If you read Inhabitat, you probably know that we’re big fans of green transportation, but we do think it’s important to see the bigger picture when it comes to electric cars. A new finding from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville shows that electric cars in China have a higher impact on pollution than gasoline vehicles due to the fact that they draw power from the grid (which in China is powered 90% by coal). We should point out that this study only examined EVs in one part of the world – China – but there is a bigger picture to look at which is the fact that in order for electric cars to eventually become truly sustainable, we need to move towards ultimately powering them with renewable resources.

Read the rest of New Study Finds That Electric Cars in China Using Fossil Fuels Have a Higher Carbon Footprint Than Gasoline Gars

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Post tags: air pollution, alternative energy, alternative transportation, carbon emissions, electric car, electric vehicle, ev, fossil fuels, green transportation, greenhouse gas emissions coal, Pollution, renewable energy

The auto world is buzzing today about Tesla‘s highly-anticipated Model X family-sized vehicle, which was unveiled just last night. Built for parents with a need for speed, this car breaks the mold for crossover vehicles with “falcon wing” doors, a completely web connected digital interface, an ultra-performance dual motor all-wheel drive, and room for seven passengers. All of this comes at a price though since the car starts at around $50,000, but from the looks of this sexy all-electric crossover, it will be money well-spent.

Read the rest of Tesla Unveils the Model X: The World’s First All-Electric Crossover Luxury car

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Post tags: Crossover, electric car, electric vehicle, electric vehicles, elon musk, ev, Falcon doors, green automotive, green car, green transportation, hybrid vehicles, Mini Van, Model x, modelx, Performance vehicle, Sustainable, SUV, tesla, Tesla Model X, Tesla Motors

Read the rest of VIDEO: Inhabitat Interviews Henrik Fisker, Founder of Fisker Automotive and Designer of the Karma

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Post tags: eco car, eco vehicle, electric car, electric vehicle, extended range electric vehicle, Fisker Automotive, fisker car, fisker karma, fisker vehicle, green car, green transportation, green vehicle, henrik fisker, high gas mileage, karma, karma car, karma electric vehicle, Karma EV, low emissions car, low emissions transportation, sustainable car, sustainable vehicle

London designer Omer Sagiv created this solar-powered concept car that looks like it’s straight out of the latest sci-fi movie. The concept car is referred to as the SPV (Solar Power Vehicle) and Sagiv states that it’s made of aluminum with flexible thin modules fixed to it and that the shaft in the center of the SPV functions as an in-built cooling system. The aerodynamic shape of the concept allows it to collect energy in any sunny environment. Even better, the concept can also use the extra energy that it collects from its solar panels to power its owner’s house!

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Post tags: automotive, automotive design, electric car, electric vehicle, ev, green transportation, news, Omer Sagiv, solar car, solar panels, Solar Power, Solar Power Vehicle, toyota prius

Acura has officially introduced its latest model, the 2013 Acura ILX compact sedan. The ILX is based on the Honda Civic and is being positioned as a gateway into the Acura brand. The ILX will be available with three different powertrains, but the most noteworthy is the hybrid option, as it marks the introduction of Acura’s first ever hybrid model.

Read the rest of Acura Debuts Its First Hybrid, the 2013 Acura ILX

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Post tags: Acura, automotive, car, electric car, electric vehicle, green automotive design, green car, green honda, green transportation, hybrid, hybrid cars, new honda hybrid

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) just released its 14th annual comprehensive environmental rankings, and this year’s list shows some surprising results. The council has compiled a list of what it feels are the “greenest” vehicles, and for the first time in eight years an electric vehicle has grabbed the top spot – the Mitsubishi i-MIEV.

Read the rest of Mitsubishi’s i-MIEV Electric Car Grabs the “Greenest” Vehicle Title From the Honda Civic

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Post tags: 2012 Mitsubishi i-MIEV, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, electric car, electric vehicle, ev, green automotive design, green transportation, greenest vehicle, Honda Civic Natural Gas, hybrid vehicle, i-MIEV, mitsubishi

San Francisco’s new electric bicycle sharing experiment will soon offer an affordable green transit alternative for those navigating the city’s inclines. The e-bike program will offer riders the option to rent bikes by the hour through the website City CarShare. And for those hauling heavier duty cargo such as groceries, e-bicycle trailers will also be available to rent.

