Transportation News

Lux Research charts complex partnership networks in stationary energy storage

Sep 26, 2016: Lux Research is analyzing partnerships in stationary energy storage, and has produced a graphic showing some of the key partnerships of seven leading stationary storage battery suppliers. This is not an exhaustive list, but a starting point for getting a...

Comfy aDream pods let you take a nap during long airport layovers

Sep 26, 2016: Designer Rafael Martin conceived aDream as a multi-functional furniture system that fits two mattresses on each side, a light, a drawer and a powder socket, all packed into small units that can be scattered throughout airport terminals. Functioning as micro hotel rooms, these structures can be installed in a variety of different spaces such as lounges and hallways, allowing passengers to take a nap while waiting for their flight. Related: New Ultra-Compact Airplane Seats Pack in the Passengers The...

T&E: VW sells least polluting Euro 6 diesels in Europe; no brand meets Euro 6 in real-world driving; loopholes & defeat strategies

Sep 26, 2016: A new study by Transport & Environment (T&E) shows that Volkswagen is currently selling the least polluting (Euro 6) diesel vehicles. However, the report “Dieselgate: Who? What? How?” also found that no brand in Europe complies with the latest Euro...

Melting arctic ice allows luxury cruise ship to travel Northwest Passage for the first time

Sep 26, 2016: For generations, the Northwest Passage connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Canadian Artic was considered impossible to travel. Thick ice prevented ships from taking advantage of the potential sea route until Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen successfully navigated it in 1906 after a three-year struggle. In the years since, some commercial ships have passed through, but only in the summer when the ice was thin enough for their icebreakers to smash their way through. Now,...

AM General to build prototypes for the next-gen USPS Postal Delivery Vechicles; ZEV versions

Sep 26, 2016: AM General’s designs for advanced postal vehicles have been selected by the US Postal Service (USPS) as part of the USPS Next Generation Delivery Vehicle (NGDV) Prototype awards. The awards were in support of the service’s plans and need for...

Rolls-Royce MTU introduces new hybrid power pack for rail systems; up to 25% fuel savings

Sep 26, 2016: At Innotrans in Berlin, Rolls-Royce Power Systems’ MTU brand introduced the new MTU EnergyPack battery system for rail as a product that is now available for ordering. The Hybrid PowerPack is a market-ready advanced development based on a test version...

Recargo progressing with WCEH fast-charger buildout; subcontract with Supercharger builder Black & Veach

Sep 26, 2016: Earlier this year, Recargo, parent company to PlugShare, a leading charging station locator app, was awarded more than $1.6 million from the California Energy Commission (CEC) to help complete key routes of the West Coast Electric Highway (WCEH), a network...

Wirth Research developing long-endurance hydrogen-powered terrain mapping drones

Sep 26, 2016: UK-based Wirth Research has been contracted to develop and deliver a unique and bespoke prototype fleet of hydrogen fuel cell powered advanced terrain mapping drones for DERYL Research K.K.—a subsidiary of DERYL Group K.K., based in Japan. The all-new Unmanned...

Tiny timber meditation pavilion in Italy reconnects people to nature

Sep 26, 2016: Inspired by East and West spiritual philosophies, the five-meter-tall Riondolo was built by hand using local techniques and labor. The building features crisscrossing timber slats that taper upwards from its seven-square-meter base into a small square skylight. Only a few people are able to use the pavilion at the same time and are invited to rest on the small wooden benches inside. Gaps between the timber slats frame views over the lake and the surrounding vistas. Related: Beautiful cedar-covered...

Worlds largest rooftop farm sprouts 10 million pesticide-free crops each year

Sep 26, 2016: The world’s largest rooftop farm covers nearly two acres, is run completely on renewable energy, and produces nearly 10 million annual crops of local, premium-quality, pesticide-free, leafy greens, and herbs. Brooklyn-based Gotham Greens has expanded its farm family with the creation of this new project, which is housed atop a manufacturing plant on Chicago’s south side. As urban agriculture goes, this farm is the king of the crisper. The 75,000-square-foot farm is situated atop...

