Madison, Wisconsin is a fairly typical college town, a place with a fairly substantial population of people with progressive attitudes on many issues. That means it has more people who ride bikes, take the bus, walk and drive hybrids than some other surrounding areas. It’s also easier to find plug-in vehicles in places like Madison than elsewhere. Madison Gas and Electric can see the writing on the wall and wants to be ready for the transition to electrification. With that in mind, the local utility will begin installing a charging network in the state capitol. MGE has purchased six Chargepoint units from Coulomb Technologies. The Chargepoints support a subscription charging system that works much like mobile phone services. MGE plans to offset all electricity use from the Chargepoints with renewable energy. The first unit should be installed this summer with all six in place by early 2010. MGE purchased its first plug-in hybrid in 2008 and it is getting a plug-in Ford Escape hybrid this summer with vehicle to grid capability for a test program. Gallery: EDTA 2008: ChargePoint Smartlet Station [Source: Madison Gas and Electric] Continue reading Madison Gas & Electric to install EV charging network Filed under: EV/Plug-in Madison Gas & Electric to install EV charging network originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Like the idea of car-free streets? Bicycle riders the world over can probably see the appeal, but in the town of Vauban, German, the car-free lifestyle is being taken up by pretty much everyone. Since the early 1990s, residents have been moving away from cars and into alternatives like public transportation and bikes. As we wrote in 2006 , the shift has been incremental and with the strong support of the people living in town. Heck, about 57 percent of the residents sold their cars in order to “enjoy the privilege of living here,” project founder Andreas Delleske recently told The Independent . One way Vauban emptied the streets was to raise the associated costs of owning a car in town. For example, it costs about €20,000 ($28,153 U.S.) for a parking space in a garage on the outskirts of town. To make up for the convenience of personal vehicles, Vauban operates with an “ultra-efficient tram service” and also offers car-sharing for people who want to go on trips. The green efforts are attracting attention, and busloads of tourists show up every day to see how things are going down. Of course, they need to park outside of town and walk in. It’s all part of the experience. Thanks for the tip, FaLeX! [Source: The Independent ] Photo by lrargerich . Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0. Filed under: Etc. , Green Culture , Green Daily , Germany German town of Vauban basically bans all cars originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Vespa-based sidecar - Click above for high-res image gallery There’s more than one way to attach a sidecar to a motorcycle. Proving that point are the three oddball machines you see here. We’re a bit partial to the Vespa you see above for the absolute potential of zero-emissions motoring provided by the pedal-powered two-wheeled sidecar, though there are other way to attack the problem of compromised passenger-carrying capabilities on a motorcycle. François Knorreck of Italy spent some 10,000 hours of work over a ten-year period and 15,000 euros into a unique sidecar motorcycle called the Snaefell - likely named after the tallest peak on the famed Isle of Man (above left). Half the machine is based on the guts of a Laverda motorcycle, while the other half uses bits from a Volkswagen GTI, Audi 80 and a Citroen Xantia . Equally as interesting is the sidecar outfit seen above right, which combines what appears to be an older British motorcycle with a cut-down Citroen 2CV sidecar. It seems both machines are in fully working order with the older 2CV still sporting what we assume is an inoperative a steering wheel. Check out all three machines in the gallery below. Gallery: Oddball sidecar outfits [Source: Bikes in the Fast Lane , The New Cafe Racer Society ] Filed under: Etc. , Transportation Alternatives , On Two Wheels , Green Daily It’s Friday: Oddball sidecar outfits redefine the word ‘hybrid’ originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Team Agni Motors at TTXGP - Click above for high-res image gallery Following up on the success of the world’s first zero-emissions motorcycle race at the Isle of Man earlier this month, the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) has announced plans to launch a new electric motorcycle racing series in 2010. As part of the Road Racing Grand Prix Commission, the project will be led by Azhar Hussain, organizer and founder of the TTXGP . Says FIM President Vito Ippolito: I am very happy to with this new