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Green Zone

I have worked in the automotive industry since 1986 and have been the general manager and co-owner of Scholfield Honda since 1991. For 25 years, I have driven a fuel efficient vehi cle and for over 17 years have worked with America's Greenest Car Company, American Honda.  While Honda has taken a leadership role in en vironmental causes for years and has been the industry leader in producing and promoting fuel efficient vehicles, hybrids and alternative fuels vehicles. I decided in spring of 2007 that I wanted to become a m ore active leader in our dealership and community regarding the environment based on my involvement with the City of Greensburg, Kansas and the Greensburg Green Town project.  


After learning of the Greensburg Green Town projec t I decided to donate a 2007 Civic GX Natural Gas Vehicle. We recruite d local Wichita business partners Fahnestock Heating and Plumbing  and Kansas Gas, Co. to help give the city of Greensburg their first natural gas vehicle. To say my "green" consciousness has been raised a little over the last year would be an understatement.

Every day in the newspaper, on the internet or in my day to day dealings, I read something about products and companies who are going "green". As I become more aware and knowledgeable I have been more dedicated to raising the awareness of the environment here at our company. In my own daily life at home, as a family, we are committed to a few simple things like recycling and turning lights out to help the environment. I am also looking to form partnerships with like minded businesses that are promoting their line of "green" products or wanting to help raise awareness for sustainability here in Kansas.

Please contact me personally if you'd like to get more involved with our Green Zone Projects. I hope you can participate in our Green Zone Group which will meet on a monthly basis and discuss various topics from organic gardening to green building to, yes, fuel efficient Hondas.

Thanks for stopping by!   --Roger Scholfield

             
              



Greenzone Room

This state-of-the-art facility features many recycled and locally-sourced materials highlighting the simple decisions business and individuals can make to become better stewards of our environment. The room is also full-featured with a digital projector for computer and video input, a built-in sound system, room-darkening shades, and a roll-down divider which connects to a kitchenette for preparing and serving food. The attached delivery center is large enough to hold hundreds of people or to pull vehicles of any kind indoors for demonstration and showcase.

The Honda Green Zone Room was constructed with the environment in mind.

Some of the design elements include:
    * Compressed wheat tabletops
    * Recycled plastic chairs
    * Modular, replaceable recycled
      carpet square flooring
    * Recycled tile
    * Recycled wood paneling

Many local business have used the Honda Green Zone for meetings including Farmers Insurance.

This facility will be open to the public for board meetings, gatherings, or any event where a comfortable, inviting space would be useful. Reservations are taken on a first-come first-served basis, and interested parties should contact Debra Carson at (316)688-6400 to schedule a time.

GREEN TIPS

The Benefits of Carpooling

Carpooling is a wonderful way to get to work or school and there are more people out there willing to carpool than you might imagine. The problem is that many people are unaware of how to start a carpool and so they just continue driving. However, besides reducing traffic and helping the environment, carpooling will offer significant financial benefits to each carpooler. A brief overview of a few of the benefits are detailed below.

Gas

Gas prices hit record highs in 2008 and they may hit record highs again soon. There is no way to know when gas prices will go up again, but one thing is for certain and that is that they will go up once more. Either way, carpooling saves each member money. If a tank of gas costs on average $35 and you were driving a tank?s worth of gas a week then this was a cost you had to bear simply to get to work. However, if you add 3 more people to the mix and the cost of gas is shared over the period of a week you will spend much less money per week. This could result in savings of up to $100 or more per month. That?s worth carpooling!

Car Repair

The more you drive your car the more it will need to be repaired. However, if you are only driving once or twice per week as compared to five times per week then you will put fewer miles on your car. Doing this means that the car will have fewer mechanical problems over time and that your car will last you longer than it would have otherwise. This can save you a lot of money because once your car is paid off it will still be in good condition.

Shared Tolls

Many highways have tolls and if you drive to work each day this can add up to a lot of money over the period of a month or year. However, if you are carpooling this is an expense that can be shared between four or five people. That is much more affordable for everyone and worth carpooling!

