Zipcar Stops Renting 2010 Prius Hybrids Until Brake Problems are Fixed
Apologies for the bad Photoshop job... Photo: Zipcar Logo, Toyota Less Than 1% of Zipcar Fleet, But... I'm pretty sure that many TreeHugger readers are also Zipcar customers (car-sharing in general is booming), and chances are that with that crowd, the
Kaizen Fail: Toyota Recalls 437,000 Hybrids Worldwide, Mostly 2010 Prius Models
Photo: Toyota Ouch We all knew it was coming, but now it's official. Toyota has formally filed a voluntary recall for 437,000 hybrid vehicles worldwide. Most of those are third generation Prius hybrids, but they're also recalling the few Prius PHEV out
Toyota to Recall the 2010 Prius in U.S. and Japan for Braking Problems
Photo: Toyota Update: Kaizen Fail: Toyota Recalls 437,000 Hybrids Worldwide, Mostly 2010 Prius Models 311,000 Third Generation Prius Hybrids to be Recalled by Toyota It seems like Toyota has yet to hit rock bottom. Last week the NHTSA announced that it
NHTSA to Look Into 2010 Toyota Prius Braking Problems
Photo: Toyota The Japanese Government Told Toyota to do the Same Now's not a good time for Toyota, and it's not a good time for the 2010 Prius hybrid, a kind of "halo" car for the company. Yesterday, I wrote about an acceleration problem that Apple
Toyota Will Increase Hybrid Production to 1 Million Units Per Year in 2011
Photo: Michael Graham Richard Twice As Much as 2009 Hybrid Production According to the Nikkei, Toyota is planning to ramp up hybrid vehicle production pretty significantly this year, with a goal of production 1 million hybrids annually in 2011 (up from
2010 Detroit Auto Show: Toyota FT-CH Hybrid Concept Might Join Prius Family
Photo: Michael Graham RichardPrius Might Become a Family, 8 New Hybrid Models ComingMaybe the rumors that have been floating around for a long time were true... Toyota said during its press event at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show that they are considering
Toyota Recalls 3.8 Million Vehicles, Including Prius Hybrids
Photo: Wikipedia, Public domain 2004 to 2009 Prius Included in Toyota's September 2009 Recall Toyota has just announced a huge recall. About 3.8 million vehicles are included, and that includes the 2004 to 2009 Prius hybrid. Since that's probably a
Toyota Kills Most Inexpensive Prius Model, Raises Price $400 on Others
Image: Toyota Supply & Demand A few months ago, Toyota was quite afraid of the new low-cost Honda Insight hybrid. It even went as far as to make a $21,000 version of the 2010 Prius (aka Prius I) to try to compete with Honda on price. Well, seems like
George Will Disses the Prius, Obama and the Facts
On This Week with George Stephanopoulos yesterday, conservative columnist George Will commented on President Obama's emphasis on green cars, now that the White House is arguably a co-owner of Chrysler and
Audubon and Toyota Team Up to Promote Volunteering, Give Away Prizes
The Audubon Society and Toyota are teaming up to promote volunteering for the environment by offering prizes, including tents and bikes, to those who log the most volunteer hours.Starting today, their project, TogetherGreen,
7 Hollywood Hotties and Their Hot Green Cars, Round 2 (Slideshow)
From crush-worthy Crash star Thandie Newton's celebrity-favorite Toyota Prius (pictured) to Paris Hilton's GMC Yukon Hybrid, these seven celebrity hotties are
GM Volt Versus Toyota Prius: Which Design Type Will Be More Effective At Reducing Stack & Tailpipe Emissions, And Energy Consumption?
This is one of those comparison posts that that could draw many angry comments: like Could Hype Sell An Inferior Hybrid? - Ford Fusion versus Toyota Camry did. Please carefully read the caveats.
Detroit Auto Show 2009: New 2010 Toyota Prius Hybrid Will Get 50 MPG, Optional Solar Roof
Photo: Michael Graham Richard. Click to see 2010 Toyota Prius Slideshow.2010 Toyota^ Prius Hybrid: Hello WorldAfter some not too suspenseful waiting, here it is. The official debut of the 3rd generation Toyota Prius hybrid! You can see tons of
Detroit Auto Show 2009: First Look at Toyota FT-EV Electric Car Concept
Diminutive but Electrifying The Toyota FT-EV electric car concept that debuted at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show is based on the platform of the 57 MPG Toyota iQ microcar that recently went on sale in Europe and that is apparently already a hit in
Detroit Auto Show 2009: All-New Toyota Prius to be Unveiled Soon (But We've Already Seen It)
The Best-Selling Hybrid Car Gets a MakeoverIt might not be very suspenseful because we've all already seen leaked shots of the 3rd generation Toyota Prius hybrid (see below -
Toyota to Go Bold In Bid to Revive Flagging Sales
Toyota Goes Bold Even Toyota, the maker of the much revered Toyota Prius, has been unable to escape the fallout from the economic downturn. In fact, Toyota just posted its first operating loss in 70 years, and the company is responding with bold plans
Toyota Passo Sette: Yaris-Sized 7 Seat MPV
The Amazing Shrinking car It seems like Toyota has learned quite a bit from building the Toyota iQ (follow link for photos), the "Smallest Four-Passenger Car in the World". But the question really was, if they can fit 4 people in a car that small, how
What's wrong with my tomato plant? We have the answer
Here are 4 common problems with tomatoes during the summer – and tips for how to fix them.