Series, the future of the sport depends on our capacity as well as that of the manufacturers to innovate quickly. We are convinced that very shortly the motorcycle World Championships will be accessible to non-polluting engines as far as gas and sound emissions are concerned. Now that this important decision is taken, we have to work on rules and calendar to be ready to compete in 2010 . Details on possible entrants and regulations are scarce at this time, but we’d expect to see a number of competitors from the TTXGP take part in the FIM series, such as Brammo , Mission Motors , Motoczysz , Electric Motorsport and the race-winning team from Agni Motors . Expect more information to filter out following the upcoming eGrandPrix race at Mid Ohio July 24-26. Gallery: Qualifying at TTXGP [Source: eGrandPrix] Continue reading FIM to launch a new electric motorcycle racing series in 2010 Filed under: EV/Plug-in , On Two Wheels , Racing FIM to launch a new electric motorcycle racing series in 2010 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Brammo Enertia TTR race bike - Click above for high-res image gallery The officials behind the just-completed TTXGP on the famed Isle of Man and the upcoming zero-emissions motorcycle race at the Mid Ohio race track in America have issued an invitation to anyone with an electric motorcycle that they believe can compete at a race pace for at least 20 miles to bring the machine to Ohio on July 24-26. Granted, that’s only about a month or so away, but it could also be a great opportunity to showcase electric motorcycles in front of a 60,000-strong audience of enthusiasts. According to the official TTXGP blog, this event is a “presentation to main street America to show what a zero-carbon motorsport might look like.” We still don’t have final confirmation on what teams from the TTXGP race will be in attendance at Mid Ohio, but we had heard earlier that Mission Motors and Electric Motorsport have signed on to participate. We just heard through Twitter that Brammo won’t be able to make it to the race. In any case, we’ve been told there will be live coverage and streaming video of the event. Stay tuned for more in the coming weeks. Gallery: Brammo Enertia TTR race bike [Source: eGrandPrix ] Filed under: EV/Plug-in , On Two Wheels , USA , Racing eGrandPrix in America: Your chance to race an electric motorcycle originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

We’ve seen bicycles powered by batteries , fuel cells and even human strength here at ABG but the “R-01 NAN” may be our first look at a contemporary steam-powered bicycle. Sure, we knew they existed but we never imagined someone would think that riding around with both a furnace and a tank full pressurized steam between their legs would be an ideal transportation solution. Apparently though, Rusnan does and he’s proud enough of his homemade machine to let us know that it’s been given space on a (Indonesian language) bicycle-centric blog. Though an interesting study in locomotion, we’re not totally convinced of its green credentials. Even if burning biomass (i.e wood), the “exhaust” would likely have plenty of particulates and if it’s burning coal, well, that’s no way to fend off gloabal warming . Performance-wise, it’s estimated the bike will go between 50 and 75 mph and takes about 15 minutes to build up enough steam to get rolling. Though we’re not sure if a top-speed run will be attempted, we sure hope this thing has brakes. [Source: Sepeda.wordpress ] Filed under: Etc. , On Two Wheels , Green Daily , Pacific Region Indonesian bicycle builds up steam, can go 75 mph originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

We’ve seen bicycles powered by batteries , fuel cells and even human strength here at ABG but the “R-01 NAN” may be our first look at a contemporary steam-powered bicycle. Sure, we knew they existed but we never imagined someone would think that riding around with both a furnace and a tank full pressurized steam between their legs would be an ideal transportation solution. Apparently though, Rusnan does and he’s proud enough of his homemade machine to let us know that it’s been given space on a (Indonesian language) bicycle-centric blog. Though an interesting study in locomotion, we’re not totally convinced of its green credentials. Even if burning biomass (i.e wood), the “exhaust” would likely have plenty of particulates and if it’s burning coal, well, that’s no way to fend off gloabal warming . Performance-wise, it’s estimated the bike will go between 50 and 75 mph and takes about 15 minutes to build up enough steam to get rolling. Though we’re not sure if a top-speed run will be attempted, we sure hope this thing has brakes. [Source: Sepeda.wordpress ] Filed under: Etc. , On Two Wheels , Green Daily , Pacific Region Indonesian