Rising cost of commuting changing how Americans work

Rising fuel prices are beginning to take their toll on the American worker, encouraging more of them to change how they commute or even look for work closer to home. The online study by recruitment firm Manpower of 1,300 American workers found more than two thirds felt rising gasoline prices were affecting their ability to get to work.

The most common adjustments employees were making in response to soaring fuel costs included searching for a job closer to home (35%) and shortening commuting routes or finding other forms of more fuel efficient transport (12%). Some were taking more radical steps, with 4.5% changing jobs to get a shorter commute, 3.5% working from home or an alternative location. 29% said they had made no changes whatsoever, perhaps either reflecting bullishness or resignation about fuel prices.

(2005-11-04 17:52:26 SGT) [Energy] Permalink Comments [1]

Toyota may develop PHEV's

peakoil.com -> greencarcongress.com :

An industry newsletter reports that Toyota may be reconsidering its "no plug-in" mantra and be developing plug-in hybrids for the US, although the company still remains concerned about battery limitations. A Toyota presentation at the Tokyo Motor Show outlined the benefits of plug-ins, according to the story in Inside Fuels and Vehicles.

The report suggests that Toyota may partner with Pacific Gas & Electric on the battery component, an approach not without precedent. Mitsubishi, for example, is working with Tokyo Electric on batteries and a recharging system for its new electric vehicle.

See also :

1. Toyota to go all-hybrid

(2005-11-04 17:45:19 SGT) [Tech] Permalink

Fast and Frugal

motoring.asiaone.com.sg :

The new Honda Civic Hybrid may have innovations that further scrimp on petrol but it is the element of sportiness that makes it so much more desirable than the old car. The words 'hybrid' and 'sporty' haven't been used in the same sentence since Japanese car makers Toyota and Honda rolled out production versions of fuel-frugal automobiles in the late 1990s. Now, however, Honda has managed to dial in some driving pleasure.

In a drive this month at Honda's R&D facility in Tochigi - about three hours by car from Tokyo - the new Civic Hybrid was surprisingly responsive. It has 20 per cent more output than the previous model and therefore doesn't have the usually anaemic nature of a hybrid car. Step hard on the accelerator and there is an almost aggressive growl as the Hybrid surges forward like a conventional car. Despite this enhanced performance, the 1.4-litre petrol engine with its new IMA, or integrated motor assist, has been tweaked to deliver a 5 per cent improvement in fuel economy for a car that's bigger and heavier.

There is no doubt that the fun factor has been injected into the new Civic Hybrid. And although its pricing has not been finalised, it should remain relatively affordable when it arrives in March. The previous Civic Hybrid cost about $90,000 with COE when stocks ran out in the middle of this year. The new Hybrid is likely to cost less than this, partly because of lower COE premiums and partly because of green rebates.

(2005-11-04 15:33:11 SGT) [Tech] Permalink

Singapore launching "Clean & Green Week 2005"

channelnewsasia.com :

Fancy catching a bird's eye view of 120 countries in the heart of town? "Earth from Above", an aerial portrait of our planet, is one of the many highlights at this year's Clean and Green Week campaign. The month-long campaign, to be launched by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on November 5, plans to engage some 250,000 people with over 300 activities island-wide.

World-renowned French photographer and nature enthusiast Yann Arthus-Bertrand has been spreading environmental awareness messages through his pictures for the past 13 years. And Singapore is the first in Southeast Asia to host his works. Though Yann frowns upon the heavy traffic here, he is determined to include Singapore in his collection. Some 120 of his photographs will line the street from Liat Towers to Forum Galleria over the next three months.

- Some notes : added inline links above and visited the online galleries for a "preview" before deciding whether (or not) to drag the ol' rear-end over to Orchard Road, which, with all of the attendant consumerism, the crowd, the parking problems and, well, mostly it's the crowd thing, is not a light decision for me on the best of days. Most of the "preview photos" look nice, but I wonder whether the outdoor exhibition will make any lasting impact beyond quick glances from passers-by.

- In typical gov.sg style, this is being done from the top-down. How far down will this trickle down? See the historical reference below, that was from 1991, when this campaign was in its early days. Have there been improvements since then? In level of awareness? Ecological footprint? Attitudes towards recycling? Overall quality of life?

(2005-11-04 13:31:47 SGT) [Env] Permalink

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