Clean Ops Blog

Who and What Will Lead Us out of this Slump?  Transportation and Biofuel Winners from the GoingGreen 100 Top Private Companies List

In a down market, there will always be opportunists. Sure, there will be those who wallow and obsess and ask repeatedly, “What just happened? Who’s to blame?” And then there will be the opportunists. The opportunists are going to turn today’s “issues” and “challenges” into tomorrow’s millions.  If you’re feeling depressed about the economy, give yourself a break and read about some of these automotive and transportation industry up and comers. They are going to drive the future of our industry. How will they fit into your business? Or, will they be your business?

Here are the winners in transportation from the AlwaysOn 2008 GoingGreen 100 Leading Private Companies in Clean Tech.

AlwaysOn is an “open media” network whose content focuses on “the sweet spots in technology where innovation is disrupting behavior and creating new business opportunities.”

Click here for more info.

http://alwayson.goingon.com/permalink/post/28868

Winners: Green Automobiles and Transportation

“An interesting development in the Green Automobiles and Transportation category is the changing attitude of investors. Over the past year, investors have shifted their focus from building car companies and brands to improving engines. Increased public interest in energy efficient “clean” cars may be driving this shift.”

EcoMotors - Category Winner!
http://ecomotors.com/

Diesel Design by EcoMotors
Venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, a green-startup proponent, is banking on EcoMotors’ two-cylinder diesel engine to lessen emissions worldwide…

Aptera
http://www.aptera.com/

Better Place
http://www.betterplace.com/

Fisker Automotive
http://www.fiskerautomotive.com/

PML Flightlink
http://www.pmlflightlink.com/

Tesla Motors
http://www.teslamotors.com/

Transonic Combustion
http://www.tscombustion.com/

Venture Vehicles
http://www.flytheroad.com/

Biofuels
“An increased number of companies on the list are moving out of beta testing and into product development. This trend is particularly evident in the Biofuels category, where the growth in next-generation biofuels is beginning to drive to the commercialization stage. From a funding perspective, large rounds of VC funding are narrowing the gap between project financers looking for proven technology and emerging companies wanting to build plants.”

Amyris Biotechnologies - Category Winner!
http://www.amyrisbiotech.com/

Biofuel Box
http://www.biofuelbox.com/

Bionavitas
http://www.bionavitas.com/

Ceres
http://www.ceres.net/

Coskata
http://www.coskata.com/

Greenfuel Technologies
http://www.greenfuelonline.com/

LS9
http://www.ls9.com/

Mascoma
http://www.mascoma.com/

Mendel Biotechnology
http://www.mendelbio.com/

Range Fuels
http://www.rangefuels.com/

Sapphire Energy
http://www.sapphireenergy.com/

Solazyme
http://www.solazyme.com/

Technorati Profile

Technorati Tags: biofuels, clean tech, clean tech autos, green cars

“Just as consumers pay attention to what Greenfluencers are saying, so should brands and organizations. In the map of Intelligent Influence, Greenfluencers are crucial stakeholders.”

A variety of studies have been conducted lately on just how much environmentally friendly marketing influences purchasing decisions. We can all agree that taking care of the environment is important, but just how much does marketing the “green” aspects of cars and the dealerships where they’re sold help sales and repeat business?

One study, conducted by Porter Novelli this year of nearly 12,000 United States adults, and posted on www.EnvironmentalLeader.com, found that while about 16% of the population doesn’t care a whole lot about environmental issues, and another 77% are in the middle range – having some environmental concerns and awareness; the remainder – 7% - are very environmentally savvy, and more importantly – they have a strong influence on that group in the middle.

As is happening all over the Web in virtually every industry, most consumers no longer make purchasing decisions on advertising alone. They read blogs, consult user reviews, and engage in other forms of online social media to get more information before buying. This forum is where the “environmentally-engaged” (3%) and “Greenfluencers,” (4%) as the study refers to them, voice their strong opinions, and where a growing percent of those “light” and “medium” green folks in the middle go to get additional information before the buy.

Has anyone like this walked into your showroom or visited your dealership’s website?

Here are the characteristics of Greenfluencers:

They’re younger.

