Honda Re-Thinks Japanese (Hybrids)
Back when Honda was looking to launch their hybrid Accord in the US, the marketing mavens noticed that the gas – electric version was the fastest arrow…
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Ener1 Announces Li-Ion Battery Breakthrough
I don't pretend to understand all the ins and outs of Lithium-Ion battery technology. I know the basics: they're smaller than the nickel metal hydride cells…
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Solomon Technologies Appeals ITC Ruling on Synergy Drive Patent
The International Trade Commission has ruled that Toyota did not pilfer key technology from Solomon Technologies to create the Synergy Drive system used in T…
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New Study Disses Prius
Prius/hybrid bashers have a new angle of attack, thanks to Cardiff University and UK automotive consultancy Clifford Thames (who currently features Toyota's…
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Hybrid Hype RIP
"Hybrids are technologically of doubtful benefit, and expensive, but necessary from a political and public relations point of view. The reduction in fuel con…
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Chrysler Suffers From Hybrid ENVI
The Detroit News reports that Chrysler is setting-up a mean, green "skunk works" team. Their mission: accelerate the automaker's efforts to produce brand…
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GM Alternative Propulsion Smackdown, Part III
Speaking to the Detroit Free Press, Saturn brand manager Jill Lajdziak's threw down the gauntlet to Toyota (again), promising a "2009-ish" debut for a plug-i…
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Volt Birth Watch 5: Toyota and GM Play the Dozens
Toyota's VP of Communications and GM's Car Czar trade insults over PHEVs.
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MINI Claims Diesel as Clean as a Prius
Drive dutifully reports the results of a MINI-commissioned survey of 2,018 UK motorists on the subject of diesel cleanliness. Market-research agency YouGov…
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Audi to Offer Oil Burner and Hybrid Q7
Audi's Q7 arrived at America's SUV party just as the clean-up crew were packing up and heading for home. Despite the timing, questionable looks and hideous f…
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Fisker Goes Green
Henrik Fisker left Aston Martin to reskin (and rename) the BMW 6-Series (Latigo) and Mercedes SL55 (Tramonto). When we spoke with the Danish designer back in…
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Texas Company Claims New Battery Replaces Internal Combustion
Austin-based EEStor says its cracked it. It's developed an electric car battery that will allow a car to travel for 500 miles on a five-minute charge. Accord…
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Mazda Goes Green
Hot on the heels of the launch of their new 67-horse 1.4-litre diesel Mazda 2 (something about that doesn't sound right), the triple-Zoom meisters have annou…
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Yoko Ono: Can Someone Please Make Hybrid Cars as Comfortable as My Bentley?
And that's it: the whole story, via contactmusic.com. While some of us have never forgiven the former Mrs. John Lennon for breaking-up the Beatles, this stun…
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Honda Civic Hybrid Named Eurozone's Greenest Machine
The Verkehrsclub Deutschland (VCD) is a German environmental organization that advises corporations, lobbies governments and generally represents for Mother…
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Saving the Planet as Fast as Possible
Who said you can't have your cake and drive it too? Wired Magazine continues the top ten transport trend (thanks Forbes) with its list of "The 10 Fastest Gre…
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Public Citizen Not Impressed With GM's "New" Powertrains
Last week, GM told the world its '08 models would hit the streets with 14 new or "significantly revised powertrains" with a "focus on saving fuel and improv…
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Toyota Not Fully Charged About Plug-In Hybrids
While GM is trash talking about selling 60K plug-in Chevrolet Volts in their first year on the market (whenever that may be), Toyota is more circumspect abou…
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GM to Launch Green Assault at Frankfurt Auto Show
You wait all decade for GM to produce a high-tech, high mileage, low emissions vehicle and then the company shows up in Germany with three. Just-auto says…
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U.S. Army Goes Green?
PRNewsWire wants us to know that the U.S. Army has unveiled a hybrid-electric propulsion system for their latest Manned Ground Vehicles (MGV). The hybrid de…
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Detroit's Future: X Marks the Spot
Creativity thrives in times of chaos and transition. Dada was born in World War I. Punk Rock arrived in the strife-torn streets of 1970s New York City. Autom…
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UK Cops Love Lexus; The Yanks Gotta Have a Hemi
For the sixth consecutive year, Lexus will hang out its shingle at the National Police Fleet Managers Association Conference in Swindon, UK. According to Eas…
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Toyota Prius: Unintended Acceleration, Traction Control Problems and Throttle Failure or… Owner Error?
ConsumerAffairs.com has collected complaints from Toyota Prius owners regarding throttle control. One, a new Prius with 600 miles on the odometer, accelerat…
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Toyota Backs Off Lithium-Ion Plans for Prius
Toyota is delaying introducing lithium-ion battery-powered hybrids because of safety concerns. Forbes reports that the Japanese automaker is hanging fire (so…
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GM Car Czar Maximum Bob Lutz Supersizes Anti-CAFE Kvetch
`If we have the worst case coming out of Washington, all bets are off. We don't know how to get there without spending $6,000 or $7,000 per car.'' In his bat…
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Plug-In Hybrids Are Here!
"There's a plug mounted in the bumper. When I'm on the road and I take the car to a hotel, I drive around the parking lot looking for a Coke machine. When I…
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Hybrid Surge Fails to Rally The Troops
We've reported here about the huge surge in Toyota Prius sales over the last few months. In contrast, the number crunchers over at JD Power report that U.S.…
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Hydrogen Powered Fusion to Hit the Salt Flats
Ford and Rousch Racing– the folks who bring you the 800hp, V8-powered, rear wheel-drive Fusion NASCAR racer– are feeling the need. This time, the…
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Ford Prepares to Backpedal on Its Green Dreams
Yesterday, Ford CEO Alan Mulally announced that Ford would have plug-in hybrids for sale in "five to 10 years." Today, Consumeraffairs.com reports that FoMoC…
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