Read the rest of San Francisco Set to Launch Electric Bike Sharing Program

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Post tags: alternative transportation, bike sharing, e-bike, electric bike, electric vehicle, green transportation, San Francisco, san francisco bike sharing, Transportation Sustainability Research Center, uc berkeley, UC Berkeley Research, urban bike sharing

Inhabitat’s Jill Fehrenbacher recently hit the scene of the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, where she toured the laser-filled show to bring you an exclusive look at the world’s hottest new electric vehicles and hybrid cars! She got the lowdown on the sexiest new hybrid vehicle from Lexus as well as a sneak peek at Volkswagen’s upcoming Jetta Hybrid and the E-Bugster electric Beetle concept. She also took an inside look at the quirky styling of Smart’s For-US electric pickup truck and the brand new Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid, which is sure to be a consumer favorite when it hits the streets this year. Check out our exclusive video above for the most exciting green cars at from the 2012 Detroit Auto Show!

Read the rest of VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: Inhabitat Gets Electric Vehicle Fever at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show

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Post tags: detroit auto show, detroit auto show 2012, E-bugster, electric car, electric vehicle, Ford electric vehicle, ford fusion, ford fusion electric, ford fusion energi, ford fusion hybrid, green car, green transportation, hybrid jetta, lexus hybrid, lexus lf-lc, north american international auto show, Smart, smart electric vehicle, Smart EV, Smart For-US, smart pickup truck, Video, volkswagen

Boulder Electric Vehicle just sold the first commercial electric truck capable of hitting 70 mph to Precision Plumbing and Electric. The company’s new fleet will use only one half-kilowatt hour per mile (2-5 times better than a diesel engine), generate zero local emissions, and find a savings of $5,000 per truck per year. Not only do these 2-ton capacity work-horses get 120 miles on a charge, but they are designed and made in the USA! How’s that for green economy?

Read the rest of The Boulder EV is the First Electric Commercial Truck Capable of Reaching 70mph

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Post tags: Boulder Electric Vehicle, Commercial Electric Truck, electric vehicle, green delivery vehicle, USA Made EV

Crossing classic sports car design with sustainable technology, PG launched their sexy new Lotus Elise-based Elektrus PG in Berlin, Germany. This ‘premium-segment urbane sports car’ was presented by its designer Michael Fröhlich, who showcased the automobile’s sophisticated look and cutting-edge electric advancements. The car charges up in around eight hours using a standard household outlet, and it’s impressively quick, zipping to 62 mph in under three seconds with a max speed of 155 mph.

Read the rest of Sexy Lotus-Based PG Elektrus EV Combines Classic Style With Sustainable Technology

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Post tags: classic sports car, electric car, electric plugin vehicle, electric vehicle, elektrus, ev, green car design, green transportation, lotus, Michael Fröhlich, P&G, pg elektrus, Sustainable Automobile, Sustainable Transport

Tesla – the company that made electric vehicles sexy for the first time – just announced that they’re on track to get the first Model S sedans on the road next summer. While talking to Autoblog at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, Tesla Motors vice president of communications, Ricardo Reyes, said that they are finishing up their final preparations to release the cars in the U.S. by the summer and to the rest of the world about six months after that. Tesla is offering an impressive range selection for the Model S — 160, 230 or 300 miles depending on the cash you shell out — and they’re planning to build a “supercharging network” that will charge their vehicles from 10% to 90% in just 45 minutes. In addition to opening up the roads to all-electric, zero-emissions long-distance road trips Tesla will be unveiling the look of their new Model X — a seven passenger crossover SUV — in February.

Read the rest of Tesla Set to Launch Model S Electric Sedan This Summer!

