Motley Fool Rates Top MPG Cars

Motley Fool recently reviewed and rated cars that get an average 50 MPG.  And surprisingly,  there's one THAT'S NOT an hybrid or plug-in electric vehicle.  Find out more,  here's the link to the post for more information Fool.com 50 mpg cars.

Update Report: European Battery Manufacturing Status

Here's a link to a recent Chicago Tribune comprehensive report on electric vehicle battery manufacturing in Europe by companies like Siemens:  European Battery Manufacturing Report.

Walmart's Radical New Concept Truck Design

The driver is centered in the middle of the truck cab  instead of seated on the left in Walmart's New WAVE concept truck design.

This revolutionary design creates a  truly fuel sparing, aerodynamic truck cab .

The truck has a hybrid power train with  a micro turbine.  Here's more information in this YouTube video from Walmart:

The concept truck design also features a trailer made entirely from  lightweight carbon fiber. The truck was manufactured by Peterbilt Motors for Walmart.

DIY Easy Home Solar Charging for Cars

Ensupra Solar says that its DIY Solar Power Kit is the future of charging-up electric cars at home:  All by simply plugging their solar panels into a regular household electrical outlet.  Ensupra says that its PluggedSolar Kit can produce 3,000 kWh of electricity, enough to power an electric vehicle to operate 10,000 miles in a year.

You can evaluate  the company's data and claims at this link for PluggedSolar Kit.

Volvo's Car Solar Charger Vision

Alvin Huang's "Pure Tension Pavilion" Solar Charger (photo by Lani Garfieldl)

Volvo debuted a portable  vehicle solar charger designed   by architect Alvin Huang for the V60 diesel Plug-in Hybrid recently in Palm Springs.  The luxury auto manufacturer and Dwell Media sponsored the "Future of Mobility" at Modernism Week at the California convention.


Here a link to more information  and video from Dwell Media on Volvo's vision for solar charging of  electric vehicles: Future of Mobility.

Hawaii Looks To Charge Electric Vehicle Tax

The Hawaii state legislature is considering an electric vehicle tax to offset a decline in motor fuel tax revenue.  Here's a link to the Pacific Business News article on the controversy surrounding the proposed tax which would affect owners of cars like the electric Nissan Leaf.

Tesla Model S Tops According to Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports revealed its 2014 'Top Picks' for vehicles and Tesla's Model S won the top spot.  Consumer Reports tested a $89,650 version of the Model S. 

Here's the link to Consumer Reports 2014 Top Picks for more information about  all the tested vehicles.