If this i’s true, more and more Americans may not be able to afford plane travel before long.

With oil prices soaring and the prices breaking record after record - $139.12, do I hear $140? How about $150?, the airline companies are taking crazy measures to make sure they’re not going bankrupt. With prices having tripled in the last eight years and analysts predicting $150 per barrel by the 4th of July, it may not be the best industry to be involved in at the moment.

Delta already charges $25 for phone reservations and American Airlines plans to take $15 for each bag checked-in.

But, the fact that airlines are going to charge people more money for being fat is not fair.

Southwest Airlines already charges overweight people for 2 seats if they’re unable to lower the armrest between their seat and the next one. However, actually requiring passengers to step on a scale before boarding and asking for some extra cash if they weigh more than their neighbor is an insult.

What’s next? Charging more for those with long legs or women that have had breast implants? Can you be charged for being too sexy?

We’d definitely like to hear your story/opinion!

Original image at bradleywindy

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Leave it Honda to build an ultra efficient SUV-sized vehicle that can cover 1300 miles between fill ups. It carries 6-8 passengers - 8 Japanese but just 6, sometimes 5 or even 4 Americans.

But it doesn’t come cheaply.

The vehicle costs $1.5 million and the fuel costs are about 80 cents a mile. Comes to about $1000 per fill-up. (These figures may be a bit old…)

The vehicle is Honda’s Hondajet…a super efficient light jet that weighs about the same as an SUV.

And to think, so many people think of Honda as car and motorbike maker.

I wonder if my wife and kids remember this Sunday is Father’s Day.

On my wish list is a HondaJet. Oh, and flying lessons, too. Oh, and can I have a year’s worth of free fill ups, please?

Images by frenchrice

Using wind to get from place A to place B is quite unusual for most of us. But, how about about the Nereus, the water pad racer for adrenaline junkies? Inspired by kite sailing, these pix are aconceptual design of a kite-powered water craft capable of achieving relatively high speeds both on and under the water.

Inspired by ET?!

Though I’m not sure if how much of a storm is necessary to get your 200 lb body out of the water with all that sea drag, I’ll have to believe the designers when they say the design of the vessel and the kite is sufficient. Controlling the Nereus is just as easy as riding a bike they say. All you have to do is turn the handlebars which are attached to the kite. To dive, just push down.

Though we wouldn’t expect to go from Newport Beach to Long Beach, even if you’re well trained to use wind power, the Nereus sure looks capable to deliver. I’m game for test-driving it.

Anyone else?

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Honda Has an SUV-sized Vehicle That Goes 1,300 Miles between Fill-ups

Spiderman Climbs for Global Warming

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Toyota came out with great news today about an advanced fuel-cell vehicle with a maximum cruising range of 830 km (516 miles) on a full tank of hydrogen. Fuel cell vehicles are running on hydrogen which is both cheap and inexhaustible, emits only water and offer the same driving experience which may lead us to considering them against traditional cars.

Image by Masaru Kamikura

The improved FCHV-adv version is a hybrid that also uses an electric engine to switch to, features a bigger fuel tank, has a double maximum storage pressure, a better braking system, a nickel-metal hydride battery and is 25 more fuel efficient than its predecessor.

It should go head to head with Honda’s latest FCX Clarity, a sporty-looking fuel-cell sedan with a maximum cruising range of 620 km (385 miles) on a single tank and in temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius (-22F) up to 95 degrees Celsius (203F).

Though overseas plans are not yet defined and prices not yet announced, the zero emissions FCHV-adv model will be leased in the United States starting next month and later this year it should be available to government agencies in Japan. It should be showcased next month at the G8 Summit in Toyako as a test-ride, if you plan to take a closer look.

Image by fowlmouth76

It’s the competition between Honda and Toyota - the only automakers to put a fuel-cell vehicle on the road - that could lead to worldwide production of these models. I’d sure like to pay cheaper for my road trips, wouldn’t you? Though, the only drawback could be the lack of hydrogen fuelling stations and the high price we may have to pay for such a car.

We probably need them, right?

It doesn’t matter if you’re a star, have a huge bank account or if your name is Pamela Anderson, because high gas prices shouldn’t be ignored.

