A Few Things to Know About Your Hybrid Car Battery Pack

Hybrid cars are generally a combination of gasoline and electric engines. The gasoline engine remains the same as a regular car engine and requires similar parts whereas the most important part of the electric part of the car is the battery pack. This is also the most expensive bit which is the reason it has a lifetime warranty of 8 years as this is expected to be the average lifespan of a car.

Hybrid batteries need not be disposed of but should instead be recycled. Most manufacturers offer a discount on a new battery with the return of the old one. Others will let you claim a certain amount by returning the car battery. The hybrid electric motor will only run when the battery is charged though. If the battery dies, the control unit present in every hybrid car will shift the control from electric to gasoline. The car will now be driven only on gasoline and you may need to spend significantly more on fuel.

The hybrid electric battery can either run on the charge already in it or on the charge it gains during braking. A generator is used for this purpose and every time the vehicle brakes, the batteries get charged. In general, you don’t need to worry about your hybrid car battery as it typically outlasts its lifetime. Most regular car batteries need replacing every 3-4 years but these batteries have a warranty for as much as 10 years. You can also get extended warranties if you want to be on the extra safe side.

When the batteries were tested at 160,000 miles, they still proved to give the same performance as when they were new. These battery packs have a lot of modules within them. So if the battery doesn’t seem to be itself or if you find that it runs out very quickly, you can get it checked and replace the faulty module. If ever you replace the battery, always go for the same manufacturer for the best results. Spend wisely and let a professional do the replacement as he can do a check on the related parts as well while he is at it. If you know your way around hybrid car parts and are good with tools, you can study the manual and do the replacement yourself.

Some people worry that hybrid battery replacement will cost them a lot down the line. If this is the reason you are passing up a hybrid car, you should rethink. Hybrid cars perform really well on the road and help you save big on gas. There will always be people telling you about the negative points about every product but you should know that the battery packs last for a very long time and should not be a deciding factor. Some hybrid cars have been on the road for almost ten years now without any battery issues yet – which should tell you a lot about the quality of these batteries.

Food entrepreneurs mix things up

Letters and Comments for December 28, 2010
Our government subsidizes wind farms to the tune of $23.34 for each KWH while the subsidies for natural gas plants are a mere $.25 per KWH; coal is at $.44; and hydro power is at $.67.

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SUVs lead auto sales growth at 41 percent
If U.S. consumers are in the midst of a green revolution, the news hasnt reached car buyers.With the end of the recession, bigger vehicles have made a comeback, sales figures show, and it has come at the expense of smaller, more efficient cars.Leading the …

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24 – Season 8 – The Complete Final Season (Blu-ray)
Recommended “Just when I thought I was out… they pull me back in.” – Michael Corleone The same might be said for Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland). All he wants to do is quietly move to Los Angeles with his daughter, her husband, and their grandchild, but no-o-o-o-o-o . Within 24 ‘s first few hours, hapless Jack is at the center of a plot to assassinate the leader of a (fictitious) Middle Eastern …

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Beautiful Earth Breaks Ground on Largest PV Project in Solar Capital
LANCASTER, CA–(Marketwire – December 30, 2010) – Beautiful Earth Group (BE), a leading developer of clean energy generation facilities and technology, began construction this week on its Del Sur Solar power plant in California’s Antelope Valley. The project is the latest venture by the New York-based clean energy company and will be the largest solar facility within the City of Lancaster when …

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Food entrepreneurs mix things up
It was an eventful year for three Wisconsin entrepreneurs who took a leap of faith after losing their jobs and started food businesses with recipes they thought would sell.

Read more on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

World’s Largest Wind Turbine Stirs Things Up

www.riverwired.com The largest wind turbines the world has ever seen prove to be an invaluable addition to the arsenal of sustainable energy — and that’s not hot air, either.

RECYCLE! RECYCLE BAG AND OTHER THINGS ABOUT RECYCLING!

Two Nifty New Scooters-Why Don’t Americans Like These Things?