• Greenfluencers’ mean age is 44.4, compared with the mean age for the sample: 46.1. Compared with the overall population, there are more of them in the 18–24 bracket (16% vs. 13%) and the 25–34 bracket (21% vs. 18%) than the sample.

They’re more ethnically diverse.

• In terms of self-described ethnicity, a majority of the overall sample is white (69%), while a smaller percentage of Greenfluencers are white (66%).
•  While Hispanics make up 13% of the sample; they represent 16% of the Greenfluencers.
• “Other” ethnicities (including Asian) are 7% of the sample but 11% of the Greenfluencers.
• African Americans, on the other hand, account for 12% of the sample but just 7% of Greenfluencers.

They’re more highly educated and earn more money.

• In the overall sample, 30% are educated to college or higher, whereas 42% of Greenfluencers have attained that level.
• A higher proportion is employed (78% vs. 70%),
• Greenfluencers have significantly higher household incomes; 44% have a household income of  $75,000 or higher, compared with 30% of the overall population.

The overall sample and Greenfluencers are similar in other ways.

• There’s very little difference in the proportions of the overall sample and the Greenfluencers who are married (63% and 64%) or have children under the age of 19 (34% vs. 30%).
• There’s little difference in their regional distribution; the biggest regional differences are in the North (overall sample, 18%; Greenfluencers, 20%) and Central U.S. (overall sample, 24%; Greenfluencers, 21%).

This definitely sounds like a group of people you’ll want to cater to!

See the full study at: http://www.environmentalleader.com/2008/07/15/greenfluencers-are-small-but-powerful-group-of-consumers/
 

Technorati Tags: environmentally-friendly marketing, green car buyers, green dealership, green influences, Green Marketing, sustainable business

For those of you who are not attending the J.D. Power Roundtable or Digital Dealer conference, considering checking out the Clean Tech Open’s (CTO) Transportation Symposium on the UCLA Campus on October 9th.

The CTO is an organization of leading entrepreneurs, academics, investors and companies, working together to accelerate the development of clean technology startups. It provides resources, education and support for clean tech entrepreneurs, of which its annual business plan competition is the foundation.

Transportation is one of the prize categories of the competition, and has attracted a mind boggling array of ideas and innovative technologies. Anyone working in automotive who wants a glimpse into the future of our industry should take note. Winners will be announced in November.

Visit www.cleantechopen.com and read below for more details.

Clean Tech Open Transportation Symposium

Traffic congestion, air pollution and rising fuel costs are strong drivers for our modes of transportation. What technologies are emerging to address these issues? How are savvy entrepreneurs and investors taking advantage of the massive market for transportation?

Come listen to the expert panel address applications of clean technologies and innovative business models for transportation issues. Hear from two local entrepreneurs working for mass transportation solutions. Get the perspective from local government on successful programs and incentives to implement clean technologies. Learn from investment and marketing experts on how to take these technologies to market and deploy them at scale.

Proterra’s brand new Hybrid-Electric Bus will also be on display. As with all Clean Tech Open events, join us for food and drinks, and plenty of networking opportunities.

When:
October 9, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Location:
UCLA Campus, Tom Bradley International Hall
Los Angeles

Program:
Welcome and Keynote:

Introductory Remarks
Keynote Address: Paul M. Williamsen, National Manager, Lexus College, University of Toyota

Panel:

Jack Rosebro, Green Car Congress (Moderator)
Sean Arian, Director of Economic Development Strategy, Office of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
Josh Bigelow, CEO, Syncromatics (2007 CTO Transportation Winner)
Kimberly Gardiner, Toyota Motor Sales
Dale Hill, CEO, Proterra
Robb McLarty, Associate, NGEN

There will be a poster session from Clean Tech Open Transportation Alumni and current contestants, and time for networking.

Who Should Attend and Why:

    * Industry professionals seeking the newest ideas in transportation clean tech
    * Entrants of the Clean Tech Open’s 2008 California Competition to pitch their business ideas
    * Entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs interested in applying their skills at new ventures
    * Angel investors and VCs looking at startups at a formative stage
    * Researchers and engineers interested in discussing transportation technologies

The goal of these events is to accelerate the creation and growth of clean tech businesses by building a vibrant clean tech ecosystem through networking and the sharing of ideas.

