Raser Technologies (recently added to NYSE-listed companies) which has been building electric motors and developing geothermal electric plants since 2003 is converting these heavy-weight SUVs into a range-extended electric vehicle good for 100 mpg and a range of 40 miles.
Higginson, chairman of Raser Technologies Inc. was at the New York Stock Exchange in New York Friday to display a hybrid version of the Hummer H3, the General Motors Corp.
Hummer well known for it's low fuel efficient engine, is promised to improve by many fold by this new technology. The hybrid Hummer is propelled by an electric motor, built by Raser, which is connected to a four-speed automatic transmission. Power comes from a Raser-built generator that is recharged by a gasoline engine.
With a 90 mph top speed, off-road capability and a lithium ion-battery that's rechargeable in as little as three hours, the SUV is ready to give mileage of more than 100 miles (161 kilometers) per gallon when driven as much as 40 miles a day and can travel 40 miles on electrical power alone. While a 2008 Hummer H3 gets 14 MPG in the city and 18 MPG on the highway, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who owns two Hummers converted to run on hydrogen and biofuels, praised the vehicle at the SAE International World Congress last month, the Detroit News reported.
Although officially not declared, but according to a car-buying Web site Edmunds.com, hybrid Hummer would likely cost about $12,000 to $15,000 more than a gasoline-only model, which has an average listing price of about $33,000.
[via DesertNews]
Higginson, chairman of Raser Technologies Inc. was at the New York Stock Exchange in New York Friday to display a hybrid version of the Hummer H3, the General Motors Corp.
Hummer well known for it's low fuel efficient engine, is promised to improve by many fold by this new technology. The hybrid Hummer is propelled by an electric motor, built by Raser, which is connected to a four-speed automatic transmission. Power comes from a Raser-built generator that is recharged by a gasoline engine.
With a 90 mph top speed, off-road capability and a lithium ion-battery that's rechargeable in as little as three hours, the SUV is ready to give mileage of more than 100 miles (161 kilometers) per gallon when driven as much as 40 miles a day and can travel 40 miles on electrical power alone. While a 2008 Hummer H3 gets 14 MPG in the city and 18 MPG on the highway, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who owns two Hummers converted to run on hydrogen and biofuels, praised the vehicle at the SAE International World Congress last month, the Detroit News reported.
Although officially not declared, but according to a car-buying Web site Edmunds.com, hybrid Hummer would likely cost about $12,000 to $15,000 more than a gasoline-only model, which has an average listing price of about $33,000.
[via DesertNews]
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You can also call it as a 3-wheeler, but just have a look at it's picture, it's not our local Auto Rickshaw :)
These new scooters with a completely different look are named as MP3, with variations MP3 250, MP3 400 and MP3 500, which respectively corresponds to their engine's displacement values.
With aggressive styling and performance, the Piaggio MP3 500 is the three-wheeler for people who want to stand out. ‘Safe fun’ is no longer an oxymoron. Two front wheels and a revolutionary parallelogram front suspension together with the new double ignition Master 500ie engine give the MP3 500 very racy performance while remaining exceptionally safe.
According to the company:
The Piaggio MP3 500 streaks away from traffic lights and takes all kinds of terrain in its stride, handling twisty mountain roads and long rides in all safety whatever the weather conditions thanks to its two front wheels commanded by an extraordinary parallelogram front suspension. This revolutionary technical set-up ensures impeccable road holding in all riding conditions, with stability and braking power that no conventional scooter can provide.

The bike gives you the ability to lean up to 40 degrees, and may be to do a stoppie too, BUT if you love your bike as much as you love yourself, then do not try what is being shown in the picture :
The MP3 uses regenerative braking technology, the battery can charge in 3 hours, yet the range on battery alone will be in the 10-15 mile range.
Moreover, as you can see in the pictures that, you don't have to put your leg on the ground while you are for the green light :)
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