GeekSugar

Solar Forest Juices Your Car, Looks Cool in the Process

GeekSugar — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:33:06 -0700

If I had an electric car, this is where I'd want to charge it up. Better than hooking up to a charger that gets its energy from a power plant, charging up at this solar forest lets you save a (real) plant or two. A concept design brought to you by Neville Mars, the solar forest would find a home at your nearest urban concrete parking structure (taking up the entire top open-air level, perhaps?), would create its own energy from the sun, and would shade your car while it's juicing up. I can't think of a better and cleaner way to get around, and seriously - this design is pretty freaking cool. What do you think?

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Website of the Day: Electric Cars Are For Girls

GeekSugar — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:15:44 -0700

Traditionally, saying something is "for girls" is not a compliment, but the website Electric Cars Are For Girls turns the phrase on its head, with the intent to empower and encourage women to take interest in electric cars.

The site's comprehensive index gives you straightforward info on the many electric cars that are coming out and available now, including geeksugar obsessions like the Smart Car and Tesla.

Whether you feel underinformed or just want as much info as possible like me, the site is a great destination for earth-conscious citizens.

Found a website you want to share? To learn how to post your favorite websites to our Website of the Day group, read more.

I know that this long list looks scary, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it'll be a snap the second time around.

First of all, join the Website of the Day group.
Click the pink "Share" menu on the top left side of the page.
Choose "Blog" and "Regular Post."
Give your story a "Title."
Fill in the "Body" with a link to your favorite website and the reasons why you love it.
Click "Next."
Choose the audience for your story to "Website of the Day" in the dropdown menu.
Add keyword(s) (for example mine for this photo was "Website of the Day").
Change channel to "Technology and Gadgets."
Fill in tag field with relevant tags.
Click "I’m done" to submit content.

So join the Website of the Day group and share information about all your favorite sites! Yours just might end up on the geeksugar homepage!

The New Tesla Sedan Rolls Onto The Late Show

GeekSugar — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:30:48 -0700

We've all seen the red hot Tesla Roadster plastered on the pages of geeksugar a time or two, and they have quite the following in the celeb world (stars like Will.I.Am and George Clooney drive them). But for most of us, the cost (which is upwards of 100 grand) is way too much cash to fork over for an all-electric vehicle. Thankfully, Tesla recently unveiled their new S model, which comes with a much lower price tag - about $50,000.

Although the price is still too rich for my blood, I like where this is going. As you may know, the electric car has been around for quite some time, and became well-known in the 1990s when the General Motors EV1 hit the streets, boasting up to 130 miles per charge. But seriously folks, the EV1 wasn't as hot as this car! Check out David Letterman's interview with the CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk, and get a look at the car in motion (the Tesla S is the first car to be driven on Letterman's stage, since it releases zero emissions) in the clip above.

You can also find out more details about why electric motors have taken so long to be affordable, and some interesting info about the development of electric cars in the full segment over on YouTube.

Cute As a Button: Peapod Electric "Neighborhood" Car

GeekSugar — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 06:05:32 -0800

I'm all about the electric vehicle, so naturally the Peapod Mobility electric car caught my eye. More like a neighborhood people mover than a take-to-the-road-with-the-wind-in-your-hair type of ride, this car's purpose is well served. Perfect for trips to the grocery store, dropping the kiddies off at school, heading to the library, and finding a parking spot downtown. I'm seeing a lot more Smart Cars in my hood than ever before, so it's a good idea that Chrysler took over this design from their subsidiary GEM. You know, to keep up with the Joneses and all.

The Peapod can go 40 miles on an eight-hour charge and gets up to neighborhood speed limits of 25 miles per hour. Although not many specs have been released, the Peapod looks to have an iPhone holder/charger built right into the dash, and appropriately will begin to take orders starting on Earth Day, April 22 of this year. I think it's totally cute. What about you?

To check out more pics of the Peapod, just read more.

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Would You Drive This Electric Car?

GeekSugar — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:06:36 -0800

I'm a little obsessed with electric cars these days, which is funny, since I don't really drive. I guess this quest is similar to my neverending charging station mission - I need to find the perfect one. So when I saw the i MiEV Sport Air on Dvice (which totally reminds me of a VW Beetle), I did a geek gasp and immediately saw myself cruising around a futuristic San Francisco, all the while emitting zero emissions. Ahh, the life.

