Our first peek at the MotoCzysz E1pc was at the 2010 Isle of Man TT, where the fearsome-looking e-motorbike smashed potential speed limits, even if it didn't completely rock the two-wheeled establishment. Improvements were made in 2011, but the new 2012 model is the one that's really poised to upset the cart. The updated E1pc's most conspicuous changes are on the outside: it tackles the problem of wind resistance at high speeds by bringing on aerodynamic ducts and fins. Inside, torque looks to be down to 162 foot-pounds, but the equivalent to 200 horsepower (twice what we saw in 2010) should more than compensate -- and a much upgraded battery cooling system should keep MotoCzysz' creation running at full bore for considerably longer before rider Michael Rutter has to back off the throttle. That consistent speed may be even more important to MotoCzysz and Rutter than actually winning at the TT Zero race, practice for which starts June 2nd. The Isle of Man very nearly handed over a £10,000 ($15,369) prize to the team for breaking a 100MPH average speed barrier for electric bikes last year, and the substantial tweaks could make all the difference.

[Image credit: Asphalt and Rubber]

2012 MotoCzysz E1pc may set an e-motorbike speed record, our hearts afire originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Jun 2012 09:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Imagine barreling through the Amazonian rainforest with machetes flailing from the windows of your off-road rig, and just as you're about to kick the vehicle into low gear, you pause to consider the impact of your vehicle's exhaust (among other things) on the delicate ecosystem around. Fortunately for eco-minded folks, Portland-based EV manufacturer MotoCzysz -- creator of the wicked E1pc electric motorcycle -- plans to allay some of those concerns with its all-electric eStark SUV. For the basis of the vehicle, the company has turned to Brazilian auto manufacturer TAC Motors. The two partners will work together to integrate MotoCyzysz's electric D1g1tal Dr1ve powertrain into otherwise diesel-thirsty Stark SUVs. Naturally, they'll also need to fill it with a healthy battery pack, which'll undoubtedly weigh down the otherwise plasticky carriage. Currently, the companies plan to manufacturer 3,600 eStark SUVs, which the partners hope to sell in Brazil and North America. Don't count on taking the eStark onto the freeway anytime soon, though -- the high cost of US safety certifications will likely keep this one away from city streets.

MotoCzysz aims to refashion TAC Motors' Stark into an eco-friendly off-roader originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 23:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Tesla is just three weeks away from delivering the Model S, but that hasn't stopped it from getting more in-depth with the construction of its first four-door EV. The automaker's first peek behind the scenes shows us just how quickly it can make the aluminum body parts that make the electric sedan: a single part can be stamped out in just six seconds. If you'd rather get to ordering a Model S than watching it built, though, Tesla is about to kick off Design Studio, a new way to customize the company's EVs for orders. Build-and-price sites aren't anything new, although Tesla will be rare in eventually letting you pull the trigger online instead of having to plead with a dealer to place an order. Design Studio goes up this week, with full sales in a few months; new details of the Model S production process will go live every Tuesday if you need a steady intravenous drip of Tesla news.

Continue reading Tesla shows us how a Model S is made, tailors EVs to your exact liking online (video)

Tesla shows us how a Model S is made, tailors EVs to your exact liking online (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 May 2012 21:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Since its debut in 2007, Ford and Microsoft's Sync infotainment system has made its way into several of the auto maker's models, including the 2012 Focus Electric. At this week's Future in Review tech conference, Ford announced that more than 4 million vehicles in the US have its entertainment platform on board. In addition to dropping that stat, the company talked up its new EV, which it says can charge in half the time it takes for the Nissan Leaf. Maybe Ford caught wind of Nissan's just-announced e-NV200 all-electric van and wanted to remind those in the market for an EV that a blue box isn't the only option.

Continue reading Ford says Sync is now in 4 million vehicles, takes a moment to talk up Focus Electric

Ford says Sync is now in 4 million vehicles, takes a moment to talk up Focus Electric originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 26 May 2012 01:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

So, Chrysler's electric postal van never really took off -- perhaps a few too many mailmen refused to give up those roomy Grumman LLVs -- but now Nissan is giving the electric van concept a go. Yesterday the company announced the e-NV200 compact van (previously teased as a concept), which will go into production in 2013. The van will be Nissan's second all-electric vehicle, following the 2010 Leaf. The e-NV200's design is quite similar to that of the NV200 van, but it swaps taxi-cab yellow for the Leaf's shade of robin's egg blue. Nissan says it's putting $126 million into producing the new model, but so far it's keeping mum on other details. Head past the break for the full press release

