Chances are, you care about the environment, or at least you try to.
Fortunately, there may be a solution in sight.
While working to decrease fuel emissions in vehicles, Sabertec, the company behind a new product called Blade, has found a way to turn your gas guzzler green and save you money through better fuel economy at the same time.
Blade, a filter-like tail pipe attachment for your car, may be about to make it that much easier and cheaper for you to make a difference.
“Drive the Change,” a promotional event held in Venice last week by Sabertec was aimed at garnering support for this new and exciting technology. Musical guests, such as the Crystal Method, and environmentalists came out on Thursday to show their enthusiasm for the product.
A Blade, which costs around $200, looks like an aluminum tube and comes with replaceable filter cartridges, each around $20, which should be changed every 10,000 miles. Currently, Blade can be purchased online, but hopefully will get larger distribution through regular muffler shops as the buzz around the product grows, said William J. O’Brien, CEO of Sabertec.
Blade was originally developed in Brazil and was aimed at decreasing emissions from diesel-fueled trucks, O’Brien said.
However, through independent testing, in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency, the use of Blade was shown to decrease emissions of greenhouse gasses up to 34 percent and decrease air pollution up to 57 percent. Testing also showed an increase in fuel economy and durability, according to Sabertec’s Web site for Blade.
Blade saves money by letting you fill up less often, said Steven Joyce, director of Blade sales.
With the savings from an average car, Blade should pay for itself within three to four months, Joyce said.
Blade attaches to most cars and small trucks. If every car in the U.S. had a Blade, the nation’s greenhouse gas reduction would be equivalent to removing 50 million cars from the road, according to the Blade Web site.
“I think it’s a great investment for college students,” O’Brien said.
With gas prices rising faster than tuition rates, Blade could make a big difference in many college students’ lives, O’Brien added.
However, the verdict is still out on whether Blade will deliver all it promises.
“I’m excited to find out if this product will work on my van,” said Darren Moore, host of “Alter Eco” on the Planet Green network.
“No. 1 thing I’m looking for is if it’s durable and works for long term … but I think just driving your car less is great (too),” Moore said.
Moore agreed to have a Blade installed on his van as part of the “Drive the Change” event and was one of the first to try out the product.
“I have to test it first. I’m willing to take the risk … (and) I’m willing to endorse anything that works,” he said.
At a time when eco-friendly solutions to vehicle emissions are certainly on many people’s minds but out of their price ranges, Sabertec execs hope Blade will prove itself to be the solution.
“It is about working with an existing car because not everyone can buy a new one,” Moore said.
However, tampering with said car may be daunting to some. Throughout the “Drive the Change” evening, Sabertec attempted to convince skeptics by staging live installations of Blade.
Sabertec is also working on creating a YouTube video with detailed instructions on Blade installation, O’Brien said.
The difficulty of installation depends on the model of the car. Four-cylinder cars, such as Honda Civics, are generally the easiest. Dual-exhaust eight-cylinder sedans, such as Lincoln Town Cars, may require professional installation, which should not run over $50, Joyce said.
Whether you own a hybrid or a Hummer, Blade promises to make your driving experience “greener.”
However, vehicle emissions are not Sabertec’s only environmental feat.
Blade is made of recyclable aluminum and very little recyclable cardboard and plastic is used in its packaging.
“The used up cartridges are not necessarily biodegradable, but carbonize throughout their use, wear out, flake away and disappear,” O’Brien said.
Sabertec also attempts to promote sustainability in the younger generation by offering three scholarships of $5,000 and one of $10,000 annually to students who create winning webcasts about how Blade is a solution for the global climate crisis.
“The reason we focus on students is because they’re the generation that will make the difference,” O’Brien said.
“(With Blade) you don’t have to do anything extraordinary to make a difference. You already have a car,” he added.