The newest addition to the electric car fleet comes from Mitsubishi, it will run on a 63-horsepower electric motor, and can go 100 miles on a single seven-hour charge from your standard household outlet. No crazy "car charger" required.

First All-Electric Mini Comes to US Later This Year

GeekSugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 06:00:55 -0700

I'm all about going green, especially if I could ride in a hot little number like this Mini Cooper! The first ever electric powered Mini to hit the US will be rolling into a select number of driveways later this year to gain some road-tested street cred. Since only 500 of them are being released across California, New York, and New Jersey, you're probably going to have to wait awhile to get your own.

Dubbed the Mini E, it sports a 35 kW battery that can be charged in just over eight hours, or in as little as two and a half hours with the BMW-provided and mounted "Wallbox" that will up the amps flowing to your battery.

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And don't think this electric vehicle takes as long to speed up as it does to charge. To see how quick this car moves, just read more.

The Mini E hits 62 miles per hour in just eight seconds - only four seconds slower than the red-hot Tesla Roadster. I've always been in love with the compact and cool Mini - especially since they are the perfect city cars - so going electric and green would almost make me consider a purchase! Key word being almost.

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Would You Drive an Electric Car?

GeekSugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 07:35:40 -0700

I remember coveting the old GM EV1, and assured my pals I was getting one as soon as I scrounged up enough money to make a purchase. They were so space-y and futuristic, how could I say no? And as you may have guessed, I was devastated when they disappeared from the roads completely! So when I heard the news that the Federal Government will be dishing out $30 million over the next eight years to fund a new breed of hybrid electric car, I felt some excitement leftover from dreaming about my precious EV1. Will I finally get to drive my very own electric car?

Not that there aren't already some pretty hot looking electrics about to hit the road, but does government funding mean that there may be a more affordable option for those of us who can't afford the Tesla Roadster? If that's the case, would you drive a hybrid electric car?

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Tesla Roadster: So Hot It's Electric

GeekSugar — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 08:02:22 -0800

Does this look like an electric car to you? Believe it or not, the Tesla Roadster is 100 percent electric and sure to be the dream car of every eco lover very soon. Having been given the go-ahead by the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transportation to begin production, the first wave of Teslas will roll off the line later this year.

Unlike other hybrid/electric cars, the Tesla is fully charged by electricity, but still performs like a sports car. Going from 0-60 in under four seconds and getting 220 miles per charge, that's the equivalent to getting 135mpg in your current gas guzzling ride, but you'll spend a whole lot less - about two cents per mile!
Not only is the Tesla totally forward thinking and energy efficient, but it's bluetooth and iPod compatible as well. Tesla obviously knows that no one should have to sacrifice style to save the planet, right? Although you may have to have some pretty deep pockets to get the coveted electro-car now (the price is hovering around six figures), it's still a good sign for things to come in the future. Anyone remember the EV1? Yeah, I didn't think so.

Mini Electric Cars: Totally Geeky or Geek Chic?

GeekSugar — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 07:00:36 -0700

This week Nissan announced that it will unveil the Pivo 2, an advanced electric concept car, at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. The car is powered by Compact Lithium-ion Batteries and features a unique rotating cabin, meaning no reverse gear is required. According to the company's press release, the Pivo 2 takes the idea of an environmentally friendly electric urban commuter vehicle and delivers fun, functionality and a unique relationship between the car and driver. I've seen a handful of mini electric cars on the road recently in San Francisco and while I fully support their function I'm a little shocked by their designs, which still look like geeky cars of the future. When it comes to electrical transportation does the function of the machine outweigh its design? Would you drive one?

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Plug Into This Cute Robot Power Strip

GeekSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:44:50 -0800

I love it when someone takes a boring household item that we all need - like a power strip - and turns it into something fun. Case in point: the Electric Man power strip from Urban Outfitters. This cute robot-shaped power strip has four grounded outlets - one on each of the little guy's appendages. The main power switch is on his side, and you can see whether or not he's powered up by checking the red light above his heart. Add it to the list of cute robot goodies on my wish list!

Would you use this power strip? And in case you missed it, check out the equally cute car power station I found the other day.

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