Continue reading Nissan announces e-NV200 all-electric van, production slated for 2013

Nissan announces e-NV200 all-electric van, production slated for 2013 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 May 2012 22:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Thanks to a new law passed in California, Google's driverless cars might soon be stuck in its traffic with all the other hapless commuters. Although they won't hit the highway yet, like they can in Nevada, the bipartisan bill will allow bureaucrats to craft safety and performance standards -- letting the robotic rigs roll (with licensed minders) in the near future. Joining Hawaii, Florida, Arizona and Oklahoma with similar legislation, the state hopes to reduce carnage on the roads caused by human error, and is backed by Google, the California Highway Patrol and various civic, auto and tech clubs. Of course, given that it was birthed in Google's Mountain View X lab, it's only natural that the autonomous EV should be allowed to roam free on its home turf.

Google's self-driving cars will return to roots, tour California originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

As the world awaits the arrival of Tesla's Model S, CEO Elon Musk has triumphantly tweeted (it was a busy night) that the car has passed all crash testing for a five star rating. The upshot, other than assuring prospective owners of their safety even if their limited edition ride gets dinged, is that cars can be built for sale and the first customer deliveries are scheduled for June 22nd -- just ahead of the original July projections. We've already had seat time in the sporty sedan, and if predictions hold, about half of the 10,000 who have preordered so far should get their shot in 2012, before production ramps up to 20,000 units in 2013. With a pricetag of up to $77,400 it may be time to make sure your financing is in order, although we're sure there others on the list who wouldn't mind moving up one bit. While you're counting down to the arrival of your own Model S (if, indeed, you ordered one) check out the source links for more info.

[Thanks, Adam]

Tesla CEO tweets that crash testing is complete, Model S production ready to roll originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 10:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Better Place has been striving to make the world, just that, with its battery-swapping approach to electric vehicles since as far back as 2008. There's been a modicum of success, with outlets and swapping stations peppered as far and wide as Denmark, California, Australia and Japan. Now, the Associated Press reports that world's first nationwide electric car network -- this time in Israel -- has been given its first test. This only equates to four battery stations at the moment, with a further 40 to follow in the second half of the year. However, the firm maintains, that even with the current infrastructure, users could comfortably drive the entire length of the nation. Renault will sell a version of its Fluence EV customized to work with the battery stations for $32,000, with different mileage options on offer. Is this the future of electric motoring? We don't know, but anything that's this much quicker than overnight charging is fine by us.

Better Place takes its electric vehicle network in Israel for a silent spin originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 May 2012 03:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from is from Warren, who wants to find an electrical moped within his budget. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

"What's the cheapest two-wheeled electric vehicle that goes over 45mph available in the US? I looked at the Gas-powered $2,500 Sym Symba, but as far as I can tell, I'd have to spend four times that much for an electric equivalent. Am I missing something? Thank you!"

Unfortunately, you are. The biggest barrier to joining the EV parade is the price of batteries, which are often more expensive than the vehicles they're situated inside. For example, even a motorized bicycle like the Grace One is $6,000 -- but that's as far as our knowledge goes on the subject. Perhaps there is a solution out there, all it needs is for one of our friendly commenters to tell all in the river of text below.

Ask Engadget: Electric commuting on the cheap? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 May 2012 22:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

As we move away from traditional fossil fuel-burning automobiles towards hybrids and EVs, we're presented with new challenges -- namely servicing those vehicles and their high-voltage batteries. When it comes time for transport, in the event of an accident or when components need to be serviced individually, it's necessary to completely drain the cells on board, and that's where Midtronics' GRX-5100 comes in. The vehicle battery service and de-power tool is wrapping up field testing at GM and may soon find itself in "reclamation yards" (read: junk yards) as well as your local mechanic. With testing out of the way Midtronics plans to ramp up production before the end of the year, and its updateable firmware means it will be able to handle future vehicles with nothing more than an upgrade loaded on a USB key. For more info check out the PR after the break.

Continue reading Midtronics GRX-5100 simplifies servicing hybrid and EV batteries

Midtronics GRX-5100 simplifies servicing hybrid and EV batteries originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 May 2012 05:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Wireless charging may be all the rage these days, but actually beaming electricity -- as sketched above by the man Tesla himself -- still has some snags. North Carolina State U researchers have found a way to possibly vanquish the biggest problem: the difficulty of exactly matching resonant frequencies to amplify current. If external factors like temperature change the tuning of a transmitter even slightly then power drops will occur, but circuitry developed by the NC State scientists would allow receivers to detect these changes and automatically re-tune themselves to match. This could make for more potent car and device charging in the future and, if they stretch the distances a bit, maybe we'll finally get the wire-free utopia Nikola dreamed up 120 years ago.

