Jim Motavalli

MY MOST RECENT CONTENT

Hit the road, Jack: The incredible disappearing spare tire

Thu, Sep 20 2012 at 11:41 AM

With fewer and fewer Americans actually able to change a tire, and the auto industry looking to save weight and costs to meet fuel economy targets, it's not surprising that we're getting run-flats and pump-up kits.

Green tires: Where the rubber meets the road

Mon, Sep 17 2012 at 2:21 PM

Bridgestone makes fuel-efficient, low-rolling-resistance tires and leads the industry in environmental innovations. And thanks to burgeoning demand, it also makes huge truck tires for tar sands oil production and mountaintop removal mining.

Amazing engines promise 60 to 100 mpg

Thu, Sep 13 2012 at 11:36 AM

The two-stroke motor isn't new — in fact, there's probably one in your weed whacker. But Achates Power and other companies say they can turn around its image as a big polluter.

The pedal bus: Carrying the party faithful, and party hoppers too

Mon, Sep 10 2012 at 5:12 PM

These pedal buses saw action at the Democratic and Republican conventions. But this unique form of human-powered transportation is more often either a beer-soaked party barge or a school bus.

Electric trucks help recharge the Bronx

Fri, Sep 07 2012 at 3:07 PM

Smith Electric Vehicles is bringing zero-emission electric trucks to the heart of New York City, and will be making them there, too. Satisfied customers include Duane Reade, Pepsi and Frito-Lay.

Prominent Romney advisor has different approach to green energy

Tue, Sep 04 2012 at 5:40 PM

As Bob Dylan asked, 'Señor, señor, can you tell me where we're heading?' Dan Senor has the Republican nominee's ear on Israel and other topics, so what's he saying about electric cars and clean energy? We'll know after the election.

The ballad of Sean and Yoko: Anti-fracking, for renewables

Thu, Aug 30 2012 at 2:20 PM

The new Artists Against Fracking makes a compelling case against opening up New York state to natural gas drilling. It's fuzzier about the energy sources that can replace it. Renewables are great, but not yet ready to carry the full load.

5 postwar American cars that set trends

Tue, Aug 28 2012 at 9:42 AM

Some of the best and most influential designs between 1949 and 1963 were 'back-to-basics' stunners. Excess chrome and big fins weren't part of the equation.

A closer look at the Romney-Ryan energy plan

Fri, Aug 24 2012 at 1:36 PM

Rather than achieving energy independence through a mix of renewables and fossil fuel, the Republican team is betting heavily on new oil drilling. The big problem: We don't have all that much oil.

A confirmed SUV hater warms to a crossover

Mon, Aug 20 2012 at 1:46 PM

I've loathed boxy four-wheel-drives since the 1980s. I never, ever saw the point. But now they've evolved into car-based crossovers with 30 mpg, and I'm warming up. A little.

Commenting (6)

The article is about the

Mon, Aug 29 2011 at 10:30 AM

The article is about the "most likely to succeed," not about my personal favorites. But I do like the Volt--precisely for the reason I like other plug-in hybrids. It is electricity without the range anxiety. I do hope they make a cheaper version, such as a production version of the MPV5 crossover (based on the Volt) and shown in China.

I re-read my article and

Mon, Aug 29 2011 at 10:27 AM

I re-read my article and didn't see any typos, so maybe you're on a higher plane.

I re-read my article and

Mon, Aug 29 2011 at 10:27 AM

I re-read my article and didn't see any typos, so maybe you're on a higher plane.

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Green Tech Blogger

Member since August 2008

Jim is a freelance journalist, speaker, book author, radio personality and expert on all things environmental.

Jim blogs weekly for The New York Times, is a regular contributor to The New York Times’ "Automobiles" section, and has a weekly syndicated "Wheels" column. He also contributes to The Daily Green. He writes “Green Living” for the Environmental Defense newsletter and has contributed to Men's Journal, AMC Outdoors, Popular Mechanics, The Nation, The Boston Globe, Philadelphia Review, Salon, Grist, The Guardian, Tomorrow Magazine, Greenwich Magazine, Sierra and many other newspapers, magazines, and websites. He is a two-time winner of the Global Media Award from the Population Institute, and has shared his environmental expertise in radio interviews across the country.

His books include Naked in the Woods: Joseph Knowles and the Legacy of Frontier Fakery,Forward Drive: The Race to Build "Clean" Cars for the Future and Feeling the Heat: Dispatches from the Frontlines of Climate Change.

An , Jim is as comfortable lecturing at environmental conferences or academic gatherings as he is addressing the general public. His speeches are provocative and relevant.

Jim spent 14 years as editor of , a national bi-monthly where he now contributes as a senior writer. He has also served as executive editor for New Mass Media and edited an alternative news weekly. He is a member of the Society for Environmental Journalists (SEJ) and has taught journalism at Fairfield University and University of Connecticut. He hosts a bi-weekly public affairs and music radio show on listener-sponsored WPKN-FM.

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Jim Motavalli

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