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Maybe cellulosic ethanol is for real?

2009-11-18T15:16:00.001-08:00

But corn cob as feed?

Just finished an interesting piece on POET's advances in cellulosic ethanol. In a nutshell production costs have dropped from $4.13 to $2.35, but POET believes they can be further reduced to $2.00 per gallon when commercial production begins.

That's not bad compared to today's gasoline prices. Still, how much feedstock is available for such an application when it is still very corn-intensive? If corn demand goes up, won't these prices eventually go up?

Cadillac Converj should help Chevy Volt

2009-11-12T09:52:00.000-08:00

Ready to plug in this Cadillac?

I'm a fan of the Chevy Volt, a pretty big fan actually - at least in the technology powering the Volt. Yet, in the next decade Toyota will sell millions of hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius, as GM sells hundreds of thousands of Volts.

Finish: Converj should help help Chevy Volt

Remove your Prius floor mats?

2009-11-05T12:14:00.000-08:00

Time to remove your Prius floor mats?

Do Toyota vehicles have an acceleration problem? Currently, there isn't any evidence that a deeper mechanical problem exists in any Toyota vehicles in terms of sudden acceleration.

However, both Toyota and the NHTSA agree that removing the floor mats is a good idea until this issue is further resolved.

Nonetheless, this issue does not apply to the current 2010 Prius, but only second generation Prius hybrids from 2004 - 2009.

Mining into green investments

2009-09-03T14:59:00.000-07:00

All about rare earth metals

Toyota is facing a potential shortage of rare metals that could limit production of hybrid cars according many news stories recently. As it turns it out, China is hording natural resources, rare earth metals in this instance, it deems important to long term viability. Likewise, there are hints that exports could be severely limited into the future, even the very near future.

Currently, China accounts for 97 percent of the world's supply of rare earth metals.

Fortunately, however, there are companies and mines in the US capable of a significant uptick in rare earth metal mining. Unfortunately, there aren't any rare earth metal refineries or processors in the entire United States according to CNBC reporting.

Yet, the importance of these these rare earth metals isn't limited to hybrid cars and other electric vehicles. In fact much of the new economy, the green economy, will be dependent upon these rare earth metals if the green revolution is to happen.

Nonetheless, the mining could be the easy part, as a few companies, such MolyCorp, already exist, but the rare earth metal refineries are the issue that really piques my interest.

What do you think? Could rare earth metal refining be a good area to investigate for some green investment trades?

Wind power an over-blown investment?

2009-09-03T13:01:00.001-07:00

Has wind lost its power?

Earlier this morning CNBC was covering unemployment by region. While the Midwest has been hit hard, North Dakota has been a bright spot with under 5 percent unemployment.

Aside from a strong labor market, the one sector getting hit hard - a sector that North Dakota has invested into heavily - was the wind industry, a sector where job losses are increasing.

Camry hybrid more important than the Prius?

2009-09-03T09:51:00.000-07:00

Is the Camry hybrid the ultimate barometer?

Toyota is now ramping up its lobbying efforts in Japan hoping to extend tax credits for environmentally-friendly cars, particularly hybrid cars, for another two years. Thus far these credits have pushed the Toyota Prius to the top of the sales list in Japan. Yet, what would Prius sales be without these tax credits?

Finish: Camry hybrid more important than the Prius?

Auris hybrid more advanced thant the Prius?

2009-09-03T09:34:00.000-07:00

Better than the Prius?

At the Frankfurt Auto Show there will be a good bit of hype around Toyota's plug-in Prius. However, there might be even more hype around the new Auris hybrid vehicle.

Finish: Auris hybrid more advanced thant the Prius?

How is your hybrid dealership?

2009-09-02T14:58:00.000-07:00

How have you dealt with your hybrid problems?

Most hybrid owners are pretty happy with their hybrid vehicles. 90-some percent of Toyota Prius owners, for instance, would buy another Prius.

Still, there are consumers that are unhappy with the performance, usually fuel economy, of their hybrids. Sometimes these hybrid problems are bugs. Sometimes these hybrid problems are based on a misunderstanding of hybrid technology.

Finish: How is your hybrid dealership?

Nobody wants small cars

2009-09-02T12:22:00.000-07:00

If only the F150 were a hybrid

Provide a lot of incentives for consumers to buy small and efficient cars and some will take advantage. Interest also rises with gas prices. No duh, right?

