EnviroHop - A Greener Commuting News and Information Portal.

As a result of the surprising success of the Honda CR-Z in Japan (and, let’s be honest, it is surprising) two long-since-thought-dead Toyota sport hybrid projects — the FT-HS concept and a revamped MR2 successor — are apparently back on the table… at least according to Autocar.

(more…)

The Progressive Automotive X-Prize is in full swing. After the initial “Shakedown” phase a few weeks ago, there are now 21 teams left standing to enter the “Knockout Qualify Stage.” The Knockout stage is another on-road stage held at the same location as the Shakedown — the Michigan International Speedway, in Brooklyn, MI. It actually started last Sunday and will run through June 30.

(more…)

Five years ago if you told me Hyundai would be making some of the best cars in the U.S., I would have laughed in your face. These days though, the perky brand from Korea is no joke. The new Sonata, the rear-wheel drive Genesis Coupe and Sedan, and even the ugly Elantra have gone on to give much bigger companies a run for their money. I actually… like… Hyundai.

And now I may have even more reason to like them. Spy shots have revealed a hatchback coupe, which sources say is code named the Veloster. In addition to being a sporty little car, this coupe is said to get around 40 mpg… beating out the hybrid CR-Z. Is it too good to be true?

(more…)

The big boys are really stepping up to the plate these days. With every automaker promising some sort of hybrid or electric car, it is only natural that the luxury brands get in on this action too. And since electric vehicles tend to cost more than comparable petrol cars, why not market them to the affluent crowd?

The latest example in luxury-perfect-electric cars? The yet-to-hit-showrooms gullwing SLS AMG supercar from Mercedes. They are making an all-electric version of the gullwing called the E-Cell… and it looks like it might actually make it to market.

(more…)

In preparation for the impending initial public offering of Tesla Motors stock “on or about June 28,” Tesla has posted the required road show presentation accompanied by a prospectus to educate potential stock buyers about Tesla’s potential. In addition to bad mouthing the EV1, Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, lets some more concrete beans spill about Tesla’s future product plans.

(more…)

Having garnered more than 20,000 global reservations for the LEAF so far — 14,000+ of which are in the U.S. — Nissan’s senior vice president for sales and marketing in North America, Brian Carolin, is now saying that more than 90% of those 14,000 $99 reservations are from people who’ve never considered buying a Nissan before.

Although the number is impressive, it’s really not that surprising, considering that the LEAF is unlike any car that Nissan has built before, and targeted at a completely different demographic than the typical Nissan buyer.

(more…)

Researchers at MIT have developed a new method of adding carbon nanotubes to lithium-ion batteries that give the batteries the best characteristics of both capacitors and traditional lithium-ion batteries while simultaneously increasing their energy storage.

The experimental batteries, which used layered carbon nanotubes as the positive electrode (the cathode) and a lithium titanium oxide as the negative electrode (the anode), demonstrated an impressive ability to deliver power at the very fast rates of capacitors while being able to store more energy and last much longer than even the best lithium-ion batteries available today.

(more…)

Ever since the surprise debut of the Porsche 918 Spyder at the Geneva Auto Show this year, many of us have been salivating at the prospects of its eventual production… and for good reason. With a 0-60 time of around 3 seconds, a lithium-ion battery that can take the car 16 miles on battery power alone, a maximum fuel efficiency of about 78 mpg, and a combined 718 horsepower, this plug-in hybrid supercar seems to have it all.

Porsche has said in the past that all they needed was 1,000 firm orders to before they’d start production, and rumor has it that they already have more. Given that they had 900 at the end of April, that’s not so hard to imagine. AutoCar is now reporting that Porsche will likely use the Pebble Beach Concours in California this August as the official launch of the vehicle.

(more…)

One of the biggest perceived drawbacks of electric cars is the limited range. We are, after all, rather spoiled these days by fuel efficient cars and hybrids that can go 400 miles or more on a single tank of gas. But most people don’t need to go more than a hundred miles a day, especially city dwellers. Hell, most people don’t drive more than 40 miles a day.

In fact, a recent study in the UK proves just that. Project CABLED is using a fleet of 25 Mitsubishi i-MiEVs to study the driving habits of city dwellers. Turns out most of these vehicles were used an average of just 23 miles a day.

(more…)

I’ve been avoiding over covering the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico for a reason; it is just about everywhere else on the internet already. Don’t get me wrong, this is one of those rare stories that actually deserves the crazy amount of coverage it is getting.

But in the nearly two months since the spill occurred, I’ve noticed that the news hasn’t been getting better, but worse. Yet America seems to care less and less. Now reports are coming out that there could be as much as 60,000 barrels, or 2.5 million gallons of oil, pouring into the gulf every day. So where is the outrage?

