Hybrid vehicles have the potential to save a few bucks at the pump, but advocates for the blind have continued to warn about their potential to harm to the seeing impaired. This specially equipped Toyota Prius has been fitted a waterproof speaker mounted above the radiator that can emit a sound similar to a flat-six or V8, based off the vehicle’s speed and throttle position. Once the internal combustion engine kicks in, the system is muted, allowing the 1.5-liter inline four to sing its siren song.
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/05/lotus-gives-hybrids-a-v8-soundtrack/
August 5, 2008
Lotus Wants Electric Cars and Hybrids to Make More Noise
Loremo Unveils Super Efficient 120 mpg
Loremo LS Car
Designed to be a mainstream high-efficiency vehicle, the LS is promised to achieve fuel economy of better than 120 mpg. The first production model is expected to weigh less than 1300 pounds and feature a compact two-cylinder turbodiesel powertrain of undisclosed displacement, but given the proposed power and efficiency ratings, it’s not likely to exceed 1-litre. Pricing of the Loremo LS is targeted to fall below $24,705, however no market release date has been announced yet.
http://www.nextenergynews.com/news08/next-energy-news7.29.08b.html
ENVIRONMENT PHOTOS WEEKLY: Subs, Salmon, Storms, More
- (NGO) Submarine MIR-2
The Russian submarine MIR-2 is lowered into Lake Baikal deepest body of freshwater on Earth.
CREDIT CARD ‘BILL OF RIGHTS’ INCHES FORWARD
Legislation that would ban many unpopular credit card company tactics has been passed by a congressional committee, opening a path for the so-called “Credit Card Holders Bill of Rights” to be considered by the full House of Representatives.
Key provisions in the Fed rules and the legislation are:
• Credit card companies are required to give cardholders 45 days notice of any interest rate increases.
• Retroactive rate increases are prohibited, unless the card holder is more than 30 days late.
• Billing statements must be sent 25 calendar days before the due date under the legislation; the new Fed rule varies slightly, requiring 21 days.
