Google will be looking for community reaction to see how well the public receives such a concept. Just as an extra measure of safety, these cars will be equipped with steering wheels, brake pedals and a real life tester that can take over the controls should anything start to go wrong.  In the coming years Google is hoping to run pilot programs to see how exactly the public would use such a vehicle and which direction they should take in further developing the technology and style.

Their software has already driven almost 1 million miles between tests on various vehicles it’s installed in (that equals roughly seventy five years of driving experience for the average american). So, how would it work down at the car sales lot? Does the sales person ask if you’d like the car to take ‘you’ for a test drive rather rather than you take the car for one? Hmm… either way, I can’t wait to sit inside one and let it do it’s thing.

So, we asked Honda North America’s senior environment and safety specialist Angie Nucci if this means that the FCV will be delayed at all. She said she doesn’t have additional details for the next-gen FCV availability, “other than March 2016 in Japan and then the US and Europe after. It’s the same timing that we discussed in LA.” In other words, we might be reading too much into this. But it’s worth noting in case the timeline does slip (again).

Curated from Honda gives itself room to delay FCV #hydrogen car until June 2017

Honda will launch a production fuel-cell vehicle–at least somewhat influenced by this concept–in the U.S. next year, following its March 2016 launch in Japan.

That’s due to a more compact fuel-cell stack. Honda says it is one-third smaller, with a power density 60 percent higher, than the one in the Clarity.

Curated from Honda FCV Concept: Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Vehicle Coming In 2016 (Live Photos)

Honda will launch a production fuel-cell vehicle–at least somewhat influenced by this concept–in the U.S. next year, following its March 2016 launch in Japan.

Honda will launch a production fuel-cell vehicle–at least somewhat influenced by this concept–in the U.S. next year, following its March 2016 launch in Japan.

 

Curated from Honda FCV Concept: Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Vehicle Coming In 2016 (Live Photos)

Uber launched the pilot program in Chicago just a few weeks ago to use the BYD e6 electric cars and if all goes well, the test could expand into other markets soon.

The program would allow Uber drivers to lease, rent or buy the vehicles through Chicago’s Green Wheels USA dealership. The more popular option is to rent the vehicle for $200 a week and then return it to the dealership to be charged and rented out to be used again.

“We’ve seen interest in the program already from current and potential Chicago partners,” Uber spokeswoman Lauren Altmin told Reuters. Green Wheels said it hopes to make a couple hundred electric vehicles available for drivers on Chicago streets by the end of 2015.

There are currently 25 e6’s roaming the streets of Chicago. They have a range of about 186 miles on a single charge. BYD currently has plans to triple the battery production on this model to be able to compete with Tesla and their Model S electric car, which has a life span of about 265 miles per charge.

This recent news comes at the same time that the taxi giant’s CFO, Brent Callinicos, has decided to leave the company, making it one of the most significant changes that they’ve made in their 6-year run.

A123 Systems, a company that specializes in manufacturing lithium-ion batteries for electric cars, has accused Apple of aggressively poaching their employees. The suit names five Apple engineers that were reportedly poached from A123 as defendants, claiming they targeted employees who had extensive experience in battery development with companies such as Panasonic, Samsung and LG Electronics.

“It appears that Apple, with the assistance of Ijaz, is systematically hiring away A123’s high tech Ph.D and engineering employees, thereby effectively shutting down various projects/programs at A123,” states the lawsuit available online. “They are doing so in an effort to support Apple’s apparent plans to establish a battery division that is similar if not identical to A123’s.”

A quick look at search results on LinkedIn profiles of current Apple employees and their past employment does show an interesting trend of former automotive engineers from companies like Tesla who have expertise in in the auto industry that would support A123’s claims.

The goal of the lawsuit is to prevent employees who leave A123 from sharing sensitive information and technology with Apple and prevent them from going after other potential employees. They’re also seeking an unnamed amount of damages.

Apple has yet to confirm or deny rumors about an electric car after the Wall Street Journal covered the story late last week. The fact that Apple has begun to shift focus on advanced battery technology doesn’t imply that they’re indeed working on a car, but with the timing of the report and the filing of the lawsuit, it appears that is where Apple is headed.

What we know so far is that the project has been given a code name, Titan, and that the design of the car will be similar to a minivan. Apple has assembled a team of about 100 employees to begin development on the car. There’s no certainty that a car will be the end result as the project is in it’s infant stages, but executives for the Cuptertino, California based company have reportedly visited Austria to meet with automotive manufacturers.