Use cold water in your cleaning machines
Whether it's laundry or dishes, turn down the dial for environmental savings and gleaming results.
The world water crisis by the numbers
In honor of World Water Day, here are the sobering numbers behind the billions of people living without safe water.
Mythbusting: Bottled water isn't safer than tap water
We are using way too many plastic bottles for no reason.
California teen collects 50,000 rotting golf balls from coastal waters
Alex Weber, 18, has just published a study that analyzes how these balls enter and degrade in the water.
Is Idaho turning wastewater into beer?
I investigated a rumor about the northwestern state
Palau becomes first nation to ban chemical sunscreens
The island nation in the western Pacific wants to protect its coral reefs from toxic sunscreen runoff.
How oysters are restoring New York's polluted harbor
These busy filter-feeders clean the water, attract biodiversity, and offer protection from storms.
Plastic in the Ocean: a graphic overview
Learn about the extent of ocean plastic pollution and what you can do to help.
Ever heard of the powerful Balloon Council?
For almost 30 years the Council has been fighting against regulation that would limit balloons for environmental reasons.
Synthetic fabrics and car tires are major source of microplastic pollution
We hear a lot about plastics breaking down at sea, but scientists are discovering that a shocking quantity of plastic enters the ocean already in microscopic form.
Vintage photos: World War II ‘victory gardens’
Urban farming was way more than a fad in the 1940s.
8 surprising wild plants you can eat
Whether lost in the wilderness or just foraging in the woods for delicacies, all of these plants can be safely consumed.
When to plant pumpkins so they're ready for Halloween
Since pumpkins generally require around 75 to 100 frost-free days, it's a good idea to get a jumpstart on planting them.
This tip can save you from drama
I've seen way too many friendships destroyed over this simple mistake.
Levi’s wants you to help lower the impact of jeans
Today, Levi’s released a new Life Cycle Assessment for their jeans as part of an effort to promote more sustainable water usage.
Ask Pablo: Is It Really Better To Recycle Paper?
Dear Pablo: I have a tough one for you: shall we recycle our paper? There are both the CO2 and the chemical aspects to consider, and there's arguments against recycling paper in each case.
Ajiro Bamboo Velobike: A "Grown Vehicle" That's Farmed, Not Factory-Made
Bamboo may seem like a questionable material for making bikes, but we've seen our share of great bamboo bikes -- and hey, there's even DIY bamboo bike-building classes out there. Taking advantage
Tour of the Second PassivHaus in UK
This lovely looking Victorian house in west London seems deceptively straightforward except for a tiny plaque on the front door. It notes that this is the second house in the UK to reach PassivHaus standards. And that is no mean
Ask Pablo: Are Plastic Bags Better After All?
Dear Pablo: Is it true that plastic bags have less impact on the environment than the alternatives?
Europeans To Ban Fire Retardants and Phthalates Critical To American Building Industry
Comments to the post What is the Best Way To Build A Wall? Not A Simple Answer wondered why we wanted to reinvent the wall. The consensus was "Having XPS on the exterior is, I think, the easiest and best solution." I will be
Are Plastic Bags the Greenest Option After All?
I must admit I have never really understood the environmentalist obsession with plastic bags. As I noted in my post on a ban plastic bags rap that went viral, I've always felt there are
Nissan's Mark Perry on the Arrival of the Leaf (Podcast)
Amid a media flurry starring a displaced polar bear and an easy-breathing Lance Armstrong, Nissan has become the unlikely leader as it delivers a mass-produced, affordable electric car. The Leaf is now arriving in the driveways of eager customers, and
Life Cycle Analysis Compares Footprint of Gas and Electric Passenger Cars
Electric cars are the darlings of the green technology futurists. But wait, cries a receding voice, "what about the environmental impact of all those batteries?" Until recently, that lurking uncertainty shadowed the
When Is It OK to Knock Down Old Houses?
The largest collection of prefab houses in the UK is about to be demolished. Built by German and Italian prisoners of war in 1945, these small bungalows are a remnant of war-time years when housing was at a premium.
Big Surprise: New Study Shows Insulated Concrete Forms Are Better Than Crap
I have always wondered why a sandwich of polystyrene and concrete is considered green, and have taken significant abuse for my position on insulated concrete forms (ICF). Now an interim report from the impressive-sounding MIT Concrete
Ask Pablo: What is the Best Environmental Choice for Yoga Mats?
Each year thousands of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) yoga mats are sold
Designing Out Waste in Industry Becomes a Priority for Big UK Businesses
This week a new report has been published by UK environmental think tank Green Alliance which unites top UK businesses on a mission to design out waste in industry. The report is called A Pathway To Greener Products and calls on the new coalition
Care to Air Design Challenge by Levi's
Air-drying clothing is definitely the cheapest, and especially the most eco-friendly way of drying your clothes; no energy or machinery is needed. However, if you live in a small space, a rainy country or simply are a busy (or forgetful) person,
Ask Pablo: Real or Fake Christmas Tree?
Yes, they seem tacky and don't make your house smell like a coniferous forest but they also won't dry up and shed their needles all over the place
All UK and Irish Tetra Pak Packaging to be FSC Certified
Image from Tetra Pak Tetra Pak is the world's largest packaging company so when they decide to do something environmental it has a big impact. They have just announced that all of their UK and Irish packaging will be FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)
Trend Watch: Pot Growing In Abandoned McMansions
The bad guys bought abandoned or repossessed homes, ripped out interior walls, illegally tapped into power and water, and grew pot commercially. What starts in