There may be even more financial savings by carpooling, too. For example, if there is a carpool rule not to stop on the way to or from work then you may save money not stopping to buy breakfast or coffee every day. This could be a great way to eat breakfast at home and save money that way, too.

How to Green Your Car

Best practices -

Driving technique has a lot to do with your fuel economy. Avoid sudden starts and stops and go the speed limit. Not only does speeding and herky-jerky driving kill your MPG, it's dangerous. And even if no one gets hurt in a fender bender, how green is it to get a new bumper or have your car re-painted?

As a general rule of thumb, keep your engine speeds between 1,200 -- 3,000 RPMs, and up-shift between 2,000 -- 2500 RPMs. Also, drive wise and minimize unnecessary miles by doing errands in one trip, getting good directions, and calling ahead.

Stay in tune -

Getting regular tune-ups, maintenance, and having clean air filters will help you burn less gas, pollute less, and prevent car trouble down the line. Pump up: if every American?s tires were properly inflated we could save around 2 billion gallons of gas each year! (Check your manual for optimal pressure). Lastly, get the junk out of the trunk! All that extra weight is sapping your fuel economy.

Leave the car at home -

For shorter adventures, walk, take public transit, ride your bike (regular, electric-assisted, or something fancier), skateboard, rollerblades, or even look into an electric scooter. Carrying groceries or other bulky stuff can still be done on a bike with a backpack or some slick modifications. Check out the Xtracycle, for example.

Drive part of the way -

If getting where you?re going by bike or public transit alone isn?t going to happen, consider driving part of the way and then jumping on public transit or your bike (a folder would be perfect). A great way to beat traffic!

Go easy on the AC -

Use the windows to help keep the car cool. Or try an electric or solar fan. Parking in the shade and using a reflective windshield shade can keep your car cooler when parked, meaning it takes less to cool it off when you get back in. If you car is new, however, let it air out. That new car smell is not friendly stuff.

Aspire to carelessness -

Not everyone is going to be able to do it, at least not cold car-key. It will probably entail a shift in thinking and some time, but living car-free might be more within reach than you think. Living closer to work and school is a big part of it. Walking, biking, public transport, car sharing, car borrowing, and teleconferencing are a strong arsenal of tools to help reduce the need for a car. Give it some thought.


The Honda Insight

More is More
The whole idea behind the design of the Insight was to make hybrid technology accessible to a greater number of people. And more hybrids replacing conventional gas engine vehicles out on the road can only improve things for the environment.To that end, the Insight was designed for excellent fuel economy, of course, but the goal was also practicality and affordability. With an EPA-estimated 43 mpg*, the AT-PZEV-rated** Insight ranks as one of the more efficient cars out there.

Flower Power
EPA numbers are important, but the way you drive also affects the fuel economy you achieve. The Insight features a remarkable new system that helps boost your efficiency and monitor your own driving habits to maximize your mpg for your driving conditions. It's called Eco Assist*** and it includes a green ECON button that, when pressed, regulates certain vehicle functions to maximize efficiency. The system also features a real-time feedback system to help promote driver awareness of efficient driving habits on a daily and ongoing basis.

*40 city/43 hwy/41 combined mpg. Based on 2010 EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel-economy methods beginning with 2008 models. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

**AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology Partial Zero-Emission Vehicle) models as certified by California Air Resources Board (CARB) are available in California and states that have adopted California Zero-Emission Vehicle regulations.

***Eco Assist is a trademark of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., and may not be used or reproduced without prior written approval.

The Honda Civic Hybrid

Power at the Pump
The benefits of the refined gasoline-electric powertrain on the Civic Hybrid are never more evident than when you watch those little numbers adding up at the pump. And with an EPA-estimated city/highway rating of 40 city/45 hwy mpg*, you'll spend a lot less time there at the gas station.

Help Clear the Air
The air also benefits with the Advanced Technology Partial-Zero-Emission Vehicle** rating, which is the most stringent emission standard achieved by a gasoline-powered vehicle in the U.S.

*Based on 2009 EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel economy methods beginning with 2008 models. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

**AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology Partial Zero-Emission Vehicle), as certified by California Air Resources Board (CARB) in California and states that have adopted California emissions standards.