Automakers Go Green, Sleek at Paris Car Show
Hybrids and Other Lower-Emission Vehicles Take Front Seat as Industry Hopes for Rebound in Struggling Market

Read more on CBS News

Automakers Go Green, Sleek at Paris Car Show
Hybrids and Other Lower-Emission Vehicles Take Front Seat as Industry Hopes for Rebound in Struggling Market

Read more on CBS News

Summary Box: Green cars rev up for Paris Auto Show
GREEN AUTOS: European car makers are ready to show off new hybrid and electric cars at the Paris Auto Show starting Sunday.

Read more on Seattle Times

Green is for go at Paris car show
Designs for a carbon-conscious world took centre stage as car makers revealed their latest high-tech models at the Paris auto show hoping for rebound in a struggling car market.

Read more on Press Assoc. via Yahoo! UK & Ireland News

Two Nifty New Scooters-Why Don’t Americans Like These Things?
At the Paris Motor Show this week, both BMW?s Mini subsidiary and Daimler?s Smart subsid

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More things to do

Toyota chief evokes 007 in renewed push for sports cars
Maurizio Raffone bought a Toyota Motor Corp. Prius hybrid for its top-of-the-line fuel efficiency. In his current search for a new sports car, he said the carmaker hadn’t sprung to mind. “Would I consider buying a Toyota high-end sports car?” asked Raffone, a London-based director at Commerzbank AG. “I might think about it, but ultimately I’d choose something with a trident, a prancing horse or …

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Shaka Shoes, Inc. Retains Hampton Growth to Provide Investor Relations Services
KAILUA-KONA, HI–(Marketwire – August 17, 2010) – Shaka Shoes, Inc. ( PINKSHEETS : SHKZ ), an eco-friendly, innovative designer, manufacturer and distributor of branded casual footwear, today announced that it has retained Hampton Growth, LLC to provide it with investor relations and consulting services. Hampton Growth, based in Santa Monica, CA, is an innovative investor relations and …

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DOT awards $13.8 million in grants to school research centers
WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Thursday announced more than $13.8 million in grants to eight University Transportation Centers (UTC) located throughout the U.S. to advance research and education programs that address critical transportation challenges facing the nation.

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Dongfeng Investing $440 Million in Green Cars
Dongfeng Motor, the Chinese partner of Honda, Nissan and PSA Peugeot Citroen, said it plans to invest $440 million over the next five years in hybrid and pure-electric vehicles.

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More things to do
THEATER Top of Utah ‘THE MUSIC MAN,’ 7:30 p.m. daily, excluding Sundays, through Aug. 28, Rodgers Memorial Theatre, 292 E. Pages Lane, Centerville. $14-$17; $13-$15/seniors, $10/children. 801-298-1302. read more

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Things to do in Sussex County: Alpaca show set for Sunday in Augusta, NJ

Simple steps to get ‘gorgeously green’ on a budget
(ARA) – Going “green” is great at any time of the year. No matter the season, there are always “green” steps that can be introduced into everyday family routines that can lessen our negative effects on the environment and our health while helping us to save money at the same time.

Read more on Lexington Clipper-Herald

Business Briefs, Aug. 15, 2010
Business Briefs, Aug. 15, 2010

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Discount Fabrics USA Rolls Out Eco-Friendly Fabric Line
Renowned purveyor of high-end discount fabrics offers selection of environmentally friendly fabrics.

Read more on PRWeb via Yahoo! News

Save the planet while going back to school
Not to be a summer killjoy, but it’s going to be time for kids to head back to school in just a few weeks. With a little bit of planning, you can make back-to-school greener, less wasteful, and you can save money, too.

Read more on Cape Cod Times

Things to do in Sussex County: Alpaca show set for Sunday in Augusta, NJ
As reported in last week’s Daily Record, Natalie Burger and the Awesome Alpaca Adventurers 4-H group will be at the New Jersey State Fair and Sussex County Farm and Horse Show in Augusta on Sunday.

Read more on Daily Record

5 Things Event Planners Need To Know Before Going Green

Sustainability is here to stay. So what information do event planner’s need to know before making the commitment to ‘Go Green’? Read on to find out what TFG’s top 5 suggestions are:

1. Many shades of Green

First of all, you need to understand that there are many shades of ‘green’. i.e. people have different expectations of what exactly classifies as ‘green’. While one client may be satisfied using recycled paper, another may demand an entire stage set built of sustainable material. Ensure that you do your research and understand what ethics and values are important to your client or key stakeholders, and ensure you are able to meet their needs.

