This is good news since the Postal Service operates and maintains the largest civilian fleet in the country (220,000 strong). The GSA purchase of 1,900 new fuel efficient vehicles will bring the total number of alternate fuel-capable vehicles in the Postal Service fleet to 43,000+.

This is cool news but not a shock. The Postal Service has actually been fairly active on the eco-vehicle front for a long while now.  For example…

• In Florida, California and Arizona USPS delivered mail on a trial basis using three-wheel (T3) electric vehicles. T3 is powered by two rechargeable batteries, has zero gas emissions and costs 4 cents a mile to operate.
• The Postal Service uses delivery vehicles in Florida that run on propane vs. gas fuel.  
• About 300 vehicles nationwide use biodiesel fuel to deliver the mail.
• Of course mail carriers also walk a lot of their routes, which is green, fuel-free, and efficient. The Postal Service notes that their “fleet of feet delivers mail door-to-door and neighbor-to neighbor by walking almost 10,000 mail delivery routes a day.”

[image via US Postal Service]

Post from: Blisstree

Alternative Fuel Vehicles for USPS

A lot of people now are affected by this and people are trying to use petrol wisely.   Car pool is a good idea if you still haven’t been doing it.   Some are just using a less powerful car which should consume less gasoline.

Anyway,  I think by now, a lot of people are also researching about biodiesel so they can try it out.   I’ve found a couple of sites that might help.    Here are a few.

http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make.html

http://www.biodieselcommunity.org/

http://www.dangerouslaboratories.org/biodiesel.html

Pls suggest other sites so people who pass by and read this post can also read your suggestions in the comment area.

Post from: Blisstree

How To Make Biodiesel Websites

Steve has got a post going that is an open letter to the car manufacturers of America in which he proposes that we need a bold US car company that’s willing to build us a more utilitarian automobile. Enough of the bells and whistles and going from 0-60 in less than 10 seconds. Let’s have a simple vehicle that serves the simple purpose of going from A-to-B and using as little fuel as possible in the process. Here’s a bit of what Steve’s looking for…

So here’s where you readers come in. Help me complete this letter. Let’s start from the ground up and let the auto makers know what we want in a vehicle. We’ll start with 4 wheels with anti-lock brakes. A frame with safety features built in, like crumple zones and air bags all around (this is going to have to share the road with the remaining SUV’s). Engine? What do you think? [Remember - this is the workingman/woman’s car. We want to keep it less than $18,000 new.] Should it be plug-in hybrid? Diesel-hybrid combo? Straight diesel engine with B100 capability?

You can also help by speading the word on the Groovy Green Open Letter. When you go over to catch the rest of the post; Digg it, Hugg it, tag it on del.icio.us and then go tell some friends. Let’s get the word out on this.

Post from: Blisstree

Help Groovy Green Create a Green Car