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We have all tried to park our cars in spaces that were too small — but wouldn’t it be easier if we could just get out, fold up our car and place it in a gap that no other vehicle could fit? That is exactly what a group of engineers at Hiriko Driving Mobility have made possible with the Hiriko Citycar. Developed for urban driving, this innovative little piece of machinery will make its public debut in Europe next week – and if all goes well it could hit city streets as soon as 2013!

Read the rest of Hiriko Citycar EV Folds Up For Easy Parking, Could Hit Streets in Europe Next Year

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Read the rest of Top 7 New Electric Vehicles and Hybrid Cars Hitting the Streets in 2012

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Post tags: 2012 Detroit Auto Show, 2012 electric vehicle, 2012 hybrid, 2012 north american international auto show, Active-E, BMW Active E, BMW electric car, detroit auto show, eco vehicles, eco volkswagen, electric car, electric vehicle, energy efficient vehicles, ford fusion, ford fusion electric vehicle, ford fusion ev, green cars, green vehicle, green volkswagen, green vw, Mercedes E300, Mercedes E400, Mercedes Hybrid, NAIAS, naias 2012, north american international auto show, Prius C, sustainable transportation, Toyota, toyota hybrid car, upcoming electric cars, upcoming hybrid cars

Read the rest of PHOTOS: The Chevy MiRay Concept Is a Hot New Take on the Chevy Volt

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Post tags: alternative transportation, auto shows, automobile shows, chevrolet, Chevy MiRay Concept, detroit auto show, eco automobiles, eco autos, eco cars, eco transportation, electric automobiles, electric autos, electric car, electric cars, electric vehicle, extended-range EV, green auto shows, green automobile shows, Green Automobiles, green automotive design, green autos, green car, green cars, green transportation, green vehicle, NAIAS, north american international auto show, plugin hybrid

Read the rest of NAIAS PHOTOS: Michelin Challenge Design Shows Off The Best in Futuristic City Cars

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Tata Technologies decided to go small for the Michelin Challenge Design showcase and came up with the eMO electric mini car being displayed now at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Michelin asked designers to come up with a personal mobility vehicle for sustainable urban living in 2046 and displayed the lilliputian results to NAIAS-goers at the show. The eMO might look miniature, but don’t be deceived – it fits four adults comfortably, has a range of 100 miles per charge and a top speed of 65 miles per hour.

Read the rest of Tata Technologies Showcases Futuristic eMO Micro Electric Vehicle at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show

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Post tags: electric car, electric urban vehicle, electric vehicle, emo, emo car, emo electric car, green car, Green Future, indian vehicle, Michelin Challenge Design, tata, tata car, tata electric car, tata group, tata technologies, tata vehicle, urban car, Urban design

Read the rest of Bob Lutz Unveils Via Motors’ eREV VTRUX Extended-Range EV Pickup at NAIAS

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Read the rest of Nissan Rolls Out Its All-Electric eNV200 Concept Van at the Detroit Auto Show

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Read the rest of PHOTOS: Smart Unveils Quirky For-Us Mini Electric Pickup Truck at the Detroit Auto Show

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Inhabitat is reporting live from the floor of the 2012 Detroit Auto Show!

Heads up green transportation fans – Team Inhabitat is gearing up for an exciting day at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, and we’ll be bringing you live coverage of the hottest new hybrid cars, electric vehicles, and sustainable transportation innovations all day long! We’re looking forward to an amazing series of eco vehicle unveilings – from the Ford Focus EV and the 2013 Fusion hybrid to Lexus’ sexy LF-LC hybrid sports car, Volkswagen’s Beetle-inspired electric vehicle, Smart’s ultra-compact For-US electric pickup truck, and much more! We’ll be bringing you live updates on the most exciting green vehicles from this year’s show, so keep checking back throughout the day – and stay tuned to the Inhabitat Twitter!

+ 2012 Detroit Auto Show Coverage

+ Inhabitat Twitter

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Post tags: 2012 Detroit Auto Show, 2012 green cars, 2012 sustainable transportation, auto show, detroit auto show, electric car, electric vehicle, green cars, green design, green transportation, hybrid car, NAIAS, naias 2012, north american international auto show, sustainable transportation