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The South Coast Air Quality Management District is the top cop for air quality enforcement in Southern California.  They have released a spreadsheet of the cleanest 2008 vehicle models that meet their air quality standards.  Here is a partial list .. you can see more information on their website:  www.cleanairchoices.org

The section with the lowest Carbon Footrpint and highest per gallon fuel use is "Advanced Technology - Partial Zero-Emission Vehicles (AT-PZEVs).  Here are a few of the models:

Model                                                  C02 tons/year
Toyota Prius (hybrid gas-electric):         4.0
Honda Civic (hybrid gas-electric):         4.4
Nissan Altima (hybrid gas-electric):       5.4
Toyota Camry (hybrid-gas-electric):      5.4
Honda Civic GX (CNG):                        5.4
Ford Escape (hybrid gas-electric):        5.7
Mazda Tribute 2WD (hybrid gas-el):     5.7
Mercury Mariner 2WD (hybrid gas-el):  5.7

NREL is working with Nuclear Filter Technology to develop and commercialize NREL's innovative fiber optic hydrogen sensor technology. This technology provides industry with the early detection of hydrogen in the air, which only takes a small spark to ignite and explode.

NREL's fiber optic hydrogen sensor utilizes a non-ignitable, flexible, thin, glass or plastic, fiber optic strand that transmits light to a thin film material. The material changes color in response to the presence of hydrogen. The CRADA allows NREL and Nuclear Filter Technology to develop a full-scale prototype of this technology, which ultimately will result in commercially available products.

Industries that use or produce hydrogen can apply this technology.

Applications include those for the following industries:

• Petrochemical
• Transportation
• Fuel cell
• Fuel production
• Food processing
• Natural gas
• Nuclear waste

Nuclear Filter Technology is also licensing several NREL inventions related to the fiber optic and thin film materials that sense the presence of hydrogen.

SOURCE: Technology Transfer department of National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Natural Gas Fueling Stations Near You

Have you noticed a natural gas refueling station popping up in your work or home neighborhood? If you haven't noticed -- look around for the ease with which YOU could switch to natural gas for a cleaner environment. The natural gas infrastructure is growing because natural gas cars are proving to be the CLEANEST cars on the road. Once again, we at California Green Solutions congratuate Honda on its "Greenest Vehicle" achievement.

Honda Natural Gas Cars Achieve ACEEE Greenest Vehicle Award

February 19, 2008 -- Recognizing Honda’s application of fuel efficient and alternative fuel technologies, four Honda vehicles earned recognition from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) as the "greenest vehicles of 2008" with the Civic GX natural gas car taking the title of the greenest vehicle for the fifth consecutive year, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

This is the eighth year in a row that a Honda vehicle received the number one ranking and the seventh consecutive year that Honda vehicles held at least four positions in the top 12, an impressive one-third of all vehicles on the list.

"The ACEEE awards speak to the commitment Honda has made to lead the industry in lowering emissions, increasing fuel efficiency and reducing dependence on oil,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. "Honda continues to set the standard for socially and environmentally-responsible automotive products and our commitment to alternative fuels will further expand with the zero emissions FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle coming to market this summer." See the full article on California Green Solutions