Well, here is another car. The smart car for two, shown above, is getting and incentive boost.

From the article:
"smart USA will allow qualified consumers using the federal rebate to purchase a new smart fortwo for as low as $99 a month. The smart Fortwo will qualify for the highest voucher level of $4,500 upon the trade in of an eligible vehicle. This special financing was designed to provide an additional monetary incentive for consumers to replace older vehicles that guzzle fuel and emit high levels of greenhouse gasses with new, highly efficient ones like the smart fortwo. It will launch later this summer when the rebate system officially takes effect."

See the related link for more information and photos.

-- Another note: This car weighs more than a Toyota Yaris and the Yaris seats 4 people. If you are into an Eco-Vehicle, this is not the only option that is better for the environment. Don't forget to look at the Honda Fit as well. All of these cars have similar gas mileage.

Abu Dhabi has been selected headquarters and Hélène Pelosse was selected as the first head of the emerging Agency during its second session in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

It seems like cars are a trend this weekend. Here I am telling you about another clean air vehicle. This one has already been prototyped. Now it is a matter of working it into our day to day lives.



From the article:
"The 2010 MDI AIRPod emits no emissions and runs on nothing but compressed air. Yes, it sounds like another one of those crackpot inventions, but we traveled to Nice, France, for an exclusive test of the world's only "air car." And here at the research and development center of Luxembourg-based Motor Development International (MDI), the AIRPod seems like more than just a bright idea."

For a detailed breakdown including photos of the engine and build process for the prototype that was reviewed, click the related link below.

This sounds a bit far fetched, but the article has enough good points to make you think there is a possibility. There is a lot of theory this far and no prototypes mentioned. However, they refer to many technologies that are already available and the way they might fit together to accomplish the goal.

We are used to seeing inflatable vehicles for water. A great website to see examples is - http://www.seaeagle.com/SportRunabouts.aspx

If the XP vehicle is built tough enough, there could actually be some gain in protection for the passengers. Airbags would not have to inflate because the vehicle would already offer some cushion from impacts.

From the article:
"XP's MUV does not consist of a lot of internal componentry. In fact, most of it is air using XP's XPanelB (tm) technology pressure membranes. The seat is inflatable, the dashboard is inflatable, and the internal structure and carrying racks are inflatable, or a mesh suspension. Instead of requiring six-axis robots, XP uses radio frequency welders that look like giant waffle irons. The factory equipment is much less expensive and the car simply has less parts that could fail.

The motors are built into the rear wheels in most XP prototypes. The first cars to reach the market will have two rear hub motors and a motor controller, that's it."

My guess is that steering will also be involved as well as a few other mechanical systems like door latches and seatbelts. I also wonder about windows. Will they be clear plastic that will need changed every few years like a rag top car of the past?

For the full article, click the related link below.

It looks like another breakthrough will help solidify the transition to alternate energy. With the level of energy per pound going up, the transition to energy sources that need a battery for a buffer is made easier. This also helps with the range and efficiency of electric or hybrid cars.

From the article:
"A company based in Berkeley, CA, is developing lightweight, high-energy batteries that can use the surrounding air as a cathode. PolyPlus is partnering with a manufacturing firm to develop single-use lithium metal-air batteries for the government, and it expects these batteries to be on the market within a few years. The company also has rechargeable lithium metal-air batteries in the early stages of development that could eventually power electric vehicles that can go for longer in between charges."

This is an exciting step forward. Check out the related link for the whole article.