It may seem like a stretch to think that Apple could somehow pull off the creation and development of an electric car, but their world wide distribution of their current line of products proves their chain of supply and knowledge of technology are more than adequate. Apple is continually researching technology related to batteries for use in their Macs, iPads and iPhones and in the upcoming Apple Watch. They have developed their own mapping system for use in a dashboard navigation system and have their own software, CarPlay, that current automakers use that allows drivers to integrate their personal devices with their car’s dashboard interface.

Apple has been toying with the idea of an electric car for some time and with Google developing their own self-driving car and Tesla already producing a line of electric cars, it’s a simple connection to make.

“From a design philosophy, [Apple] is relatively closely aligned,” said Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO and co-founder. Musk has also hinted that Apple has been attempting to lure Tesla employees with large signing bonuses and salary increases.

The jump from mobile and electronic devices to electric car wouldn’t be without its challenges and would mean a big change for the company, which they are clearly open to making, as their recent solar announcement confirms. Apple is building a massive solar complex in California that will fully power their operations in that state. If there’s one thing Apple has, it’s billions of dollars to play with and the willingness to stick with an idea until it works.

A new option said to be available for the Model S includes all-wheel drive, which might sound like a good way to lose efficiency in an electric sedan, but Tesla has time the sedan going from zero to 60 without compromising any of efficiency at all. This puts the Model S in a class with the quickest production cars on the road.

The Model S will come in three new “D” trim lines. The base model 60D, mid-level option 85D and the fully-loaded, top-of-the-line P85D. Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted last week that the D would stand for “Dual-motor.”

As explained by Musk, the front and rear motors will all a form of all-wheel drive that is more dynamic and sophisticated than the mechanical system found in conventional, single-engine and all-wheel-drive vehicles. The end product will be a more efficient powertrain that can transfer power between the two axles which will yield better handling, acceleration and a greater ranger at top speeds.

Musk also promised his Twitter “something else” in the unveiling of the new Model S, which turned out to be an “A.” or autopilot mode, and it’s currently being included in cars that are rolling off the assembly line today. The autopilot system includes a forward facing radar with ultrasonic sensors on all sides that detect “even soft objects, like a small child or even a dog,” Musk said. The finished product is a car that is capable of staying in its lane, adjust speed to the flow of traffic or apply the brakes to avoid collision without the driver initiating any action.

Pricing for the new Model S weren’t discussed in the reveal, but one Tesla representative said the top-tier P85D would like reach dealers in December 2014 and that pricing would be available on the Tesla website.

An additional set of 25 Leafs have been put aside for company fleets, which will provide further experiential information in addition to corporate cost saving analysis. The company leases will be for two years. Electric vehicles are also eligible for standard insurance, from companies like Aviva.

The Low Carbon London Project, run by UK Power Networks, is an extension of EV trials across the Greater London Area and its surrounds to better understand the impact of low carbon technologies on the electricity network, which would in turn help with the design and development of those networks. The multi-million pound program is supported in part by the Low Carbon Network Fund, which is in turn funded by Ofgem, the energy industry regulator. The project also receives funding from the Greater London Authority, Transport for London and the Institute for Sustainability.

The Leafs have gone to people and companies who will be driving and recharging within the M25. As a part of the program, the individuals and the companies will receive a free charging unit at their chosen location and access to Source London – the EV charging network with over 1300 charging points across the capital area.

In particular, the project will provide vital information on running electric vehicles and “the resulting impact it has on both electricity distributors and us, as manufacturers,” according to Barry Beeston, corporate sales director for Nissan. Beeston sees the Leafs as ideal for the trial, with a range of 100 miles and costing just £2.30 to fully charge, and predicts they will “turn all 50 drivers into strong advocates of electric vehicles, especially around large urban areas such as London.”

Michael Clark, interim Low Carbon London program director, noted that they “will be monitoring the drivers’ charging behavior and using that to model the type of electricity network that will be needed to support larger numbers of electric vehicles.” He added that “the aim of the project is to ensure the electricity network supports the transition to low carbon transport.”

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• Chevrolet Volt
One of the kinks with electric cars is that they have a limited mileage range before they need to be charged. But the Chevy Volt breaks free of that mold by combining the mpg of an electric car, with a back-up engine that kicks in after 35 miles. The car gets an average of 61 mpg and with its backup engine, the car can go 350 miles before it needs to be charged or refueled.