2. People are not mind readers

If you make the decision to go green, you need to make it known! Be sure to include this fact in your event marketing. Show your stakeholders what you are doing to be more greener and how being more sustainable is of value for them! But make sure you follow it through. According to The Drum, 81% of consumers place more importance on what companies actually do rather than what they say.

3. Prices of premium green products are decreasing

A major obstacle for most companies in the past has been the extra cost associated with these green products. Well good news is, there are already some green products cheaper than the alternatives – such as branded paper products. A 2009 Mintel survey forecasts 19% growth for green products by 2013 based on this factor, making your goals to go green more affordable and attainable.

4. Be aware of the benefits

There are various benefits associated with going green. Some of these include; – Reduced environmental impact – Cost savings – Competitive advantage / promotional benefits – Stakeholder satisfaction. Bottom line – going green has economic, cost saving, environmental and social benefits.

5. Process makes perfect!

When going green it is important you establish commitment. Develop realistic guidelines / objectives (eg. all of our events for 2010 will use recycled conference bags) and communicate these promises to your staff and stakeholders.

In summary, it is a known fact that the events industry is often criticised for it’s tendency to create waste. Therefore it is inevitable that the issue of sustainability is becoming more than just a trend for our industry, but rather a necessity.

It seems that green is the new black.

By going green, you are not only ensuring the longevity of our planet, but also that of our profession.

Green Living: Simple Things You Can Do Today

You don’t have to be an environmental guru to save the earth. Here are some very easy things you can do right now to help save the earth:

Save Water. Water is a precious resource that we all waste every day. Conserve water easily by:

-Put a brick in a plastic bag and place it in the back of you toilet. You’ll save up to one gallon of water with every flush.

-Fix leaky faucets and pipes right away. In the meantime, save the drips in a pan and use it to water your plants, wash the dog or even cook supper. After all, it’s clean water.

-Only wash full loads of laundry.

-Install low-flow faucet aerators on all your faucets. They’ll save you 50% (or 3-5 gallons of water a minute), and the flow will seem stronger.

-Collect rainwater in barrels or tubs and use it to water your household plants or dry lawn areas. It’ll use a lot less water than the sprinkler.

Conserve Electricity. Cut down on wasteful electrical use by:

-Turn off lights and appliances when leaving a room.

-Turn off your computer monitor before bed. A monitor left on all night uses enough electricity to print 5,300 copies.

-Look for the Energy Star rating when buying new appliances.

-Wrap your water heater set your water heater at 130 degrees.

-Wash clothes in cold water as whenever possible.

-If possible hang clothes outside to dry once in awhile.

-Turn down your heat by 1 degree for every hour you’ll be away from home.

-Replace traditional light bulbs with newer longer lasting/low energy ones.

-Don’t stand with the refrigerator or freezer open while you decide what you want.

-Unplug unused appliances.

Go Green. Going green doesn’t have to change you’re life. There are things you can do right now to live in a more earth-friendly fashion:

-Plant a tree. It’s a great way to save the earth’s oxygen.

-Use homemade or all-natural cleaning products.

-Buy recycled products.

-Use both sides of a sheet of paper before discarding.

-Reuse envelopes and junk mail for writing notes and keeping lists.

Ditch the Disposables. It takes more than 100 years for a plastic sandwich bag to biodegrade in a landfill. Pack sandwiches and snacks in reusable containers, or rinse and reuse the disposable ones. Using permanent containers will not only save the environment, it’ll save you time and money.

Here are a few other things to try:

-Replace plastic utensils, paper plates and Styrofoam cups with permanent ones.

Recycle mayonnaise jars, margarine tubs and other food containers to store leftovers and other supplies.

-Use washable cloth kitchen towels instead paper towels.

Use Rechargeable Batteries.

They may cost a little more, but replacing your disposable batteries with rechargeable ones will save you 10 to 20 times their original cost in the long run. Want to prolong the life of your batteries? Use a plug or adapter for radios and other small appliances.

How To Recycle 7 Things You Thought You Had To Throw Away

Learn how to recycle seven things you thought you had to throw away.

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