Blackbodys luminous LED FIRE RING turns heads at London Design 2016

Sep 26, 2016: There is a lot to soak in at the London Design Festival, yet the sparkling FIRE RING display by Blackbody catches the eye immediately. Luminous OLED lights of varying colors hang delicately from overhead, mimicking the dance between warm and cool hues seen in a flickering flame. Blackbody has impressed us before with its dazzling installations at the Milan Furniture Fair and ICFF in 2013, as well as at Wanted Design 2014. They do not disappoint with their latest creation, which is...

Volkswagen Paris Electric Car Concept Shown by Design Sketches

Sep 26, 2016: Volkswagen is trying hard to put the diesel cheating scandal behind them, and one of the ways to shift consumer focus is by revealing design sketches of its battery electric car a week before the Paris Motor Show. The illustrations show a five-door hatchback with a low, ground hugging stance and a rear roofline that […] The post Volkswagen Paris Electric Car Concept Shown by Design Sketches appeared first on HybridCars.com.

Surprise: 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Offers Turbocharged Diesel

Sep 26, 2016: Chevrolet chose to introduce the 2018 Equinox last night, the evening of the autumn equinox, and it came with a surprise — a 1.6-liter turbo diesel that Chevy estimates will achieve and estimated 40 mpg in highway driving. The compact crossover SUV segment is now the industry’s single-largest segment, and the Equinox crossover is Chevrolet’s […] The post Surprise: 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Offers Turbocharged Diesel appeared first on HybridCars.com.

Tesla Ramps Up Semi Truck Game, Poaches Daimler’s ‘Super Tuck’ Engineers

Sep 26, 2016: Shortly after Tesla Motor’s CEO Elon Musk published his Master Plan: Part Deux last July, the electric carmaker promoted Jerome Guillen, a former Daimler Truck executive, to VP of the Tesla Semi business unit. Before joining Tesla in 2010, Guillen was an executive at Daimler’s Freightliner division in Portland, OR where he was involved with […] The post Tesla Ramps Up Semi Truck Game, Poaches Daimler’s ‘Super Tuck’ Engineers appeared first on HybridCars.com.

Chevrolet Posts 2017 Bolt EV Ordering Guide

Sep 26, 2016: Chevrolet quietly posted its fleet order guide on Friday for the 2017 Chevy Bolt EV. The car is categorized as a truck by the automaker, as it is a crossover utility vehicle. Not updated yet however is the consumer website with ordering capability for consumers. Those interested would be advised to keep their eyes on […] The post Chevrolet Posts 2017 Bolt EV Ordering Guide appeared first on HybridCars.com.

See what splurging on a tiny house on wheels gets you in the beautiful ESCAPE Vintage

Sep 25, 2016: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHLysiCptWk&feature=youtu.be Presumably targeted towards retirees eager to travel, the new ESCAPE Vintage prioritizes comfort with a traditional Americana design that, despite its 315-square-foot size, features a first-floor queen-size bedroom, kitchen with a full-size refrigerator, dining area, living area, full-size bath, and upstairs loft/bedroom. The tiny portable home needn’t be used for travel, however. The adaptable ESCAPE Vintage can also serve as a guesthouse,...

Tennessee bag ladies recycle 52,000 plastic bags to help the homeless

Sep 25, 2016: A church group from Tennessee has transformed over 52,000 plastic grocery bags into sleeping mats that keep the homeless population warm and dry at night. The group formed in 2015 when their congregation learned that homeless members of the community were being forced to sleep along the soggy banks of the Mississippi River. Read on to learn about the fascinating process they use to transform waste plastic into usable yarn. READ MORE >…

How a simple honey harvester demonstrates the sweet success of viral crowdfunding campaign

Sep 25, 2016: Nearly 18 months ago, we reported on Flow Hive, the wildly successful crowdfunded project with two key benefits: making it easier to harvest honey in your backyard while simultaneously supporting bee populations. The crowdfunding campaign broke numerous records, as it soared past $1 million in backing pledges on Day 1. The wild success of Flow Hive’s Indiegogo campaign made history—not just for bees and prospective beekeepers, but for all sorts of inventors and entrepreneurs looking for ways...

