Kia has finally brought its first production electric vehicle to North America to debut at the 2012 consumer electronics show. It’s actually two cars we’re going to see – Kia’s Ray EV and their Naimo Zero Emissions concept car will both have their North American debut at the show today in Las Vegas […]
Research into solar power is proceeding on several fronts; one of them is 3-dimensional solar technology rather than the flat solar cells that are currently prevalent. Solar3D, Inc. is the developer of that 3-dimensional solar technology. This week, they announced that simulated tests of its new solar cell […]
Daihatsu is the oldest Japanese automaker, but I know it mainly as the one who makes all the little kei cars – you know, the “light motor vehicles” with engines up to 660cc and 64HP that go 60mph with a strong tailwind and get 50mpg running around heavy city traffic. … [continued]
Tiny short-range electric cars with room for one or two were not uncommon at the IAA 2011 – VW brought the Nils, Audi had the Urban Concept, and Opel showed the Rak e. Peugeot missed the auto show, but has announced its own tiny electric car anyway – the Velv.
Solar power has as many applications as any other type of electricity, but BINE Information Services in Germany has recently released a report on yet another specific adaptation of solar power – metalworking.
If it’s little and cute, chances are it’s either made in Japan or will soon be available there. This ultra-compact 3-wheeled and currently nameless electric scooter announced by Kyoto’s first venture company, Green Lord Motors, is both.
The Institute of Industrial Science of Tokyo University, widely regarded as the top university in Japan, has erected a “smart house” on their Komaba Campus, in cooperation with LIXIL Housing Corporation’s Eyeful Home Company. The current structure, the COMMA house (COMfort MAnagement), is the start of a series of prototypes and tests geared toward creating more-or-less self-sufficient home. The project is expected to have plans for a standard smart house by 2020.
Electric cars have giant batteries (useful for a number of things besides driving the actual car, even). Also under consideration as the primary power source for electric cars (and buses, motorcycles, yachts, etc.) is the lithium ion capacitor.
