Electric vehicles

During the next fifteen years, we shall be in the transition to much more energy efficient, quieter aircraft, with much less pollution and dependence on declining hydrocarbon reserves.

Cars that glow in the dark and have far more passenger space, aircraft and submarines that monitor their complete outer surface, military vehicles that destroy missiles that hit them. The common factor here is smart skin.

Ford Motor Co. and Best Buy Co. Inc. will partner to install household charging stations for the new Focus Electric cars being launched in the U.S. later this year, Ford said recently.

Robonaut 2, built at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, will become the first humanoid robot in space. Developed with the help of General Motors, who also hope to use the technology on production lines and in cars, R2 is the most dexterous humanoid robot yet and its presence on the International Space Station as an experimental model could one day lead to missions to the moon and Mars.

Ford Motor Company's all-new Focus Electric - the company's first-ever all-electric passenger car is due to be launched in late 2011. It will be one of five new electrified vehicles Ford will deliver by 2013 in North America and Europe.

Breaking China's rare earth necklock on supplies is now a major focus of industry outside China.

General Motors concept electric vehicle includes a feature that would allow the vehicle to park itself and automatically return to the user when summoned from a smartphone application.

Automaker can use cutting-edge battery technology throughout supply chain

Printed electronics is now seeing a surge in transactions in the form of orders, government and industry-funded development programs, acquisitions and company fund raising.

Azure Dynamics Corporation and Ford Motor Company have announced that one of the nation's largest state utilities companies has been added to the LEAD customer program for the innovative Ford Transit Connect Electric van with a ten unit order.

The Russian billionaire owner of the New Jersey Nets has introduced a new line of hybrid cars.

Hybrids Supported by $2.7 Million Grant from U.S. Department of Energy's Maryland Clean Cities Program

New high resolution images of electrode wires made from materials used in rechargeable lithium ion batteries shows them contorting as they become charged with electricity.

Tracking pirates in the Gulf of Aden, detecting bush fires in Australia and improving battlefield communications and surveillance in Afghanistan are all potential uses for the solar powered unmanned aircraft, Zephyr, which has now officially been awarded three World Records.

AeroVironment announced that it received an order valued at $46,226,984 under an existing contract with the U.S. Army. The order comprises 123 new digital Raven® small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and initial spares packages as well as 186 digital retrofit kits for the U.S. Marine Corps.

The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) and BYD Motors Inc. have announced the launch of a break-through electric vehicle fleet.

Valeo and BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation) presented to the Beijing Governor recently an electric demo car equipped with a complete Valeo electric powertrain system.

Université de Sherbrooke (CTA) receives $11.3 million in financial support to develop hybrid engine technology for BRP's Can-Am Spyder roadster - The only electric hybrid roadster development project in the world.

Fisker Automotive, the California manufacturer of premium electric vehicles with extended range, has partnered with the China Grand Automotive Group, the number one passenger car trader in China, to have its vehicles distributed, marketed and serviced in the region.

Soltrak in California USA has created a range of pure electric tractors and other mobile farm equipment where the lead acid batteries provide useful weight for traction.