Anytime within 24 months of their purchase of the Wheego LSV, a customer may trade up their Wheego LSV for a full speed Wheego (when available) and receive a trade-up credit of 50% of the original purchase price of their LSV toward the purchase of a full speed Wheego.

Any Federal or State tax credits that the customer received on their purchase of the LSV or on a new full speed car are theirs to keep and are not deducted from the trade-up value.

The trade-in value is 50% of the gross purchase price of the LSV, including options but excluding freight, dealer fees, taxes and license fees.

Example (for illustration only; prices may vary):
Customer purchase price of Wheego LSV: $22,000
Fed Tax Credit: -$7,500
Net customer price for LSV: $14,500

Customer sample purchase price of Full Speed: $30,000
Wheego LSV Trade-up allowance: -$11,000
Fed Tax Credit: -$ 7,500
Net customer price for Full Speed Wheego: $11,500

Wheego Dealers will have full program details.

“We want to take care of our pioneering customers who are purchasing the LSV Wheego Whip now,” said Wheego CEO Mike McQuary. “They are excited to drive an environmentally friendly, all-electric car. This Trade-Up path lets them get behind the wheel of our LSV today, and protects their investment in the future. They will be able to seamlessly move into the Wheego FSV when it’s ready.”

By not deducting Federal or State Tax Credits, Wheego enables customers in some cases to receive more in Trade-Up credits than they paid for the car. “For example in Oklahoma, with the progressive State Tax Credit of 50% of the price of the car combined with the current $7,500 Federal Tax Credit, Oklahomans can currently drive home a $22,000 car for a net cost of $3,500″, explains McQuary. “Then they will still receive a Trade-Up credit of $11,000 for that car toward the price of their new Wheego FSV when it is available next year.”

Wheego President Jeff Boyd, a 30-year auto industry veteran, is excited about introducing the innovative program. “I’ve never seen anything like it in the industry,” said Boyd. “We are breaking new ground with both the Wheego Whip and the Trade-Up program. There is a lot of anticipation surrounding the FSV due out next year, and this program lets consumers drive our current LSV offering while they wait. In some cases, they may decide the LSV suits their needs perfectly for an around-the-neighborhood errand-running car. In others cases, they will be ready to move to the Wheego FSV as their primary car, and we’ll make that transition easy with the Trade-Up path.”

The initial Wheego offering is the Whip, available now. The Whip is an all-electric LSV which can drive on roads with posted speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less. The Wheego full-speed all-electric car is expected in 2010. The Wheego Whip LSV is a fully-loaded two-seat compact car with fit, finish and features that compete with any other subcompact car on the market. Features include remote keyless entry, air conditioning, and MP3 stereo system. The all-electric Wheego Whip runs on sealed lead-acid batteries and can be charged from a standard household outlet.

About Wheego Electric Cars

Wheego Electric Cars is an innovation-driven and environmentally-conscious manufacturer of Electric Vehicles (EVs). Under the leadership of Mike McQuary, CEO and former MindSpring entrepreneur, Wheego Electric Cars has become a leader in the integration of advanced technology components. Wheego Electric Cars is one of the first EV companies to deliver affordable fully capable, street legal LSV electric cars for everyday consumer use.

For more information about Wheego, visit the company website at wheego.net.

Source: PRWeb

Working with Carbonfund.org, which has the first carbon neutral product label in the U.S., Venom Power Eco Alkaline batteries are certified carbon neutral after a detailed product life-cycle assessment of carbon emissions, and offsetting the emissions that could not be avoided, for example, in the manufacturing process.

Venom is supporting Carbonfund.org and Paso Pacifico’s Return to Forest reforestation project. Validated by the Rainforest Alliance to the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standards with Gold Distinction, the Return to Forest Project is helping to reforest as well as reconnect critical biological corridors along Nicaragua’s Pacific coast. The project also brings economic opportunities to local communities while sequestering about 170,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

“We applaud Venom Power for having its Eco Alkaline brand batteries certified as a carbon neutral product after a rigorous product life-cycle assessment. The brand now carries Carbonfund.org’s carbon neutral label and joins other distinguished brands that are taking leadership on climate change,” said Eric Carlson, President, Carbonfund.org. “Venom’s Eco Alkaline batteries provide an important and dependable alternative for consumers in the battery market.”

Venom’s Eco Alkaline batteries will begin shipping to retailers throughout North America during the fourth quarter this year. Eco Alkaline batteries are recyclable along with other dry-cell batteries.

