A11TeamAwesome

A11TeamAwesome

To-Do

Step 1:

• Try to find some relevant information (anywhere on the web) related to YOUR problem or topic.

• http://energy.gov/news2009/8381.htm
• http://en.openei.org/wiki/Main_Page

• Can you locate any relevant information about YOUR problem in OpenEI? Describe what you find there.
• What it would take for you to contribute information (which you may have found in step 1) to this site and what would motivate you to do so!

1. Describe the energy-related problem or topic your group selected.

We chose the topic "Should I buy a more fuel efficient car?"

Some of us do not have the most fuel efficient cars in the world. We wanted to look into the logistics of buying a new car that would be better for the environment and our wallets.  We need to consider how practical it would be for a college student to replace their car.  It has been said that the least expensive car is the one you already own. As students, it can be hard to come by the funds necessary to buy a new car. One could sell their current car but would then be left without personal transportation for a while. These newer more fuel efficient cars are also smaller and could be less safe than a large vehicle, which most people buying a vehicle need to consider. Because we live in an inclement weather area, the car needs to be good in the snow. Even though purchasing an energy-efficient car is an important factor for many, there are many other factors that could deter someone from buying a 'green' car. Perhaps the most attractive option in all this would be to make existing popular cars/SUVs more energy efficient, so that consumers have a wider variety of efficient vehicles from which to choose.

2. Describe any Web resources you found about that problem or topic.

There are several online guides to buying a more fuel efficient vehicle.  None of them seem to take any particular age group into consideration. They do discuss different price options, but the buyer would of course need to set those themselves.

Treehugger (a popular environmentalist blog) has a pretty extensive vehicle section with related news, but does not have any real comparisons between cars.

3. Describe any related OpenEI resources you found.

OpenEI did not contain much on the logistics of buying a new car, but it did discuss fuel efficiency in several areas. For instance, there was one article describing an incentive program in California for buying a fuel efficient vehicle.  Programs like that could help young people buy a new car. If they get money back, then they could buy a better car for themselves and the environment.

The Colorado section of the wiki is very helpful and lists many resources and organizations related to energy, including listing companiesthat produce electric vehicles. In this way, OpenEI provides information about electric vehicles that might not be accessible to consumers. That said, it would be nice if the site had some charts that compared existing vehicles.

4. Discuss what it would take for you to contribute information (such as what you may have found in step 1) to the OpenEI site and what would motivate you to do so.

Aaron Vimont: If I went through the process of selling my car and buying a more fuel efficient car, I would consider putting that up on the OpenEI site. I would not want put together information that did not personally relate to me. I would put up the lessons that I learned and perhaps the reasons why I chose to get a new car.

Ian Smith: Not being much of an environmental activist nor much of an expert on fuel-efficient vehicles, I don't know if I would right now know anything more about purchasing a green car. Perhaps if I went through the process of buying a fuel-efficient car and also used the rebates found on the incentives page mentioned in q3, then I might have something to contribute about the process.

Adam Jackson: Unfortunately at this current time buying a vehicle, let alone a more fuel efficient or hybrid vehicle, is not a financial or practical possibility. However, if I was currently in the market I would definitely utilize online resources to gather knowledge and help make decisions about which car to purchase. I would openly share my location and demographic information to help others understand my personal situation as much as possible while maintaining anonymity. Current owners of fuel efficient cars have valuable knowledge that I would readily take advantage of if I was to buy a new car.