The Toyota Prius has been deemed to be one of the greenest cars money could buy. This bestselling plug-in hybrid just got greener, with Toyota’s inclusion of a new feature in the “Prius” hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and the “Prius PHV” plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). A simple tweak to the Prius now allows users to hook the Prius to homes and use the car’s energy in case of power outages.
Getting around isn’t limited to gas-powered environment-choking vehicles anymore. Bicycles, motorcycles and tricycles seem to be quickly turning into a rage these days, with a lot of people swinging towards solitary modes of transport. Take the HP Velotechnik Scorpion fs 26 S-Pedelec for example. A speedy recumbent trike that recently won the Eurobike Award, this contraption comes with a large wheel at the back and two up front. Using a 27-speed Shimano XT drivetrain and an optional 500-watt BionX hub motor that powers the rear wheel, this trike packs a 48-volt Li-Mn battery that powers it all. Priced at $7,495, the HP Velotechnik Scorpion fs 26 S-Pedelec seems like the perfect way to get around in style, without choking the environment with harmful carbon emissions!
If living on land isn’t enough for you, give the water’s surface a shot! This swank new concept we came across recently by Sanitov Studios is a sustainable way to live off land. In essence a solar-powered houseboat, this concept has been deployed on the Thames River in London. A concept built to counter the escalating property and energy prices, this floating home costs just £60,000-£100,000, as opposed to the £226,887 you’d pay for a three bedroom house. Completely off the grid, this floating home was built in partnership with renewable energy installer, Enviko. Called the Ark, the houseboat sports a 2kWp solar array that can generate nearly 1,716kWh a year! A green and sustainable way to live away from the hustle and bustle of land, the Ark house boat is a concept that could very well be the next best way to reside!
Electric motorcycle manufacturer Zero Motorcycles has pulled the veil off its latest brainchild. An upgraded version of the XU, this 2013 bike is an electric motorcycle crafted for everyday commute, particularly if your urban roads are ridden with potholes. Available in two versions, 2.8 kWh and 5.7 kWh, the former delivers 27bhp while the later gives 28bhp. Both of these offer 42 ft-lb/ 57 Nm torque and can also have their batteries upgraded to more powerful offerings just in case you prefer going a mile longer without having to plug in. the bikes also have updated aluminum frames and are priced at $7995 and upwards.
And if you’ve been harboring the notion that those tall and chunky fuel-suckers we call SUVs today are cool, give this little car a second look. Crowned the “World’s lowest roadworthy car”, this car by the students and teachers at the Okayama Sanyo High School in Asakuchi, Japan, is a single seater that stands 17.7 inches at its highest point from ground level. Called the Mirai, the car powers up using electricity and sports a battery to store all the juice required to propel it forward. Also, this car is pretty exhilarating to drive, particularly at higher speeds given the fact that it sticks closer to the road, with the driver maneuvering his way around towering sedans, SUVs and massive tractor-trailers!
One of the reasons electric vehicles have been suffering terrible sales these days are their escalated costs. These cars, though extremely inexpensive to use in the long run, more often than not cost a substantial sum not many can afford. Mini-car manufacturer Smart however is now drawing up plans to unleash a new breed of inexpensive though technologically sound cars in the market. The ForTwo ED Coupe will come with a $25,000 with delivery fees included, making it the cheapest EV in the United States. This price tag also includes the $825 destination charge and $2,200 for a home-charging set up. And those who currently own home-charging setups could pick this Smart ForTwo cheaper! A seemingly inexpensive way to get around town, this compact car could soon turn into a common sight on US roads.
Bending wood into a desirable shape has never really been all that easy before. After having mastered the art of doing so, chair-maker Thonet has used its steam-bending process to craft this astounding wooden bicycle. Designed by London-based architect Andy Martin, this bike made of bent wood is seamless and beautiful to look at, made from birch wood. Giving its metal counterparts enough reason to go red in the face, this wooden bike is a 21st century take on the world’s best mode of transport, the bicycle. Sporting no brakes and several interchangeable gear ratios, this bike uses carbon fiber HED H3 wheels. The bike is a limited edition design and costs £43,000 a pop!
Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio has a green heart and has recently spoken about his love for the environment in an interview. Also, the actor mentioned the fact that played a hand in getting Fisker up and going. For the uninitiated, Fisker is one of the world’s most charming EVC manufacturers, rolling out clean and green cars that have left our jaws dropped. Previously, DiCaprio would be spotted driving a Sixties Ford Mustang fitted with the classic Windsor 351 (5.8-litre) engine, spitting pollutants in the air. After having being convinced by then-vice president Al Gore, DiCaprio quickly changed heart and settled for greener means of transport. He showed up in a Toyota Prius at the Oscars, inspiring the Fisker Automotive co-founder Henrik Fisker to build green cars! DiCaprio has ever since been purchasing and driving hybrid cars and has also shown favor for the Fisker Karma.
Looking for the perfect way to drain your bank account of $400,000? Well, Venturi has the perfect toy that’s bound to keep you smiling for that price! Called the America EV, this yellow-orange car was the highlight of the Paris Auto Show. Sporting a 300HP engine, the car sports a 53 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. And given the fact that this car prefers blowing numbers out of proportion, the America EV comes with a jaw-dropping 200 mile range!
Complete with a strong carbon-fiber chassis, the Venturi also has enough ground clearance to let you drive it just about anywhere! With a 120mph top speed, the car might be expensive and a serious pocket burner, though it does work as a pretty fancy ride!
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Toyota has just pulled the veil off its futuristic electric micro-car design, and from the looks of it, this buggy little ride could pretty much grab a lot of attention. Called the Smart INSECT (“Information Network Social Electric City Transporter”), the car sports just one seat and is not to be confused with Daimler’s Smart brand. Sporting extremely attractive gullwing doors, the car also packs uses “motion sensors, voice recognition and behavior prediction to its advantage, allowing the driver to open the doors by simply using a gesture!
And that’s not all. The EV also identifies faces, giving it an additional touch of security. The car will be displayed at CEATEC JAPAN 2012, and Toyota hasn’t mentioned details in regards to the pricing details as of now.
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