Finish: Nobody wants small cars

Transporation: Do natural gas prices make sense?

2009-08-28T10:01:00.000-07:00

A rough look at pricing

Today, buying hybrid cars only makes sense if you think long term, and not even then in some cases. Inevitably, achieving even 10 percent hybrid market share will require far better cost-effectiveness.

So, what about natural gas vehicles? Finish: Transporation: Do natural gas prices make sense?

Mad Money love of natural gas continues

2009-08-27T15:25:00.000-07:00

Devon, politics and a mission

As predicted, Mad Money's Jim Cramer was back on the natural gas bandwagon again today. Except Jim isn't just on the bandwagon, he's taking turns driving the wagon.

According to Cramer, "I'm on a mission" to promote natural gas because of "energy independence, clean energy and jobs".

Anyway, Jim brought on Devon's CEO today to discuss the potential of natural gas, particularly the politics of natural gas. The video should be available on MadMoney.com soon.

Nonetheless, Devon is only a winner if gas prices go higher according to Cramer.

I know this is a green energy trade, but it sure feels odd calling a company that has 30 percent of its company invested in petroleum a green company. Is the fact that 70 percent of their business is in natural gas enough to make Devon a green investment?

A sporty Toyota hybrid?

2009-08-27T14:01:00.000-07:00

Toyota must challenge the CR-Z hybrid

Sometimes when you sit atop the world, it's quite easy to become complacent. Well, when it comes to Toyota's hybrid kingdom, there certainly has been no complacency.

Not long ago there were rumors that the 2010 Third Generation Toyota Prius was going to cost more than the eventual sticker price. However, Toyota didn't want pricing to be too high, as it might provide a competitive advantage for Honda's Insight hybrid. Thus, Toyota reacted with new pricing and a new base model.

Finish: A sporty Toyota hybrid?

A whole lotta clunkers in America

2009-08-27T12:41:00.000-07:00

Legacy costs

Cash for Clunkers is over. After $2.88 billion we've removed 690,117 fuel inefficient clunkers from society while providing a quick bump to a down and out auto industry.

Good news, right?

Finish: A whole lotta clunkers in America

Stop Trading: Cramer, again, on natural gas

2009-08-27T11:34:00.001-07:00

Cramer makes natural gas a cause

CNBC's Stop Trading with Jim Cramer is on as I type this and he just stated that a big shift is about to happen in natural gas, along the lines of the what the Pickens plan has been advocating in terms of natural gas - strictly for large vehicles and fleets.

Based on his past natural gas rants, I assume he's referring to legislation on this subject that is currently working through Congress.

However, Cramer finished the show jokingly stating that he wasn't going to stop his bullishness on natural gas until every car in America was running on it. So, maybe he sees more potential than just that angle.

I wouldn't be surprised if Cramer addresses this on his show in a few hours. It's become a regular part of his show.

Gotta be some good green investment ideas in those suggestions, at least greener than most investments.

A break for Prius buyers?

2009-08-27T09:05:00.000-07:00

Time to go shopping soon

If you've been out shopping for a Toyota Prius recently, you might have noticed that supplies are thin, or that haggling for a better price was a wasted effort.

Finish: A break for Prius buyers?

Momentum or hype: Cramer talks natural gas, again

2009-08-26T15:58:00.000-07:00

Is he mad or just attuned to the winds of change

Wow. I watch a lot of Jim Cramer's Mad Money as I'm a CNBC junkie. Not long ago Cramer called out Boone Pickens and his natural gas movement, after Cramer, months earlier, gave a nod to the Pickens Plan.

At that point I truly believed natural gas, at least as far as a transportation fuel, was dead.

Yet, Cramer is back on the bandwagon, and he's discussed natural gas several times in just the last few weeks. According to Cramer,this turn was dictated by the positive momentum of natural gas legislation in Congress that is rumored to have strong, growing bipartisan support. Likewise, the Rockies pipeline, within about a year, could have a major effect on pushing natural gas prices much lower - even to the point of mass export.

Thus, Cramer had on the CEO of Ultra Petroleum Corp today to discuss these issues. I'll post a link to the video later.

Gas guzzling kills US soldiers

2009-08-26T14:11:00.000-07:00

War on drugs? Why not a war on oil?

According to Richard Holbrooke, the US special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Taliban funding from Persian Gulf oil money outpaces funding from opium and heroin exports.

