GM and the PUMA. Wait till you have a better prototype, eh?

For serious EV enthusiasts who want full size vehicles which go fast and far there’s nothing more irritating than a joke EV making the headlines. It’s important for car makers to get new and exciting electric vehicles out in the public eye, but only if the vehicles in question give EVs a good name. But to put it bluntly the GM/Segway PUMA prototype looked no more than a complete joke when it hit the news earlier this week.

Segway/GMs prototype PUMA doesnt win any beauty prizes.

 

Unveiled as an early prototype at the New York Autoshow, the little two-wheeled, self balancing personal transport vehicle can carry two people at up to 30 mph around town for up to 35 miles. 

Drive Smarter to get a Smarter Car (Part II)

If you stopped by yesterday you’ll have seen part one in my two part article on how to save money (and drive more efficiently) in your current car. Regardless of what that is, be it a big SUV, a hybrid or an electric city car, being smart about how you drive can help make your pennies go that little bit further. And if you don’t already own a fuel efficient car due to their higher sticker prices then following these tips will help you get that new ultra-efficient model that everyone is raving about a bit sooner.

Carpooling to work is a great way to make new friends, beat the traffic  and save money!
Carpooling to work is a great way to make new friends, beat the traffic and save money!

Photograph by Frank Farm, of www.frankfarm.org.

In part one I concentrated on the ways in which you can make sure that every trip you make is as efficient as possible by reading the road ahead, planning your journeys, keeping your car in top shape and making sure you don’t carry unnecessary weight. In part two I’m going to examine the ways in which you can change the way you make your trips. And no, I’m not going to ask you to sell your car.

More top tips for fuel efficient driving after the jump!

Drive Smarter to get a Smarter Car (Part II)

If you stopped by yesterday you’ll have seen part one in my two part article on how to save money (and drive more efficiently) in your current car. Regardless of what that is, be it a big SUV, a hybrid or an electric city car, being smart about how you drive can help make your pennies go that little bit further. And if you don’t already own a fuel efficient car due to their higher sticker prices then following these tips will help you get that new ultra-efficient model that everyone is raving about a bit sooner.

Carpooling to work is a great way to make new friends, beat the traffic  and save money!
Carpooling to work is a great way to make new friends, beat the traffic and save money!

Photograph by Frank Farm, of www.frankfarm.org.

In part one I concentrated on the ways in which you can make sure that every trip you make is as efficient as possible by reading the road ahead, planning your journeys, keeping your car in top shape and making sure you don’t carry unnecessary weight. In part two I’m going to examine the ways in which you can change the way you make your trips. And no, I’m not going to ask you to sell your car.
More top tips for fuel efficient driving after the jump!

www.aminorjourney.com Twitter Prize Givaway!

To Celebrate the start of Spring proper (and to mark my first proper vacation for some time) I’m giving away a copy of Sherry Boschert’s excellent book, Plug-In Hybrids: The cars which will recharge America This excellent book examines the political and sociological implications of America’s current dependence on foreign oil, the myth of hydrogen…

www.aminorjourney.com Twitter Prize Givaway!

To Celebrate the start of Spring proper (and to mark my first proper vacation for some time) I’m giving away a copy of Sherry Boschert’s excellent book, Plug-In Hybrids: The cars which will recharge America This excellent book examines the political and sociological implications of America’s current dependence on foreign oil, the myth of hydrogen…

Drive Smarter to get a Smarter Car

So you want an EV but you’re put off by the stupidly expensive price tag. You’re caught in a lease or finance plan with your current car and don’t have the money to get out. But you really want that new plug in. Or perhaps you’re one of the tens of thousands who have signed up for the Volt, the iMiev or maybe even one of those Smart EDs. Point is, although those vehicles aren’t available to the general public yet it’s a good time to save some cash up so you can afford to buy that greener, cleaner car sooner.

Car made from Money!
Car made from Money!

Photo by Michael Tyas

It’s probably easy for me to say. After all, I have been driving electric vehicles and hybrids now for nearly one-third of my driving life. But stick with me, because some of the techniques I use to maximize my range (and thus minimize the amount of money I spend on travel) come from my days driving classic cars and cycling.

So, even if you don’t have an electric or PHEV, you can use smart driving to help save money now. Not only that, but these techniques are essential following when for when you do have that smarter EV or PHEV. No matter what your fuel type, these will help you greatly. Below is part one of my two part guide to driving smarter to get a smarter car.

Tips and tricks after the jump!

Drive Smarter to get a Smarter Car

So you want an EV but you’re put off by the stupidly expensive price tag. You’re caught in a lease or finance plan with your current car and don’t have the money to get out. But you really want that new plug in. Or perhaps you’re one of the tens of thousands who have signed up for the Volt, the iMiev or maybe even one of those Smart EDs. Point is, although those vehicles aren’t available to the general public yet it’s a good time to save some cash up so you can afford to buy that greener, cleaner car sooner.

Car made from Money!
Car made from Money!

Photo by Michael Tyas
It’s probably easy for me to say. After all, I have been driving electric vehicles and hybrids now for nearly one-third of my driving life. But stick with me, because some of the techniques I use to maximize my range (and thus minimize the amount of money I spend on travel) come from my days driving classic cars and cycling.
So, even if you don’t have an electric or PHEV, you can use smart driving to help save money now. Not only that, but these techniques are essential following when for when you do have that smarter EV or PHEV. No matter what your fuel type, these will help you greatly. Below is part one of my two part guide to driving smarter to get a smarter car.
Tips and tricks after the jump!

On EVCast again tomorrow (Mon, 6 April 09)

I’ll be appearing tomorrow again on EVCast, hosted by Bo Bennett and Ryan Levesque. If our Internet connections behave (or rather, mine does,) I’ll be discussing the weekend’s EV news with Bo and Ryan. If you have any questions or comments prior to the show then please email me. If you’re new to the world…

Renault-Nissan. A new stream of EVs for their future survival?

Renault and Nissan’s EV producing partnership seems to be picking up speed, and ever-more interesting names, potential customers and governmental support. Perhaps this new company really will become a force to be reckoned with, or is it just media hype?

Nissan Concept EV
Nissan Concept EV

Photo by Nikki Bloomfield

More after the jump