DETROIT, 2:28 PM, FRI MAY 9 | 35 POSTS IN THE LAST 24 HOURS | tips@jalopnik.com | SUBMIT A TIP | RSS
Posts Tagged “

Alternative Energy

”
alternative energy

Naturmobile Hybrid Uses Real Horsepower!

These days it seems like everyone in the automotive world is obsessed with either big horsepower or alternative energy. But what would happen if you combined the two? This is the Naturmobile, a "hybrid" that utilizes electric power and— yep you guessed it, horse power. Ok, so actual horses may not churn out very impressive numbers if you strapped them on a dyno, but think about how many liters a horse displaces! There's no replacement for displacement! Alright, so the Naturmobile isn't exactly built for speed, but that doesn't mean it's not completely absurdly awesome.


More »

6:20 PM on Wed May 7 2008
By marnold
1,974 views, 66 comments

Latest by crewcutkid: Why wouldn't you just ride the damn horse?!?! more »

alternative energy

Electric "It" Spotted Down On The Ann Arbor Street; Where's The It-amino?

Contrary to popular belief, you can in fact own a real full electric car. As proof, we found this thing parked on the street in downtown Ann Arbor, Michigan. Made by the Dynasty Electric Car Corporation, they call it the, err... It. Now, while it may only be classified as a Low Speed Vehicle, meaning you can only drive it on roads with up to a 35 MPH speed limit, there's one version of the It that's got us particularly excited.

More »

4:20 PM on Tue May 6 2008
By marnold
1,117 views, 26 comments

Latest by toyotaboy: reminds me of that SNL skit commercial parody of the "adobe" car where if you get into an accident, in 5 minutes you just reshape the bumper back to it's original shape more »

alternative energy

Dragon Power Station Gets Energy From Semi Trucks

Hmm. How to go about this delicately? Terry Kenney is the inventor of something called the "Dragon Power Station", it's a system of plates and hydraulic compressors taking advantage of the weight of passing semis to convert potential energy to electricity. The system is embedded in the road around low speed areas and tractor trailers squeeze the Dragon plates together until hydraulic fluid gushes out at the capture station, where it is converted to power by a generator. The system is currently installed at the Port of Oakland and is expected to generate 5,000 to 7,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity a day when refined. Dragons with semis? Expect horrifying new artwork any time now. (h/t to Eddie, you sick dragon lover) [NCMOnline]

11:20 AM on Thu May 1 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
967 views, 37 comments

Latest by petersterncan: @diegonolovich: The way I read it, the company is gonna make the money selling this dragon system and the road authority gets the electricity. So the electricity wouldn't be going to this company. The company just makes the equipment. Maybe I'm reading it wrong. And more »

alternative energy

100 MPG Or Bust: Motive Industries Release Renderings Of Their X PRIZE Entrant

At the Automotive X PRIZE debut party at the NY Auto Show there were a few interesting prototypes of cars their makers believed could meet the Auto X PRIZE requirements of making a marketable vehicle that gets 100 miles per gallon of dinojuice. The folks from Motive Industries were around to talk-up their proposed Battery Exchange Hybrid Electric Vehicle (BEHEV), which we think uses a small electric motor to create the energy needed to power the electric motors. Now we have renderings and a quasi-technical drawing for their currently nameless shooting brake concept. Press release and pics below. If you've got a suggestion for the name drop it in the comments.

More »

5:00 PM on Tue Apr 29 2008
By Matt Hardigree
1,721 views, 40 comments

Latest by blackfin: soon, there will be a SNL skit: "Austin Powers: oh BEHEV!" more »

alternative energy

Something To Th!nk About Regarding The Coming (Hopefully) Green Vehicle Revolution

When we heard that Th!nk was coming to America our cynicism censors immediately lit up. Is this the same Th!nk that failed here before, went bankrupt, had their electric bike recalled and has annoying punctuation in their name? Yes. But they got that sweet sweet Kleiner Perkins VC money, right? True, that money has yet to produce a commercially successful car. The interesting history of all that below. More »

Feature

4:20 PM on Tue Apr 29 2008
By Matt Hardigree
2,651 views, 26 comments

Latest by jmurphee: I like how this article lays out all of the various bets placed by Kleiner Perkins in the electric vehicle space. I've followed this topic enough to say with some level of confidence that the electric vehicle is never going to more »

venturi fetish

Venturi Fetish Gets Upgraded Power, Retains Weird Name

A constricted passage though which fluid flows and accelerates while the internal pressure drops and an object or action upon which unreasonably excessive attention or reverence is placed, Venturi Fetish. It's French, who knows. But, it's still a pretty slick car and it's ready to join the quickly expanding field of electric sports cars. Just as the Venturi is going into production, we're hearing news... More »

3:40 PM on Tue Apr 29 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
910 views, 19 comments

alternative energy

ThoRR Electric Se7en Should Have Shocking Performance

Thor is of course the Norse god of thunder, thunder comes from lightning and lightning is made of electricity, thus naming an all-electric se7en ThoRR is appropriate. The chassis we all know and love is largely unmolested, but the powertrain is pure electrons with a Siemens 3-phase electric motor sporting a redline of 10,000 RPM, a peak horsepower of 272, and max torque of 331 lb.ft. Interestingly, there is no transmission to get in the way so this gets even closer to go-kart like driving.