Cars With Keyless Entry System Are Easy To Steal

Sep 25, 2016: German auto club ADAC haa found it is ridiculously easy for thieves to steal most cars with keyless entry systems. You can minimize the risk by keeping your keys in the freezer. The post Cars With Keyless Entry System Are Easy To Steal appeared first on Gas 2.

Proposed border city between US and Mexico solves many problems at once

Sep 25, 2016: The "Border City", currently being exhibited at the London Design Biennale, is meant to function as a special zone where cultures "both clash and blend to create something altogether unique". It draws from various international examples of "border situations" and aims to reconcile different cultural and economic narratives. This model addresses the specific case of the spatial border between the United States and Mexico, but aims to function as a widely applicable prototype of a new border city. Related:...

Why these floating dorms made from shipping containers are the future of cheap student housing

Sep 25, 2016: Copenhagen icon and world-renowned architect Bjarke Ingels designed the Urban Rigger units, but the idea was the brainchild of Kim Loudrop, an entrepreneur who founded the Urban Rigger startup. Loudrop sought to create a “revolutionary and innovative floating dwelling system” that took advantage of unused prime real estate—the water. The urgent student housing shortage galvanized the entrepreneur, who also noticed that 80 percent of major universities in Europe were centrally located in cities,...

BOOK REVIEW: Bianca Bosker's New Book, Original Copies, Dissects China's Bizarre Knockoff Architecture Trend

Sep 25, 2016: In Original Copies, Bosker, the senior tech editor at the Huffington Post, presents a thorough analysis of the remarkable building replication phenomenon that has been happening across China. She begins to unravel the story by first identifying China’s…

Swap-in wheel converts any bike into an electric within 60 seconds

Sep 25, 2016: Interested in trying an electric bike, but too attached to your traditional frame to part with it? Now there’s a solution for you – the GeoOrbital bike wheel. It’s a battery-powered tire that can replace a regular wheel on your bicycle, making your bike electric in just 60 seconds. The wheel comes in two sizes which should fit 95% of all adult bicycles and allows bikes to travel 20 miles per hour for up to 50 miles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGdiIH8jODo&ab_channel=GeoOrbital The...

Chevy Adds Turbo-Diesel To Equinox In Quest For Broader Market

Sep 25, 2016: The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox will be available with a turbo-diesel engine expected to give the car 40 mpg fuel economy. It will also offer two 4 cylinder turbocharged gas engines. The post Chevy Adds Turbo-Diesel To Equinox In Quest For Broader Market appeared first on Gas 2.

Watch a BMW morph into a standing Transformer-like bot

Sep 25, 2016: A Turkish company has made many a Transformers fan’s dream turn to reality—the engineers at Letrons have turned a BMW into a Transformer-like bot capable of speech and cool special effects. Using a remote control, the engineers turn the BMW “robot in disguise” into Antimon, a standing bot with pop-out arms, legs, and head. Click on the link below to see the transformation in action. READ MORE>…

World’s First Hydrogen Powered Passenger Train Debuts In Germany

Sep 25, 2016: Unlike the United States, rail travel in Europe is the first choice of many people. The Continent is crisscrossed with excellent rail networks that connect all major cities. The trains run on time. They are quiet and comfortable, and at the end of the journey you arrive downtown without needing to take an expenisive taxi [&hellip The post World’s First Hydrogen Powered Passenger Train Debuts In Germany appeared first on Gas 2.

Ford offering adaptive steering on Super Duty and Edge

Sep 25, 2016: Ford is offering adaptive steering on the Ford F-Series Super Duty pickup and Ford Edge SUV. Ford has been awarded eight patents, with 11 more filed, on the technology which has been offered in select vehicles for several years. (Earlier...

ICCT study finds that transitioning to low-GWP MAC refrigerants in China could avoid up to US$150B in costs

Sep 25, 2016: A new study from the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) assesses the feasibility, benefits, and costs of phasing out HFC-134a as the refrigerant in mobile air conditioning (MAC) systems in the Chinese LDV fleet, focusing on three alternatives with...

Every Model Smart Car Will Offer An Electric Drive Option In 2017

Sep 24, 2016: For 2017, Smart will be the only car company in the world to offer an electric drive version of every car it sells. Will that be enough to make Americans fall in love with the minuscule commuter? The post Every Model Smart Car Will Offer An Electric Drive Option In 2017 appeared first on Gas 2.

