Regular readers here at Greenpacks will know that I am putting up a bunch of post/pics from my recent gallivant to the 2008 San Fran Auto Show.

There was more than one display that kind of caught my eye. I was looking for a green cars, eco-friendly cars, that sort of thing. Cadillac had a rotating display of its Luxury Escalade SUV stating it was confident enough to talk about fuel efficiency in the same sentence as luxury, SUV and big big car. And no Britney Spears …

They claim that the world’s first full-size luxury hybrid SUV, their 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, gets better mileage than the Mini-cooper. With a 332 hp V8 engine that generates 367 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 rpm they claim they seat more than 4 adults luxuriously and still get 20mpg … in the city!

But, what about all the hardware that went into making this monstrosity? Never mind that I suppose. At least, Cadillac is using the right buzzwords and aiming in the right direction, eh?

The 100-Mile-Range Triac was potted at the 51st Annual International Auto Show in San Francisco.

The vehicle is 100% electric, goes up to 80mph (needs the speed/power to go uphill said the sales dude), has a structural steel cage and has a 100 mile range in one charge. That’s enough to get me to San Francisco and back from San Jose, and I can take the highway, by myself, in the carpool lane … after I shell out $22,995.

The super speed tricycle has an automatic transmission, 30kW AC PMSM elecric motor, 288 Volt lithium 90amp-h batteries, remote control alarm system, 2-tone paint, is MP3/iPod ready, has custom floor mats and eco-leather seats as well as electric A/C.

Doing the green thing, I carpooled with my wife half way to San Francisco. From her office, I took the train. After that I walked to the Moscone Center to attend the 51st International Auto Show. Once I got my press pass (sorta – the guy in charge had no clue what was going on, so he just waved me through) I headed for the escalator.

At the bottom … the Smart Car. You know, the little guy where if you had a magnetic handle it could double as a suitcase. Put it neutral and pull it around.

Base price – $11K. A year ago, you had to pay double just to get on the list to buy one. Now they are sitting in a show room in SF, the pretty little girl says. I tend to think that if I went there, the sales dude would ask for more or tell me to put my name on a list. I didn’t bother to go the show room. I did get a good look at the inside of the car … the very inside … and the out. Some 45+mpg rating … and super safe. My wife and son are shopping for cars now. Maybe … just maybe …

I got to attend the 51st Annual Auto Show in San Francisco. I went for the intent of seeing what’s going on in the green world. Being in Northern California, I expected to see a whole lot more than I did. Still, I saw some. Some pics will follow in subsequent posts, including a $455,000 Porsche.

Here I discovered the reason why Toyota expects its version of the Fuel Cell vehicle to not only have zero emissions but also to get really really good mileage.

Take a look and see if you can figure out why, too.

Most of the RVs out there are arguably the worst things to happen to the planet in terms of both efficiency and carbon emissions.

But unlike those, the Verdier Solar-Powered Eco-RV is quite a simple and stunning green carrier as it mixes design, solar energy and some sort of lavish luxury. Five models dubbed Woody, Geeky, Ebony, Blueberry, and Purity, are being powered by a 4-cylinder hybrid engine and have a 170 W solar system installed on the roof.

Verdier’s solar RV allows you to change the direction of the panels on top of the carrier according to sun’s direction using a GPS system. Another interesting thing is the interior. Built to use the available space to the maximum, there are fold-out beds, rolled-up stairs, kitchen, recycling bins, a refrigerator/freezer combo and an on-board entertainment center with projector, surround sound and a roll down screen.

There is also an on-board computer to make sure that you stay connected while on the road as you can use it for tasks ranging from navigation, to Internet browsing to music and entertainment. With a price of $129,000 the solar-powered eco-RV is really a great “bargain” (not for you) for the planet. – via Jetson Green

A redesigned 2009 Zap Electric Car with a hatchback will make its debut in Sacramento.