About Venom Group International:
Venom Group International specializes in the design and manufacture of various consumer batteries, battery chargers, battery powered radio controlled toys and electronics. With offices in the U.S.A., Australia and China, Venom batteries, toys and associated products are sold throughout the U.S.A., Australia and more than 40 countries worldwide. http://www.venom-group.com

Source: PRWeb

It is predicted that UK groundwater will begin to decrease by 2025, with the overall amount of water available in English and Welsh rivers reducing by 15 per cent by 20502.

In London, the issue is a particularly pressing one – the Environment Agency has identified the region as under serious water stress3, highlighting the need for water efficiency measures to be implemented. In addition, many companies could face changes to licences granted to allow water abstraction as result of the Water Act 20034.

Sophie Greenhalgh, Envirowise Regional Manager for London, said: “Water is set to become one of the most dramatically affected resources as the impact of climate change takes hold, but many businesses are not aware of the steps they can take to mitigate against this risk.

“Companies in the capital should explore practical steps including water saving devices and water recovery and reuse technology such as membrane filtration systems, which enable a large proportion of wastewater to be reused for processes such as heating, cooling and cleaning. This can result in major cost savings through lower mains water and disposal charges, as well as an enhanced environmental reputation with customers and investors.

“Taking such action now could not only pay enormous dividends in future years, it can also lead to short-term benefits. In fact, recent Envirowise research5 revealed that UK companies could be missing out on combined savings of up to £10 million per day by failing to make changes in this area.”

UK businesses which pay income or corporation tax can also claim tax relief on recovery and reuse systems and water saving devices through the Water Technology List (WTL), which is managed by Defra and HM Revenue & Customs in partnership with Envirowise as part of the Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme for water-efficient technology.

Further information on the benefits of reducing water usage is available at envirowise.gov.uk.

Source: PRWeb

Qteros has entered into a joint development project with Applied CleanTech (ACT), a commodities recycling company based in Israel, to use ACT’s Recyllose™-based feedstock, produced from municipal wastewater solids, for even more efficient and low-cost ethanol production. ACT’s Sewage Recycling System (SRS), a revolutionary solution for recycling wastewater solids, produces high-quality alternative energy sources for the production of electricity or ethanol, while reducing sludge formation and lowering wastewater treatment plant costs and increasing plant capacity.

The companies said they are the first to demonstrate commercial success in creating ethanol from the cellulose in municipal and agricultural liquid waste, and to offer a process that all municipalities can use to help reduce expenses.

“Our customer is every municipality that has a wastewater treatment plant,” said Jeff Hausthor, Qteros co-founder and senior project manager. “It will provide a value-added product for municipal waste water plants, thereby making treatment plants much less expensive to run and helping local governments throughout the world with their constrained budgets.”

Israel Biran, ACT’s CEO, added, “It also helps answer the question of what municipalities can do with their sewage sludge, a major challenge now facing every wastewater treatment plant operator.”

ACT has spent six years developing its integrated sewage recycling solution. Its high quality Recyllose™-based feedstock offers high cellulose content and low moisture, facilitating more efficient ethanol production. The SRS is already in commercial use, with facilities in Israel and the United States currently making Recyllose™-based products from sewage sludge and other cellulose-rich waste while reducing sludge output and wastewater treatment plant costs.

By using ACT’s proprietary feedstock, Hausthor said Qteros and ACT’s researchers have found that an ethanol production plant can produce 120–135 gallons of ethanol per ton of Recyllose™.

Since Recyllose™ is low in lignin (a major component of plant cell walls that is difficult to degrade), and lignin can be inhibitory to efficient conversion to ethanol, Hausthor said the material improves cellulosic plant operational efficiency 20 percent over higher lignin content feedstocks.

Qteros’ CEO William Frey said that with previous technologies, a cellulosic ethanol plant would have to produce roughly 20-30 million gallons per year (MGY) in order to be profitable. With the proposed Qteros-ACT process, Frey said, production with these economics could be viable at a smaller scale.

ACT President Dr. Refael Aharon said that a wastewater plant that handles 150 million gallons a day (serving a population of about 2 million people) can be sufficient to supply a smaller-scale ethanol plant with cellulose.

Qteros and ACT said that by applying the proprietary one-step Qteros fermentation technology to ACT’s Recyllose™ feedstock, they have achieved a high-yield, waste-to-ethanol production process that is superior to other industrial-scale processes both technically and economically.

The research has been supported in part by a grant from the Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation. The BIRD Foundation funds joint efforts between Israel and the United States, and their financial support has resulted in the very successful collaboration of Qteros’ and ACT’s technologies.

