Peapod - click above for high-res image gallery The amount of money that the U.S. federal government poured into corn ethanol is legendary. Today, we’re left with a floundering ethanol economy and a few happy corn farmers but not an abundance of the biofuel powering the nation’s cars. A columnist for the Washington Examiner thinks that we’re headed down a similar path with plug-in vehicles. This time, though, “the feds may foster addiction to a fuel concentrated in a socialist-run South American country.” Those are the words of Timothy Carney, who writes that the government’s rush to EVs is troubling because all those electric cars will need a bunch of lithium - some of which might come from Bolivia - to move them (Editorially, the controversial Examiner is right-learning, so the scary s-word in Carney’s piece shouldn’t be too surprising). Carney names some of the lithium lobbyists who worked hard in D.C. to promote plug-in vehicles to Congress. He writes that, “If the electric car lobby succeeds, brace for another harsh lesson in unintended consequences.” Carney also brings up the long tailpipe. While Carney is right that the GAO did warn against all of the coal that could be used to power the EVs of the future, he forgot to mention the GAO’s finding that “Research we reviewed indicated that plug-ins could shift air pollutant emissions away from population centers even if there was no change in the fuel used to generate electricity.” Gallery: GEMs Peapod [Source: Washington Examiner ] Filed under: EV/Plug-in , Legislation and Policy , USA Columnist: Plug-in cars are the new ethanol-style boondoggle originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:56:00 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

The first ever TTXGP is now just a few days away and teams are still arriving to the Isle of Man for the event. One group that arrived earlier than most is XXL Racing from Germany, and as a result, their rider was the first to “stretch the legs” of a competing machine on the island. A resident of the Crown dependency, Frank Schuengel, happened to be on hand with a camera and recorded the moment on video. He also took a bunch of stills that are available in the gallery below. You can check out his website for lots more. Unfortunately we don’t know a lot about the bike aside that it uses a synchronous electric motor , likely a prototype from Siemens, to take it over 124 mph (200 km/h). It features regenerative braking and will be piloted by the TT-experienced rider Thomas Schönfelder. Go ahead and hit the jump to see it in action. As an added bonus, we’ve thrown in a clip from Mission Motors testing, tearing down and shipping off their entry. Enjoy. Gallery: XXL Racing at the TTXGP [Source: Frank Schuengel / ManxTube / YouTube ] Photo: creative commons by Frank Schuengel Continue reading VIDEO: First TTGXP practice run XXL Racing Filed under: EV/Plug-in , On Two Wheels , Germany , Racing VIDEO: First TTGXP practice run XXL Racing originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 07 Jun 2009 19:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Filed under: Euro , Safety , Videos , Hatchbacks , Kia Click above to watch the Kia Soul’s Euro NCAP crash tests There is no rating yet for the Kia Soul in the U.S., but in Europe the car did the business: the Soul scored five stars on the NCAP frontal offset, side impact and pole crash tests, doing no worse than “marginal” in just two areas . In the frontal offset test the windshield doesn’t crack and there is only minor cosmetic damage aft of the front door’s front shut line. It’s a big result for a little car, and if it has the reliability to match it should do very, very well. Thanks for the tip, GenGT! Gallery: Kia Soul Euro NCAP Test [Source: YouTube ] Continue reading VIDEO: Kia Soul aces Euro NCAP crash tests VIDEO: Kia Soul aces Euro NCAP crash tests originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 May 2009 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Bicycles can be a great way to reduce fuel consumption. They are efficient, relatively inexpensive, easy to store and care for and are often a fun way to score a little exercise while also getting you where you need to go. Of course, it’s not always practical to pedal, which is one big reason that electric bikes are gaining in popularity so quickly. What if you’ve already got a good bike but would like to add a bit of electric assistance? Enter the Gruber Assist, a new retrofit ebike system that fits into any standard 31.6mm seatpost. A small electric motor slides into the seat tube and engages with a geared bottom bracket to add 200 Watts of assistance when needed. The entire Gruber Assist system weighs just 900 grams including a nickel metal hydride battery pack with enough juice to provide up to 1.5 hours of assisted pedaling. An even lighter lithium ion pack is also available. The price may be a little steep at £1649 (about $2,473 in U.S. funds), but the technology is undeniably cool. [Source: Gruber Assist via Gizmag ] Filed under: EV/Plug-in , Transportation Alternatives , On Two Wheels , Green Daily Gruber Assist auxiliary drive turns nearly any bicycle into an ebike originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 12 May 2009 18:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Filed under: Sports/GTs , Etc. , Supercars Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Gumballers’ arrival at South Beach Well folks, it’s over. The wacky/insipid/annoying (all-of-the-above?) 2009 edition of the Gumball 3000 wrapped things up with the drivers’ arrival in Miami Beach. Freelance journo and friend of Autoblog Myles Kornblatt was there, and he ends his coverage with one final photo gallery and this report: There’s something special about seeing ultra-rare cars at the end of an eight-day, 3000-mile road trip. By the time the 2009 Gumball 3000 ended in Miami on Friday evening not only were the drivers visibly road weary, but so were their vehicles. Supercars were built to be driven, and these machines had the dead bugs, brake dust and road scars to prove it. One hundred and twenty-three teams participated in the 11th running of the Gumball, and according to rally VP Julie Brangstrup, everyone finished. “Every Gumballer has the spirit to do whatever it takes to cross the finish line.” Unfortunately not all the vehicles shared their driver’s determination, and so some rental cars finished as stand-ins for injured road warriors. One Gumballer was even on his third vehicle by the time he reached Miami. Some enthusiasts see the Gumball as a rip-off of the Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash (which has evolved into today’s One Lap of America.) That’s not completely true. The term “Gumball Rally” was first used on a 1976 road race film that Cannonball founder Brock Yates considers to be sort of a bastard child of his rally. The Gumball Rally was Hollywood’s excuse to use some minor celebrates for an over-the-top take on the road race (it even features a pre-crazy Gary Busey.) Today, the Gumball 3000 uses a mix of famous, rich and half-crazed participants, who are more about the party than the time clock. Any enthusiast who has seen the film (anyone who is a car guy/girl should,) knows these good-timing Gumballers have as much character as a movie script. Gallery: 2009 Gumball 3000 conclusion in Miami Photos Copyright (C)2009 Myles Kornblatt / Weblogs, Inc. Gumball 3000 comes to a close in South Beach originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 May 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

It’s no secret that Honda - even with a new and popular hybrid, the Insight, on the market - doesn’t see a bright future for plug-in vehicles . Nope, the Japanese automaker is all about hydrogen, as the company’s booth at the SAE World Congress made abundantly clear. There was an Insight on display, as were Honda’s walking assist devices , but the main message was: here’s how fuel cells work and here’s why Honda will make them the right way. You can pretend you’re on the scene by clicking through the gallery below. One portion of the display, pictured above, had a little solar panel that used artificial light to electrolyze water. We’re all fully aware of the problems with the coming hydrogen economy, but seeing the system work, even in miniature, makes Honda’s decision to go heavy on the H seem a bit more reasonable. Gallery: SAE 2009: Honda Fuel Cells Filed under: Hydrogen , Honda , SAE World Congress SAE 2009: Honda’s fuel cell friendly exhibit originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments