It's tales from the road for episode #21 of the AutoblogGreen Podcast. Sebastian got a peek behind the curtain at GM to see the Chevrolet Volt, and Sam jet-setted to sample wares from Audi and BMW. Hybrids, diesels, EVs, and more – plus, we wrap up with an interview with Tesla's Daryl Siry for a total of 43 minutes. Thanks for listening!

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Episode 20 of the AutoblogGreen Podcast has us recapping Geneva mere days before we head to New York. There were lots of exciting things over in Switzerland, and we touch on a few of them. Th!nk's new Ox will be a Tesla-magnitude achievement if it hits the market doing what the company says it will. GM rolled out the new version of its mild hybrid system that will be propagating across virtually all models in all brands to help boost CAFE. Better efficiency for about half of what a sat nav option costs? We'll take it. Speaking of hybrids, there was a lot of talk from BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen ,and others about upcoming Euro-branded hybrids, and diesel hybrids at that. Mercedes will debut li-Ion batteries in a production hybrid, while Toyota has yet to see a compelling argument for diesel hybrids. Rest assured that if people want it, Toyota will build it, though. Before closing, we look forward to the couple of things we know about in New York, like the debut of the Acura TSX/Honda Euro Accord which will sport a 50-state legal diesel, and the Automotive X-Prize folks will be holding a press conference, as well. 32 minutes this time around. Stay tuned, we'll surely be abuzz when we return from New York.

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As we head toward the Frankfurt Motor show, AutoblogGreen Podcast #11 is filled with talk about what we'll see at the show. There've been lots of developments from European manufacturers, and we're eager to see those cars up close. Sam also got the chance to attend a GM Powertrain event at their Milford proving grounds where he was able to drive some of the new engine technologies around, including HCCI. While there, he also snagged interviews with Paul Najt and Uwe Grebe talking about the work they've been doing developing new GM powertrains. It's 36 minutes this week, and we've fixed the RSS and audio issues from the last couple episodes. Thanks for listening!

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I'm pretty sure it was the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus who said your browser can't view the same blog twice, as things are always changing. This is especially true at AutoblogGreen, and we want you to be part of the change. We need more people who love cars and green car technology (and have the chops to convey that enjoyment to others in snappy blog posts) to write for us, so we're putting out the call to take on some more paid bloggers. Here's the details:

A good candidate must exhibit:

• Prolific knowledge of the auto industry and/or green auto scene
• Ability to write with wit, concision and authority
• Consistent schedule
• Self motivation
• A demonstrated passion for autos

We also require that you:

• Possess a fast computer (laptops are best) and fast Internet connection
• Own a decent digital camera
• Have the software and knowledge to create and manipulate photos
• Are available to blog on an almost daily basis
• Keep a valid drivers license

The following characteristics would be nice, but not required, of our new bloggers.

• Time to travel to green car events
• Previous blogging or automotive writing experience

Here's how to apply. Send applications to writers [@] autobloggreen.com. Your email should have no attachments except for a resume (if you want) and include the following information inside the email.

• A subject line with your full name
• Your full contact information including physical address, email, daytime/evening phone numbers, IM user IDs
• Brief bio of yourself telling us why you're the right blogger for the job
• Three sample posts written in the AutoblogGreen style
• A list of car(s) you currently own or a description of how you use alternate transportation
• Three suggestions on how to improve AutoblogGreen
• Your nomination for 2006 best auto (or green car trend) of the year and why

We'll only consider complete applications that come with no more than a resume attached to the email. Due to the large volume of applications expected, we unfortunately cannot respond to each and every one. If you've made the cut past the first round, we'll contact you and go from there. If you've applied before we hope you apply again, as we appreciate each and every person who considers joining our team.

In yesterday's exciting chapter, we left our hero (yours truly) impaled on the horns of a dilemma. Well, impaled is perhaps too strong a word. Let's just say I was perplexed. What is the "best" alternative fuel out of a short list of 5 choices? The final contestants were E85, CNG, Biodiesel, Electricity and Straight Vegetable Oil. I gave the first two their shot in Part 1, so it's on to the rest of the line-up after the jump.

Yesterday I was in line at the post office, running out to attend to some errands between posts. Since my mind was on AutoblogGreen content, and this was no ordinary post office, I noticed a few things. Before I get to my mini-rant, let me say that the post office I was at is just a drive-through window. It's a full-featured office, sure, but there's no lobby. The entire office works from one window that you hand your mail through and where the nice postal employee hands you your stamps or whatever. Since I try to walk the walk of being green, I was on my bicycle in line behind four or five cars. They just sat there and idled as we waited. It took at least ten minutes for me to get to the window, and when I pushed off, there were seven or eight cars behind me, continuing the line around the lot.

