Drive Green motoring guide
Nissan builds battery-powered ute
DAVID MCCOWEN Electric Leaf named "Sparky" a one-off experiment.
Renault's fuel-sipping Eolab concept
![Renault Eolab](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2014/09/17/5782190/eolab_320-90x60.jpg)
DAVID MCCOWEN Lightweight concept points to ultra-frugal future for Megane and Clio hatches
BMW's $300k hybrid supercar
![BMW i8](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2014/06/16/5515583/i8_320-90x60.jpg)
DAVID MCCOWEN BMW is betting that green car enthusiasts are willing to spend big money on the new i8, Australia's first hybrid supercar.
Ford reveals solar-powered family car
![C-MAX Solar Energi concept](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2014/01/03/5049960/C-MAXSolarEnergi_09_HR_320-90x60.jpg)
ANDREW MACLEAN Blue oval promises free fuel by harnessing the sun for new plug-in hybrid technology
Future cars
Solar cars a step closer to the showroom
![Solar car hits the track (Thumbnail)](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2013/09/13/4744187/th-solar-REG-Thumbnail-90x60.jpg)
STEPHEN OTTLEY The latest generation of solar-powered cars are slowly pushing the technology towards production.
Toyota says 2015 Prius Hybrid will be lighter, more economical
![Prius V](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2013/08/29/4701479/prius-v_320-90x60.jpg)
Ben Klayman Toyota says the next Prius generation will offer improved fuel economy due to smaller, lighter critical parts that cost less.
BMW X5 eDrive sips just 3.8L/100km
![BMW](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2013/08/22/4682133/image99538_c_320-90x60.jpg)
MATT CAMPBELL New plug-in hybrid concept version of the German brand's large SUV sets a new benchmark for its segment.
Dick Smith gazes into his automotive crystal ball
![Dick Smith charging his electric car.](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2013/08/01/4621081/Presenter-Dick-Smith-charging-his-electric-car_320-90x60.jpg)
MATT CAMPBELL The Aussie entrepreneur talks electric cars, fuel prices and government incentives.
How green is your car?
![Green motoring](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2013/07/05/4545940/green_320-90x60.jpg)
David McCowen Drive investigates the real environmental benefits of hybrid and electric cars.
Honda and General Motors team up
![GM v Honda](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2013/07/03/4539641/relogo320-90x60.jpg)
Alan Ohnsman Hydrogen fuel cell push as Japanese maker teams with US automotive giant.
Electric Mercedes charges to Nurburgring record
![SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive masters Nordschleife in 7:56.234 minutes.](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2013/06/10/4478166/13C630_320-90x60.jpg)
Sam Hall SLS Electric Drive laps German circuit in under 8 minutes, setting record time for a production electric car.
Audi A3 hybrid pricing revealed
![New A3 e-tron](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2013/02/22/4052658/etron_320-90x60.jpg)
Sam Hall German hybrid will attract a hefty premium over petrol and diesel variants, but with some sweeteners.
Claimed fuel efficiency gap widens: report
![Fuel efficiency](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2013/05/29/4445884/fuel-use_320-90x60.jpg)
Barbara Lewis and Charlie Dunmore The disconnect between fuel use figures claimed by car makers and the real-world results seen by drivers is widening.
Pellets for your petrol tank
![Professor Bennington and an example of the hydrogen fuel pellet..](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2013/05/29/4445697/hydro_pellet_320-90x60.jpg)
Amy Wilson Cella Energy may have the solution for car makers trying to win support for hydrogen power.
Renault's electric car plans fizzle
![Renault Zoe ZE.](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2013/05/27/4440579/zoe_320-90x60.jpg)
MATT CAMPBELL French brand remains uncertain on whether it will offer EVs to Aussies.
Better Place pulls the plug
![Better place](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2013/02/18/4041761/better-place_320-90x60.jpg)
Ari Rabinovitch Israeli electric car infrastructure company to wind up global operations.
Ferrari vows never to build an electric car
![LaFerrari](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2013/03/06/4085087/laferrari_320-90x60.jpg)
Andrew Maclean Famous Italian car maker splurges on hybrid development, but a silent supercar is off limits
Tesla talking with Google about 'Autopilot' systems for cars
![Tesla Model S.](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2013/05/08/4254109/Model-S_320-90x60.jpg)
Alan Ohnsman Electric car maker is considering adding driverless technology to its vehicles and discussing the prospects for such systems with Google.
