Image: www.gm.com
Lots to see
Whether you’re looking for pick-up for work, looking to retrofit your existing diesel vehicle into a biodiesel machine, scale back to the convenience of an electric scooter, car-share or ride some sleek bicycles, there’s something for you to check out.
2008 -- GM's hot year
GM is having a good year, launching their Green by Design vehicles that run the gamut from fuel efficient to fuel-cell, hybrid and electric models.
And, these options don’t just apply to smaller models. The Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, Silverado and GMC Sierra and Yukon come with active fuel management, running on half the cylinders when full power isn’t needed, or flex fuel models. The latter runs on mostly ethanol fuel.
“GM is recognizing there are people who need bigger vehicles, guys that need to drive a pick-up because of work,” says Joe Campbell, product specialist. “It’s a win-win-win for absolutely everybody where you’re getting the same power, doing something for the environment and saving in the wallet.”
Come and test drive GM’s Saturn Aura Green Line hybrid -- one lap around BC Place is enough to give you a feel for its seamless ride. There’s even a rebate program. GM will recycle your old car and give you a $1000 for it.
The new switcheroo
If you own a diesel vehicle and want to convert it to vegetable oil, come and talk to Plant Drive International. This BC company is ready to help you switch to plant oil, such as canola, sunflower, and soy. Since the company’s beginning in 1999 it’s converted hundreds of vehicles per year throughout the world, says founder Edward Beggs.
The system works on two-tanks with little modification to the engine. The car starts up on diesel then switches to plant oil. Cost for installation is up to $2500. The D.I.Yer can make the switch for about $1000. For an added environmental bonus, hook up with a local restaurant and get their used cooking oils -- a free source of fuel.
Buzz around and look cool
For city commuting, electric scooters are one of the cleanest choices. Classified by ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia and Transport Canada as a power assist bicycle, Motorino e -scooters are limited to a top speed of 32 km an hour but boast a range of 50 or 80 km respectively. Even better, they cost pennies to operate.
Steve Miloshev, owner of E-Ride in Vancouver, says his Motorino scooters are three times more efficient than a car. He also noted that 20 percent of his customers are using his e-scooters as their primary more of transportation.
Recharging the one and two battery set-up is getting easier with dedicated outlets under construction. Miloshev sees a future trend in e-vehicle fleets for intra-corporate use.
Sharing is best
If you like the option of having a car once and whole, then a car-share program may be the best deal yet. Vancouver’s not-for-profit Cooperative Auto Network has 212 cars and 4100 members. A refundable $500 membership nets you car access throughout Metro Vancouver.
Zipcar, is the newest entry into the Vancouver market. It operates in a smaller geographical area than the Cooperative Auto Network and costs a non-refundable $80 per year to join.
Elegant on two-wheels
If you’re looking for some ole-world chic with modern day function then Rain City Bikes has the bike for you.
The Bakfiets bike – literally translated as “box bike’ from the Dutch – is the perfect child and cargo carrier. Its eight speed internal hub manages hills no problem, says Rain City Bikes owner Victor Cuevas. The box material is water proof. Seat pads and carrier bags are extra.
The Dutch know what they’re doing when it comes to bikes.
Heidi Castle is a Vancouver journalist who tested all the vehicles at the Green Living Show.
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The next day, I tried calling them when I got home from work (a 30 min ride turns into 1 hour 20 min on the bus) and their phone rang with no one answering it. I finally got there just as they were going to close. Again, my scooter wasn't ready. He said he was working on it right now, and it would be ready tomorrow. At this point I demanded my money back (oh yeah, the clip on the helmet broke too), and he proceeded to state that the return policy is 7 days. I told him I was gonna cost him a lot more money that it is worth. He said it could take 3 months for parts and that his warrenty doesn't give a time on when he has to have it fixed.
I went home and checked out the Better Business Bureau rating for E-ride and found out they have had 4 official complaints against them in the last 3 years, with them refusing to even reply to 2 of them. This gives them an unsatisfactory rating with the BBB, and I started to go online and post my problems with them on any place that mentioned them. (how I found this link btw)
On Thursday, I went it and picked up the scooter and was checking it out, when Steve (owner/tech/guy who has my money) came up and said 'So, I see you're already complaining'. I replied,'This is Canada, I have the right to my opinion'. I left and went did some errands and came home. I was going to leave to visit a friend and when I was pulling the bike out of my basement (I keep it completely dry when not riding it) I heard a 'ping'. I looked on the ground and found a metal part had rusted off from somewhere in the steering column. It turns out that it's the clip that keeps the handle bars from now going 90 plus degrees.
I've had it, I am currently having a professional ticketed welder examine the frame welds. I am also going to have an engineer do an inspection as well. I have contacted multiple consumer groups and Transport Canada as well. Since he seems to like selling unsafe, problem ridden goods, I as a health and safety professional cannot simply let this pass. This is about more than my $1500, this is about safety. I doubt that there is any inspection process on their part with the stuff they sell.