Bright Automotive unveiled what they call “the world’s first purpose-built 100 MPG vehicle” at an event in Washington, DC yesterday.  The Idea is intended as a fuel-saving, lower emissions option for commercial and government fleets. The multi-use, hybrid vehicle falls into the light truck classification.  The company announced it plans to produce 50,000 vehicles annually by 2013, providing businesses and government agencies with a highly durable, cost-saving and eco-friendly vehicle, and potentially creating thousands of American jobs.  Bright Automotive showed a fully operating concept version of the vehicle to a crowd that included Members of Congress, White House Officials, media, customer and supplier representatives.

more @ brightautomotive.com

source: bright automotive press release

The Canadian furniture design firm, Holtzundmetal, can attach your previously owned fabrics or reclaimed wood to their steel frame to create a custom piece of furniture that lets you sit on a nostalgic piece of the past or, more appropriately, a recycled piece of your own personal history.

Pictured:  stainless steel frame with repurposed, Circa 1920′s, Canada Post Canvas Mail Bag creating the seatback and seat.

contact them @ holtzundmetal.com

Earth Day – what’s the dillio?  I’ve been inundated with Earth Day related blather for about a month now so I can truly say I’m suffering an acute case of Earth Day Fatigue.  From receiving umpteen emails from Grist about its intentionally provocative “Screw Earth Day” campaign, to press releases hawking everything from eco friendly search engines, organic teas, low VOC paints and tips on everything from green driving, to how to green my manicure, the emails keep pouring in.  Everybody is going green…at least for one day.  Maybe someone could count the number of new products out there with the word ‘eco’ in their name, and let me know.  Now watch, someone’s going to ride our coattails and run a contest about it (maybe we will…).

Back to the task at hand…when, like moi, you’re immersed in green issues 365 days a year it becomes a challenge to join the chorus on a contrived holiday like Earth Day.  Of course, the event gets tons of press and exposure and raises general awareness, but Earth Day’s transformation into a giant marketing and PR event kind of leaves me uninspired.  Ultimately, it’s just another day in the ‘green’ world.

Oh, did you know that just for Earth Day, “The Price Is Right” is going green?  I’d usually rant on for another paragraph or two but I’m so not jazzed I’ll just leave this here, and return to our regularly scheduled programming…