Twitter
Andrew Davidson 
Susan Menke 
Susan Wolfe 
Lisa Hronek Posts Tagged ‘environment’
Battle to be first electric car “sparking” hot
In all of my excitement to report about Nissan’s March 30, 2010 press release on the all-new Nissan Leaf, I totally overlooked an announcement from General Motors. On the eve of the 2010 New York Auto Show (the same day Nissan issued its press release), General Motors announced that the new 2011 Chevy Volt would be available on showroom floors in November 2010. How could I have not blogged about this at the same time?
For those of you who don’t know, the Chevy Volt is also an electric car that, according the company’s website, can create its own electricity. When fully charged (accomplished by plugging the car in overnight), the car can run 40 miles on pure electricity. After about 40 miles, a “range-extending gas generator” kicks in, which recharges the battery and adds up to 300 drivable miles on a single tank of gas. The ability to have a car re-generate energy will be a strong selling point in why consumers should pick the Volt over the Nissan Leaf. A jump start on sales won’t hurt either.
So I have to ask: who has been holding out to be a part of the first generation of electric car owners?
All American Express corporate cards go paperless
A green revolution is underway in the credit card space and American Express is leading the way.
In February, American Express notified corporate cardholders that it was moving exclusively to online statements. The environmental benefits of paperless statements go without saying. Less paper, less waste.
But as American Express touts the “green factor” of paperless billing, it stresses—perhaps more important to corporate customers—that online account management provides increased security against identity theft and unauthorized card usage, as well as providing tools that enhance responsible credit usage and simplify tax preparation and accounting.
Personal and small business cardholders still have the option to receive paper statements through the mail. But as the company increasingly stresses its dedication to data security, fraud prevention, building respect for the environment and reducing its carbon footprint, how much longer might American Express customers continue to have a paper option?
Green homeowners insurance from Travelers
Green insurance has been a growing trend in recent years. And now, as Earth Day approaches on April 22, Travelers has launched a new campaign for its GreenHome Upgrade.
Green homeowners insurance covers an additional expense amount for the repair or rebuilding of the home with green materials and methods. It pays for the cost of recycling debris in preference to dumping it into a landfill. And, it will pay the fee to certify or re-certify the home to LEED certification requirements after a covered loss. (LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System.)
Travelers’ new campaign was announced last month in an informational marketing email to agents. The PDF kit, sent with the email, included a brochure, postcard, agent sell sheet and FAQ. The agents can order brochures and postcards that will be printed on recycled paper, or they have the option to send these electronically as an ebrochure or ecard. Travelers also announced that this would be supported by an online media campaign.
One of the first companies to offer energy-efficient and environmentally innovative products was Fireman’s Fund. Direct mail for its Green Upgrade policy talks to the cost advantages, healthy living, and environmental sensitivity of going with environmentally friendly construction alternatives when replacing damaged equipment and materials.
Discount for a home that has already been LEED certified is another way some insurance companies have built green insurance products. Travelers includes a discount option in the new campaign mentioned above. And Farmers also mentions a LEED discount in a side box on their informational mailing to consumers.
First all-electric car: Nissan Leaf embodies green trends in auto industry
Wouldn’t it be nice to never have to stop at a gas station again in your life? Think about how it would feel, after a long day of work, to drive straight home as opposed to stopping at the gas station because your gas light came on. Imagine pulling into your garage, plugging your car into an outlet and walking into the house. Nice, right?
We continue to hear buzz about the new 2011 Nissan Leaf. The car, which runs entirely on electricity and does not produce any emissions, will be available in December 2010. Pricing for the car was announced on March 30, 2010, with reservations for the world’s first mass-produced electric car to begin on April 20, 2010.
On top of bragging rights of being one of the first Americans to own an all-electric car, new Nissan Leaf owners have the opportunity to receive a $7,500 federal tax credit, along with a variety of state and local incentives.
The Nissan Leaf comes with three years of roadside assistance, and those in California will have the opportunity to ride in the coveted carpool lane. And none of this addresses the amenities of the car, which features “an advanced navigation system and Internet/smart phone connectivity to the vehicle, including pre-heat/pre-cool and charging control,” according the company’s most recent press release.
Whose waiting for the April 20, 2010 start date?