From the article:

Right now, Tesla Roadster owners can charge their batteries for free along California's Highway 101. Five charging stations between San Francisco and Los Angeles have been installed by SolarCity. Though they are currently only compatible with Roadsters, universal plugs are on their way in the next few months, making Highway 101 an electric highway.

The charging stations are located at Rabobank parking lots in Salinas, Atascadero, Santa Maria and Goleta, and one station is located in a parking garage in San Luis Obispo. The Santa Maria station is powered by a 30 kW solar array, while the rest are grid-powered.

See the related link for more information.

click the image to enlarge.


This is a great concept of a portable parabolic solar powered cooking system. There is a stove and an oven as well as a prep area. The design might seem a little bulky at first, but the idea of it storing in about the same space as a large cooler is pretty darn good.

Follow the related link for more images, drawings and information.

The following is a list of products that meet Good Housekeeping Green Seal criteria.

Aveeno's Soothing Bath Treatment

Physicians Formula's Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Tinted Moisturizer

Green Works' Natural Bathroom Cleaner

Nature's Source All Purpose Cleaner

Nature's Source Glass & Surface Cleaner

Nature's Source Laundry Stain Remover

Nature's Source Natural Bathroom Cleaner

For the details, complete article and the Research Institute's evaluation and findings, click the related link.

From the most recent article:

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By now, you've probably seen the grim statistics about plastic water bottles. The issue seems to be getting more and more media coverage lately. In case you haven't heard the case against bottled water, here's a brief summary:

Pollution: 38 billion plastic water bottles are thrown out each year, contributing to a frightening "plastic stew" in the Pacific Ocean twice the size of Texas.

Health: Bottled water is not necessarily more "pure" and "healthful" than tap water, despite what water packaging may have us believe. Plastic bottles leach harmful chemicals such as PET and BPA (see below), and 40% of bottled water is merely filtered tap water anyway.

Value: Even though 90% of tap water in the United States is proven to be as clean or cleaner than bottled water, manufacturers charge (and we pay) 1,900 times what it costs them to make their product.

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Follow the related link for the rest of the article.

From left to right: Fluence, Twizy, Zoe, Kangoo


At the Frankfurt Motor Show, Renault introduced 4 concept cars that are all electric, not hybrid, electric only. These cars cover city transit, family, commercial and general use categories.


The Twizy city car has a 15kW motor while the Zoe has a 70kW motor. The Fluence family car offers 100 mile range on a full charge and motor size was not specified. The Kangoo offers a 70kW motor as well as solar panels to extend its range.

All 4 cars have 3 charging options, standard multiple hour charging at a charge station, 20 minute quick charge and the Quickdrop system where the battery is exchanged in less than 3 minutes.

The last option, Quickdrop, will of course require a station set up for the process. Renault is working with "Project Better Place" for the battery swapping.

To find out more or read the press release, follow the related link.

PS - Keep in mind, these are concept cars, we may or may not see them on the road someday.