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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For a measly $8000 you can have this stylish ferrari red bike. You can turn on the motor just when you need it when climbing those damn hills! It will probably make for more bike commuters when the price comes down a little though. For this price you can have a scooter that is motorized all the time, even a hybrid scooter that are coming on the market.

This Marcus Levis-Hayes Electo bike takes 2.5 - 3 hours to charge and can run 25 to 30 miles on a single charge.

3 modes of operation
-fully motorized
-pure pedal power
-electric/pedal

Be the first to own a human-electric hybrid!

Via Design with Reach

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Somebody with two much time on their hands has modified at Toyota Prius into a limousine. The makers say that the same fuel efficiency of 50 mpg is retained. Supposedly it seats 10, but I bet it would not be that comfortable. I wonder if green celebrities in California will show up on the red carpet with this one… Wouldn’t be cool if you saw more of these instead of Hummer limousines?

Via Hippyshopper

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This concept car by Honda will be unveiled at the Tokyo Motor show by the end of the month. Its a cute one isn’t it? Looks like a perfect commuting vehicle. Its got no corners and has a lot of transparent materials. It will include and instrument panel monitor, a joystick steering wheel, and fluid level displays…

ITs eco friendly as it relies on hydrogen fuel cell technology. The only problem is developing hydrogen as it still requires fossil technology to create unless you want to create nuclear plants. Then you have to put it in the car as a compressed gas and that could be dangerous.

I still love the invisible headlights, that clear canopy which I hope comes tinted, and the fact that it has no side mirrors…

Via Inhabitat

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Aptera is taking reservations on their sleek futuristic vehicle. It seats three and aims for 230 miles per gallon at 55mph!

This 3 wheeled hybrid vehicle still uses diesel, but the lightweight composite materials and aerodynamic features of the design allow for great fuel economy. It doesn’t get more stylish and green than this.

For storage, Aptera says that there is enough room for 15 bags of groceries, or 2 full size golf club bags.

Notice that there are no side mirrors. It has an “eyes forward” vision system with 180 degree rear sight picture displayed in the drivers field of view.

An all electric and plug-in electric will be available. You can reserve yours for $500 and the first one will roll out of the factory in roughly 12 months.

Price: $26-29,000.

www.aptera.com

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Iceland will have the greenest transport of any country soon. They are experimenting with having cars and buses using hydrogen. Already, the country’s electricity and heating comes from hydroelectric and geothermal springs that are in abundance in Iceland. But for cars they have to transport overseas and the result is $8 a gallon.

So Iceland will invest heavily in hydrogen technologies. Hydrogen is produced with water and electricity and Iceland has much of both. Car companies such as General Motors, Toyota, and Daimler Chrysler, are using the island-nation as a testing ground.

Pictured here is the Mercedes Benz A-class F-cell. It is an electric car powered by a fuel cell which generates electricity by converting hydrogen and oxygen into water. Right now there are a few buses in the capital Reykjavik, but by 2010 the people of Iceland will be able to purchase one. Within a year local energy company employees and a Hertz will get to drive them. Maybe you can go to Iceland as tourist and check one out!

Iceland might very well be a prototype hydrogen economy that the rest of the world can follow. Renewable energy that’s cheap and non polluting… That’s the future.

Via CNN

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Piaggio, manufacturers of the Vespa scooter, are producing a hybrid scooter that is 3 wheels- the Vespa MP3. It is safer and more stable than its 2 wheel cousins.

The 2 front whiles grip the road for enhanced stability. The front wheels tilt independently to hug the road. IT has a max speed of 77 mph.

In full electric mode it has a range of 20 KM. If you are in gas mode you can add electric power to boost performance providing 85% more power. It requires less braking distance than any other scooter by 20%.

The engine is 125cc enough for the legal limit when riding with a car license. Their also going to be a 250 cc version.

CO2 emmissions are only 65% for the hybrid mode and 35% for the electric mode.

This 3 wheeler requires no kickstand. Starts at $7000 MSRP. Check Piaggio USA

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