We've heard a lot about the United States Postal Service and their shift to greener delivery vehicles. I'm sure at the organizational level, people are concerned with being green. This is great. But what of the regular old USPS delivery truck that sat in the parking lot just wasting energy as the driver talked with the staff member inside? I'm not frustrated that they wanted to chat, but turn the vehicle all the way off, why don't ya?

And the people in line. I don't know them, I don't have anything against them, but the woman with the "I vote to protect the environment" sticker on her Subaru slowly idling her way to the window was too much. Governments and companies and activists can make all the green decisions they want, but if We The People don't make changes in our personal lives, we're not going to have a beneficial environmental impact. To do this, we not only need good fuel saving tips (like these), but we need to move away from our old habits. I mean, it seems there is a clear manta about how idling takes more gas than shutting down and then re-starting up the car when the line moves (see debate/information here, here and here, and feel free to add your own thoughts in the comments below), but still people in drive through lanes throughout the country idle the day away.

It's hard to rant about people when you don't really know them - for all I know, the woman in the Subaru walks and bikes everywhere she goes and uses her car just one day a week - but standing there watching all this fuel being burnt for no good reason got me a little worked up. We need to do better, I thought. Then the rain started on the ride home, and I calmed down a bit. I'll keep on doing my best to green up this planet, but I'm sure in a few weeks I'll get riled up again over something. Stay tuned...

Related:

• USPS hybrid delivery vehicle being tested in Boston
• Australian government's advice to drive greener: drive less
• Biofuel news roundup: Pandas, the Postal Service and Case Construction Equipment

[Source: The slight build-up of bile in my brain]

It was a year ago today that Hurricane Katrina taught us we're a vulnerable nation. As we mark the anniversary, a lot of good timelines have popped up on the web to understand how things happened. Today on AutoblogGreen I wanted to show how the hurricane and biofuels mix in New Orleans, Louisiana and the Gulf Coast in general. This is not an exhaustive list (please add your own information in the comments), but instead a list to get a feel of how biofuels and green car enthusiasts are still going strong in the region and how they helped in the (ongoing) recovery efforts. One long-term effect Katrina had on biofuels was that everyday folks around the country took a more serious interest in biofuels as gasoline prices increased following the storm. More specific effects include:

• August 29, 2005. Katrina hits New Orleans.
• Sept. 2, 2005. Josh Tickell starts supplying groups and individuals in need with biodiesel. He secures a tanker of biodiesel from West Central Soy and uses his Veggie Van to deliver it to groups in areas like Baton Rogue.
  
• Sept. 5, 2005. Luke Perry (yes, that Luke Perry) applauds VeggieVan's biodiesel-based relief efforts.
  
• Sept. 8, 2005. Ethanol is touted as a the right fuel to help the stricken Gulf Coast.
  
• Late September 2005. Former President Clinton says it's a good idea to use biodiesel in hurricane clean-up efforts, and applauds the work of the Veggie Van.
  
• Sept. 28, 2005. The DOE recognizes the Veggie Van and other green energy relief efforts.
  
• October, 2005. Rebuild Green, a community-based organization in New Orleans, starts efforts to rebuild the city as green as possible, including using renewable energy methods.
  
• Nov. 2005. The USDA gives a $7.6 million grant to ease barge congestion on the Mississippi River caused by Hurricane Katrina. This money means grain barges can move easier (making ethanol production more stable) starting in December.
  
• May 2006. The Shaw Group announces it will build two new biodiesel plants in Louisiana.
  
• July 2006. Louisiana passes a law that requires two percent ethanol blend for all transportation fuel sold in the state.
  

[Source: VeggieVan, Sierra Club, Iowa State Daily, Ethanol Producer, DOE, Future Energies]

In the past few months, we've gotten a few tips from AutoblogGreen reader Sarah Turner (she's written in about Stirling Engines and biodiesel producer Global Commodities going out of business). Now she's tipped us off about something a little closer to her heart: her personal quest to drive around the world in an alternatively-powered vehicle. Turner is basing her journey on the 1965 drive by two Americans in one of the first Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40s that is recounted in the book "Who Needs A Road?" Turner said she considers the book's subtitle, "The longest and last motor journey around the world" a challenge.

Many details of the trip, like which vehicle she'll use to just what type of green power will be in the tank are still in the planning stages right now, but given that Turner has made some long-distance drives in the past (she's got pictures of an Alaska-Arizona charity drive on her new website) it might not take long before she hits the road. I hope she'll keep us informed.

