Rinspeed from Sweden wanted to bring out a car that looks like it just came from outer space. Well, the guys from that automaker certainly delivered by introducing the Rinspeed Senso. If there’s a car that can interact with its driver, then this is it.

Basically, the Rinspeed Senso has lights on its driver’s field of view that change color depending on your mood. How does this work? If you’re feeling drowsy, the interior becomes filled with light, the stereo emits a certain kind of sound, and the ventilation system releases a unique smell.

The Rinspeed Senso is loaded by different kinds of sensors that measure your pulse. Aside from that, there’s also a camera that monitors your driving behavior. This way, you’re always relaxed and alert when you’re in front of the steering wheel.

When it comes to performance however, the Rinspeed Senso has a lot to show off. Basically, it is powered by a 3.2-liter engine that can generate as much as 250 horsepower. Right now, the Rinspeed Senso is still in the conceptual stage. Then again, its supreme features will really change how we look at our vehicles in the future.

I know green cars get smaller each time. They also become a lot more fuel efficient every year. However, Franco Sbarro of Switzerland had other things in mind when he designed the City Car. Although I’ve seen so many strange-looking cars in my life, the City Car can perhaps top the list.

Basically, the City Car has four wheels, one in front and in the rear, while the others can be found in the sides. For power, the City Car uses an electric motor that can generate as much as 20 kilowatts and it can go as fast as 30 mph. However, the vehicle also relies on an internal combustion engine that is able to give off 60 horsepower while boosting its speed to 80 mph. Overall, this strange-looking vehicle can cover as much as 370 mph and an MPG rating of 46.

The best part about the City Car is its design. With all of its wheels laid out in a diamond pattern, they are able to maneuver in 180-degree angles. That means you can turn 360 degrees in its vertical axis. In short, it gives you so many options as compared to your regular four-wheel vehicle when it comes to maneuverability.

On a different note, the City Car is 11.8-feet long and weighs just around 320 pounds, making Shaq even heavier than this thing. Despite its size though, it can unbelievably carry 5 people and a few extra pounds for your luggage. Equipped with lots of cameras, you won’t have any trouble dealing with the traffic with this kind of street rig. I’m pretty much blown away with its other features such as a cellphone, internet, digital TV, and a glut of communication accessories.

Initially, you would think that anyone who’s driving the PUMA is driving an electric wheelchair. A closer look however shows you something more. That’s because the PUMA, which stands for Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility is a two-seater vehicle that intends to allow people to travel faster, especially in today’s crowded streets.

It’s just like the highly-popular Segway, although General Motors tells that it’s cheaper and more energy efficient. Having two wheels, the PUMA is powered by one lithium-ion battery that can be charged in any conventional power outlet. Just like most electric vehicles, it can travel as fast as 25 mph, with a total range of 56 kilometers.

The goal of the PUMA is to let people cover as much space as possible, using very little time. Aside from that, it enables people to thread small areas and cramped city spaces without putting much effort at all. Right now, PUMA is still at the development stage although I wouldn’t be surprised if it performs as good as Segway after it is launched.

I know that the Netherlands is a great place. With its interesting mix of superb people, places, and unbelievable freedom, I would have to say that I want to live there in the future. Aside from the things that I mentioned, the Dutch have also assembled what seems to be the most underrated green car today: the DuraCar Quicc. Though small and a little bit lacking in power, the DuraCar Quicc is even a better option compared to the Tesla Roadster and Pininfarin Blue Car.

Basically, the DuraCar Quicc is a cheap and efficient alternative to conventional vehicles that you know. Capable of carrying a maximum of two passengers, the DuraCar Quicc has a payload of 600 pounds. Aside from that, it can cover a 150-kilometer range, using only a single-charge from its batteries. Compared to other electric cars, the DuraCar Quicc can go as fast as 120 kilometers. Best of all, there’s no way that you’ll be emitting anything once you drive it.

