Hummer Challenges Chevy Volt On Fuel Economy: For Real?

Can you imagine a fuel-efficient Hum-V?

Jeremy Hsu at PopSci.com reports:

"Hummer H3e claims its green version can get 100 mpg on average. And what's a little boasting without taking a shot at the competition? Raser Technologies calls its revamped Hummer a "Prius-Stomping Green Machine," based on an E-REV powertrain that supposedly enables large vehicles to drive the first 40 miles in all-electric mode. The company calculates that a typical driver who goes 65 miles per day would average about 100 mpg, and that driving over 200 miles per day would still get about double the fuel economy of a regular Hummer.

The electric Humvee developer has also not hesitated to join the crowd questioning Chevrolet's claim of 230 mpg for the upcoming Chevy Volt hybrid. Fast Company reports that Raser claims a Hummer would get 190 mpg in city driving conditions, based on the same methodology used to calculate the Volt's fuel economy." See full article.

A Pedal/Electric Vehicle for the Whole Family (And The Dog)

An eighth-grade student and his dad developed a street-worthy family passenger vehicle that can carry the family, the dog and and the groceries. It is pedal operated and electric power-assisted.

Paul Ridden at GizMag.com reports:

"It's a great-looking 4 wheeler where the power comes courtesy of the harmonization of solar power and a good old-fashioned lower body workout. There's an iPod dock, a GPS navigation system, a cargo area and even a platform especially for the dog. It's definitely a worthy contender for the crown of coolest green transportation around. Oh, and it's also a school project.

A search for .... articles on this vehicle will yield information claiming this project was the work of a class of 8th graders. It was in fact the sole work of David Dixon (the 8th grader) and his father/mentor (also called David and not an 8th grader) for a Novato Charter School project looking into alternative energy sources and green transport solutions. Young David produced a design plan and presented the outline for the SOHH project to his teacher in August of 2008. He wanted to produce a human/electric vehicle to replace trips to school by car - he would ensure that the craft was street legal, that it wasn't too big for use in cycle lanes, that it would use solar power and that it would have room onboard for the groceries. See full article.