High performance, luxury hybrids continue to compete for the environmentally conscious consumers... that have lots of cash. Fisker Automotive recently secured a $528 million loan from the Department of Energy so they are one step closer to introducing the highly anticipated Fisker Karma.

The Technology

The Karma uses Q-DRIVE plug-in hybrid technology, developed exclusively for Fisker Automotive by Quantum Technologies. A fully-charged Karma burns no fuel for the first 50 miles. After that, the car operates as a normal hybrid vehicle with a gasoline engine running a generator which charges the lithium ion battery. The solar roof helps charge the car and cools the cabin while the car is parked. If you charge overnight and commute less than 50 miles per day, you'll achieve an average fuel economy of 100 mpg per year.

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Tags: cool cars, fisker automotive, fisker karma, hybrids, electric cars, luxury plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
Categories: Cool Cars

No gas tank? No tail pipe? No way!

Move over hybrids... the Nissan Leaf is a 100% battery powered electric car!

The Leaf can drive 100 miles per charge, and since 80% of U.S. drivers commute less than 62 miles each day, this car claims to be the perfect everyday vehicle. Convenient home charging units need only 4 to 8 hours to get the Leaf back on the road again. For longer trips, there will be quick charge stations, like gas stations, that will offer boosts to the battery in only 26 minutes. Nissan reports it will accelerate like a typical V6 car and reach speeds up to 90mph.

Prices have yet to be released but some test models may be seen on the roads this year, while they should be ready for mass production in 2012.

Tags: nissan leaf, zero emissions, battery powered cars, electric cars
Categories: Cool Cars