Automotive X Prize New: March 2nd, 2008

Tesla Founders: Solar Synergy, Martin installed solar panels on his house in anticipation of his Tesla Roadster, and he gets it: it's not about the purchase "paying for itself", it's about knowing that you are part of the solution, and smiling.

This isn't strictly speaking related, but I thought I would feature it here anyway: Transit Agency Finds Total Operating Cost of its Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses 32x That of Diesel. And even after you take away the high parts cost, it's still noticeable that the hydrogen fuel alone costs almost double the entire cost of the diesel buses. Add the "fuel loss cost" and it's more than double... Even aside from the cost, I do not believe that we are ever likely to make hydrogen in a clean way - because the clean sources are great at making electricity, and it's foolish (read wasteful) to make electricity into hydrogen from a thermodynamic standpoint. So, please, let the hydrogen hype end already!

Coming Soon: Third-Gen Prius, Hybrid-Only Lexus. Apparently the third-gen Prius will not likely be a plug-in Prius, but it may have li-ion batteries, and get 70 MPG!

Th!nk is now delivering their "Th!nk City" vehicle to customers around Europe - check out these cool videos: Th!nk: First Look, Think: Driving. The City is an electric vehicle capable of 60 MPH, 100+ mile range. It's a full car other than the speed limitation, though: safety, registration, etc. all as a typical car. Th!nk has big plans.

Edmunds test drives a Mitsubishi i MiEV, and comes away impressed, except for the range (100 in theory, only 60 miles in practice).

House Passes Energy Bill: Take from Big Oil, Give to Plug-in Tax Credits. Of course, the Republicans are filibustering it in the senate, and President Bush has threatened to veto it. But we can dream, right?

2008 Piaggo MP3, a three-wheeled scooter which delivers 60 MPG and lots of fun.