Performance
• 0 – 60 mph : 7.7 seconds
• Vmax: 100 mph
• EV range: 100+ miles (160.9 kilometer)
• Vehicle curb mass: 1612.6 lbs (733 kg)

MSRP – $32,500

ZAP is a leader in electric transportation and has been since 1994. They have delivered over 100,000 vehicles to consumers in more than 75 countries. After signing a strategic partnership with Dubai-based Al Yousuf Group, ZAP started to manufacture all kinds of electric vehicles including electric cars, trucks, motorcycles, scooters, ATVs or. bicycles

ZAP Alias is ZAP’s high-performance electric vehicle.

Things are improving when it comes to electric cars, and the new Tesla Model S, the all-electric 4-door sedan is here to confirm.

Tesla Model S, the all-electric 4-door sedan

With similar specs to Tesla Roadster, the new Model S is a 5 passenger car that gets a 240 miles range with a full charge and goes from 0 to 100km/h in just 6 seconds, which is fast for an emission-free vehicle. Unlike the $109,000 Tesla Roadster, if ever built (heard rumors saying late 2010), the new Model S will only cost like $60,000.

However, there is a bad part of the story, and that’s Tesla’s refocusing that got them to lay off 25-percent of their workers and to fire their CEO. I just hope the economic downturn won’t get these guys, because they have some pretty good ideas (and designs) over there. – via UberGizmo

Honda knows that fuel-saving cars and low inventory are the keys to staying competitive.

The company also knows that saving fuel is saving our environment and producing cars on demand doesn’t tax other global resources as well.

Honda’s President was interviewed – excerpts:

“Compact cars like the Jazz (known as the Fit in Japan) remain stable in the region, but we are having a hard time selling larger vehicles.” Duh?!

“…the rise in crude oil prices will have long-term implications for us. Accordingly, what we should do now is develop more inexpensive, fuel-efficient vehicles.” Why wait till the economy is a mess?

“It is equally important to improve the lineup of energy-saving vehicles. We will go into an offensive mode highlighting hybrid vehicles.”

Honda knows that making cars friendlier to our environment and less taxing on our resources is a long term solution. America’s Big Three! Are you reading?

Image courtesy of Clint M Chilcott

Starting next year, Los Angeles and New York City and surrounding areas will be able to lease from a fleet of 500 all-electric Mini-Coopers says BMW. The car is called the Mini E, rhymes with Mini Me.

Mini E - Electric Mini Cooper

The car will be able to travel 150 miles on a single charge and has a top speed of 95mph. That second characteristic is quite useful in a country where 75mph is the top speed and cities where 60mph is pushing the limit.

Mini E - Electric Mini Cooper

Why do they make cars that can go faster than the speed limit in the U.S.? How much money could be saved and how much of our environment could be protected if the U.S. just didn’t allow cars to be made that could go over the speed limit any more?

Back to being happy about Mini E, the lease for it will run $850. Charging is free (to be reimbursed) and all technical service and maintenance will be covered by BMW. We’re happy and want to test drive one. – via CNN

Pollution is killing more than AIDS in Sao Paulo, says a Sao Paulo University report Air Pollution Lab.

According to the study, some nine people die each day because of pollution – which makes it some 3,500 a year. Less than half of that number of people, 1,624, die each year as a result of AIDS and traffic combined.

Sao Paulo will spend $1.5 billion on pollution-caused diseases, caused mainly by the six million cars in the city. Is it just me or that sounds like, if the cars don’t kill you in traffic, they will kill you with what comes out the back?

Nearly two-thirds of the air pollution is caused by 10% of the total vehicles, the ones that run on diesel fuel. Statistics say that there are about 150 lives lost each year due to sulfur releases from diesel-fueled vehicles and 232 deaths caused by AIDS.

Sao Paulo will adopt a “clean diesel” in 2009 hoping to reduce pollution by at least 5%. Seriously time for the “B” in Bric to clean up its act. – via Xinhuanet

Image courtesy of Auntie P