To see what another recent green driving adventure, I recommend reading about Panamericana 2006, the North to South America trip that took place earlier this spring.

[Source: Sarah Turner]

Elon Musk is chairman of Tesla Motors, but his interests do not lie solely on the highway. Musk co-founded SpaceX, which develops launch vehicles, and once planned on setting up greenhouses on Mars. AutoblogGreen is most interested in his clean car technology pursuits, though, and after the unveiling of the Tesla Roadster last week, Musk agreed to sit down (in a remote, email sort of way) with us. In this detailed back and forth, Musk talks about Tesla Motors, the future of electric vehicles and why the Prius is a gas-guzzler.

ABG: How would you describe the initial public reaction to the Roadster?
Musk: Seems to be extremely positive. Most people like the car when they see it, but are still skeptical. That skepticism turns to enthusiasm after they take a ride. The proof is in their willingness to put down hard cash. We have 100 collector's edition cars for sale that require a $100,000 up front deposit for purchase and only a few units are left. The buyers are a who's who of Silicon Valley, Hollywood and Forbes 400 members. Next year's Academy Awards will see a lot of Tesla Roadster's being driven. Compared to the Roadster, the Prius is a gas-guzzling hog!

ABG: When did you first ride in the Roadster? What was your drive like?
Musk: Well, I first rode in an early prototype car called the T-Zero from AC Propulsion over three years ago. Although it was very primitive from an automotive standpoint, the T-Zero convinced me that the technological pieces were in place to make an electric car without compromises. Since then, I've driven various stages of the Roadster development, each one better than the last. I consider the Roadster to be the most exhilarating car I've ever driven and I own a McLaren F1! The torque latency of an electric motor is so much better than an internal combustion that it is hard to appreciate without taking a test drive.

ABG: Does the Roadster live up to your expectations? If not, what will be improved in future versions?
Musk: Actually, the Roadster has exceeded my expectations. The big challenge is making all the little pieces work well, as we want this to have zero bugs when it gets delivered to customers. For example, the car has no external door handles or keyholes and instead uses an electronic touchpad on the inside of an aero feature on the door. It looks really cool, but making sure the latch always opens without sticking is surprisingly tough. At some point, we will probably do a GT version of the Roadster. Making a car with 2.9 second 0-60 mph would be awesome :)

Autoblog's John Neff and I are back with a brand new invention a new podcast. We chat about last week's big automotive news (the possible alliance between General Motors and Nissan/Renault) and also get to quirkier topics like what's hot over at Gaywheels.com and the "greening of America". I take a quick look back at the various "Independence from Oil" bits that floated around on the Fourth of July and reveal what's likely going to be the big news on AutoblogGreen this coming Thursday. Tune in.

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Hosts
John Neff and Sebastian Blanco

Producer
John Neff

Length
28:28

We use a lot of digital ink here at AutoblogGreen on biofuels: ethanol, biodiesel, SVO, etc. Now, we’re not too tied to the biofuel gods, and thanks to reader Greg we’ll mention this little tidbit of news from NHRA that the Environmental Protection Agency is reminding racers at the O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tenn this weekend to only use non-chlorinated brake cleaners. Good on ‘em.
Greg also wrote that he couldn’t find a “contact us” or a “send a tip” section on the site. I admit it’s a bit hidden, but they are there. Look in the middle column (to the right of the posts and to the left of the Weblogs, Inc. Network list) about two posts from the top of the page and you’ll see a collection of links called Resources. In there, you can find what you’re looking for. If you don’t want to look for them, I’ll tell you that news tips can be sent in here and other comments should be sent to us here. Comments on particular posts should still be made under the appropriate post. Thanks for contributing, and keep ‘em coming. [Source: NHRA]

Thanks for visiting AutoblogGreen on our opening day, which happens to be the 36th anniversary of the very first Earth Day. Twenty million Americans came together on this day back in 1970 to celebrate the possibility of a healthier planet, and while we, the citizens of Earth, still have a long way to go, we've traveled a great distance in 36 years.

The automotive industry and car culture in general has arguably played one of the largest parts in this planet's environmental decline. Whether you're a conflicted auto enthusiast or someone who begrudgingly accepts the automobile's role in your eco-friendly life, you'll find AutoblogGreen offers you an up-to-the-minute account of the auto industry's efforts to clean up its act.

Hybrids, diesels and vehicles running on ethanol, compressed natural gas and vegetable oil are all on our radar, as well as the promise of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles emitting nothing but that elixer of life - water. What's more, we'll cover the green car culture that has blossomed around the world's ever growing fleet of green vehicles.

So sit down, buckle up and get ready to accelerate gently and maximize your mileage with AutoblogGreen.