Flourish without Fossil Fuels

Green Power from the Sun, Wind, and Tides

For how much longer will we burn coal and gas to generate the electricity we need, generating asthma, lung disease, air pollution and global warming? It makes no sense. The numbers show that as a world, we can generate all the electricity we need from solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, hydro and the other renewable sources such as biofuels, plus the best of efficiency, with no need for nuclear. Ontario is phasing out its coal-fired power plants, and could get 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2027. Connected by a smart supergrid, using our hydro-dams and other means for storage, we can have smart, reliable power that never runs out.

Electric Cars
Right now, the world’s major automakers are all engaged in a race to produce the best electric car. Better Place is working with Nissan/Renault in Israel, Denmark, Australia, Hawaii, San Francisco and 20 other places to produce an integrated system with electric cars, Electric Vehicles charging posts and electric vehicle battery replacement stations. Plug-in Hybrid electric vehicles are coming that will run on electricity for 80% of their miles. Combined with regular electric vehicles and lightweight designs, these cars could reduce our need for liquid fuel in cars and light trucks by 95%.

Electric Vehicles, has big aspirations

Vancouver city council approved new regulations for electric vehicle charging stations. Under the plan, developers must include plug-ins for electric cars in at least 20 per cent of parking stalls in new condominium and apartment buildings, along with some city-owned parking lots.

Nissan’s new electric car “Nissan Leaf” will be launched in Canada in 2011, beginning with British Columbia. The Leaf will be powered solely by electricity but will have the performance of a V6 family car without the greenhouse gas emissions, according Nissan. The car is expected to be capable of reaching speeds of up to 140 kilometers per hour, according to Nissan, making it one of the first all-electric vehicles capable of highway speeds.

The company plans to work with the federal and provincial governments, the City of Vancouver and BC Hydro to have charging facilities in place for the new vehicles.

Toronto prepares for the future

The Toronto Atmospheric Fund solicits designs for electric vehicle charging stations which overcome challenges faced by existing commercial charging solutions.

TAF’s leading-edge electric vehicle program is gaining momentum with fleet managers and car makers expressing strong interest in getting onboard with the program.  EV300s’ goal is to get a critical mass of electric powered vehicles on Toronto and region streets.  With interest in electric vehicles in overdrive across North America, this well-designed fleet-focused program for deploying EVs is attracting interest and participation from key players, including auto makers, charging technology providers