Scientists tweak wireless power transfer, Tesla nods happily in his grave originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 May 2012 11:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Last week, a newly purchased Fisker Karma went up in flames, damaging its owner's home and earning the company behind that hybrid sedan plenty of bad press. The auto maker hasn't submitted an official explanation for the fire, though the former chief engineer for the late General Motors EV1 electric car places the blame on the hybrid's tight engine bay packing. Fisker clearly isn't having any of that -- according to the company's director of powertrain:

Our technologies and engine design have been fully tested and certified at the highest level. It is irresponsible and ill-informed for technology pundits to suggest otherwise in order to secure media attention for unfounded claims.

No defensiveness there, then.

Fisker rep defends Karma hybrid sedan in garage fire aftermath originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 May 2012 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

While EVs come in all shapes and sizes, one thing seems to remain constant -- a witty electricity pun. This time up its Ample, and its "Eo" e-quadrimotorcycle. A quadri-ma-whatcycle? Basically, a light, low-powered four-wheeled electric vehicle. The Eo's 40 miles per hour top speed might not be teeth-rattlingly fast, but it means it can eke out 124 miles on a single charge. Essentially, it's a single seated vehicle, but there are two fold-out chairs in the back if you want to make things even more cosy, while other gizmos on board include backward-facing cameras that pipe into a screen on the dash, replacing the need for mirrors. The Eo was on display at EVS26 in California, but no word on if, or when, we can expect to see this cutting us up on the school run.

Ample's cute 'Eo' EV claims it's the world's first e-quadrimotorcycle, we hope not the last originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 02:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We've seen both the fast, and the furious, when it comes to hybrid cars -- but we've yet to see a battery-packing Ferrari roll out of concept, and onto the forecourt. Well, according to Luca di Montezemolo -- the firm's chairman -- we'll finally be able to strike the latter off the list as soon as this year. A limited special edition Enzo was announced at the tail end of the supercar manufacturer's recent financial report. No further details at this time, but the optimistic among you might want to start getting trade-in quotes on that Prius now. Catch the full report is after the break.

Continue reading Ferrari chairman reveals hybrid Enzo will come this year

Ferrari chairman reveals hybrid Enzo will come this year originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 May 2012 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Fisker's Karma woes aren't relenting anytime soon, as one new owner just found out the hard way. A driver in Sugar Land, Texas parked his recently obtained hybrid sedan in his garage last week, only to have the car self-immolate minutes later and damage his new home. Despite the slight risk of lithium-ion batteries catching fire, the luxury car's power pack (unplugged at the time) appears to have been left in one piece -- suggesting that something more complicated is at fault. For their part, neither Fisker nor insurance investigators are ready to offer a definite explanation as to what set the car on fire, although an electrical panel in the garage is a possible lead. Hybrids and pure EVs typically aren't at significant risk of igniting, so we might not ask for a refund... but we would recommend keeping an eye (and a nose) on any potential fire hazards around your eco-friendly auto.

Update: Looks like Fisker's about to take some more heat. Here's a statement from the owner's attorney:

The fire department recently completed their investigation and determined the origin of the fire was, in fact, Gutierrez's newly purchased Fisker Karma hybrid electric vehicle that he just took possession of two weeks earlier

Hit up our source link after the break to read the note in full.

Fisker Karma reportedly sets house on fire, doesn't restore cosmic balance (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 May 2012 23:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Coda Automotive's EV sedan has been a long time coming -- but it's here in earnest now. After some initial deliveries two months earlier and the slight matter of parts arriving from China with minor damage, the California-assembled electric car should be in the fledgling automaker's Los Angeles dealership this week. Don't assume the sales rep will have the sedan in your preferred shade of periwinkle blue, however: although all four of Coda's dealerships in California will have samples for test drives, just ten units of the inaugural EV are on sale at the LA location. Should you happen to jump to the front of the small queue, expect to pay a relatively reasonable $39,900 before a tax credit for the regular sedan with a 150-mile range, or an ever-so slightly more economical $37,250 for the 125-mile edition.

Coda sedan EV hits California dealerships, spreads semi-frugal greenness originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 May 2012 11:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

You won't be driving away in this by the end of 2012, but you can expect it to smoke the EV competition. Shawn Lawless and his Rocket drag bike managed to hit just over 200 miles per hour at the Virginia Motorsports Park. We could eke out a few more words about the 14.2-kWh battery, but we'd prefer to let the video do the talking -- it's right after the break.

