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

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

Switzerland-based industrial machine behemoth ABB just announced plans to throw its weight behind a massive network of electric vehicle charging stations across Europe, the US, and Asia. The company plans to integrate chargers into smart grid systems and allow drivers to juice up their electric vehicles while they are out and about. The announcement is a big nod that the nascent electric car market is set to boom – sources project that over 5 million EVs will be sold each year by 2017, and the charger market is valued at $1 billion.

Read the rest of Industrial Giant ABB Announces Plans for Worldwide Electric Vehicle Charging Network

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Post tags: ABB car charger, ABB EV, ABB EV network, car charger network, electric car charger, ev, ev charger, green car, green transportation, smart grid

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

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

There is plenty of electric vehicle buzz at this year’s North American International Auto Show and Volvo just added to the green transportation hype by showcasing the world’s first (and second) plug-in diesel hybrid. The V60 and XC60 Plug-in Hybrids are being touted as two of the most technically advanced models in Detroit. They offer drivers the freedom to choose from three driving modes: pure, hybrid, or power without sacrificing interior space, comfort, or performance – and they give EV enthusiasts a choice of a crossover or a premium wagon.

Read the rest of Volvo Debuts XC60 Plug-in Hybrid at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show

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Post tags: "energy efficiency", conservation, detroit auto show, diesel, electric car, ev, fuel economy, green design, green transportation, hybrid, NAIAS, naias 2012, north american international auto show, phev, plug-in hybrid, sustainable design, v60, volvo, xc60

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

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Post tags: bizarrely small truck, detroit auto show, e-bikes, eco car, electric car, electric pickup truck, electric truck, electric vehicle, ev, forus, green car, green transportation, NAIAS, naias 2012, north american international auto show, pick-up, Smart, smart car, Smart electric truck, Smart EV, Smart EV truck, Smart For-US, Sustainable

Last year I had the good fortune to attend the North American International Auto Show (or NAIAS) in Detroit – for the first time – and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect! I had never attended an auto show before, but I’ve heard that most SUV-focused auto shows of years past have not been very interesting to people who care about green cars, like me. However, 2011 was the year of the electric car! From super-sexy hybrid race cars (from Porsche), to a retina-searing electric yellow sports cars (from Mercedes), to practical electric commuter cars (like the Ford Focus EV and Ford C-MAX Hybrid), nearly every major car manufacturer at the Detroit Auto Show unveiled a new electric car or a new hybrid. For those of you who couldn’t make it to the show, happily we shot a video of my favorite new electric cars – check it out above, and stay tuned as we bring you a video of the hottest green vehicles from the 2012 Detroit Auto Show in the next few days!

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO >

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Post tags: an international auto show, auto show, auto show video, detroit auto show, electric car, electric cars, electric vehicle, ev, ford focus electric, Ford Focus EV, green car, green cars, green design, green transportation, green vehicle, green vehicles, green video, hybrid car, hybrid vehicle, inhabitat, inhabitat at detroit auto show, inhabitat car show, Inhabitat LLC, inhabitat video, mercedes SLS, NAIAS, naias 2011, north american international auto show, north americPorsche, Porsche 918 RSR, Porsche eco, Porsche Electric Vehicle, Porsche EV, Porsche Green Car, Porsche Hybrid Race car, Porsche Hybrid Sports Car, Porsche Spyder unveiling, Porsche unveil

2011 was another great year for green transportation, with the unveiling of numerous new electric vehicles, planes, trains and more. With green transportation solidifying its status as a viable alternative to its carbon heavy counterparts, this year certainly saw no shortage of exciting new developments in the industry. From a sturdy electric-powered unicycle to assist the police force, to a 1,352 mpg hypermiling car developed by an 11-year old, to news that Jay Leno has driven his very own Volt a whopping 11,000 miles, check out our most popular green transportation stories of 2011 – as determined by your views – and vote for your #1 choice.