BMW slams future emission targets
![Paris Traffic](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2013/05/07/4252026/paris-traffic-1_320-90x60.jpg)
ANDREW MACLEAN German car maker says 2025 European fuel economy figures are impossible to meet without financial assistance
Five myths about electric cars
![Fisker Karma.](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2013/02/20/4047154/Fisker-Karma_320-90x60.jpg)
Chris Paine* The maker of 'Who Killed the Electric Car' defends EVs in the wake of Fisker's financial struggles.
Porsche's Prius-beating Panamera
![2014 Porsche Panamera e-hybrid](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2013/04/04/4164554/2014-Porsche-Panamera-E-Hyb-90x60.jpg)
MATT CAMPBELL High-tech plug-in hybrid uses less fuel than Toyota's environmental hero but is almost as quick as a V8 Commodore.
Electric Defender to roam game parks
![Land Rover Defender](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2013/02/28/4069551/land-rover-320-90x60.jpg)
TOBY HAGON An ambitious rechargeable Land Rover Defender could soon be put to use in some of the world's harshest terrain.
VW's electric Kombi
![Volkswagen e-Co-Motion concept](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2013/03/04/4079222/Volkswagen-EcoMotion_320-90x60.jpg)
Andrew Maclean Flower power makes way for electric power in next-gen VW Transporter
Obama's billion-dollar EV gamble fails
![First drive: Tesla Model S (Thumbnail)](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2012/09/13/3632289/tesla-model-s_320-90x60.jpg)
Charles Lane Electric vehicles have missed the mark with consumers, despite a $5 billion investment in the alternative technology by the US Government.
US report finds ethanol may damage fuel pumps
![Ethanol](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2013/01/30/3991220/dt_ethanol_320-20130130084331144115-90x60.jpg)
Mark Drajem Oil refiners and car makers claim blended fuel can cause component failures.
Affordable fuel-cell vehicles in five years
![Mercedes-Benz Fuel Cell Car.](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2013/01/29/3988508/f-cell_320-90x60.jpg)
Christiaan Hetzner Leading car makers team up to make hydrogen-powered cars a reality.
Poor sales slow electric car
![Mitsubishi i-MiEV](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2012/02/16/3046230/i-miev_320-90x60.jpg)
Sam Hall Mitsubishi changes tack on Australia's first mass-produced electric car.
Peugeot plans battery-free hybrid to rival Toyota
![Peugeot](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2013/01/23/3974804/1_hybrid-air-6_320-90x60.jpg)
Laurence Frost Peugeot builds hybrid without batteries.
Nissan halves charge-time for Leaf
![Nissan's updated 2013 Leaf (US model shown).](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2013/01/11/3945568/2013-nissan-leaf-01_320-90x60.jpg)
MATT CAMPBELL Updated 2013 model of Nissan's plug-in hatchback to halve its recharge time to about four hours.
Nissan slashes almost $10,000 off Leaf EV
![Nissan Leaf](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2012/09/21/3652458/leaf_320-90x60.jpg)
MATT CAMPBELL Sluggish sales prompt price cut for plug-in hatchback.
Nissan improves Leaf EV driving range, cuts price
Nissan, hoping to boost disappointing sales for the Leaf electric car, said it has improved the driving range of its alternative-fuel vehicle by 14 percent and lowered its price tag.
Nissan’s electric vehicle feels the heat
![Nissan Leaf](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2012/07/05/3429781/nissan-leaf_320-90x60.jpg)
STEVE COLQUHOUN Tests in the US show high temperatures can bite into electric car battery life, reducing driving range.
Smart ForStars concept
![Smart ForStars concept](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2012/09/17/3640796/12C981_044-_320jpg-90x60.jpg)
Greg Kable Micro car brand Smart is showcasing its next generation look with the radical ForStars sport utility coupe concept car.
E10 fuel a false economy
![caltex-thumb](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2011/08/22/2575080/caltex-thumb-90x60.jpg)
RICHARD BLACKBURN Promised cost savings don’t necessarily add up with ethanol-based fuels.