Registration Fees           Online     At Door
General Admission             $20      $30
Students                            Free     Free
Members of Paid Teams    Free     Free

Click Here to RSVP Now

Sponsors:
This event is sponsored by Lexus.
Venue generously provided with the support of the UCLA Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research.
 

Technorati Tags: clean tech, clean tech cars, electric cars, green cars, green transportation, sustainable automotive

When it comes to going green and fuel efficiency, it appears that everyone is working desperately hard to push for a more eco-friendly way of driving green.  (more…)

Technorati Tags: fuel efficiency, insurance rates, small cars

Hello. I work in the car business and Im an environmentalist. I hope you are too. Or, maybe you’re just a dealer who wants to save some money. If so, read on!

This blog is called the "Clean Ops Blog" because its about running "clean" operations in the dealership. You may have heard about "clean tech" the buzz term used to describe all the environmentally sustainable technologies that are being developed these days. Thus, the "Clean Ops Blog" is about utilizing clean tech and clean, green practices in the dealership.

Lets face it: The auto industry has been wearing a stain on the front of its shirt for a quite a while now that says: Big O’Polluter or worse - Passer of Greenhouse Gas. And as someone who works in the car business, I have to say I’m getting a little sick of my old environmental studies major friends from college giving me snide looks when they ask me what I’m doing these days. Frankly, I’m sick of the dirty looks. If you drive a car, you pass greenhouse gas too, so stop pointing fingers.

Yet, those of us who work in automotive are in the optimal position to lead this industry away from outdated business practices and processes and into sustainability. If automotive sets the example other industries will fall into line.

Solutions will need to take place in virtually every aspect of our business lives because environmental health is holistic,it’s about keeping a whole system healthy, not just parts of it.

Going Green in Both Product and Practice

As my friend Jeremy Walker, a clean tech consultant says, "We need to go green in both product and practice." For dealers, increasingly, this is going to mean selling vehicles that are more fuel-efficient and less polluting. Advancing the development of these vehicles is going to depend on a strong marriage of government policies, consumer initiative, and innovation on the part of technologists, entrepreneurs, and the OEMs. Dealers have always said: Produce a great product and we will sell it.

As automotive technologies improve (let’s hope more of it happens in the U.S. yes, I’m a patriot), dealers can focus on improving other parts of the automotive ecosystem. And that’s what this blog is about: how to operate a green, environmentally sustainable dealership, and doing it in a way that addresses all the compelling reasons why:

1. You can save money.
2. Its healthy for your staff, your community, and the planet.
3. Its great PR/bragging rights - because you’re doing something good.

In upcoming Clean Ops Blog entries, look for:

• Examples of dealerships that are defining what it means to run an environmentally sustainable dealership
• How to market the fact that you’re running a clean, green dealership
• Conversations with professionals from a variety of fields, including the OEMs, progressive dealers, and environmental consulting groups that are helping dealers "go green"
• Links to resources that make it easy for your dealership to save money and become more environmentally sustainable.

Here are some great resources to start:

NADA has a joint program with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy called ENERGY STAR for Auto Dealers - to help dealers save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practice

According to NADA, auto dealerships use, on average, more energy per square foot than a typical office building. However, cost effective opportunities exist for significant reductions in the energy used for lighting, HVAC, and other services, while still maintaining lighting quality, safety, and a great customer experience at the dealership.

Here’s more information on this program:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=small_business.sb_autodealer

Here are a few stories on dealerships that implemented green building programs and saved money:

AutoExec
Lean, Mean, and Green
Fourteen ways to help you cut energy costs.
http://www.autoexecmag.com/archives/articles/feature_jul06_01.html

NADA.org
Dealers Reap Cost Savings of Energy Efficiency
http://www.nada.org/energystar/Cover+feature+6-11-07.htm

Dallas Morning News
Toyota Turns Eco-Friendly
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/102206dnbusgreentoyota.3184a5d.html

MotorTrend
Chrysler Dealer Becomes First in the Nation to Achieve Esteemed Environmental Award
http://www.motortrend.com/features/newswire/91/29863/

Look for more on this hot topic soon. And we welcome your questions and ideas on this topic!

Technorati Tags: dealership clean operations, eco-friendly automotive industry, running green dealerships