The U.S. government has set a goal of increasing annual production of alternative fuels like ethanol from today’s 10 billion gallons to 36 billion gallons by 2022. Qteros predicts that this announcement will move the country one step closer to realizing its goal. “Ethanol is the best next-generation fuel,” said Frey.

More can be found out about this technology at Qteros

Source: PRWeb

The car is made from woven flax, recycled carbon fibre, recycled resin and carrot pulp for the steering wheel. It runs on biofuel made from chocolate and animal fats and is lubricated with plant oils. But it’s not just an environmentally friendly car, it is also fast. The car has a top speed of 135 mph, can achieve 0-60 in 2.5 seconds and is turbo charged to give it more torque.

Having got the seal of approval from drivers such as Lewis Hamilton and Adam Carroll as well as F1 team boss Ross Brawn, the car will make its first competitive debut in the Formula 3 Championship final at Brands Hatch on 17th October. The team hope to prove that high performance, competitive cars can be built from sustainable materials.

According to Dr Kirwan the idea behind the project is to show that: “being sustainable and green can be incredibly sexy, fun and fast.” He goes on to say that even though people’s perception of motorsport is that it’s wasteful, this project is “aiming to show ways for the future, for people to race and be green.”

A video of the car in action can be found at IMPACT! World www.impactworld.org.uk The website also features a variety of other films and case studies highlighting the impact of science and research technology in the UK .

Source: EPSRC

Being tested to Technology Readiness Level (TRL 9) this programme for the US Army is currently in the system design, demonstration and testing phase. Plant commissioning and testing is due to commence next spring with delivery expected by mid year, followed by an extended US Army conducted testing and evaluation trial period, continuing through to early 2012. The programme is jointly funded by US Office of the Secretary of Defence (OSD) through the Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) Programme and is expected to result in more than 10 systems eventually being acquired.

“The US Army’s introduction of the PyTEC Pyrolysis Waste Disposal System solution should provide a dramatic increase in sustainability and force protection,” stated Lt Col Daryl “Rick” Harger, Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems, part of Program Executive Office Combat Support and Combat Service Support (PEO CS&CSS). “The PEO’s mission is to focus on equipping and supporting the joint war fighter through the development and fielding of systems with increased capability which support DoD objectives and enable a more expeditionary force.”

“PyTEC reduces the need for outside contractors to access the secure base camp to dispose of solid waste, dramatically reducing potential threats,” added Pat McGlead, QinetiQ’s Business Development Manager for the PyTEC solution. “Not having to rely on local contractors for solid waste disposal gives commanders the flexibility to operate in terrain which would be otherwise unsupportable plus means they can proactively manage their environmental impact. The energy recovery aspect will also significantly reduce the amount of fuel needed to support the base camp and provide associated cost savings while reducing the number of trucks on the road and freeing logistics assets for more critical mission requirements. PyTEC will enable the US Army forward operating bases to move towards being more self sufficient in the management of their waste management requirements.”

QinetiQ’s PyTEC Pyrolysis Waste Disposal System is housed in two standard free standing interconnected 8ft x 8ft x 20ft skeleton ISO containers that are fitted with hinged opening sides. Based on the latest COTS technology PyTEC requires minimal operator training or involvement to operate by allowing unsorted waste to be continually fed into automated the closed loop system and super heated, with just 25 litres of inert ‘char’ being produced per 100kg or raw waste processed, subject to the proportion of organic waste mix.

To find out more visit QinetiQ

“Since our customers pay a flat monthly rate, we have to be efficient in order to keep them happy and make money,” said Carl Mazzanti, chief executive officer, eMazzanti Technologies. “We look for the best practices and technology to help us be competitive, productive and profitable.”

“We’re also looking for greener IT solutions for our customers that save paper or power,” noted Jennifer Mazzanti, president, eMazzanti Technologies. “PC users often turn off or change power saving features which drive up electricity costs or have productivity affected because laptop battery life is not what it ought to be.”

eMazzanti Technologies is discovering a number of features in Windows 7 that is helping it get work done faster with less impact on the environment. Windows 7’s productivity features such as Aero Snap (splitting of two windows side by side) and Aero Peek (a preview of minimized windows which helps eliminate hunting for an open window) help users move efficiently through otherwise cumbersome tasks, such as spreadsheet comparisons. The added benefit to efficient task completion is less energy consumption based on a lower time use. Trigger Start Services is another way Windows 7 looks to improve battery life and lower energy consumption. With this method of service delivery, Windows 7 only starts services when called upon instead of the default method of starting all important services. What this translates to is less hardware usage and, in turn, lower power consumption.