China, US Could Eliminate $20 Billion In Fossil Fuel Subsidies

Sep 24, 2016: China and the US reported that they spend more than $20 billion dollars a year on "inefficient" fossil fuel subsidies. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. The post China, US Could Eliminate $20 Billion In Fossil Fuel Subsidies appeared first on Gas 2.

Germany unveils worlds first zero-emissions hydrogen-powered passenger train

Sep 24, 2016: French company Alstom unveiled the first-ever passenger train powered completely by hydrogen at this week’s Berlin InnoTrans trade show. The hydrogen train or “hydrail” will be put into service on Germany’s Buxtehude-Bremervörde-Bremerhaven-Cuxhaven line in Lower Saxony by December 2017. After two years in development, the "Coradia iLint" train offers a zero-emissions alternative to Germany’s existing fleet of diesel trains, thanks to a roof-mounted tank of hydrogen fuel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3bUE9uHkqM The...

This scarf can filter pollution and monitor local air quality

Sep 24, 2016: It's a daily reality that many of us have to live with: smoggy, polluted air that harms our health. You could wear a gas mask around town, but what if you could wear something a little more practical and stylish? The Wair scarf can neutralize harmful emissions and let you breathe easy all while looking good and feeling comfortable. READ MORE >…

Millennia-old cave dwellings in Italy renovated into luxurious hotel suites

Sep 24, 2016: Millennia-old cave dwellings in the historic town of Matera, Italy, were restored and transformed into an amazing hotel. Manca Studio developed 300 square meters (3,229 square feet) of these underground spaces were developed as grotto-style hotel units that respect the history of the site. The architects designed four new suites, a common area and a spa for the La Dimora di Metello Hotel in Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Southern Italy. They added new walls and luxury hotel amenities...

INTERVIEW: Becky Northey and Peter Pook Cook on the Tree Shaping Art of Pooktre

Sep 24, 2016: INHABITAT: What obstacles did you face in figuring out your design process, and what methods did you try before arriving at Pooktre? POOKTRE: There are many trees in our valley that have taught us much about tree lore—the reactions and responses that…

Everything we thought we knew about the moon's origins is probably wrong

Sep 24, 2016: Related: Via Gizmodo Images via Pixabay and Wikimedia Commons…

DIY: Make delicious apple cider served in apple cups

Sep 24, 2016: It's officially fall, and nothing sounds better on a chilly day than a warming cup of cider. For your next party, take cider up a notch by serving it in cute little apple cups. Read on to learn how. READ MORE >…

INHABITAT INTERVIEW: 7 Questions with Architect Steven Holl

Sep 24, 2016: INHABITAT: How would you describe your signature style? As we all know, we're in the era of the 'iconic building' and the 'starchitect'. However facile this might be, the designs of public institutions are often offered to the biggest names, and the most 'iconic'…

National Museum of African American History and Culture opens today in Washington, DC

Sep 24, 2016: RELATED: Architect’s Newspaper sneaks a peek at the National Museum of African American History and Culture…

New 1.6L diesel in 2018 Chevrolet Equinox related to Opel’s 1.6L CDTi Whisper Diesel

Sep 24, 2016: The new 1.6-liter diesel engine to be offered in the US in the 2018 Equinox (earlier post) is similar to Opel’s 1.6L CDTi Whisper Diesel (earlier post) in Europe, and is derived from a common Italian-German-American medium diesel engine design,...

GD Tech delivers prototype direct-CNG injectors to Fiat Powertrain for 13L IVECO engine; HDGas project

Sep 24, 2016: GDTech Engineering s.a. has developed and delivered prototype direct-CNG injectors to Fiat Powertrain for heavy-duty long-haul LNG mono-fuel engines. This injector will be applied in the future IVECO Cursor 13 DI-CNG engine being developed as part of the HDGas project...

US and China Still Giving Hefty Subsidies to Fossil Fuel Industry

Sep 23, 2016: The U.S. and China have more work to do to reduce fossil fuel subsidies and to meet the agreement made in late 2014 on cutting greenhouse gas emissions, according to studies released this month at the G20 meeting. The U.S. and Chinese governments released reports at the meeting of G20 nations in Hangzhou, China, showing […] The post US and China Still Giving Hefty Subsidies to Fossil Fuel Industry appeared first on HybridCars.com.

Prefabricated green residential building is slated for Berlin's new 'live-work city'

Sep 23, 2016: Related: India's Magic Breeze villa will be a giant park in the sky + ingenhoven architects Images via ingenhoven architects and WerkBundStadt Berlin…

Zaha Hadid Architects renovate a derelict fire station into Antwerps new BREEAM-rated port headquarters

Sep 23, 2016: The new Port House in Antwerp was created as a “sustainable and future-proof workplace” replacement for the former 1990s offices scattered around the city that had housed the port’s 500 staff. The need for expansion and consolidation came as no surprise—Antwerp is Europe’s second largest shipping port, transporting more than 200 million tonnes of goods via the ocean-going vessels and providing direct employment for over 60,000 people. The City and Port authorities selected a historic disused...

Tesla Ranked Top Auto Brand by Canadians in University Study

Sep 23, 2016: Tesla Motors is the most trusted auto brand in Canada despite its low sales, according to a university study reported by The Globe and Mail. The University of Victoria’s second-annual Gustavson Brand Trust Index ranked Tesla at 11th overall, in front of all other auto brands sold in Canada. With Tesla only having sold about […] The post Tesla Ranked Top Auto Brand by Canadians in University Study appeared first on HybridCars.com.

Safety a Recurring Theme of Tesla 8.0 Software Update on Autopilot and Intuitive Features

Sep 23, 2016: Tesla Motors sent out an email yesterday on its 8.0 software update with Autopilot enhancements, and an emphasis on the software being safer and more intuitive. The long-awaited 8.0 software update was released earlier this month with a detailed technical description of how radar will be used to avoid crashes. This promotional email focused more […] The post Safety a Recurring Theme of Tesla 8.0 Software Update on Autopilot and Intuitive Features appeared first on HybridCars.com.

Netherlands Start-Up Offers Electric Car For $37 A Week

Sep 23, 2016: Amber Mobility of Eidenhoven, Netherlands says it will build an electric car specifically designed for car sharing and offer it to customers for just $37 a week, beginning in The post Netherlands Start-Up Offers Electric Car For $37 A Week appeared first on Gas 2.

Unconventional tiny home for the road expands with the press of a button

Sep 23, 2016: Related: Tiny transforming home in Hong Kong makes 309 square feet feel huge + Tiny Idahomes Via New Atlas Images via Tiny Idahomes…

Elon Musk plans to unveil solar roof and Powerwall 2.0 on October 28

Sep 23, 2016: Tesla plans to launch Tesla/SolarCity Solar Roof + Powerwall 2.0 on October 28 Moving swiftly after their $2.6 billion merger, http://inhabitat.com/tesla-and-solarcity-just-agreed-on-a-2-6-billion-merger/ Tesla http://inhabitat.com/tesla-2/ and SolarCity http://inhabitat.com/tag/solarcity/ are gearing up to release their first jointly branded product: a solar roof that charges an integrated backup power system. To be clear, this new product combo would not be a rooftop solar array or interlocking...

Tesla Sues State Of Michigan Over Direct Sales Ban

Sep 23, 2016: Tesla has sued the state of Michigan in federal court, claiming its franchise dealer law is unconstitutional. Michigan is home to the Big 2.5 automakers. The post Tesla Sues State Of Michigan Over Direct Sales Ban appeared first on Gas 2.

Chevy Volt Could Be Rebadged As ‘Buick Velite’ in China

Sep 23, 2016: American Volt fans have long discussed how the quasi-upscale extended-range EV might have fared with a Buick badge instead of being branded as a bread-and-butter Chevrolet, and it appears the Chinese may be the first to find out. According to Chinese website Autohome, Shanghai GM gets it, and has pulled the strings and may rename […] The post Chevy Volt Could Be Rebadged As ‘Buick Velite’ in China appeared first on HybridCars.com.