Tom Hanks

There’s a positive trend sweeping Hollywood A-listers, and it has little to do with fashion or vegetarian living. It’s showing love for green cars. These days, more and more Hollywood stars and starlets are showing their support for Mother Nature by driving environmentally-friendly rides. Some A-listers are even writing about their commitment to turning this “trend” into something more lasting–the norms, perhaps?

The latest green car enthusiast to show his support for electrics and hybrids is none other than the great Tom Hanks. According to TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk, Mr. Hanks has recently written a letter to the New Yorker. It’s his way of setting things straight with regards to the electric cars he’s been using in the last few years.

Peter J. Boyer’s original article made the assumption that the 52-year old Academy Award-winning actor had an EV1, which was briefly produced by GM. Hanks, however, was quick to say that this certainly wasn’t the case. According to the letter from Hanks:

The Improved EV? The Newly-Launched Toyota FT-EV

“By the time I began shopping for an all-electric car, in 2003, the EV1 had already been yanked from showrooms as if the car had never existed. Instead, I found what was purported to be the very last electric car available for sale in the state of California–a Toyota EV. It had four doors, a rear hatch, room for my family, including a dog in the back, power windows, A/C, a great sound system, and the fastest, most effective windshield defroster known to mankind.”

“When the car companies collectively, and, to some, diabolically decided to take these cars back, the electric vehicles disappeared. But not mine. I have the pink slip. I own that car, and it is still driven everyday, albeit by one of my crack staff of employees. My electric car recently crossed fifty thousand miles on odometer with its original battery but without so much as a splash of gasoline,” Hanks added.

Talk about an excellent green commitment! Now if only we had more people showing the same commitment as Mr. Hanks and his staff, then we can help reduce the amount of pollution produced daily worldwide.

At first glance, the Toyota Hi-CT Plug-in Hybrid looks like it’s ready for a new sequel of the Back to the Future movie series. It’s small, it looks like a box, and it’s one hell of an eco-friendly vehicle as well. Boasting of a 1.5-liter engine and powered by a lithium-ion battery, the Toyota Hi-CT Plug-in Hybrid does not emit a single exhaust gas.

Apart from that, this vehicle has a special floor arrangement that maximizes its interior space. Aside from that, its low center of gravity minimizes the weight that its battery pack puts on it.

If you’re the kind of guy who likes putting stuff inside your auto, then the Toyota Hi-CT Plug-in Hybrid is perfect for you. Its detachable trunk and deck can offer more than enough space for equipment that has varying sizes.

The Lincoln "C" Concept

It must have been quite the surprise to auto enthusiasts when Lincoln presented the Lincoln C Concept car. While most people are hesitant to make the shift from their gas-guzzling rides to the smaller and greener vehicles on the market, it should come as a comfort to luxury-loving folks that they won’t have to give up the comfort provided by their luxury rides–not once the Lincoln “C” Concept hits the market.

What’s so lovable about the concept car called the “C” Concept is that it helps make green cars look cooler. Sure, for green car lovers like us (hopefully you included), green cars are the cat’s pajamas, but some people tend to see green cars as slower and less-powerful (and by default, less cool) cars compared to large vehicles that guzzle down gas like there’s no tomorrow.

But then, here comes the “C” Concept to shatter these types of pre-conceived notions. What’s so surprising about the unveiling of the “C” Concept is how the automaker Lincoln has always been associated with creating large and bulky vehicles that look and feel nothing like what people expect a green car to. Sure, Lincoln had to make their concept green car more compact, but the car looks amazing! Kinda like what you would expect a high-performance and powerful sedan would look like.

"C" Savvy Interior

Of course, Lincoln seemed to have gotten its inspiration from the typical box car design, but the brand has noticeably made the car curvier. Smoother. Sleeker. In an article from Ezinearticles.com written by Matthew B. Bailey, the writer describes the Lincoln concept to look like a cross between a Lincoln Navigator, a Chrysler PT Cruiser, and a VW New Beetle. And based solely on the looks of the car, I think I’d have to agree with Mr. Bailey on that one.