More »

12:15 PM on Mon Apr 28 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
1,586 views, 40 comments

Latest by Bad Juju: @FreeMan: Looks like a radiator from a motorcycle, actually - they tend to be curved. Wonder which model they borrowed it from. more »

beijing motor show

Soueast X1 Hybrid GT Looks Sharp, But Where Do You Plug It In?

As with many western auto shows, the Beijing Motor Show has become obsessed with hybrid concept cars. Though most of these hybrids are sedans or MPV's, automaker Soueast decided to go with a squashed GT sports car. The result is the X1 Plug-in HEV, which looks rather sharp and manages to be almost a modern interpretation of a Jensen from certain angles. Does the powertrain exist? Maybe, maybe not. Does Jackie Chan endorse this car? Probably not. But Soueast makes cars in a deal with Mitsubishi Motors so they probably had a bunch of posters lying around and everyone loves Jackie Chan.

[The Tycho]

10:20 AM on Mon Apr 28 2008
By Matt Hardigree
643 views, 11 comments

Latest by chrystlubitshi: honestly... i'd probably drive this... though i might look in to alternative engines (this is all if i had some money to spare) chrystlubitshi brought to you by Spaten Optimator and co-sponsored by billy baddass and tommy tuffnuts more »

alternative energy

Coskata Breaks Ground On Ethanol Plant, Could Make Fuel For $1 Per Gallon

Kings of ethanol and new GM buddy, Coskata, has announced it has broken ground on an new cellulosic ethanol plant in Pennsylvania that could be churning out the alternative fuel as early as next year. Coskata claims it can produce the two carbon alcohol at a cost of $1 per gallon so unless they aren't interested in getting to step three, expect pricing on the more renewable fuel to be higher than that. Regardless, it will likely beat the hell out of that $5.40 gallon gas bullshit going on in California. More »

3:40 PM on Fri Apr 25 2008
By Travis Hudson
1,401 views, 34 comments

Latest by tekdemon: Seriously, it might be time to just embrace nuclear powerplants and some sort of quick-charging electric cars. Actually, I suppose they already have the technology for the quick charging electric cars, it's just insanely ridiculously expensive to manufacture the more »

novelties

Elliasson Puts His BMW Art Car On Ice, Suck It Lichtenstein

There's apparently some competition for the Frozen Chevy Nova installation in our ongoing quest for the best piece of ice-based conceptual automotive art pieces. The latest entry comes from Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Elliasson, who has been one of our favorite artists since his The Weather Project at the Tate, which is maybe our favorite contemporary installation (take that FelixGonzalez-Torres). This one involved removing the shell of a BMW H2 racer and replacing it with reflective metal and then covering it with a fragile layer of ice. Said Elliasson "How do we give a tangible dimension to the fact that our engagement in the world has global consequences? How can we as consumers and creators of reality change the trajectory of transportation? Of moving? How can we put pressure on the car as an object?" We got to see Elliasson speak before an exhibit at the Menil in Houston and we can attest to him not being a completely insane foreign artist. Larger photo and press release below the jump.

More »

10:40 AM on Fri Apr 25 2008
By Matt Hardigree
945 views, 17 comments

Latest by hootjigga: In this month's Popular Science. Read it on the can. more »

alternative energy

Gumpert Apollo Hybrid To Race At Nürburgring 24-Hour Race

The Gumpart Apollo is one mean machine with its twin-turbo 4.2-liter Audi V8. But for next month's 24-hour endurance race at the Nürburgring, Gumpert will be swapping out that powertrain for something a bit more green. Since fuel economy is a key factor in a long race, the Apollo racer will be fitted with hybrid running gear. More »

5:00 PM on Wed Apr 23 2008
By marnold
1,590 views, 17 comments

alternative energy

"Car of the Future" Nova Episode Stunk, But Here's The Interesting Part

Yeah, so, that Car of the Future episode of Nova with Click and Clack just wasn't all that good, sorry about that. The episode should probably have been called "Moments of forced laughter from two funny old guys in between John Lithgow talking down to the viewer about the car of the future". However, buried in the muck and mire of that episode was an interesting segment about the Rocky Mountain Institute and their work with lightweight materials, like in their Hypercar above, built with all carbon fiber superstructures and components. More »

4:20 PM on Wed Apr 23 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
1,942 views, 48 comments

Latest by toyotaboy: Nobody has yet figured out an easy, quick, and cheap way to make carbon fiber structures (very labor intensive). Until then, what's wrong with making frames out of aluminum? the nissan Z does it, the lotus elise does. more »

alternative energy

Porsche Goes Green, Builds EVs In 1899, Hybrids In 1901

At the tender age of 25, well before his work with the Auto Union Type C, Ferdinand Porsche entered the 1900 Paris World Exhibition with his all-electric car after developing the key systems for Jacob Lohner & Company. It was heralded as the "most innovative invention" of the show and consequently orders were filled for 300 of the cars. With 1800 lbs of lead-acid batteries, it's quite amazing the cars would routinely achieve a staggering for the time top speed of 31 mph. Since the motors were an in-wheel system, there was really no problem to include a second set in the back for the purposes of racing.