A 2009 PC Energy Report, produced by 1E and the non-profit Alliance to Save Energy indicates that about half of the 108 million office computers in the US are not properly shut down at night. The report analyzed workplace PC power consumption in the USA, United Kingdom and Germany.

Wasting electricity doesn’t just affect a company’s bottom line; it creates environmental concerns, as well. For example, the report claims: If the world’s 1 billion PCs were powered down just one night, it would save enough energy to light the Empire State Building — inside and out — for over 30 years.

“To make PC energy consumption more personal, ZDNet.com calculated the average CPU and monitor wasted approximately $90 per year in electricity,” noted Jennifer Mazzanti. “There’s both an economic and an environmental incentive to pay attention to greener computing.”

About eMazzanti Technologies
eMazzanti Technologies works with businesses to provide strategies for growth through the use of intelligent technology tools. From business process analysis to network design, security planning to preventative maintenance, the firm’s services all aim to reduce costs, mitigate risk and drive revenue for its clients. eMazzanti also offers an extensive portfolio of network products from the leading technology manufacturers. The best advocates for eMazzanti Technologies are its clients. The firm services businesses throughout the New York Metropolitan area and in three countries worldwide ranging from home office environments to multinational corporations with mission-critical needs. These organizations rely on eMazzanti as their technology management partner. As clients grow and needs change, eMazzanti’s flexible, scalable customer engagement model adapts to meet the aspirations of each business. eMazzanti forms long-term relationships with clients that value stability and reliability in their IT partners. An innovative and comprehensive approach to technology services has earned eMazzanti the trust of a rapidly growing client base and recognition by many of the industry’s foremost publications. For more information or to download a free copy of the complete case study, please visit www.emazzanti.net.

Source: PRWeb

Through films, stories, and an interactive planet, the website shows how research is helping to fight crime in police stations, save lives in hospitals, develop green forms of transport, informing government decisions and much more.

The website has been endorsed by Lord Robert Winston who said this about the site:

“This is a world where research is changing our lives with new technologies in medical engineering, digital communications, manufacturing and cultural industries. On IMPACT! World you’ll find science at work finding new ways to preserve our heritage and protect the planet. Developments like these are improving our health, our wellbeing and prosperity.”

Science and Innovation Minster Lord Drayson said:

“This new website shines a deserving light onto the contribution science and engineering make to the UK . It offers a fascinating insight into how home-grown technologies are tackling some of the biggest challenges we face such as improving our quality of life and stimulating the economy.”

EPSRC Chief Executive Professor Dave Delpy said:

“Engineering and physical sciences research is crucial to creating a healthy, prosperous and sustainable society. It has huge impact on the world around us. We hope this website and our IMPACT Campaign will help the public understand why research is so crucial to the UK ’s future.”

Films and case studies on IMPACT! World include:

• Downloadable software for your mobile phone that could help doctors monitor asthma, diabetes and other chronic conditions remotely.

• Revolutionary software that speeds up processing times for forensic evidence that could help police crack crimes faster.

• How scientists and business are working together to develop advanced manufacturing techniques stimulating the UK economy.

• The ‘Virtual Human’ that will allow doctors to test different prescriptions against their patient’s individual genotype before prescribing the safest and most effective treatments.

• The £2 LED lightbulb that lasts 60 years.

• Sheets of carbon just a single atom thick that could herald a new generation of electronic devices.

• New technology helping children with communication disabilities to share everyday experiences with their family.

IMPACT! World is the latest activity in EPSRC’s IMPACT! Campaign launched at the Cheltenham Science Festival in June. The campaign aims to demonstrate how UK scientists and engineers are solving some of the biggest challenges facing society.

Visit the innovative website at www.impactworld.org.uk

The National Solar Tour provides solar-interested citizens an opportunity to view the real-life energy solutions people in their communities are deploying to save money, assert their energy independence and help the environment. Last year, 140,000 people in 49 states participated.

“After decades of development and growing numbers of installations, solar energy solutions have moved into the mainstream,” said ASES Executive Director Brad Collins. “Solar prices are 30% lower than we saw a year ago. State and federal incentives are gaining steam, and a new awareness surrounding how solar cuts energy costs, creates green jobs and improves property values is emerging,” he said.

“From Main Street to rural retreats, the National Solar Tour is changing how everyday folks view their energy choices. The National Solar Tour is a catalyst that’s accelerating the use of solar energy and energy efficient practices across America,” Collins added.