As for the interior, well, let’s just say the seats are so comfortable, it makes you want to just lie back and have a few minutes of snooze time. But what really gets me going is the car’s instrument panel, that’s panoramic, mind you. It’s so futuristic, it even has an avatar (customizable, of course) that welcomes you back and tells you if you’ve got new text messages or emails.

Also, according to “The Green Luxury Car - The Lincoln C Concept” by Mr. Bailey, the car also has fingertip controls that allow you to operate GPS Navigation, MP3 Players, and a Satellite Radio. It’s every environment-friendly technophile’s dream car.

But the best part about this concept is not its good looks or technophile-friendly accessories, it’s what drives the car that makes it so irresistible.

The Lincoln "C" Concept's Futuristic Look

AutomobileMag.com included the Lincoln C Concept Car in their Detroit 2009: Five Most Significant Green Cars due to the concept’s incredible, direct-injection, EcoBoost engine. This type of engine comes with a dual-clutch transmission, stop/start technology, and a “focus on weight-savings.”

Created based on the same ideas used on the European Focus, the pint-size “C” is a truly awesome ride that retains the typical Lincoln style we see from the brand’s luxury line.

If there’s one green car that could appeal to the cool kids (regardless of age), this one has got to be it. Here’s to hoping we’ll be seeing more of the “C” sometime soon.

ECC, also known as the Electric Car Corporation Plc, has just announced its launch of a new, “all electric”, 4-seater, production car that will be made available to the public today.

This recent UK launch comes right in the heels of the announcement from the government saying how they subsidize and support the use of electric cars. The British government has also expressed their commitment in making the UK the “world leader” in creating and exporting quality electric cars. London’s own mayor, Boris Johnson, has also revealed plans of introducing 25,000 recharging points throughout the city. These recharging points should make it easier for electric car drivers to keep their rides ready for longer road trips.

The new electric car is going to be called the Citroën C1 ev’ie. It’s the first 4-seater, all-electric ride that’s designed to give its drivers (and passengers) superior comfort and performance. This car even comes complete with all the standard safety features you’ll find in your usual gas-powered car.

WhatGreenCar.com also reports that this vehicle is capable of running 60-70 miles when fully-charged, at a level speed of approximately 60mph. Not bad for an electric car, right?

To keep this car completely-charged, you can also plug it in for around 6-7 hours in a domestic 13 amp socket. That should cost you around 90p, which means you’re going to be spending less than 2p per mile.

Citroën C1 ev’ie models will be assembled in the United Kingdom from the donor car. And the company expects to produce around 500 of the C1 ev’ies in the next 12 months. Significantly rising to 2,000-4,000 units by next year depending on public demand and the government support.

“We are committed to providing greener alternatives for motorists and are delighted to be supplying ECC with C1s for this exciting project,” the Managing Director of the Citroën UK, Xavier Duchemin, said.

ECC plc Chief Executive David Martell also commented: “We believe this is the first serious alternative to a petrol or diesel car. It drives just like a petrol car and has excellent capacity for use in any town or city in the UK…The key to building a successful electric car is an efficient battery management system (BMS). ECC has developed an advanced and sophisticated system, which when coupled with regenerative breaking, can provide the driver with much greater range and better performance.”

The C1 ev’ie is said to be priced at $16,850 and can be bought directly from ECC.

Ford Fiesta Van

There’s a new, super-stylish, small, green van in town, and it’s out to conquer Britain. Giant automaker Ford has recently revealed the new Fiesta Van ECOnetic. The super fuel saver that’s going to be released on the market later this year.

WhatGreenCar.com reports that the new and improved Fiesta Van ECOnetic comes with the same style as the old Fiesta, but with a few tweaks here and there and a greener overall design. This model has low-rolling resistance tires, a lowered suspension, and a specialized Duratorq 1.6-liter TDCi for super-low exhaust emissions of just 98g/km CO2.

The latest green car from Ford was created at the automaker’s wind-powered engine plant that’s found at Dagenham, Essex. Its 90PS Duratorq 1.6-Liter engine was combined with a Diesel Particulate Filter that’s designed to produce 10% less carbon dioxide (CO2) compared to the already-impressive mainstream TDCi. This car also has a unique aerodynamic profile that allows it to run at a very fuel-efficient 76.4 mpg (miles per gallon)!

