'm not sure how I could have missed the Fisker Karma. I really need to go to the NY Auto Show this year.

This eco lux sedan just signed up 32 dealers in North America. It's a plug-in powertrain that will output 400hp and 100 mpg. Prices range from $87k to $105k. It's quite sharp. I will do more investigative work on it.

Hat tip [Auto Blog]

Tesla Gorgeous

Tesla launched their luxury sedan yesterday. While this picture isn't the most flattering, I must say I love it. Geeks are going nuts over the large touchpanel dashboard and HVAC set up, which integrates 3G and full MP3 hookups. Awesome

Hat tip [engadget]

Mercedes BlueZero line

In 2010 Mercedes will be introducing a line of BlueZero cars – which look very similar to a B-Class – that share the same body type but will be offered in three different powertrains: electric (a la Tesla), Hydrogen Fuel Cell, and a hybrid electric (a la Volt). PG&E had a fleet of Mercedes B-Class Fuel Cell cars that I had the pleasure of driving (briefly), thanks to a friend of mine who worked with the company. It was quiet but other than that pretty unremarkable, which is a good thing.  I keep hoping they will introduce the B-Class in the US. They keep threatening to do so.

My one issue is... did they have to chose such an unflattering shade of green? 

Gilligan's Island has the last laugh

This just in. Baylor University has found a way to use coconut husks for car parts. It is intended for farmers in poor coastal regions but who's to say it won't/shouldn't spread.

The first thing that popped into my mind was the car/golf cart that the castaways used on Gilligan's Island. Little did we know that the idea would be resurrected as a path to a greener car. 

I'm sure there's some appropriate saying about truth and fiction but I can't remember it now. 

Hat tip [Religion Blog]