Good thing we'll only be dependent upon Persian Gulf oil for another 50 years, otherwise I might be a little worried.

Guzzle in peace! May Allah be with you.

Put some green in your investments with green mortgages?

2009-08-26T10:24:00.000-07:00

Make some green by investing in green real estate

Mortgage back securities might be a dirty world in today's financial world, but they just might also be the way out of this mess according to some green investors.

CNBC has a very interesting piece on a growing move to create green mortgage backed securities that turn green features into financial value, or into bonds backed by green mortgages.

More on green investing.

Would a Yaris hybrid steal Prius sales?

2009-08-26T08:59:00.000-07:00

An instant top selling hybrid?

By 2011, if the rumors are correct, Toyota will launch a Yaris-like hybrid that might sell for as low as $15,650 and achieve as much as 70 mpg in the city.

Finish: Would a Yaris hybrid steal Prius sales?

Home Fuel Cells: First Japan, now Korea

2009-08-25T12:18:00.000-07:00

Asia's plan to bypass the hydrogen highway?

There are already thousands of homes in Japan that use fuel cells to manage their home's energy. These fuel cells significantly increase the efficiency of home heating and electricity, while being very solar power friendly. Likewise, these home fuel cells can be used to power fuel cell vehicles.

Now Korea is also jumping on the home fuel cell bandwagon, and is offering massive incentives for residential fuel cell use.

Certainly, the technology continues to be quite expensive, however, it is very interesting how much more seriously Asia is taking home fuel cells compared to the US.

Best tires for hybrid vehicles

2009-08-25T11:55:00.000-07:00

Cooper Lifeliner SLE - The best tire for Prius hybrid cars?

There is nothing worse than buying a hybrid car to save money on fuel only to have to use that savings to buy new tires many hybrid buyers have complained.

Unfortunately, many hybrid cars were outfitted with low resistance tires that simply haven't performed well. In the post Toyota Prius hybrid and unusual tire wear, Prius owners have provided a number of tips for buying and maintaining tires.

Finish: Best tires for hybrid vehicles

Algae a really green investment

2009-08-25T11:24:00.000-07:00

Can it get much greener than algae?

Every year since 2006 the number of companies exploring algae as a potential biofuel have doubled. Currently, there are 50 companies exploring algae, a potential fuel that ExxonMobil believes that of all the alternatives, algae "has the most potential in terms of scalability and fitting into the vast infrastructure of existing refineries and filling stations."

Nonetheless, CNN points out cost-effectiveness is still an issue, but an issue that more and more researchers believe can be solved, especially now that enough investments are being made into this space.

"The possibilities are endless," says Samhitha Udupa, a research associate with Lux Research.

C'mon! Tax credits for all lithium hybrids

2009-08-25T11:14:00.000-07:00

You're no plug-in, Ford hybrid

Today, Toyota is facing a battery shortage for its hybrid cars. By next year, however, Toyota might have enough batteries to produce 1 million hybrids per year.

Aside from Honda, no other automaker will produce even 100,000 hybrid vehicles per year until lithium is developed. Even then, many automakers might skip hybrids, instead preferring to put their lithium technology into limited production plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles.

Finish: C'mon! Tax credits for all lithium hybrids

Anadarko is Cramers's latest natural gas play

2009-08-24T19:03:00.000-07:00

A natural gas derivative

Cramer is back on a natural gas kick. Last year, Cramer used his Mad Money show to highlight Boone Pickens' plan for a natural gas transportation system. Later, Cramer called out Pickens for the fact that nothing of the Pickens Plan had materialized.

In recent weeks, however, Cramer has been much more supportive of the natural gas industry, particularly considering natural gas legislation is now working its way through Congress. Thus, recently, Cramer has recommended companies like Fuel Systems Solutions and Encena.

Today, Cramer recommended Anadarko Petroleum is a natural gas derivative play.

Will the Japanese dominate natural gas?

2009-08-24T18:59:00.000-07:00

Another sign of Toyota's forward-thinking?

I've been casually following the natural gas story since Boone Pickens made this issue his cause. At first, I was extremely skeptical and critical of the idea. Sure there might be a few hundred years worth of natural gas in America, but mining natural gas out of shale and creating an infrastructure would certainly outweigh any benefits I figured.

Finish: Will the Japanese dominate natural gas