• Toyota Prius
When it comes to hybrid cars, the Toyota Prius has been around the block. With years of eco-friendly experience, this five-passenger hybrid is one of the most economical vehicles that doesn’t have to be plugged in. The car gets 44 mpg, alternating between electric and gas modes and has a reputation of reliability.

• Ford Fusion Hybrid SE
Affordability meets style in the Ford Fusion Hybrid SE. Besides getting 47 mpg, this hybrid gets high scores for safety, reliability and stylish exterior. Unlike your typical fuel-efficient car, the family-sized Fusion Hybrid has plenty of room. US News & World Report has even ranked the car as No. 1 in affordable midsize cars.

• Honda CR-Z
Green goes sporty with Honda’s CR-Z. The sleek exterior and high performance ratings will appeal to drivers who want to have fun and only need two seats. The CR-Z gets about 31 mpg, putting its fuel efficiency at the low end of hybrid cars. But if you want a car that handles the road well, but you want to be environmentally conscious, this hybrid may be the right choice for you.

• Volkswagen Golf
High-quality interior, spacious cabin and comfortable seats make the Volkswagen Golf a comfortable driving experience. The car also has an above-average safety score, which might be an acceptable trade-off since the car is one of the highest priced in its class. The engine is powerful for a car of its size, but it only gets a mediocre 24 mpg. An alternative Golf model, with a diesel engine, boasts 38 mpg.

• Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Eco-savvy families might find the size, technology and fuel economy of the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid to be the perfect green car choice. As a mid-size hybrid, the car gets about 35 mpg with hardly any performance trade-offs from a non-hybrid vehicle. It also has a long list of standard features, which can make it a great value.

• Lexus CT 200h
If you’re looking for the car that blends luxury with environmentally friendly, look no further than the Lexus CT 200h. This hybrid hatchback boasts an average of 40 mpg and can sustain itself completely on electric power at low speeds. The car also includes four selectable driving modes and has been rated as one of the best in its class for reliability.

Hybrids aren’t for everyone but if you decide to go all-electric in a car purchase, you may see a spike in your energy bill. You can combat this by finding a lower energy rate by comparing prices between all the different suppliers. Some suppliers even offer green energy options so you can offset up to 100 percent of your home’s energy use.

The catch is you have to live in one of the deregulated areas, like Texas for example. If you are lucky enough to live in one of these deregulated areas of North America, you have the power (pun intended) to choose your own retail energy supplier based on the competitive rates they offer. Again, back to the Texas example, you could use sites like this one: http://www.shopelectricityratestexas.com/texas-electricity-rates/Texas/ to shop electricity rates in Texas to find the best energy plan to fit your green lifestyle.

Luckily, there are other options available other than just electric cars. After some research, we found three green cars that will help you save money on gas and still let you cruise the streets in style and comfort:

Toyota Prius. With an auto transmission and 134 miles per gallon, the Prius is a great alternative to an electric car. The estimated fuel cost of driving 12,000 miles is about $880.

Volvo V60. With the Volvo V60, you’ll look sleek on the road while reducing your emissions. It includes a semi-auto transmission and gets almost 150 miles per gallon. The estimated fuel cost of driving 12,000 miles is about $800.

Hyundai l20. If you’re in the market for something manual, the Hyundai l20 is the eco-friendly car for you. It gets about 88 miles per gallon and the cost of driving 12,000 miles is about $1,380.

QuickQuid.co.uk is the premier online provider of payday loans in the United Kingdom. Its quick, convenient services have helped thousands of Britons bridge the gap between paydays from the comfort and privacy of home.

The concept is extremely simple. Register with the program, and you gain unlimited access to a fleet of Smart ED cars for use around the city. There are 250 cars total for usage, making meeting early demand easy. No more worrying about gas and parking costs, all you have to pay for is the time you use the car. Not to mention the first 30 minutes are included when you register.

For a limited time only, the company will also waive the $35 registration fee when you use the Car2go Toronto promo code TDOT. For 35 cents a minute, $12.99 an hour, or $65.99 a day, you can take one of these new smart cars out on the road. All you need is a valid Canadian driver’s license and a valid credit card. Once you receive your membership card in the mail you are ready to go. Then all you have to do is drive to pick one of the cars up, handle your driving needs, and then find a registered parking spot within the Toronto home area and the company directly charges your credit card.

This is only the beginning though. The grand plan is to eventually launch this program across the world in 30 cities across America and Europe. We are well on our way to efficient CO2 emissions reductions, and this program is leading the way.