Motorcycle enthusiasts have good reason to rev their engines. Ready to burn some serious rubber, Roehr Motorcycles are set to release two battery-powered motorbikes this spring. As the electric counterparts to the famed Roehr 1250sc, the new eSuperbike and eSupersport are impressive additions to the Roehr family that feature seamless functionality, flexibility and all-electric power!
NASA is currently working on a personal aircraft that will put jet packs to shame. The Puffin is an all-electric one-man aircraft that could be the start of some new and amazing air travel technology. With two prop electric engines, lithium phosphate batteries and a top speed of almost 300 mph, people will be trading in their iPhone for a chance to see one of these things in action. Originally designed for covert military insertions because it is quieter and has a lower heat signature than combustion engines, the Puffin could beat out traditional aircraft in terms of environmental impact as well.
We have great news for green-eyed New Yorkers who have been coveting San Francisco’s sophisticated electric vehicle charging systems. Beautiful Earth Group, a New York-based sustainable energy company, just unveiled its solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging station in Red Hook, Brooklyn. The new station is the first ever in our city and another momentous stepping stone of a greener future for NYC.
Capstone Turbine is set to blow through the boundaries of conventional hybrid electric vehicles with its recently unveiled CMT-380 supercar. Set to debut at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show, the prototype hybrid can hit 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds, has a range of 580 miles, and is propelled in part by an ultra-clean and quiet jet engine. That’s right, a JET ENGINE.
The Progressive Automotive X-Prize is heating up as the May 2010 start date approaches, and one of our favorite entrants is the eVARO, a three-wheeled plug-in hybrid from Future Vehicles Technology. The sleek electric vehicle can go from 0 to 60 MPH in 5 seconds and purportedly reaches 275 mpg under certain conditions. And for those times when there isn’t a gas station in site, the eVARO can cruise for up to 90 miles on pure battery power.
We’ve see plenty of great green concept cars at this week’s Tokyo Motor Show, but Yamaha might take the prize for the best-looking two-wheeler with its new EC-f electric motorcycle. Designed to make motorcycling attractive to riders of all ages and experience levels, the vehicle features a lightweight aluminum frame, a long-lasting lithium ion battery, and a 0.6 kWh electric motor.
The problem with most electric vehicle charging stations is that you never know where your electricity is coming from–and unfortunately it’s often arriving courtesy of a dirty coal plant. Luckily, the prefab SunPods SP-300 EV Plug-N-Go solar charging station, installed this week in San Jose, CA, changes that by reassuring EV drivers that their power is coming straight from the sun.
Electric vehicles already attract attention on the street, but if you really want to get noticed, consider buying the Cupcake Car, a tasty-looking automobile designed by Bay Area artist Lisa Pongrace. It’s certainly one way to drive your efficient vehicle and eat it too (although it’s not actually edible, so you probably want to hold off on that).
Students at MIT recently announced that they are developing an extended range electric vehicle capable of achieving the same performance as its gasoline-powered counterparts. Dubbed the elEVen, the electric dream ride is capable of achieving a top speed of over 100 mph, a range of 320km (200 miles) and can completely charge in 10 minutes flat!
Although electric vehicle use is on the rise, we’re certainly not out of the woods yet in terms of providing them with a steady supply of clean energy – that’s why designer Neville Mars has conceived of an incredible EV charging station that takes the form of an evergreen glade of solar trees. His photovoltaic grove serves a dual function, acting as a go-to source for clean renewable energy while providing a shady spot for cars to park as they charge.
Mercedes has confirmed the rumors that have been flying about – they will revive the classic Gullwing Mercedes as an all electric dynamo car. It’s exactly the kind of car James Bond would drive in his next movie if it were available. Not only is it a beautiful update to the classic model, but it’s got the horsepower to back it up – 526 horsepower to be exact. This ain’t your grandpa’s Gullwing – this is the SLS AMG Supercar and is the “exciting future of the super sportscar” if we’ve ever seen it.
Earlier this year we introduced you to Chargepoint, a network of electric vehicle charging stations that have been installed cities across the US and Canada. Well, making a great idea even better, Carbon Day Automotive recently announced the installation of a Solar Powered Chargepoint station in the city of Chicago. Solar charged electric vehicles? Fantastic!
The New York International Auto Show is coming up, and the incredible prototypes are out in full force. First in line is EV Innovations, who will be showing off their gorgeous fully-electric Liv Inizio supercar. The vehicle has a scorching top speed of 150mph and a 200 hundred mile range, which places it in direct competition with the Tesla Roadster.
The trend towards smaller, energy-efficient electric vehicles has created a market that is quickly being filled by young startups. Enter BG Automotive Group, which has recently announced that their mass-produced electric vehicle the C100 has just been approved by the Department of Transportation! Perfect for commuting and daily urban driving, the sprightly vehicle gets an impressive 60-120 miles per charge and will be available for less than $20,000.
If there’s one thing that we never expected to see, it’s the sight of an 8-wheeled electric vehicle attempting to break the land speed record. But that is exactly what the Eliica is attempting to do. Designed by a team at Keio University in Japan, this fully electric lithium-ion vehicle may be short on subtlety, but it has a range of 200 miles and can hit speeds of up to 230mph!
Mazda’s aggressively styled KAAN concept vehicle represents an innovative foray into the future of racing. A finalist in this year’s Design Los Angeles Automobile Design Challenge, the all-electric car envisions a transit system where vehicles are propelled by roadways imbued with “a sub-level electro conductive polymer” powered by solar panel farms in the Mojave desert. The emission-free vehicle sports a sleek aerodynamic profile and is powered by electric motors encased within wheels infused with electric pickups.
Recently Mercedes Benz revealed images of its stunning Formula Zero Racer, a futuristic foray into the next generation of racing. Incorporating elements from luge, yacht, and Formula One vehicles, the zero-emissions racer is propelled by a wind-catching sail in addition to electric motors that are powered by renewable resources. The concept is a tribute to a future where cars will win races based not just upon their speed, but on how energy efficient they are.
This year’s Paris Motor Show has seen many major manufacturers making strident efforts towards smaller, more fuel efficient, and more environmentally sustainable vehicles. The Nissan Nuvu is just such a car, representing the type of vehicle that we will be driving within the next decade: one that is city-smart, compact and all-electric.
Chrysler recently revealed the GEM Peapod, a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle that uses no gasoline and emits no pollutants, making it perfect for city driving. Those of you who read our Car of the Future series may recall that smaller vehicles are more efficient, easier to park, and consume less resources, which makes them strong candidates for the future of personal transportation.
LOTS MORE GREAT GREEN DESIGN STORIES HERE... KEEP READING!
© Inhabitat.com 2010 | Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Inhabitat, LLC