Leaf to lift electric range to 250km
![Nissan Leaf](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2012/07/05/3429781/nissan-leaf_320-90x60.jpg)
STEVE COLQUHOUN Reports indicate that Nissan could be preparing a longer-range Leaf to roll out in 2013.
Oil isn't running out: expert
![oil petrol](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2012/08/13/3551706/oil_petrol_320-90x60.jpg)
Matt Campbell Harvard authority on energy claims there could be an oil glut in the next decade.
London cabs debacle
![London cabs](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2012/08/06/3532571/londonCab_320-90x60.jpg)
STEVE COLQUHOUN Hydrogen-powered taxis have to be trucked 290km to fill up during Olympics.
Leaf wilting under US heat
![Nissan Leaf](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2011/03/17/2237729/nissan-leaf-320-90x60.jpg)
BARRY PARK Owners blame hot weather for startling loss of battery capacity.
France to boost clean cars as Peugeot unveils losses
![Peugeot](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2012/07/26/3489244/peugeot_320-90x60.jpg)
France will boost support for environmentally friendly cars as part of a rescue plan unveiled Wednesday amid growing concern for the country's crisis-hit auto industry and top carmaker Peugeot
Electric version of Holden Commodore
![electric commodore](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2012/07/19/3468153/EV-launch-007_320-90x60.jpg)
BARRY PARK Taking a ride in a battery-powered version of Holden’s popular family car.
EVs $20K too much: survey
![Holden Volt](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2012/07/17/3461688/volt_320-90x60.jpg)
STEVE COLQUHOUN US study says people not prepared to pay more than $25,000 for an electric vehicle.
Tesla’s electric sedan arrives
![Tesla Sedan S](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2012/06/22/3395342/telsa_sedan_320-90x60.jpg)
Silicon Valley upstart to deliver first Model S sedans to customers tomorrow, with first profit predicted to follow.
We need a cheaper EV, admits Nissan
![Nissan concept](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2012/06/18/3384051/nissan_concept_320-90x60.jpg)
MATT CAMPBELL Brand says it needs a smaller, cheaper version of its groundbreaking Leaf electric car.
Prius family grows
![Prius V](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2012/05/21/3312649/12Priusv_35_3250-90x60.jpg)
RICHARD BLACKBURN Australia's first hybrid seven-seater is pitched at families with a conscience.
BMW hybrid 7-Series for Oz
![BMW 7-series Hybrid](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2012/05/25/3324921/2013-BMW-7-Series-FL51-2-_320-90x60.jpg)
STEVE COLQUHOUN Local buyers to get petrol-electric choice, but no tri-turbo diesel.
Lexus takes shot at diesels
![Lexus GS 450h Sports Luxury](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2012/05/15/3297452/12GS450h_39hr_320-90x60.jpg)
MATT CAMPBELL Japanese brand claims its limo is greener than German diesel rivals.
Electric turbo for next WRX?
![Subaru WRX](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2011/10/25/2728274/Subaru-WRX_320-90x60.jpg)
STEVE COLQUHOUN Subaru’s performance hero could pioneer ground-breaking turbo technology.
China's dream of electric car leadership elusive
![electric car](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2011/05/12/2358794/electric-cars_320-90x60.jpg)
Joe McDonald China's leaders are finding it's a lot tougher to create a world-beating electric car industry than they hoped.
How green is my EV?
![Nissan leaf](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2011/12/27/2860354/nissan-leaf_320-90x60.jpg)
Paul Stenquist Electric car buyers are realising that two identical electric cars can produce very different results for the environment.
Filling up the car at your own front door? It's a gas!
![Chris White fills up his Ford using his home-compressed natural gas refuelling system.](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2012/03/26/3165295/Chris-White_320-90x60.jpg)
SIMON JOHANSON Chris White never stops at a petrol station to refuel his old six-cylinder Ford.
A nation of fuel guzzlers
![Emissions law slammed](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2010/08/19/1799238/27emmis_m_m-90x60.jpg)
STEPHEN OTTLEY New figures show Australia has some of the thirstiest cars on the planet.
Geneva 2012
Electric cars won't reach sales mandates: Mercedes
![electric car](http://web.archive.org./web/20141011090620im_/http://images-2.drive.com.au/2011/05/12/2358794/electric-cars_320-90x60.jpg)
Joshua Dowling EVs will be 4 per cent of all new vehicles by 2020 – at best.