But Who Will Drive Them?
If the Obama administration is serious about boosting the fuel efficiency of the American fleet, it must do more than just tighten fuel-economy standards to steer drivers to the new cars.
The Electric Auto Fleet Moves a Few Steps Closer
A look at the machinery to be revealed at the Detroit auto show suggests that the era of the electric automobile has finally arrived. Toyota Plans to Leapfrog G.M. With a Plug-In
The offering from the Japanese automaker would beat the Chevrolet Volt to the market.
As First Plan Stalls, Mayor Tries New Push for Green Taxis
The mayor announced financial incentives aimed at pushing taxi owners to buy more environmentally-friendly gas-and-electric cars. Coupling Delivery Trucks With Hybrid Technology
Hybrid trucks remain beyond the reach of many corporate truck fleet buyers.
Race Starts With Little Fuel, and Goes Uphill From There
Escape From Berkeley could be the world’s most eco-friendly race, in which alternative-fuel-burning vehicles compete with the goal of completing the race using no petroleum. Amping Up the Electrics
AT the last two Paris auto shows, makers of sport utility vehicles set up an off-road test track between the convention halls. This year it was replaced by two smaller tracks, one for eco driving and one for electric cars. When I went to the tracks Thursday afternoon, it was raining lightly and nearly everyone was at lunch. A Tesla Roadster, two Italian trucks and a tiny electric car were all parked quietly without their handlers. The electric Smart car was still on display inside Hall 1.
Buffett Buys Stake in Chinese Battery Manufacturer
The billionaire investor announced that he had agreed to buy a 9.89 percent stake in BYD, which plans to sell electric cars in the United States by 2010. Comments of the Week
The Prius is the best-selling hybrid in the world because it not only has an alternative powertrain, but it has an alternative look. Most other hybrids look like any other car. Even if G.M. couldn't exactly carry over the styling of the show car, they should have made the actual design more exotic, because the people that buy them are not interested in making a subtle statement. They'll want everyone to know how green they are.
G.M. Tones Down the Volt
RICK WAGONER, chairman of General Motors, unwrapped the production version of the series hybrid Chevrolet Volt as part of the company's 100th anniversary celebration on Tuesday. The Volt, whose small gas engine does not drive the wheels but keeps the 16 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack charged, will look nothing like the concept car that G.M. carted around to auto shows for years.