Green Tech

Staples agrees to progressive e-waste standards

Staples has agreed to work with one of the most environmentally progressive electronic-waste recycling groups to handle gadgets from both the company and consumers when those devices die.

The retail giant announced a deal Monday, Earth Day, to use recyclers certified by e-Stewards, a program set up by the Seattle-based environmental group, the Basel Action Network, to handle materials collected from its free technology recycling program at more than 1,500 stores nationally. The company will also use e-Stewards-certified recyclers to handle electronic waste from its own internal operations.

One of the big problems with electronics disposal is that recycling … Read more

Construction starts on solar-powered stadium

It's a good week for renewable energy around the globe, with the world's first algae-powered building opening in Germany, and the official opening of the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere. Now, France is getting in on the action, with construction officially beginning on the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, by Swiss design firm Herzog & de Meuron.

The project consists of three parts: the stadium bowl, including the sports field and the seating; the concourse; and the aesthetic look of the stadium. Located in the Bordeaux Lac region on the banks of the Garonne in the city's north, the stadium will be able to hold up to 42,000 spectators. … Read more

Fisker ready to pull the plug

Fisker sent 160 of its employees home from its Anaheim, Calif., headquarters this morning, apparently decimating its workforce, according to a report by Reuters. The move seems to spell the end for the electric vehicle startup.

Reuter's report goes on to say that 53 executives remain on staff, tasked with selling the company's assets.

The company's sole product, the Karma, is a luxury plug-in hybrid with a base price of $103,000. The car uses an electric motor to power the rear wheels and includes an onboard gasoline engine to generate electricity, a drivetrain concept similar to … Read more

Detroit Electric launches SP:01: A Tesla rival

Little-known -- but storied-brand -- Detroit Electric has launched its electric alternative to the Tesla.

The SP:01 is a limited-edition, two-seat pure-electric sports car, according to the company's announcement today.

With its Lotus Elise-like design, the SP:01 boasts a top speed of 155 mph and goes from 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds.

Other marquee features of the SP:01:

Electric motor: rear-wheel-drive with a mid-mounted 200 bhp electric motor made in the USA. Body: carbon-fiber body, with a total weight of 1,070 kg (2,359 pounds). Driving range: With a power rating of 37 kWh, the … Read more

Tesla guarantees resale value of Model S

Last week, Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted of an upcoming big announcement. Despite product-oriented speculation, the details that came out today lay out a new financing plan for the Model S.

The plan could bring net payments down to $500 a month according to Tesla, after taking into account the savings from purchasing electricity over gasoline, government incentives, and resale value.

Tesla added a True Cost of Ownership calculator to its site, which lets prospective buyers see how the numbers add up.

Tesla's announcement says it developed the plan with Wells Fargo and U.S. Bank, each of which … Read more

Tesla's Elon Musk tweets about big announcement for Thursday

In a tweet mentioning @TeslaMotors, Tesla CEO Elon Musk promised a big announcement on Thursday, and wrote, "Am going to put my money where my mouth is in v major way."

A Tesla spokeswoman told CNET that the company is still working out the place and timing of the announcement. However, she said that Tesla will not be at the New York auto show, which is holding a press preview on Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

After the tweet was posted, Tesla's shares jumped 4.23 percent.

Musk's second sentence in the tweet suggests he … Read more

Detroit Electric set to launch U.S.-made Tesla rival

Storied-brand Detroit Electric is teasing an electric vehicle that will take on the Tesla.

"After an absence of over 70 years, Detroit Electric...has returned to the legendary Motor City, promising job creation and a range of exciting 100% electric vehicles for the mass market," the company said in a press release.

The first model will be "a limited-edition two-seat sports car," the company said.

And it will be assembled in Michigan with production to start in August. "We are proud to become the fourth car manufacturer born out of Detroit," according to the … Read more

Tesla delays Model X one year

Last year, Tesla introduced the Model X crossover electric vehicle at its Los Angeles design center, and said it would begin production of the vehicle in late 2013. That production date has been revised, according to Tesla's shareholder annual report, to late 2014.

The report says that Tesla reached its steady state rate of production for 20,000 Model S sedans per year last December. The Model S is built at Tesla's Fremont manufacturing plant.

A Tesla spokesperson told CNET last December that there is a nine-month waiting period for current Model S orders. Tesla's goal is … Read more

Eco-commuters, behold the solar-savvy $4,000 Elf tricycle

HANNOVER, Germany--Some vehicles don't fit easily into one category or another.

Organic Transit's Elf -- a battery-boosted, solar-powered, covered tricycle -- is definitely one such device.

The North Carolina startup has begun selling the vehicles through Kickstarter and now directly on its Web site. It's now built 12, and it's showing off the $4,000 machines at the CeBit trade show here.

"This is targeting commuters," said Alix Bowman, director of strategy for the 15-person company. One possibility: People can go to work on battery power so they don't arrive sweaty, then can … Read more

Peugeot debuts first-ever hybrid gasoline-air vehicle

GENEVA--We've seen air-powered prototype cars on a small scale before, but now Peugeot unveils the first-ever air-powered full-size production model at the 2013 Geneva auto show. The new 2008 HybridAir uses an innovative hybrid system storing kinetic energy as compressed air.

The Peugeot 2008 is a new compact crossover slated for sale in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, with a variety of diesel and gasoline engines. But Peugeot calls its most interesting drivetrain option the HybridAir.

This hybrid system uses a 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine and a hydraulic motor to drive the front wheels. Similar to gasoline-electric hybrids, … Read more