Green Maus

• Unplug it. If you are not using it then unplug it, especially electronics such as toaster, cell phone charger, etc.) Event if they are not “on” they are using electricity, as much as 40% of all electricity in a home is used to power appliances that are turned off.
• Use your dishwater. Using a dishwasher actually uses about 35% less water than washing dishes by hand. And if you skip the drying cycle and let dishes air dry – you save 15% electricity
• Buy florescent bulbs. The newest ones are great, they turn on instantly and cast a warm glow, but they use about a quarter of the electricity of a traditional incandescent bulb and last 10 times as long, saving you money. Replacing just 6 bulbs will cut $35 per year from your electricity bill. (MSN Money)
• Save money in the bathroom. Buy water-efficient showerheads. A family of four can cut water usage by as much as 280 gallons a month.
• Recycle technology. Cell phones, digital cameras and camcorders have batteries that are illegal to throw out in states such as Florida, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey and Vermont, but wherever you live you can find a nearby store that will recycle them. Just go to rbrc.org.
• Adjust fridge and freezer temps. Refrigerators eat up the most electricity in the house – keep fridges at 37F and the freezer at 0F
• Buy a laptop. It uses a lot less power and electricity than a desktop computer.
• Double up on printing. Configure your printer to print on both sides of the paper.
• Shop for energy-efficient appliances. Just look for the Energy Star label on fridges, washers and other products, they use less water and/or electricity.
• Tote your own grocery bag. Bring your own sack to the grocery store to load your food. Check your local grocery store, they usually have them in the cashier’s aisle.

Automotive News reported that Toyota would be increasing their competition against other manufacturers in the “hybrid” category by producing a smaller- than- Prius hybrid vehicle to compete with the Honda Insight. The smaller hybrid will be a low-priced Yaris spin-off which currently gives drivers a 29/36 mpg rating.

There is no defined date when the smaller hybrid will come to the United States but it could arrive as early as 2011, according to Japan’s Nikkei business newspaper.

Past reports in Automotive Business Review, announced that the Yaris was selected for the production of an all-lithium version. The production of the new model Toyota Yaris was to focus on design, quality and low costs.

It seems that Toyota is looking to continue its hybrid series expansion but instead of looking at the larger vehicles it will look towards the smaller, more compact car to showcase in the coming years.

Another manufacturer makes an announcement in regards to becoming a more environmentally conscience automaker and actually does it all on its own.

Hyundai announced that it will launch its first version of a hybrid with a plug-in vehicle. The new hybrid was shown during the 2009 Auto Show and introduced a four door, sports car concept design, called the Blue-Will.

President of Hyundai-Kia Motors’, yang Woong-chul stated “We want to be the world leader in fuel economy and alternative fuels.”

The new concept hybrid has staggering mpg numbers and is powered by a 1.6 liter gasoline direct-injection engine teamed with a 100-kilowatt electric motor. According to Yang, the Blue-Will can travel solely on electricity for approximately 38 miles. Hyundai claims a fuel economy rating of 106 mpg with plug-in mode and up to 55 mpg in hybrid-electric mode. Panoramic glass roofing with solar cells will assist in recharging.

Hyundai has gone so far in its “in-house” design and production that it has developed its own lithium ion battery. Hyundai believes that independently designing the parts will make the vehicle more affordable.

Price has not been determined or offered but the goal behind this concept hybrid is not to increase profit but according to Yang “to show our technological image to get people to the dealerships to drive our cars”.

All information was provided by Automotive News online, Kathy Jackson who wrote “Hyundai plans plug-in for 2012 in U.S.” written on April 2, 2009.

A Los Angeles Times article came out online in March commenting on the new 2010 Toyota Prius, to be released mid- to late of this year, and its considerable advancements it has made on what we now consider “the game of mpg’s”.

In his own mathematical equations, online journalist Dan Neil, has figured that over 10 years if the government spent $400 billion dollars and bought everyone Pruis’ we would save 14 billion gallons of oil a year which also equates to 170 days worth of gas.

Other advantages of everyone owning a Prius: significant reduction in vehicle-related greenhouse gas emission, an average of 50 mpg and a well-designed interior.

As stated in his article, the Prius has “created a segment, it changed minds, it validated a technology, and it raised awareness”.

Hyundai is making great strides to introduce a new effort to stop global warming and create a greener opportunity for the world through its Genesis Forest Project. With the purchase of a 2009 Hyundai Genesis, Hyundai will fully offset the Genesis’ carbon emissions for one year. To do this, Hyundai will conserve and reforest 3,000 acres of tropical forest in the Brazilian Cerrado.

Through extensive research Hyundai Manufacturing has seen various innovations used to better the environment, but the one that remains the most impactful is the natural source of CO2 in trees. Trees take in carbon emissions and give the Earth fresh, clean oxygen in return. The Brazilian Cerrado was chosen because it is one of the world’s richest and most threatened reservoirs of plant and animal life on earth.

The all new Hyundai Genesis is available at David Maus Hyundai where we strive each day to make a cleaner, greener tomorrow a reality today in our showroom and service department, everyday. Through recycled paper products, sending old tires to recycling centers and much more, David Maus Hyundai is doing their part for the future.

All Hyundai vehicles are available at David Maus Hyundai at 2308 S Woodland Blvd in Deland, Florida. For more information please call 1-866-757-0394.