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Post tags: alternative transportation, eco design, eco transportation, electric car, electric cars, electric vehicle, ev, EVs, green design, green transportation, green transportation 2011, hybrid, hybrid car, hybrid cars, hybrid vehicle, sustainable design, sustainable transportation, top 6 green transportation stories

As the new era of gas-free vehicle travel dawns in America, the new Ford Focus Electric well represents the goodness this era will bring: 100% electric-power and zero CO2 emissions.* Plus, it comes fully loaded and packed with a host of cool technology features that enhance performance and make Focus Electric a lot of fun to drive. Focus Electric gets all of its power from an advanced high-voltage lithium-ion battery system, which means you’ll never need a drop of gas or an oil change. A full charge can be achieved in approximately 3 – 4 hours with the available 240-volt home charging station. Tech tools, like SYNC® with MyFord Touch® featuring unique EV content, help you maximize efficiency and range by displaying battery charge status, energy surplus status and more.

Read the rest of The 100% Electric-Powered, Zero CO2 Emissions Ford Focus Electric Is One Beautifully Designed Car

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Post tags: electric cars, ev, focus electric, ford, ford focus, ford focus electric, gas free vehicles, my ford mobile app, my ford touch, sync ford

Wireless electric car charging, the technology many said was too inefficient or impractical to be a success, now appears to be a top priority for many automakers and electronics suppliers. We recently told you how Daimler was testing an inductive charging system for the next-generation Mercedes E-Cell vehicle, and we already know Nissan is working on a system for the 2014 LEAF as well as quick-charging systems that can power your house in reverse. Now we’ve discovered that Evatran is making hubcap-sized wireless charging systems for both the LEAF and the Chevy Volt that should be available through Sears next year. And there’s more.

Read the rest of Wireless Car Charging Could Be Here As Soon as 2013 from Companies Including Evatran, WiTricity, and HaloIPT

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Post tags: Amazon, chevy volt, Conductor-Wampflix, Delphi, electric car, electric vehicle, ev, evatran, general electric wattstation, haloipt, inductive car charging, inductive charging, Infiniti EV, International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, Mercedes E-Cell, Nissan Leaf, Rolls-Royce 102 EX Phantom, Sears, wireless car charging, wireless charging, witricity

If you’re buying an electric car for fun or just running around town, how about a little hot rod like this Lightning Electric Car? It’s lighter, which means more power, and has better range and absolutely thrilling acceleration. Made by a little-known company called EnviroTech, the new product hits 60 miles per hour from start in just 5 seconds and looks hot doing it.

Read the rest of $20,000 EnviroTech Lightning Electric Hot Rod Hits 60 MPH in 5 Seconds

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Post tags: alternative transportation, electric car, electric vehicle, Envirotech, ev, green automotive design, green car, green transportation, green vehicle, hot rod, Lightning Electric Car, Lightning Electric Hot Rod, Lightning Hot Rod, PEV, plug-in electric car, plug-in EV, zero-emissions

The Chevy Volt* is unique among electric cars because it runs on two sources of energy. You have an electric source – a battery – that allows you to drive gas-free for an EPA–estimated 35 miles. And there’s also an on-board gas generator that produces electricity so you can go farther. So if you want to drive using only electricity, you can. If you want to drive using electricity and gas, you can do that, too. Hear what one proud Volt owner had to say about how the electric car has reinvented her driving experience.

Read the rest of A New Driving Perspective

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Post tags: chevrolet, chevrolet volt, chevy, chevy owner, chevy volt, chevy volt owner, electric car, electric car owner, electric vehicle, electric vehicle owner, energy efficient vehicle, ev, EV owner, extended range electric vehicle, gas electric hybrid, GM electric car, green car, green transportation, green vehicle, hybrid car, hybrid vehicle, inhabitat, laura winger, volt, volt owner, volt owner story, zero emissions car, zero emissions vehicle

Estonian auto company Dartz Kombat is known for making the Prombron — basically a bulletproof Hummer on steriods – however they recently announced plans to go ‘green’ by launching a bulletproof all-electric roadster called the Jo-Mojo. Set to debut in Monaco at the Top Marques show in April, the vehicle will feature a solar roof and muscular chassis. Check out a video slideshow of of the Jo-Mojo and its chameleon paint job — it actually changes colors — after the jump.

