Jo Borras, Author at CleanTechnica

About Jo Borras

I've been working in motorsports and tuning since 1997, with some the biggest names in the business. In 2008, the work we did on a hybrid/EV concept car attracted the attention of Gas 2 editors, and they invited me to join the team. I couldn't resist!

High-School Student Builds 900 HP Electric Honda S2000

Posted on May 26, 2013 by Jo Borras

Here’s another super fun EV project, story reposted courtesy CleanTechnica sister site Gas2: A perfect embodiment of the “I can’t buy it, I’ll have to build it” spirit that fuels tuners and racer everywhere, high-school student Juan “Thinmint” Ehringeras has tackled his 900 hp (!?) electric Honda S2000 project from the ground up. Like a boss. Starting with a pair of readily-available electric motors and a salvaged Honda S2000 roadster body, Thinmint has designed every piece … Read More

Bob Lutz: Stuff Sexy Fisker Corpses Full Of V8 Engines

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Jo Borras

Ah, poor Fisker. It may have to surrender the Karma’s wonderful body to Bob Lutz. Here’s the latest news, courtesy of the venerable Gas2: There’s significant demand for the Bob Lutz-backed Fisker Karma V8 conversions, especially now that Fisker, the company, doesn’t look particularly suited to provide parts and/or technical support for their existing hybrid powertrains. So his interest in Fisker getting bailed out makes sense. That said, it’s specifically because of Lutz’ involvement that I hope the … Read More

Op-Ed: The Elio Motors 3-wheeler Won’t Sell

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Jo Borras

This article originally appeared on CleanTechnica sister site Gas2. Earlier this week, Troy-based manufacturer Elio Motors introduced more than 20 key suppliers who will be key contributors to the production of the three-wheeled vehicle we featured back in January. Despite industry heavyweights including Altair Engineering, IAV, and NEWTECH 3 involvement; a claimed 84 MPG fuel economy rating; a (dubiously anticipated) 5-star safety rating; and a starting price of just $6,800, I think Paul Elio’s little … Read More

Automatic App-cessory Is Nike+ For Your Car!

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Jo Borras

Reposted, with minor changes, from Gas2: In today’s “Dammit, that was my idea!” story, I’d like to bring you Automatic’s new app+hardware combo product — a sort of Nike+ “appcessory” package for your car that brings the “fun” and excitement of “hyper-miling” to your iPhone or iPod. A few years since its introduction, you should all know about the Nike/Apple joint-marketing effort known as Nike+ Running. If you don’t, though, I’ll try to summarize: there … Read More

Up Close: Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Jo Borras

This XC60 plug-in hybrid combines a new 280 HP turbocharged 4-cylinder engine based on Volvo’s modular “VEA” platform with a 70 HP electric motor mounted at the rear of the car. With 350 combined HP and 100% of the electric motor’s torque applied to the rear wheels at launch, the XC60 plug-in can scoot to 60 mph in just 5.8 seconds!

Agri-Cube: Your Driveway is a High-tech Urban Farm (w/ Video)

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Jo Borras

From homemade honey to home-brewed beer to homegrown vegetables, more and more people are turning to urban and suburban farming to meet their personal demands for sustainable, organic produce. It’s a good thing. Unfortunately, some neighborhoods and homeowner’s associations feel differently. Combine legal hurdles with fickle weather, drought, pests, and theft, and you can see that urban farming can sometimes be more work than expected. That’s where the Agri-Cube comes in. The Agri-Cube is a … Read More

Let There Be Light: First SolarKiosk Opens in Ethiopia

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Jo Borras

To my generation, Ethiopia will always be “that country.” The one where the people have nothing, so you’d better be grateful and eat your vegetables, you know? During the famine that the country experienced in the 1980s, images of its people’s migration were burned into our subconscious by PSAs and “Feed the Children” commercials in between Transformers and Thundercats cartoons. Things in Ethiopia have gotten somewhat better in recent years, but it’s far from … Read More

Physalia Super-Yacht Cleans Up as it Steams Up (River)

Posted on September 11, 2011 by Jo Borras

There are some pretty exciting technological advancements taking shape on the world’s waterways these days, from “carbon neutral” megayachts to solar-sail cargo ships, it seems like the oceans are filled with people who are embracing their environmental responsibility.

Vintage Jeep Converted to Classic EV is a DIY Dream Machine

Posted on September 10, 2011 by Jo Borras

Mike Picard wanted to restore a vintage, WWII-era Willys Jeep – but he didn’t want to deal with high gas prices and an uncertain energy future. What did Mike do? He built a fully-electric, go-anywhere Jeep that out-performs (and under-pollutes!) the original by a mile. Check it out!

New Electric eSpire Offers More Go for Less Green (still a lot)