year-after-year, the ford f-150 pickup truck tops the sales charts. the f150’s ubiquity (and utility!), combined with its fuel-thirsty nature makes ford’s popular pickup the most logical choice for aftermarket plug-in hybrid development. over the years, i’ve shot segments on three different efforts to electrify the f-150, with the latest being this piece from the 2011 sema show last month in las vegas.

xtreme power takes a completely different approach that uses lead-acid batteries, rather than lithium-ion batteries. xtreme power’s system uses a highly-innovative fully-submersible switched reluctance motor and is designed to be installed in two hours or under. the company claims a 60% improvement in city gas mileage, with an added 350 foot pounds of torque.

to demonstrate the rugged nature of their kit, xtreme power displayed a jeep wrangler with their plug-in hybrid kit installed, along with the f-150.

there’s been plenty of rumblings from washington to up the percentage of ethanol in unleaded gasoline from 10% up to 15%. this has many folks up in arms.

i recently to test flexfuel-capable 2011 buick regal turbo with conventional gasoline and e85. it got me thinking … rather than change the percentage of ethanol in everyone’s gas, why not do more to encourage the use of e85 ethanol?

corn-based ethanol is merely the first phase. it’s time for america to move to phase two, in force.

ethanol can be distilled from a wide range of sources, from switchgrass, to municipal waste, and even brewery wastewater … with no impact to food supplies.

ford unveiled the 2012 focus electric car at simultaneous events in las vegas and nyc. the focus electric looks much like the gasoline powered 2012 focus, with the most notable exterior changes being a different grille and (ta da!) no tailpipe.

take off the e-lectric badges and you have the stealthiest electric car … drive softly and carry a big battery!

new competition aims to change the game.

the li-ion motors wave was a winner in the automotive x-prize two-seater class. but the wave is a commuter car.

the li-ion inizio is something completely different … crazy fast and built in america. it’s from mooresville, nc, not silicon valley. the inizio is a full-size supercar, designed to accommodate seven-foot basketball players.

the inizio is fitted with an uqm electric motor and five-speed gearbox. with upgrades, the car is designed to go from 0-60 mph in just 3.4 seconds, with a top speed of over 150 mph and a 200 mile range.

the tesla, by comparison, tops out at a paltry 125 mph or so.

http://mpgomatic.com got the lowdown on the li-ion motors inizio electric supercar from inizio product development and program engineer ron cerven at the 2010 sema show in las vegas, nevada. (the inizio is appearing this week at the la auto show.)

the electricity for john fischer’s company sticker giant, comes from 100% wind power via xcel energy. john wanted to see where his power was generated, so he took a ride in a prop airplane to check out the wind source wind farm near peetz, colorado.

the three-wheeled aptera 2e is remarkably aerodynamic and lightweight. (production weight is expected to be in the 1800 lb. range.) it uses a123 batteries and a remy electric motor.

this video was shot at an event in princeton, nj hosted by nrg energy, an investor in aptera.

the greasecar vw rabbit tdi competed in the 2wd division in the first running of rallycar’s rallycross at new jersey motorsports park (njmp) on the weekend of august 28th-29th.

the bright idea promises a 40 mile all-electric range, and relies on its light weight, aerodynamics, and low rolling resistance tires to provide an estimated 40 miles per gallon while running on its gasoline engine.

this segment was shot at the 2010 washington auto show / electric drive transportation conference in january, 2010.

general motors and bright automotive have just announced a strategic partnership.