The only problem for most of us is that its $2700. Not exactly budget friendly in these times, but its the future now. The company, Calfee Design, is working to improve their production process. For instance, it wants to grow the bamboo stalks in the right size for the bike frame components. That way they can go directly assembled into the bike. It would be like having “a factory in the field.”

Bamboo is underrated and none as a “poor man’s timber”. But in actuality it has a greater tensile strength (resistance to being pulled apart) than steel. It can withstand compression better than concrete too. Bamboo grows up to 60 feet tall and it has the same width from bottom to top. As a result all the compression strength is needed to hold its own weight and tensile strength to bend in the wind without breaking.

Calfee Design who started making bikes with carbon fiber is gambling bamboo will be the next hot bike material. Its eco friendly as bamboo grows fast like a weed and can easily be sustainably harvested.

Calfee Design is also working with the people of Ghana to help them grow their own bamboo bikes! Perhaps if we give them the knowledge then they can mass produce them for the masses and make them affordable for everyone! The project is called the Village Bicycle Project (VBP). Training on construction, repair, and maintenance is given to Ghanans. The metal components are derived from used bike parts in Ghana.

See Calfee Design

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BMW is finally making progress on a hybrid sedan. Its still in concept though so you will have to wait another 2 years? We need more hybrid selections for the masses with only the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, and Ford Escape being about the only options out there.

This BMW sedan has an electric motor system that helps add to the thrust and the engine stops completely when the the car is stopped, adding 15% to fuel economy. The battery back also gets charged through the breaking system, and also powers the car’s on board electronics. Every little innovation helps!

This hybrid will feature ample power with a 4.4 liter V8 when running on gas, but the final result will still be MPG in the low 20’s! Do we really need that much power! I guess its only about 5 mpg better than a regular 7 series. It will sell because someone who can already afford this vehicle surely has more to afford the hybrid.

The Toyota Prius would deliver 40 mpg if it were not a hybrid because of its aerodynamic design and small motor. So at 50 mpg its not a vast improvement, but its very significant.

Via Autoblog.com

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The new Honda hybrid, with the revived name Insight resembles the Toyota Prious. The Honda Insight will make its debut this year at the Paris International Auto show.

The Honda Insight will start at a base price of $18,000 making it the most affordable hybrid on the market. Even cheaper than Honda’s own Civic hybrid. At least the hybrid still looks different from other models. Unlike the Honda Civic Hybrid which looks like a regular civic.

Via Gas2.org

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First time I have heard of a bio-hybrid car. Its only a concept car, but the future is not too far away. The engine runs on 85% bioethanol and delivers a very ample 200 hp and promises 48 mpg.

This sleek vehicle will appeal to those with style. Notice there are no rear view mirrors on the side. This is to maintain aerodynamics and thus fuel efficiency. Instead cameras are used with screens on the dashboard to show what is behind. The roof spoiler actually extends over 43 mph to lengthen the roof line for more aerodynamics.

Another cool feature is the solar cell on top of the roof. It adds a charge to the battery at all times.

On another note this car even though Scandinavian in design for the body, the engine hybrid technology is by General Motors. The chassis is built on a new global chassis designed by GM too.

Check the Saab website for more

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Invented by an 18 year old from Canada - Ben Gulak , the UNO is a one wheel motorcycle that truly balances out. Right now there are 3 working prototypes. It only has one switch which is the power switch! To go forward you push your body weight forward to tilt the machine. To back up, just lean back. The farther you lean the faster it goes. Whats more is that this bike is electric so its more eco friendly.

Check out this article on the design of it on Motorcylcemojo. Ben had some help from a few companies after selling his idea to them, but all they really did is give him some of the necessary components like the body, wheels, and the complex gyros to balance the cycle…

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Suzuki is working on a sleek modern transport as seen in the last Tokyo Auto Show. The Suzuki SSC + PIXY is 2 vehicles actually. The SSC is a “SUzuki Sharing Coach”, which is a mini car that can actually fit 2 PIXY’s. So I suppose this invention will be for 2 people.

Anyways the PIXY is like a Segway, where a person rides alone in an almost upright position. It seems the person can actually sit in it and be protected from the elements with the canopy, in contrast to the Segway.

You will be able to charge up the PIXY inside the SSC which is fuel cell powered.

No word on when its coming to a dealership near you.
Via GreenThinkers.

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A car that actually runs on solar power is about to go into production. Called the Solar Bug, it seats 2 people with one in the front and one in the back. Its built on an All Terrain (ATV) chassis. You can plug it in for a 6 hour charge and it will transport you and your buddy 60 miles at 60 cents total cost! On a solar charge alone you will go 10-20 miles for free!

The Solar Bug has a top speed of 35 MPH. It features roll bar protection, seat belts, regenerative breaking, fiberglass panels with a weight of 900 pounds and a price tag around $15,000. The green cars will be handmade in Bozeman, Montana.

See www.freedrive-ev.com

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The Honda Clarity goes into limited production this year. It runs on hydrogen technology. Honda is gambling on hydrogen despite some questions of the environmental impacts of hydrogen and the lack of fueling stations for hydrogen.

The car has a range of 270 miles per tank at 68 miles per gallon. It will only be available to a very few people in Southern California for 3 year leases. And owners have to get servicing at the Honda dealership of course.

Via Green Car Congress

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The Smart car is finally arriving to the United States. Its now trendy to go small and consume less energy. Who would of thought just 5 years it would come to this in the U.S. It will be interesting to see one of these next to a gigantic SUV like a hummer or Chevy Suburban.

The Smart Car only measures 9 feet long and 5 feet wide. Its still gas powered, but won’t waste too much gas at 42 miles per gallon. The tiny car has a top speed of 90 mph. Not bad for a car you would think is as fast as a moped.

Eve the crash ratings are good, if you could imagine. It gets a 4 star crash rating. The smart car will be available in 3 models for about $11,000 to $17,000. Will there be a market beyond American cities for this cute car? I think Americans can go as little as a Honda Civic, but this size I have my doubts…

Check Smart Car USA website, and reserve yours for $99.

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Ferrari now is dabbling in the Segway business. Since it is all electric its green. There are no carbon emissions from this red transport gadget. Its only a limited edition..

I wonder how much more this Ferrari Segway is from a regular segway. How much are you paying for the logo. 6000 pounds UK or 12,000 US $$$.

Via Hippyshopper

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