(more…)

The racing season is in full swing right now, and if you’re a performance enthusiast like me, then you hardly know which way to turn when looking for a good race. There are just so many going on at once! But there is one race unlike any other in the world; the Race to the Clouds

Taking place on the world famous Pikes Peak, the Race to the Clouds pits man and machine against mountain. An ever increasing number of electric vehicles have been tackling this race, and 2010 is no different. Yokohama Tires is tossing veteran driver Ikuo Hanawa back in the seat of the EV Sports Concept HER-02, an electric buggy. But this year, they’ve got new… tires?

(more…)

Do you consider yourself a savvy investor? Did you buy Apple stocks when they were a few bucks a share? Do you like making money?

If so, you might want to prep your portfolio. Tesla, the world’s first (seemingly) successful maker of electric cars is reportedly getting ready to release its Initial Public Offering on the week of June 28th. In other words, if ya wanna buy some Tesla stock, the time is coming. But is it a good buy?

(more…)

As one of the first non-Nissan people invited to spend some time behind the wheel of a pre-production Nissan LEAF in Japan this week, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But, the word is in folks, and after having a good amount of time to experience the car from the inside out, my overwhelming feeling is that Nissan has a true winner of a car on their hands.

Even without the electric motor the LEAF would be a great little hatchback. But add that motor in, and now you have a great car with an incredibly compelling reason to buy it.
(more…)

I am what one might call a car fanatic. I love cars of all shapes and sizes, from hybrids to Hemis. Truly. I think that sets me apart in the car world — that I am just as comfortable talking about fuel efficiency as I am discussing horsepower.

There are so many cars out there, that the only way to see most of them is to go on a road trip. So that’s what my girlfriend and I are doing this summer. We’re driving across the country, checking out all sorts of cars, auto shows, museums, and new companies along the way. And I’d like to invite you to follow us on our adventures.

(more…)

The first Italian purpose-built production electric superbike, the eCRP takes full advantage of CRP Technology’s rich history of race engineering success. CRP has been making critical parts for Formula 1, WRC, MotoGP and top Italian supercar manufacturers since the early 1970’s.

I was lucky enough to be treated to a full tour of their Modena headquarters, just around the way from the Ducati, Lamborghini & Ferrari factories. Given Italy’s rich history of high-performance motor vehicle design and CRP’s deep experience in the field, I suspect the eCRP has a good chance of holding her own against her legendary gas-powered sisters — Ducati, Aprilia, MV Agusta et al. As you can see in the photo above, this bike is clearly designed in Italy. OK, so it’s not red, but the lines are gorgeous. The bikes for the TTXGP will be delivered unpainted so teams can paint to their sponsor’s specs. (more…)

I missed almost the entire 24 Hours of Le Mans race this weekend, unfortunately. But from all the reviews I’ve read, it was one hell of a battle, mostly between Peugeot and Audi diesel cars.

Peugeot was the heavy favorite to win, especially after nabbing the four top qualifying positions last week and setting a blistering pace. The Audi diesels were close behind, qualifying 5-6-7. Qualifying isn’t racing though, and when the race finished Sunday morning, there were no Peugeots left on the field, but plenty of Audis, with the German marque securing a 1-2-3 podium finish in the LMP1 class.

(more…)

Smart was a car company that started out with such promise. In many ways, it was a minimalist car; bare bones transportation for two people and a suitcase or two. But, as far as compact cars go, it wasn’t cheap, starting at about $17,000 (what do you expect from a Mercedes-owned brand?) It is safe, but not particulary frugal on fuel… and as I hear tell, the automatic transmission sucks. As a result, sales have been plummeting. What can save Smart?

Many consumers have been clamoring for an electric version of the Smart ForTwo, and for a select few, their wishes have been answered. 250 Smart EV’s are coming stateside… but will it be enough to to pull the brand out of its death spiral?

(more…)

If you’re a world-class racing fan, there was only one race you should’ve beeen watching this weekend; the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It is for many the pinnacle of automotive competition, pitting man and machine against each other as the absolute limits of both are tested.

Not the kind of place one expects to see say, a hybrid car. And yet, for the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Automobile Club de L’Ouest (ACO), the governing body of the race,  has approved hybrid-powered cars. So should we expect to see a field of Toyota Prius’s making the 24 hour march?

(more…)

Americans want more diesels, according to many polls and word-on-the-street. Diesel engines offer a lot of advantages, and have come a long way from the loud, clunky engines of the 1980’s. They offer both torque, and fuel efficiency… and they also happen to be badasses on the race track.

Tomorrow is the official start of one of the greatest races on Earth, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. And taking the seven top qualifying slots are all diesel vehicles, with the venerable Peugeot leading the pack.

(more…)

Things are starting to line up nicely for the first commercial class 2c-3, 2-ton, 12,000 pound truck in the U.S. — the eStar. After signing an agreement with FedEx to test the trucks in a delivery fleet, and then commencing production earlier this year, Navistar has now entered into an agreement with battery supplier A123 systems to provide the truck’s 80 kWh battery packs.

(more…)