bicycle builds up steam, can go 75 mph originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Wike has been making bicycle trailers since the mid-1990s but what caught our eye recently was the electric, partially enclosed four-wheeled vehicle that the company is working on. More than an electric bike and less than a car, the Wike Electric Sun is a suitable alternative for people who belive that the important part of transportation is getting to your destination with the smallest possible impact on the environment. Specific details of the Electric Sun’s powertrain are not available, but it’s hard to imagine that this vehicle is anything but efficient as all get out. Wike’s first foray into electric cars was the Yike, an electric-powered recumbant bicycle with a 20-mile range. Wike financed the Yike with money won in a settlement over a bike trailer patent infringement. The Electric Sun is an evolved version of the Yike, sort of a DIY version of GM’s PUMA , and is the only vehicle I can think of that can go 30 mph and fold up. Wike’s vehicle mindset is as follows: While cars can be useful for longer trips, the majority of people worldwide only drive a short distance. Something better than a large bulky car can be used for these short runs to work, the grocery store and around the neighbourhood . Thanks to Andres C. for the tip! Andres writes, “To me as an E-bicycle fanatic, this design (that works) represents the future of personal transportation NOT the monster clunkers like the Volt and Tesla cars … Just imagine a polished version of it.” Your thoughts? [Source: Wike ] Filed under: Transportation Alternatives , On Two Wheels Wike Electric Sun = bike + WTF? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Wike has been making bicycle trailers since the mid-1990s but what caught our eye recently was the electric, partially enclosed four-wheeled vehicle that the company is working on. More than an electric bike and less than a car, the Wike Electric Sun is a suitable alternative for people who belive that the important part of transportation is getting to your destination with the smallest possible impact on the environment. Specific details of the Electric Sun’s powertrain are not available, but it’s hard to imagine that this vehicle is anything but efficient as all get out. Wike’s first foray into electric cars was the Yike, an electric-powered recumbant bicycle with a 20-mile range. Wike financed the Yike with money won in a settlement over a bike trailer patent infringement. The Electric Sun is an evolved version of the Yike, sort of a DIY version of GM’s PUMA , and is the only vehicle I can think of that can go 30 mph and fold up. Wike’s vehicle mindset is as follows: While cars can be useful for longer trips, the majority of people worldwide only drive a short distance. Something better than a large bulky car can be used for these short runs to work, the grocery store and around the neighbourhood . Thanks to Andres C. for the tip! Andres writes, “To me as an E-bicycle fanatic, this design (that works) represents the future of personal transportation NOT the monster clunkers like the Volt and Tesla cars … Just imagine a polished version of it.” Your thoughts? [Source: Wike ] Filed under: Transportation Alternatives , On Two Wheels Wike Electric Sun = bike + WTF? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

KTM electric dirtbike - Click above for high-res image gallery Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM isn’t ready to give up on the two-stroke powerplant just yet, despite the difficulties in achieving acceptable emissions levels with such engines. Speaking at a recent dealer meeting, KTM CEO Stefan Pierer said: At KTM the two-stroke will continue to remain an integral part of the future model planning. It was always clear to us that the two-stroke engine would play an important role . Besides working to engineer cleaner-burning small-bore two-stroke powerplants, KTM is also continuing work on its 125cc streetbike project with Indian motorcycle manufacturer Bajaj. According to Motorcycle USA , that machine is likely to make an appearance at EICMA in Milan this November. Also in the upcoming product pipeline is the promised electric enduro bike that we’re expecting to show up sometime in 2011 . Sounds like KTM’s got it’s hands full. Says Pierer: There will be good opportunities for all of this technology. Also, with the range of engine development, we must consider a market situation that will be more intensely specialized and directed toward niches . Gallery: Electric KTM Enduro [Source: Dealernews , Motorcycle USA ] Filed under: EV/Plug-in , On Two Wheels KTM promises to continue developing 2-stroke engine, 125cc streetbike and electric dirtbike originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments