Eco Factor: Lightweight motorcycle powered by electric batteries.
Hirsch Design has unveiled a lightweight all-electric motorcycle, the Comoto, which is planned for production later this year. The 118-pound electric machine is developed using an aircraft-grade T6 aluminum monocoque frame that features twin flat panels, containing the electronics and batteries within.
Eco Factor: Self-sufficient structure generates solar and wind energy.
Coop Himmelb(l)au has unveiled the design for the “Energy Roof” in Italy. The structure is part of the research project, “Walking through the history” of the University of Perugia. The roof is designed to serve as a canopy in the center of Perugia, while producing enough energy to sustain the underground passage and the roof itself.
Eco Factor: Zero-emission car powered by electricity.
Fiat has finally unveiled an all-electric variant of its iconic 500 at the Detroit Auto Show. The zero-emission vehicle was parked alongside the Challenger and Chargers on the Chrysler stand, but the details weren’t revealed.
Eco Factor: Low-emission sports car powered by a hybrid engine.
Toyota, in conjunction with Gazoo Racing development team, has launched the GRMN Sports Hybrid concept car at the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon. The car is based on the company MR2 platform and combines a conventional gas engine with electric motors for an efficient drive.
Eco Factor: Old cellphones to be refurbished to help victims of Haiti earthquake.
According to statistics, there are over 1 billion used cellphones that are sitting around and gathering dust due to the latest advancements in mobile technology. ReCellular has started a program, Phones for Haiti, that can help you do your bit to provide disaster relief for the victims of the recent Haiti earthquake.
Eco Factor: Concept airship designed to fly clean on solar energy.
The Aerolabe is a concept airship designed by painter and sculptor Gaspard Schlumberger, who believes that solar energy has the potential to green the airspace dominated by gas-guzzling aircraft. The cigar-shaped airship includes solar panels and wings to make this balloon take to the skies.
Eco Factor: Low-emission vehicle powered by a hybrid engine.
Hyundai has showcased its first ever plug-in hybrid vehicle, the Blue-Will, at the Detroit Auto Show. The four-seat sedan concept will offer an electric-only driving range of up to 40 miles on a single charge and its fuel economy will be more than 100mpg.
Eco Factor: Carbon-neutral architecture generates renewable energy.
Designed by E. Kevin Schopfer, AIA, RIBA, the Boston Arcology (BOA) is designed to provide safe and dry living space to over 15,000 people after rising oceans swallow the cities in which we live today. The floating city will provide housing distributed in hotels, offices, retail, museums, condominiums and a city hall.
Eco Factor: Zero-emission supercar powered by an electric drivetrain.
In addition to some green rides being displayed at the Detroit Auto Show, there’s much more going on in the green transportation world elsewhere in the world as well. Radical Sportscars has launched the SRZero at the Autosport International 2010 being held in Birmingham.
Eco Factor: Zero-emission superbike runs on electricity.
Italian firm CRP has unveiled its zero-emission motorcycle for the TTXGP 2010. The all-electric motorcycle, dubbed the eCRP 1.0, is powered by two Agni motors and features a touch panel interface and full wireless connectivity.
Eco Factor: China Pavilion for Shanghai Expo gets a BIPV installation.
Suntech Power Holdings Co has announced the completion and grid connection of two solar systems on the China Pavilion and the Theme Pavilion designed for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. Collectively the two solar power systems will generate a power output of 3.12MW.
Eco Factor: Hybrid car carrier uses solar energy for low emissions.
Sanyo has announced that the company will participate in R&D of a hybrid car carrier that uses natural energy. The car carrier will be developed by Sanyo, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd and Mitsui O.S.K Lines Ltd. The hybrid ship is scheduled for completion in 2012.
Eco Factor: UAV to offer 24-hour services while consuming solar energy.
Researchers at the Queensland University of Technology are creating a solar-powered unmanned flight system for round-the-clock surveillance. Dubbed the Green Falcon, the solar UAV aims to save lives and millions of dollars, using the latest in green technology.
Eco Factor: Low-emission car powered by a green engine.
Australian auto design firm Revenge Design Inc has unveiled its latest green creation, the Revenge Verde Supercar that tops 200mph and offers an amazing fuel efficiency of 100mpg. Priced at around $200,000, the vehicle has been made using the “best from the best” parts that are assembled in America.
Eco Factor: Bicycle lane designed to let you ride above traffic.
Kolelinia is a concept bike lane designed by Bulgarian architect Martin Angelov, that will allow bikers to soar about traffic on a mini-highway designed in the sky. The lane will feature a series of towers connected by steel wires with a U-shaped rim.
Eco Factor: Concept research station to be built using MD-80 aircraft fuselage.
The MD-80/DC-9 series of jets are losing their place within the fleets of the world’s major airlines, due to the development of more efficient and large aircraft. Researchers predict that within a few years, most of these aircraft will be retired, which will lead to 12 million kg of waste.
Eco Factor: Zero-emission vehicle powered by electricity.
General Motors has announced that the company is planning an all-electric variant of the Chevrolet Volt, that will be built by expanding the battery pack of the vehicle is eliminating its internal combustion engine. The Volt, as of now, gets a range of 40 miles on a charge before the 1.4-liter internal combustion engine kicks in.
Eco Factor: Low-emission vehicle powered by a hybrid engine.
Toyota has unveiled the FT-CH Hybrid concept car at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The vehicle would address Toyota’s stated strategy to offer a wide variety of green vehicle to its customers.
Eco Factor: Energy-efficient LED lighting powered by solar energy.
IKEA will soon be stocking their shelves with a new range of energy-efficient solar-powered summer night lighting that will feature energy saving LED bulbs. In addition to being green, this new collection, dubbed SOLIG, will also be affordable.
Eco Factor: Concept bicycle to be used as the basis of a bike-sharing program.
Thomas Coulbeaut’s MyLoop bicycle has been adjudged as the final winner of the Copenhagen Bike Share Competition. The design revolves around the use of a futuristic bike that comes with a docking station that provides electricity for all energy demanding functionality and secures the bicycle when not in use.