Continue reading One-man Rocket EV hits over 200 mph in under 7 seconds (video)

One-man Rocket EV hits over 200 mph in under 7 seconds (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 May 2012 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's been two years since we first heard of Toyota's electric vehicle plans and the company's finally ready to talk turkey on pricing. Announced at Los Angeles' Electric Vehicle Symposium yesterday, the "fully equipped" RAV4 EV will arrive before the end of the year for a few hundred shy of 50,000 bucks. The EV will reach up to 100 miles on a single charge, which can be reportedly replenished in around six hours from a 240V charger, while LED and halogen headlights are the latest design additions. The RAV4 will go up for sale in Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego -- if you're somewhere in California, you have a shot of getting one. Toyota's got all the details in a press release right after the break.

Continue reading Toyota RAV4 EV priced up at $49,800, arriving in California 'late summer'

Toyota RAV4 EV priced up at $49,800, arriving in California 'late summer' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 May 2012 08:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

O ye unfaithful, believe. For those of you who saw Rimac's preview of its Concept_One electric supercar and were skeptical of that claimed 2.8-second 0-62MPH time given all the leisurely putting around, the Croatian automaker has followed up with a video proving that this isn't your daddy's EV. It turns out that the 1,088HP-equivalent motor is quick enough to leave a lot of rubber on the tarmac, thank you -- both from a very enthusiastic start and from a healthy amount of drifting. This won't change the need to both drop $980,000 and get in quick on that 88-unit production run, but if you were worried that there wouldn't be a torch-bearer for high-speed EVs during the Tesla Roadster's hiatus, Rimac just put that anxiety to bed.

Continue reading Rimac quells Concept_One doubters, shows its EV supercar's pedal to the metal (video)

Rimac quells Concept_One doubters, shows its EV supercar's pedal to the metal (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If you like the idea of German electric vehicles like the BMW i3 and i8, but you're worried they may be more than you really need when they arrive next year, you'll be glad to know that a more to-the-point EV auf Deutsch is on the way. Along with Munich's Technische Universitaet Muenchen (TUM), BMW, Daimler and 14 others are jointly developing the Visio.M urban runabout. While it should only muster the equivalent of 20 horsepower, it should be about 45 percent lighter than a Smart Fortwo -- important when you want to use a small battery to keep the cost down. The project is also tackling safety and other chronic problems with tiny electric cars. TUM's MUTE prototype (pictured here) is serving as the testbed for the technology being rolled into the Visio.M, although the €10.8 million ($14.2 million) in funding from Germany's Federal Ministry for Education and Research is expected to produce something more original when the EV project reaches its eventual close.

Continue reading BMW, Daimler partner on ultra-light Visio.M city EV

BMW, Daimler partner on ultra-light Visio.M city EV originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 May 2012 22:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Fast-charging an EV isn't new in itself, but deciding on a standard for it is. Which is why we're glad to hear that Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, Ford, GM, Porsche and Volkswagen have all agreed to a common format for their EV charging ports, the not-very-elegantly-titled DC Fast Charging with a Combined Charging System. Together, the automakers are promising a consistent way to power up a car within 15 to 20 minutes, all without breaking a current Type 1 AC charging implementation. The new format will be demoed at the Electric Vehicle Symposium 26 in Los Angeles starting May 6. Just be aware that your first-generation Focus Electric won't be certain to use the newly universal technology: the first cars to tout the new plug won't be at dealerships until 2013, and the European vehicle association ACEA is only guaranteeing that charging stations on the continent will be using the DC Fast Charging system by 2017. Check after the break for a further look at the port.

Continue reading Audi, GM, others unite on 20-minute EV charging standard for green drivers in a rush

Audi, GM, others unite on 20-minute EV charging standard for green drivers in a rush originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 May 2012 01:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If you don't have a sonorous v-something under the hood guzzling gas, do you still have a supercar? Judging by the nearly one million large needed to buy its Concept_One high performance EV, Rimac clearly thinks so. Since our last dalliance with the sinuous eco-powerhouse, the Croatian maker has announced that it's producing 88 units priced at $980K each -- with its carbon fibre body, 1088 HP, 190 mph top speed, and 2.8 second 0-62 mph time all still intact. Sure, there's no Lamborghini rumble, but at those speeds you'll be gone so quickly no one would appreciate it anyway. Watch it cruise sedately in the video after the break.

