November 20, 2009 Mike Howard wants Elk Horn, Iowa, to play a role in the nation's future in electric cars. "We have a dream about electric vehicles and we're going to make that a reality," he said. Anticipating an electric car revolution, Howard invested $30,000 to install four charging stations in Elk Horn, despite the fact that the small town currently has exactly one electric car—a Chevrolet S-10 pickup that Howard himself converted to run on batteries.
November 19, 2009 Nearly 10 years since the first hybrids hit US roads, BMW and Mercedes both announced pricing this week for their first gas-electric hybrids arriving in showrooms this month. The BMW ActiveHybrid X6 will sell for $89,725. The Mercedes ML 450 Hybrid will only be offered on a lease of $659 a month for 36 months, or $549 a month for 60 months.
November 18, 2009 The auto industry’s race for cars that use less petroleum and spew fewer emissions has multiple technology pathways. Major global automakers are now aligning into one of two camps. The “Either/Or” carmakers choose one technology and run with it, while the “Portfolio” guys market multiple technologies all at once.
November 17, 2009 Does the Aptera futuristic three-wheeled vehicle have a chance to succeed in the real-world market? Or is it destined to become another visionary, but entirely impractical vehicle, much like Buckminster Fuller’s 1933 three-wheeled Dymaxion Car? In recent days, it appears that the visionary reach of Aptera's founders may have exceeded their grasp.
November 16, 2009 In recent months, sky-high mile-per-gallon ratings have been bandied about for some upcoming electric vehicles. Skeptics point out that swapping oil-based gasoline for coal-based electricity just moves pollution around, without reducing it much if at all. Perhaps the best apple-to-apples comparison is provided by the Mini Cooper electric and gasoline stable mates. We do the math.