No longer price-prohibitive, solar electric and solar water-heating solutions are reaching middle America at an unprecedented pace. Those attending this year’s tour will discover a surprisingly diverse solar landscape – including solar-powered duplexes, houses, condos, businesses — even solar-powered funeral homes, schools, farms, courthouses and donut shops.

“With thousands of practical examples of how solar works in homes, businesses and public agencies similar to theirs, the National Solar Tour demystifies the allure of solar while inspiring people across the U.S. to harness its power and the many economic benefits it brings,” noted Charles Hanasaki, President of SANYO’s Energy USA Solar Division, a National Solar Tour supporter. SANYO produces the HIT Power® solutions which have some of the highest energy conversion efficiency ratings in the world.

“No other event in the nation brings the potent combination of neighbors, installers, business owners and related energy efficiency experts together to discuss the costs and benefits of solar energy across the U.S.,” Hanasaki said.

Solar tour locations, dates and times are listed by state at: www.NationalSolarTour.org. Those attending these open-house tours learn how to use solar and energy efficiency tactics to save on monthly utility bills, enjoy big tax incentives, improve property values, create a hedge against rising energy costs and help preserve the environment. ASES is providing “Get Started” solar guides to solar-inspired tour goers across the U.S.

Sustainable living expert Ed Begley, Jr., The Hollywood Star of Climate Change, says the lessons people take away from the tour are valuable for a variety of reasons.

“Sustainable living is not only good for the planet, it’s good for our wallets,” said Begley, whose recent book, “Ed Begley, Jr.’s Guide to Sustainable Living,” provides a plethora of practical tips on how to live a more efficient, earth-friendly life. “The National Solar Tour offers families an opportunity to have meaningful conversations with friends and neighbors who are reaping the benefits of renewable energy and energy efficiency each and every day. It’s a great way to get an up-close and personal perspective on how easy it can be to live the green life — and how rewarding.”

The National Solar Tour is a powerful collaboration of volunteers, industry experts, environmental groups, community coalitions, partner organizations and corporate and government sponsors, among them the U.S. Department of Energy, Conergy, the Sierra Club, Trina Solar, Apricus, BP Solar, Radiantec, Sanyo, Sun Crystals and Whole Foods Market. The event is coordinated nationally by the non-profit American Solar Energy Society.

One item on which this unusual complement of businesses, government agencies, educators and environmental groups (groups often at odds on myriad issues) can agree is solar’s place as an energizing force behind America’s desire for energy independence — and a vibrant clean energy economy.

“What ASES and its astounding network of clean energy enthusiasts have done to bring the benefits of solar energy to home and business owners across the U.S. is nothing short of remarkable,” notes Jyl Safier, Director of Marketing for Conergy, a Platinum National Solar Tour supporter who has sponsored the tour for three consecutive years. Conergy provides residential and utility-scale solar energy solutions to help customers cut energy costs, finance solar projects and reap rich cash and tax incentives.

“Solar energy,” Safier continued, “has evolved to the point where it’s not just good for the environment; it’s a cost-cutting, job-creating, business-savvy solution whose time has come.”

About the American Solar Energy Society
Established in 1954, the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is the nation’s leading association of solar professionals and grassroots advocates. Supported by more than 12,000 members, ASES’ mission is to speed the transition to a sustainable energy economy. ASES advances education, research and policy, inspiring the nation to go solar. ASES publishes the award-winning SOLAR TODAY magazine, presents the National Solar Conference, rallies citizens to build a Solar Nation, and leads the National Solar Tour – the world’s largest grassroots solar event. www.ases.org

The vehicle or equipment is driven up onto the Hydropad wash rack. The Hydropad wash racks equipment wash process. The recycled water is sent to a wash brush used in cleaning the vehicle. A Hydroblaster pressure washer connected to fresh water is used to rinse the recycled water from the car. This adds water to the systems that is lost in the wash process due to evaporation.

Water from washing applications cannot flow onto the ground as this violates the Clean Water Act. Jeff Hill, the parts and service director at Folsom Lake Toyota says “Like many car dealers we found it hard to wash our cars and meet the rules imposed by the EPA’s Clean Water Act. Like any environmentally aware business in California we want to comply with every aspect of the EPA laws and searching an answer to our problem led us to Hydro Engineering Inc. It’s such a simple concept pull your car or truck onto the Hydropads, wash it, rinse it off and you are done. It only takes 5 minutes to completely wash a car with this system. The two swiveling booms hold the washing brush and rinsing gun hoses just like a self serve car wash.”

Hand car wash system

More about Hydroblaster here

Source: PRWeb