Continue reading Rimac Concept_One EV now a reality: cash in those stock options (video)

Rimac Concept_One EV now a reality: cash in those stock options (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 May 2012 22:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

You can't just sell the new 2012 Ford Focus Electric, you've got to embrace what it stands for, or at least that's what Dearborn is telling its dealers. Per the company HQ, outfits hoping to offer the electric hatchback on their lots later this year must send sales staff through a special electric vehicle training program. What's more, all dealerships carrying the electric Focus must install a minimum of two EV charging stations on their premises and enroll in Ford's Go Green program. Go Green, which has been optional up to this point, looks to improve the sustainability and efficiency of shops, regardless of age. So far, 76 dealerships in California, New Jersey and New York (the initial launch markets) have stepped up to the plate and will be selling the EV. Ford's hoping to capture the hearts and minds of those with electric personalities who haven't already settled for on the competition from Nissan.

Dealers wanting to sell Ford's first all-electric car must Focus on the environment originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

There are those in the general aviation community who think electric planes are the future for private aircraft, but regulatory hurdles are in place preventing them from proliferating in our skies. You see, current FAA requirements for light sport aircraft (LSA) -- planes that can be flown by anyone with a pilot's license -- preclude electric powerplants, and that makes such planes unavailable to most private pilots. Well, today at the CAFE Electric Aircraft Symposium, FAA analyst Tom Gunnarson delivered some good news for flying EV advocates, stating that the FAA has completed its regulatory study on electric aircraft, and the rulemaking process will begin soon. Once those rules have been written, electrically-propelled aircraft will be available for use as LSA by the public, which isn't possible today given their current status as experimental craft. The bad news? Governmental wheels spin slowly, and Gunnarson said that incorporating those new rules into the current regulatory framework will take five years if we're lucky, but ten years is a more likely time frame for the FAA to finish. In the meantime, you'll have to settle for air shows or terrestrial transport to get your EV fix.

FAA writing rules for electric aircraft, to allow public to fly them in the next decade originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

GE spent the second half of 2011 teasing its WattStation solution for powering electric vehicles. Now that the company has captured your attention with that slick, Yves Behar-designed "pedestal," it's ready to deliver. In case you forgot, the WattStation Connect is a charging station / software platform developed in cooperation with Hertz that lets EV owners manage the power-up process remotely via a mobile app and the WattStation's three connectivity options: 3G, Wi-Fi and Ethernet. The app, expected to hit iOS and Android in the coming weeks, also help users locate stations and lets them virtually pay for juicing up their vehicles. While the charging platform will work its way into the hearts and homes of those who own an EV, GE will also deploy this tech to retailers and fleet owners looking to zero in on their electricity usage. It's not yet clear where the WattStations will be or are already available, but GE is apparently ready to start the rollout now. Get the full details in the presser after the break.

Continue reading GE rolls out WattStation and WattStation Connect for charging EVs

GE rolls out WattStation and WattStation Connect for charging EVs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 02:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The New York Auto Show may be done and over with, but the 2012 Beijing International Auto Show is just hitting its stride. Predictably, BYD is in attendance, and it's got a couple of new gizmos out on the red carpet. For starters, there's the Qin (pronounced "Chin," not Kin), a dual-mode electric vehicle that includes seven percent better efficiency, power and energy-saving in pure EV mode compared to the first generation's F3DM system. All told, the vehicle can scoot some 31 miles on a single 10KWh charge, and in hybrid mode, it can use both its 110KW electric motor and its 1.5 Turbo engine to output some 223KW of power and 440Nm of torque. For the technophiles, the car is also equipped with an intelligent cloud system platform, which incorporates things like "telematics, cloud-computing and a full-range of services 24 hours a day (like roadside assistance, vehicle positioning, remote monitoring, music and video downloads etc.)."

As if that weren't enough, the outfit's showcasing a new Remote Driving Controller for its F3 Plus, which enables owners to perform a variety of driving functions -- moving it forward / back, turning left / right and traveling at a "restricted speed" -- without having the owner inside of the vehicle. Naturally, we're anxiously awaiting a test unit of our own. Or, for a wave of lawsuits -- whichever comes first.

