Los Angeles Auto Show - Season of Hope

Subaru Hybrid Tourer (Concept)

I love cars.

Given that their overuse and carbon footprints make most of them environment unfriendly, you would think that I would have more distain than appreciation for them, but many autos are works of art – the marriage of design to functionality make them a pleasure to view and drive or ride in. Plus, I live in California, where public transportation is only beginning to catch on. But being conscious of their impact on both our present and future health, as well as the co-founder of a social rideshare company, it’s really heartening to see the number of more fuel-efficient, new fuel, or hybrid fuel cars that are making their debut.

At this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show there are 49 of these more environmentally-friendly transportation options and only four are concepts – 45 options available in the marketplace now or soon.

In this blog, we’ve talked about some of the alternative fuels, and if you’ve read those posts, you won’t be surprised that most of the offerings at the LA show are either “fuel-sippers” or hybrids. But there are a few electric cars and fuel cells sprinkled in. Granted that 49 isn’t a huge number out of the many vehicles that will be on display, but it’s a market that’s growing and since, for many of us this is a season of Hope, we may just have to take it on faith that the market will eventually grow to be so dominant that “alternative fuel” cars won’t even rate as a distinct attraction.

In January, the Pew Research Center found that the environment had slipped significantly as a priority for many Americans, but that doesn’t mean the environment will just maintain its equilibrium until attention comes back to it. So we have to continue to take the opportunity to educate, to enlighten and to make reducing your carbon footprint an individual priority, even if it’s not a national priority. Which is the reason ZoomPool exists – and if it’s fun, maybe people will do it more often. Responsible car ownership, responsible driving, and responsible riding. It will make a difference.

For a more in-depth view of the alternative fuel cars and hybrids being shown in Los Angeles, check out The Daily Green

Here Come the Holidays...

… and more opportunities to share a ride while you share the fun!

Let’s start with getting home. If you’re at school or even if you live and work just across town from your folks, you can probably catch a ride or provide one to someone who’d like to enjoy a family holiday without adding to the congestion and tension that trying to get home before the cranberry sauce is served can cause.

Speaking of cranberry sauce, what about that trip to the market to pick up the ingredients for that dish you promised to bring to the party or the high blood pressure inducing potential nightmare called “holiday shopping at the mall”? Wouldn’t it be more fun if you could save gas and reduce your carbon footprint by getting together with one or more to hit the stores and maybe the food court?

The holiday season is often blockbuster movie season, too. And parking, never great at the best of times, is even worse during the days leading up to New Year’s. This is also true of the many special plays and concerts, charity events, gift and art shows that happen around this time of year.

And then there are those winter sports you’ve been waiting for – snowboarding, skiing, or just taking time to go up into the snow covered mountains and enjoy the scenery and maybe a hot drink in a lodge with a view.

Simply put, this time of year is full of as many opportunities as you could hope for to have fun and share it with others. Why not make the most of it while doing yourself, your friends and family, and the planet a favor at the same time by using ZoomPool? Log in and post a trip that you are sharing with a friend or family member. That way you can fill an empty car seat while you both meet someone new.

Commuting over the holidays with a new rideshare partner increases the Zoom Pool of potential matches, increasing everyone’s chances of finding someone interesting to ride with. Tell folks you know about ZoomPool and recommend they register. That’s the best way to build our green social community!

Share Your Interests

Just a reminder – we’re on Facebook, which is a great place to “meet up” and talk about where to go and what to do. You can always post an event you’re interested in on our fan page and share it on your wall to let everyone in your network – and ours – know what you’re looking forward to over the next few weeks.

Also if you are holding an event or you are going to one that should be ZoomPooled, recommend and use our SmartBadge tools to help aggregate event attendees. It’s a great way to improve transportation efficiency and decrease parking needs.