More »

4:15 PM on Tue Apr 22 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
1,983 views, 21 comments

Latest by rimplestultskin: in-wheel electric motors are making a comeback. mark my words. more »

alternative energy

Toyota Hybrid Circa 1977

Yes, today is Earth Day, a day for Prius drivers everywhere to be extra smug about being "open-minded" or "forward thinking." But while they may think gas-electric power is some ultra-modern technology, they're wrong. Next time someone wipes their green Prius ego in your face, just tell them about this little car. It's a hybrid Toyota from 1977, based on the Sports 800. But this wasn't just ahead of it's time, it was actually cool, too.

More »

11:20 AM on Tue Apr 22 2008
By marnold
1,732 views, 36 comments

Latest by jnostalgics: Whoo hoo! We've made the big league now, boys! more »

alternative energy

Great Wall Kunna Electric Concept Unveiled in Beijing, Panda Passenger Unavailable for Comment

Great Wall, a company largely known as the leading Chinese authority on skillful reuse of intellectual property, has unveiled something that can gently be called unique - the Great Wall Kunna. The Kunna is an all-electric runabout operating on a 48V power system good for about 87 miles at a blazing top speed of 40 MPH. Despite that swoopy body work and those handsome LED headlights, the icing on this cake is the stylized panda apparently included in the package. Expect Fiat to sue Great Wall over cuteness infringement.

[TheTycho]

8:00 AM on Tue Apr 22 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
1,514 views, 28 comments

Latest by prndl: So would make it a Kulla (Cooler), how appropriate. I would definitely drive it..., the car not so much. more »

alternative energy

Zap Opens First Dealership In Davis, California, Stereotype Reinforced

If you live in central California and have a hankering for a Zap Xebra sedan or Zap Xebra truck, do we have good news for you. Zap opened up their very first dealership in Davis, California last week, and just in time for this week's Earth Day. We're sure the EV's will do pretty well in the extra crunchy college town, but the 45 MPH top speed and dynamically unstable two-in-the back design will probably limit the car's general appeal. We just can't help but wonder how the tricloptic little jellybean would do when fully 'Busa enabled. Maybe eventually they'll sell the Zap X or Zap Alias there, but we're skeptical after reading all about Zap's shenanigans recently. More »

6:00 PM on Mon Apr 21 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
1,389 views, 53 comments

Latest by skulldriveshaft: How much more will delivery personnel and meter mavens be punished for their career choices? more »

alternative energy

PopMech Analyzes The Tesla Lawsuit Shenanigans

This week we heard about a couple of lawsuits mythical electric sports car almost-manufacturer Tesla has managed to get tied up in. The first one saw Magna suing Tesla for breach of contract over its transmission design, the other was Tesla going medieval on Fisker for allegedly stealing designs associated with the Tesla Whitestar Hybrid for its Fisker Karma Hybrid. Well Popular Mechanics has gone out and consulted a lawyer-type about the guts of these lawsuits and what the likely outcomes of the twin tussles might be. We just want the slap fights to be over. [Popular Mechanics]

7:00 PM on Fri Apr 18 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
1,520 views, 26 comments

Latest by dwp: @allenparkpete: I can't take credit for the line, it was used in an Autoweek long-term test of a few gen-ago Chrysler minivan which had something like 5 recalls or owner notifications for not insignificant items. it seems to be agreed more »

alternative energy

Mustang or Cobra, Now Available In All-Electric Forms

There's something distinctly bizarre about the idea of an all-electric Ford Mustang, even more so with a battery powered Shelby Cobra. Isn't part of the allure the throaty grumble of the exhaust, the fire and noise and fury of acceleration? Where's the passion when you simply press the go pedal in these HST International modified sports cars and you're fired from a silent slingshot to 60 MPH in only 3.9 seconds for the Stang, and 3.2 seconds for the Cobra. Sure that's damn fast, and you can get a 100 miles on an 8 hour charge at 120V, or a three hour charge at 220V, but still, we'd prefer to keep our E-cars separate from our muscle cars. Unless of course we roll like Fisker and just play that tune from the loud speakers. [MotorAuthority]

1:30 PM on Fri Apr 18 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
2,603 views, 38 comments

Latest by TechnoDestructo: This isn't the first electric Mustang. There's one at the Riverside casino in Laughlin, NV. [img.waffleimages.com] more »