Transportation

Nissan shows off new hybrid, electric vehicle and fuel cell stack

At this year's New York auto show, Nissan showed off an electric vehicle concept and committed to developing one for production. This week, Nissan demonstrated it was doing more than blowing smoke by showing off its electric research vehicle, a prototype of its new hybrid system, and a new fuel cell that costs less while offering greater power density.

Nissan expects to offer an electric vehicle by 2010, with mass market production in 2012. The current vehicle being shown is similar to the concept Denki Cube from the New York auto show and is merely a research vehicle to … Read more

Energy crops key to biofuels growth

After a rash of negative publicity, biofuels backers say that advanced technologies will reshape the industry, making ethanol from sustainably grown sources cost-effective within a few years.

General Motors on Friday convened a panel of experts from cutting-edge ethanol companies that described different technologies--acid hydrolysis, specialty microbes, and genetically engineered energy crops--which they say will bring back biofuels' faded luster.

The key technology transition, already under way, is shifting from corn to other feedstocks for making ethanol from plant cellulose. With the right technologies and policies in place, the U.S. could meet one-third of its transportation fuel needs by … Read more

Tesla hires execs as founder reviews Roadster

Silicon Valley-based Tesla Motors, maker of luxury electric cars, is cherry-picking Detroit veterans in its bid to take on the auto giants.

The company on Monday announced that it has hired former Ford Motor financial executive Deepak Ahuja as its chief financial officer.

In another move, Tesla hired Franz von Holzhausen as its design director, according to Darryl Siry, the company's senior vice president of global sales, marketing, and service. Von Holzhausen worked at Mazda, General Motors, and Volkswagen, where he was involved in successful car launches, including that of the New Beetle.

Also, starting in September, Tesla will … Read more

Nissan's ECO Pedal drives you to fuel efficiency

Nissan Motor Company on Monday announced a new system that calculates the most fuel efficient rate of acceleration and pushes the gas pedal back against the driver's lead foot, according to the Associated Press. This new system, dubbed "ECO Pedal," will be available next year and, according to Nissan, can help drivers improve fuel efficiency by 5 to 10 percent, according to AP story.

If you're thinking what we're thinking, that the ECO Pedal has potential to compromise safety in the name of fuel efficiency, you'll be glad to know that Nissan is giving … Read more

Green news harvest: Electric kites, China's clean-tech muscle

Giant kites to tap power of the high wind - The ObserverDutch researchers show that flying kites high to generate electricity is not such a crazy idea. Google has invested in a company trying to tap high wind currents as well.

The Godfather of the Plug-InIn a video, Michael Kanellos talks to University of California at Davis professor and plug-in pioneer Andrew Frank on why plug-in hybrids are hot. So Long Karsner: DOE's Assistant Secretary Bows Out - Earth2Tech Having interviewed him and heard him speak a number of times, I'd agree that Andy Karsner is … Read more

SpaceX suffers third rocket launch failure

A privately funded rocket suffered a launch failure Saturday night, the third launch failure in as many attempts for an Internet entrepreneur who is hoping to develop private space delivery and transportation.

The failure occurred about two minutes after the launch of the two-stage Falcon 1 rocket, which was manufactured by Space Exploration Technologies, also known as SpaceX. A failure prevented the two stages from separating after the launch from a central Pacific atoll, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said in a company blog. The rocket was carrying three satellites for NASA and the Department of Defense. Musk said an investigation … Read more

Car source Kelley Blue Book goes green

Correction, 1:35 p.m. PDT: This story initially misspelled the name of the company known for its car buying guide. It is Kelley Blue Book.

The company known for supplying the "blue book" value of cars is turning green.

Kelley Blue Book on Thursday introduced a section to its Web site for sorting through the many options for buying fuel-efficient cars.

There are, of course, hybrid cars that run partially on batteries. Plug-in hybrids, such as the Chevy Volt and models from Toyota, are expected in the next two years. The Tesla Roadster, a $100,000 sports … Read more

Audio slideshow: Garage finds business ripe for hybrids

With the growing popularity of hybrid gas-electric cars like the Toyota Prius, garages are cropping up to serve eco-conscious drivers by specializing in hybrid car maintenance and repairs.

CNET reporters took a closer look this week at one such auto shop. The solar-powered, woman-owned Luscious Garage in San Francisco caters to hybrid owners. Its mechanics aim to be inviting as well as eco-friendly. Since opening last fall, the shop has attracted more than 100 customers. Soon, it will expand with a space for converting hybrids to plug-in electric hybrid vehicles.

Take a look at some behind-the-scenes footage from Luscious Garage … Read more

Video: Tesla Roadster's touch-screen interface

You may have heard about the the 6,831 lithium ion batteries that power the all-electric Tesla Roadster. But what about the user interface from the driver's seat?

It turns out that the Roadster has a small touch screen to control battery charging. It provides people with the temperatures of different subsystems, and it gives a read of how the batteries' charge translates into range and performance.

It also lets people schedule the charging for late at night, when rates can be lower because demand on the power grid is lower--a very handy feature.

CNET News sister publication Crave U.K. … Read more

Video: Electric car roundup

Brian Cooley looks at a pavilion full of electric cars at the 2008 British International Motor Show. He checks out a Gem, a G-Wiz, a Smart concept, a Think, and a Nice.