Read the rest of Bulletproof Solar-Powered Jo-Mojo Electric Roadster to Hit the Streets Next Year

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Post tags: armored car, armored car maker, armored roadster, armored vehicle, dartz, dartz kombat, electric car, electric roadster, ev, green transportation, james bond car, luxury cars, mob, mobster, no emissions vehicle, prombron, solar panels, solar panels car, unusual cars, weird cars

Henrik Fisker and the Fisker Automotive team are racking up quite the list of awards this year – and their pile might just about be complete with their latest accolade. The UK’s immensely popular Top Gear TV show just named the Fisker Karma the “Car of the Year” and Top Gear Magazine named the extended range electric vehicle the “Luxury Car of the Year” – an award that has previously been graced upon such high end autos as the Mercedes-Benz CLS Coupe, the Jaguar XJ and the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe. In our recent interview with Henrik Fisker about his groundbreaking luxury design he noted that he just wanted to show the public that green design can be cool, and from the looks of it he is certainly succeeding.

Read the rest of Fisker Karma Named Top Car of the Year by BBC’s Top Gear

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Post tags: bbcs top gear, car of the year, electric car, electric motor, electric vehicle, ev, fisker karma, green transportation, green vehicle, high end electric vehicle, luxury car, luxury car of the year, luxury electric vehicle, luxury sports car, plug-in hybrid, top gear, top gear ev

Read the rest of EPA Declares the Mitsubishi i EV Is the Most Fuel Efficient Car in the U.S.

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Post tags: 112 mpge, 126 mpge, electric car, electric vehicle, epa, ev, fuel economy, fuel efficiency, green automotive design, green car, green vehicle, Mitsubishi i, most efficient electric car, most fuel efficient car, MPGe

Researchers led by professor Harold Kung at Northwestern University have just developed a breakthrough battery technology that could allow electric cars to run 10 times longer and recharge 10 times quicker. The new lithium ion batteries use several techniques to pack more power capacity into batteries while vastly improving both their charge speed and their ability to hold a charge over time. The result is a battery that could be ready for use in 3 to 5 years that could keep your cell phone charged for a week and recharge in 15 minutes, or give your electric car a 500-mile range with 10-minute charging. We already know Nissan is set to release a quick-charger that powers up current EVs in 10 minutes, so we’re excited to see how these two breakthrough technologies will interact.

Read the rest of Northwestern University Researchers Create Breakthrough Batteries That Could Give EVs 500 Mile Range, 10 Minute Charge Time

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Post tags: Advanced Energy Materials, battery breakthrough, battery technology, breakthrough, Cary M. Hayner, electric car, electric vehicle, ev, Harold Kung, Kung Battery, lithium ion battery, Mayfair C. Kung, Northwestern University, quick-charging battery, vehicle charge, vehicle charging, world's first, Xin Zhao

Read the rest of EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: Audi’s Hybrid Diesel E-Tron Spyder Concept at the LA Auto Show

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Post tags: AUDI, Audi concept car, audi electric car, audi EV, audi green car, audi hybrid, audi low emissions car, audi new car, diesel, electric automobile, electric car, ev, hybrid, hybrid diesel, la auto, LA Auto Show, Los Angeles Auto Show

Read the rest of Coda Lowers the Price of Their Electric Car and Announces Start of Production

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Post tags: Alternative Fuel, alternative vehicle, coda, Coda Automotive, electric car, electric vehicle, ev, green car, green transportation, LA Auto Show, Los Angeles Auto Show