Recharge Wrap-up: Formula E’s other events, continued record EV sales

Filed under: Green , Marketing/Advertising , Motorsports , Videos , Nissan , Renault , Green Automakers , Electric A new Formula E video showcases its other attractions. EV sales are up for the fourth straight month

Are Europeans buying green for the planet or just trying to save money? [w/POLL]

French magazine L’Automobile recently asked if the trend of European customers are buying more fuel-efficient vehicles because they’re concerned about the environment or because of simple economics and government incentives. Car sales in places like France and Germany have been increased thanks to rebates and incentives that are biased towards low-consumption vehicles. L’Automobile asked the car companies their opinion, too, and found that Hyundai, Opel, Suzuki and Honda think that consumers are just saving money and don’t care about a new car’s green credentials

Honda to focus on hybrid, halts development on V8 engine, rear-drive

2009 Acura TSX – Click above for high-res image gallery Not long ago, Honda announced its intentions to build a V8 engine for its next-gen Acura flagship sedan, which was also likely to be migrated to a rear-wheel-drive platform. Unsurprisingly in light of the recent global economic downturn, that program was recently canceled.

Mercedes adds efficient four cylinders to E-Class, 45 mpg (U.S.) diesel

In Europe, at least, Mercedes-Benz is adding a pair of E200 BlueEfficiency models to its brand new E-Class lineup for 2010. Both variants use four cylinder engines with turbocharging and direct injection, although they burn different fuels. The E200 CGI uses gasoline to get 184 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque from its 1.8-liter engine

Hot mods brings Quantya Strada up to Supermoto speed [w/VIDEO]

Though Quantya brought a Supermoto version of their electric motorcycle to the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) conference in Geneva last winter, we haven’t seen or heard anything about it since. Until now

Cargohopper, a tiny electric "train," does deliveries in the Netherlands

Cargohopper – Click above for image gallery It may not be flashy – or an EU Star Wars vehicle with a similar name – but the Cargohopper is saving fuel over in the Dutch city of Utrect. This little electric train – pulled by a tractor that is powered by a 48 Volt 28 hp electric motor – can move three metric tons and “is able to do the work of 5 to 8 regular (European sized) vans.” WIth all three trailers attached, the Cargohopper is 13 meters (43 feet) long.

Rumormill: BMW working on electric scooter?

According to Solo Scooter in Spain, unnamed sources inside BMW are reporting that the Bavarian brand is working up a new electric scooter that could be debuted at an upcoming motorcycle show sometime in late 2010 and put in production in 2011. If these rumors are to be believed, the upcoming machine would use a lithium ion battery pack with enough juice to allow a range of about 155 miles or three hours of continuous use and a top speed of 75 miles per hour.

Synergy Innovations bringing electric MINI to Auto X Prize

Like BMW’s official MINI E, but don’t appreciate how the battery pack takes up most of the space behind the front seats? Synergy Innovations, one of the officially registered teams in the Automotive X Prize, is using a MINI as a basis for their prototype electric vehicle powertrain called the Synergy E Drive. The converted all-electric MINI, they claim, retains the “general appearance, boot, rear seats and full safety spec” ( PDF ).

Company fleet managers pick Porsche Cayenne diesel as car of the year

Cayenne diesel – click for high-res image gallery I’d like to know the name of the firm that offers Porsche Cayennes as company cars so I can apply for a job. Somebody must be doing it, or else fleet managers are driving them on their own. In a survey of 150 fleet managers for FIRMENAUTO and the DEKRA Association of Automotive Specialists, the new Cayenne diesel was selected as company car of the year.

eBay Find of the day: 1971 Honda N600 EV conversion

1967 Honda N600 S o far, Honda has been one of the few automakers that has remained steadfast in not pursuing plug-in electric or hybrid vehicles, at least publicly. That, of course, doesn’t preclude anyone else from going down that path

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