Here’s your eye candy for the day— the Schwinn Tailwind hybrid electric bicycle. The Super Charge ion Battery (SCiB) equipped bike charges via a standard outlet in under 30 minutes (7 minutes via a 40 amp commercial charger). The 5ah, 24V battery works for 2000 charge cycles at full capacity and maintains 80% capacity after [...]

It sounds like science fiction, but Christopher Ottersbach’s concept airship may one day become a reality. The aerodynamic ship seats 2 to 4 people and could potentially travel for two weeks filled with helium. No infrastructure is necessary. Additional thrust and steering is provided through the crew’s pedal-powered propulson.
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A Japanese professor has showcased an electric car capable of reaching a blistering 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4 seconds, quicker than a Porsche 911 [video].
The Eliica, created by Prof. Hiroshi Shimizo of Keio University, can also reach a phenomenal top speed of 370 km/h (270 mph), powered by li-ion batteries via 100 hp electric [...]

In the category of “Things I’d Rather Never Read About Again,” we’ve found a winner.
A plastic surgeon in Los Angeles has discovered that he can use the fat he liposuctions
off of his patients to provide all the biodiesel he needs to power his and his girlfriend’s SUVs. Not only that, he says he has [...]

In a late night blog post, John Lauckner, GM’s Vice President of Global Program Management, has attempted to quash some of the rumors floating around the blogosphere that the Volt is delayed or even dead.

We all know how fast things can spread online. One blog picks up a story, then every other blog under the [...]

According to a just-released report from the well-respected Brookings Institution, the US is experiencing its longest and quickest decline in the amount of driving since World War Two — a decline which the report’s authors claim marks a permanent shift away from the automobile and towards other forms of transportation.

The report, The Road… Less Traveled: [...]

One major deterrent for city bicyclists is lack of parking. Some Japanese cities have taken it upon themselves to remedy the problem with the Eco Cycle. This profoundly weird machine takes your bike and parks it underground for safe-keeping. The Eco Cycle costs 2,600 yen for a monthly ticket. What do you think— would you [...]

More news from the piezoelectrics front: engineers from Innowattech are planning to test a network of Piezo Electric Generators (IPEG) on a 100 meter stretch of road. As with other piezoelectric devices, the IPEGs embedded in the road will turn mechanical strain into an electrical current or voltage. The IPEGs can generate energy from weight, [...]

Editor’s Note: Jennifer Lance is the Editor over at Eco Child’s Play, another blog in the Green Options Network. Her daughter’s letter was originally posted over there and I thought readers here might find it as cool as I did.

From my daughter’s very first Christmas, we’ve told her the truth about Santa. Regardless of what [...]

It’s been widely reported that President-elect Obama is preparing to announce his selection of Nobel Prize winning physicist Steven Chu to serve as his Secretary of Energy. The pick has been hailed by environmental groups, scientists, and even Chinese newspapers. Indeed, looking over one of his old lectures, you can get a good [...]