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Using biofuels might be a sin, says Muslim cleric

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 11:43:00 +0000

I had no idea what would pop up when I typed in “ethanol sin” into the search box over at Flickr. Turns out, you get the image above, which was created for the Pope’s visit to the U.S. back in early 2008. It’s a good reminder that the debate over biofuels has donned religious clothing before. There a new twist to the discussion, though, following a recent statement from Sheikh Mohamed Al-Najimi, member of the Saudi Islamic Jurisprudence Academy, who said that using biofuels might be a sin because they go against the Islamic rule forbidding alcohol. This opinion, issued as a personal opinion and not an official fatwa, according to Al Arabiya , would apply to ethanol and methanol, and biodiesel made using methanol. SVO users, you’re off the hook, here. Related stories: Could the Pope make 15 mpg a sin? Can driving greener get you into heaven? Vatican says sure Another thing to worry about gas guzzlers: the sin factor Note : we’ve had a little too much name-calling in theCar Blog Green recently and have needed to ban some people from writing more. Feel free to write what you think about this particular issue, but stay away from name calling and broad generalizations about religion or ethnic groups, ok? No more warnings, just bannings if you can’t be civil. [Source: Cleantech via Green Daily , Al Arabiya ] Image by Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com . Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0. Auto Blog: Biodiesel , Etc. , Ethanol , Green Daily , Middle East Using biofuels might be a sin, says Muslim cleric originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Using biofuels might be a sin, says Muslim cleric

Ask AutoblogGreen: What regulations govern electric vehicles?

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 10:54:00 +0000

Here at AutoblogGreen we get plenty of questions from readers about all kinds of topics related to alternative transportation. Reader James asks: “Reportedly, there is a federal law which limits the size/speed of autos on all roads. This, in effect restricts electric alternative vehicles that must exceed 35 mph speed. I haven’t got the whole story correct, I’m sure. That’s why I’m trying to get the straight story. Specifically, determine whether such a Federal law exists, and if so, what exactly does it restrict?” So what exactly is the story? In the electric “car” ranks there are basically three classes of vehicle. There are three wheelers like the Zap Xebra or Aptera which are classed as motorcycles and therefore not subject to crash safety standards. These vehicles are allowed to operate at any speed. Then there are full-speed vehicles which have at least four wheels, are capable of exceeding 25 mph and have a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 8,500 lbs. These vehicles are subject to all of the same safety regulations as any other car on the road today. That means the bumpers must withstand 2.5 mph impacts, there must be seatbelts and airbags and all sorts of other rules regarding lighting and impact safety are enforced. The only series production EV currently available in the U.S. today that meets this classification is the Tesla Roadster . Then there are low-speed vehicles . Car Blog Greenon after the jump to find out more. Continue reading Ask AutoblogGreen: What regulations govern electric vehicles? Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Legislation and Policy Ask AutoblogGreen: What regulations govern electric vehicles? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Ask AutoblogGreen: What regulations govern electric vehicles?

Iran’s Samand Soren boasts the world’s most powerful natural-gas car engine

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:56:00 +0000

Iran’s most important car manufacturer, Iran Khodro, has announced they are developing the world’s most powerful natural gas engine. The engine is installed in the marque’s latest model, the Samand Soren (a car which can trace its roots to the Peugeot 405). Although this claim should be checked against the VW Passat TSI EcoFuel , Iran Khodro claims that the Samand Soren ELX produces 150hp and that the engine is Euro IV compliant. No other specifications were announced. Natural gas is a solution that is being promoted by authorities in Tehran, one of the most polluted cities in the world. [Source: Payvan's Iran News ] Auto Blog: Natural Gas , Middle East Iran’s Samand Soren boasts the world’s most powerful natural-gas car engine originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Iran’s Samand Soren boasts the world’s most powerful natural-gas car engine

Rahm Emanuel – Obama’s fighter for hybrid cars in the White House

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 07:01:00 +0000

Auto Blog: Hybrid , Legislation and Policy , USA Photo by Dru Bloomfield – At Home in Scottsdale . Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0. Who’s going to be pushing the hardest for cleaner cars in the U.S. – hybrids, PHEVs and CNG vehicles , specifically – in the coming years? According to HybridCars , it will not be Plug In America or AutoblogGreen readers; instead, it could be President Obama’s White House chief of staff: Rahm Emanuel. HybridCars suggesets that Emanuel, “a devout Jew,” might use his personal desire to see America extract itself from Middle East oil as a reason to push for more fuel efficient vehicles. Emanuel’s legislation history includes introducing the American Hybrid Tax Credit Act in 2005 and sponsoring legislation that would have created an NGV mandate for automakers . Emanuel also wrote a book in 2006 called The Plan that includes a chapter on getting off of gas that was very bullish on plug-in hybrids – and ways that the government could support purchases of these vehicles. There’s a lengthy excerpt from that chapter over at HybridCars . Now that he’s as close as anyone to the man in charge, there’s a good chance Emanuel’s words are a heard in a different way than before. [Source: HybridCars ] Rahm Emanuel – Obama’s fighter for hybrid cars in the White House originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

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Rahm Emanuel – Obama’s fighter for hybrid cars in the White House