The paparazzi recently caught the blonde actress in Malibu, California, pedaling on a pink bicycle with some Starbucks goodies in her hand.

We at Greenpacks are going to take a bow to Pamela Anderson, and no it’s not for the uggs and the short shorts she’s wearing, but for the fact that she really makes a difference: stands up for animals, isn’t afraid to ride a bike and raises money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

She’s doing great work that gets heard, so good luck with all your projects Pam. We’ll keep an eye on you.

via Ecorazzi

Though I’ve seen eco-cabs and electric rickshaws by now, this new solar rickshaw by SolarLab have something to be proud of. Most of the energy, 75-percent, will come from the roof-mounted photovoltaic cells while the rest of 25-percent will be delivered through pedaling so better be prepared if there’s no sun outside.

I can see a battery in this sketch but to be honest, what kind of engine is that? Any details about it, would be great. Don’t plan to drive during the night unless SolarLab has an extraordinary battery to help you out or you’re training for the Olympics on that hill.

SolarLab via Dezeen

Not sure what you will think but the pre-historic family we all know, The Flintstones, got arrested in Brussels, Belgium, while driving towards the European Parliament building.

It wasn’t Fred or Wilma to get the penalty, but six Greenpeace activists dressed as cavemen driving the “Flintstone car”, that protested on the influence of the auto industry on proposals to curb carbon dioxide emissions from car. This week the European Parliament will start debating on the legislation that forces down CO2 emissions from cars, with fines on manufacturers that fail to comply.

“Our activists and their zero-emission vehicle are raising the alarm about the influence this dinosaur industry exercises over EU climate policy,” said Greenpeace transport campaigner, Melanie Francis.

Not sure about you but I remember the pedal powered ‘Flintstone car’ driver that got his traffic ticket dismissed, so I hope nothing happens to these six well-intended cavemen.

If you’re an environment friendly sailor and have a passion for speedboats check out Czeers MK1, a 10-meter boat that packs 14 square meters of solar panels and an 80kw electric motor. It was showed off at the Millionaire Fair last year and though it’s just a prototype, this baby goes up to 30 knots on water.

Made 100-percent of carbon fiber with orange leather trim, photovoltaic cells on almost all horizontal surfaces and an LCD touch-screen control system, Czeers MK1 uses no oil, produces no engine noise and no fumes. The company expects to sell 4 to 8 models a year and though they didn’t disclose the price, expect to hit the sky.

Here is a video of the superboat. Do you like it ?

via Gizmag

photo by vr2006

With 1.8 million cars counting for 75-percent of the air pollution, Madrid is one of Spain’s most polluted cities. Recently the City Hall announced that their official vehicles will “turn green” by 2011 using clean fuels like bio-diesel, ethanol, natural gas or even running on electricity. Madrid also joined the BEST (BioEthanol for Sustainable Transport) European project to promote the use of ethanol in cars and is going to make agreements with taxi companies to offer them road tax discounts if they will turn green, too.

Such decisions could make people realize that something has to be done if we want a cleaner air. We can start with our cars.

via AutoBlogGreen

Designed as “a rally car but for oceans”, Earthrace is a trimaran running on 100-percent pure biodiesel that wishes to set an around-the-world speed record with a net zero carbon footprint. They tried to break the record in 2007, but mechanical problems kept them from finishing the race.

The boat is famous not only for being featured on lots of news channels or because it runs safely on bio-diesel alone. Earthrace can submerge up to 23 feet in water if it needs to fight big waves and the most important fact is that parts of the boat are made from a hemp-based composite, bedding foams are made from canola oil, and the operation’s total carbon footprint has been balanced by purchasing carbon credits.

At a speed of 6 knots (6.9 mph) the boat goes up to 15,000 miles on a full tank, while at 25 knots (29 mph) it runs for 2,300 miles.

Previous record of 74 days, 23 hours and 53 minutes was set by UK boat Cable & Wireless Adventurer in 1998 and Earthrace plans to beat that time. They left Sagunto, Spain on April 27 and got to Panama traveling across the Atlantic in just 8 days. In their journey they will include a total of 12 refueling stops and will pass through the Suez and Panama canals.

Let’s hope they manage to break the record this time.

If you want to stay updated, check out the Earthrace blogs.

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