A new plane design based on a bird would allow the hydrogen fueled plane to fly anywhere in the world without the need to stop for refueling.  On top of that the plane would generate no harmful emissions.

Anyone who has ever watched a western probably remembers the covered wagons of those heading west to start a new life.  People kept their worldly possessions in them and lived in them as well.  For those of you who want to experience what it’s like to live in a covered wagon, a company in Idaho can provide you with one – even one that can handle the highway.

One draw back of hybrids and electric vehicles is the weight and volume of the batteries necessary to run them. Rechargeable batteries, whether they are nickel metal hydride, lead acid or lithium ion, are all heavy.  When the battery packs finally die, the components must be disposed of carefully because they are toxic.  PolyZion batteries will be composed of plastic, zinc and electrolytes.  The new batteries will be lighter, more environmentally friendly, long lasting and safer to use.

Most people are familiar with roadside assistance either because of a flat tire, dead battery, or car accident.  Although AAA is able to take care of just about any problem that arises for a gasoline or diesel engine car, electric vehicles (EVs) will pose a problem.  Nissan is working on roadside assistance vehicles that will be able to recharge LEAF batteries.

Well the EPA has finally unveiled the new, new car stickers.  You know the sticker that tells you how many miles per gallon a car will get along with an estimate cost for fuel for the year.  Even though electric cars don’t use gasoline, they still have to have the same information on the car as gasoline and diesel powered cars.  So the EPA has come up with MPGe or miles per gallon equivalency.

Although the team had some difficulties, they were not enough to keep Universite Laval’s prototype Alérion from winning for the third consecutive year.  The team, which consists of fifteen students in science and engineering are now looking towards Europe’s Eco-marathon.

Tomorrow morning Prince William and Kate Middleton are getting married and Kate (sorry, Catherine) and her future in-laws will be arriving (separately) in Rolls Royces.  The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will be arriving in a 1950 Rolls Royce Phantom IV that was purchased by his parents while Kate will arrive in a 1977 Rolls Royce Phantom VI that was commissioned for the Queens Silver Jubilee.  Wouldn’t the family look more elegant alighting from two Rolls Royce EX102 Electric Phantom’s?  This is the 21st Century after all.

Umeå, Sweden just got a brand new hybrid bus and fast charging infrastructure.  The bus is a combination electric/diesel hybrid. It is currently being tested in a collaboration between the companies Hybricon AB, Opbrid SL, e-Traction BV, Umeå Energi AB and the Umeå City Corporation.

The European Union (EU) Commission is proposing an ambitious transportation that will transform the way goods and people travel.  The proposal calls for investments in infrastructure as well as changes in systems and policies.

How would you like your banana? As packaging or car parts ? Imagine driving a car where the majority of the parts are made from fruit.  That image may not be too far in the future since Brazilian scientists have discovered that such fruits as pineapple leaves and stems, bananas, coconut shells, agave, curaua and cattails can be used to make plastics that are lighter and stronger than petroleum based plastics. Meanwhile Malasian scientists have developed a fruit based plastic called Fruitplast that is ten percent cheaper to produce and provides durable, biodegradable packaging.