Ford’s director of commercial vehicles in Britain, Steve Kimber, talks about the perks of this new “green van”.

Ford Fiesta Econetic 2008 Model

“Many operators are prepared to be green - but still want comfort, performance, and an affordable price. The low-running costs of this ECOnetic van are bound to make more people consider the ‘green’ option. It’s a great package…We are also announcing a Transit ECOnetic today for opeators to see that Ford is serious about sustainability and developing their favorite van range in a way that supports their business.”

When placed beside previous-generation Fiestas, this model is designed to use up to 35 gallons less fuel over a course of 12,428 miles. That’s definitely going to save you a lot of gas money in the long run. When driven in the extra-urban highway, the fuel efficiency of the Fiesta Van ECOnetic improves even further. This van is capable of achieving 88.3 mpg! While your regular gas-powered car runs at 23mpg, this van will run much, much further with much less gas—and that’s a Ford guarantee.

The title does not seem believable at first, especially if you’re talking about a brand-new car. However, the Revolution electric car is really only 15,000 dollars each and on top of that, it uses electric power instead of gasoline. Unlike other EVs, the Revolution definitely attracts a lot of attention these days with its sleek design and powerful colors.

Basically, the Revolution comes from California and it is designed for those who are into low cost and low speed NEVs or Neighborhood Electric Vehicles. When it comes to speed, the Revolution can go as fast as 35 mph. That’s not necessarily impressive, but electric cars like the Revolution are prohibited from going faster that that, so there’s really not much that you can do about it. Despite of its low speed, the Revolution is excellent for daily commutes and city errands for short distances.

So how well would the Revolution perform on the road? This car is a perfect fit for your daily driving needs because it cuts down emissions, saves you money, and makes your driving more efficient. When it comes to performance, the Revolution has a five-speed manual transmission and clutch. The manual transmission provides you with more freedom when you’re driving in bumpy roads, while carrying additional load as well.

The design of the Revolution also makes it a very attractive option for prospective NEV buyers. Basically, this car has a two-door design that provides enough protection against road debris and changing weather. Even at a very low price of 15,000 USD, it still comes with power windows, door locks, power side mirrors, well-designed bucket seats, an adjustable driver seat, and one full-size spare tire. If you want more than just that, you can avail of an air conditioner, sunroof, stereo, and DVD player at an additional price. Overall, the Revolution comes in a great package and the great thing is that you don’t even have to dig deep into your pockets to get it.

Meanwhile, the Revolution may appear like a blown-up toy, but in reality, it performs like a real car that is designed to take a beating. That’s because it boasts of an independent MacPherson strut suspension and LSEV legal lighting. That’s not all because it has a hydraulic front disc that would let you to stop without any problems. Despite of the car’s diminutive size, the car is very easy drive because of its electric-assisted power steering. Because of this, getting out of tight situations is effortless. In addition to that, the Revolution’s acceleration is good enough to keep it in step even in heavy traffic.

Just like all NEVs, the Revolution is all about the battery that propels it forward. The car uses a 6 KW brushless AC induction motor that is powered by 12-volt Hoppecke batteries, which can go as far as 60 miles. The great thing about the Revolution is that you can recharge it from 3-6 hours using any 110-volt electric outlet. The manufacturers of this car claim that each battery lasts for more or less 40,000 miles before being replaced. Unlike other batteries, the Revolution’s lead acid batteries are cheaper and easier to replace unlike the lithium-ion battery packs that other NEVs have. However, if you’re not content with its current batteries, you can upgrade to a lithium-ion version by coughing around 3900 USD.

Unlike most NEVs, the Revolution has enough space for some cargo and that means you can use it when you’re buying grocery supplies. You can put your cargo in the rear compartment that you can access through a two-piece tailgate arrangement. For sure, the Revolution is a good alternative if you’re sick and tired of spending so much money for your gas bills. At 15,000 USD, this car is a steal.