Continue reading BYD intros dual-mode electric Qin vehicle, Remote Driving key for outside-the-car operation

BYD intros dual-mode electric Qin vehicle, Remote Driving key for outside-the-car operation originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 06:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Nissan's concerned that Leaf owners aren't getting around enough. So, until IBM's super-batteries arrive or Exxon starts installing charging points in its gas stations, the car maker's got to do it itself. In partnership with charity Adopt-A-Charger, it's paying for 15 charging points in California, three at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and twelve at the Music Concourse in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Customers will have totally free access, with Nissan pledging to pay for the upkeep and electricity that the public uses. After the break we've got a video whose narrator probably makes Chris Hansen jealous of his voice.

Continue reading Nissan adopts 15 EV chargers, is first on nappy duty (video)

Nissan adopts 15 EV chargers, is first on nappy duty (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

By rights, Brammo's street-fighting Empulse should have gotten here quicker, but at least we now have a firm launch date. Sporting an all-new six-speed gearbox in place of the one-speed original, Brammo's spec sheet shows a 121-mile city range (or 56 miles on the highway), 100+ MPH maximum hustle and a re-juicing time of 3.5 hours in fast-charge mode. We're not sure if the price has budged from the original $14,000 estimate, but if you want to see what that ballpark sum might get you, the video after the break is all yours.

Continue reading Brammo's 100MPH Empulse coming May 8th, spooks electrons with six-speed gearbox

Brammo's 100MPH Empulse coming May 8th, spooks electrons with six-speed gearbox originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This is the production version of Ford's Focus Electric for the US market, and we got the chance to take it for a proper test drive last week. Don't fret, though -- Engadget hasn't suddenly turned into a car site. While we'll be happy to share our driving impressions, we're mostly interested in how Ford interfaces the vehicle with our favorite mobile devices and social networks -- tech that we've covered before, known as MyFord Mobile. Hit the break for the details, including our hands-on video.

Gallery: Ford Focus Electric hands-on

Continue reading Ford Focus Electric test drive and MyFord Mobile hands-on (video)

Ford Focus Electric test drive and MyFord Mobile hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.

With the days getting longer and the spring sun creeping into the evening hours this week, we saw a host of impressive solar energy projects that put those rays to work. Kyocera revealed their plan for Japan's largest solar farm and French company Areva announced they will be building the largest solar installation in Asia. On the other side of the globe, New York City was proud to say that it recently tripled its solar power production and a new study showed that the United States pulled ahead of China in the clean energy race this year. We also saw designs for a new solar satellite that could harvest the sun's rays 24/7 and we ogled photos of the massive array of PV panels topping the zHome complex in Washington. A team at Natcore blew away the scientific community by creating the "blackest" solar cell ever designed and Panasonic gave us a sneak peek at its shimmering, solar-powered "Photosynthesis" Ecosystem installation, which will light up the night at the Milan Furniture Fair next week.

In green transportation news, Justin Bieber's blindingly shiny chrome Fisker Karma had people talking (and putting on their sunglasses), while the former head of R&D at GM predicted that we'll see driverless cars by 2020. Honda announced that it is teaming up with Zipcar to provide EVs and hybrids to Zipsters and Ferrari confirmed that its future V12 models will have a new hybrid system. Finally, SolarWorld sent us news about their new Elektra solar-powered plane, which can fly twice as far as its predecessor.

Smart design continued to make the world a little better with innovations like this vibrating glove that lets blind people text and Montessori's Intro to Letters app, which teaches kids the alphabet. We also got back into nature (literally) with these see-through bubble tents surrounded by trees, and we reflected upon the mysterious human-shaped mirror sculptures that popped up in a Scottish forest.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: solar-powered plane, chrome Fisker Karma and the 'blackest' solar cells ever originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: Delorean Electric eyes-on

Delorean Electric travels back in time to the basement of the New York International Auto Show originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: Fisker Atlantic eyes-on

Fisker Atlantic EVer unveiled in New York, we go eyes-on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Fisker Nina / Atlantic gets unofficially pictured in official form originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 18:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Renault's Twizzy EV for 16 year-olds comes too late for Justin to skip the DMV queue originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Opel Ampera popular in ye old continent, likely to meet sales goals unlike Volt originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Fisker's Project Nina exposed ahead of New York Auto Show debut originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Fisker plans to replace the battery packs on 640 Karma sedans originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading NRG to bring 200 fast-charging EV stations to the Golden State, pump $100 million into CA infrastructure

NRG to bring 200 fast-charging EV stations to the Golden State, pump $100 million into CA infrastructure originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 25 Mar 2012 07:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Nissan Leaf to get minor range boost, prove Moore's Law doesn't apply to EVs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 11:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

All-electric VW Golf Blue-e-emotion still on track for 2013 release, in white originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.