Imara Corp. has announced a new generation of lithium-ion (li-ion) batteries made specifically for high power devices such as lawnmowers, power tools, hybrid vehicles and even grid storage. The company uses unique materials science technology to provide high-power, high-energy and extended cycle-life batteries and battery packs.

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FedEx has ordered 10 purpose-built zero tailpipe emissions cargo vans from UK-based electric vehicle manufacturer Modec. The new electric trucks are specifically built for the duty cycles required in stop-start city driving, can go 70 miles on one charge, and can haul up to 2 tonnes (2.2 US tons) of cargo.

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UPS will field two hydraulic hybrids in Minneapolis, MN, in early 2009 and an additional five hydraulic hybrid trucks will be deployed later in 2009 and early 2010. Although this sounds like a tiny fleet, keep in mind that this is the largest scale commercial test of hydraulic hybrids ever conducted.

The UPS hybrid hydraulic truck is a standard-looking 24,000 pound package car, with an EPA-patented diesel series hydraulic hybrid drive attached to the rear axle.

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The latest concept car uses a Vauxhall Astra body, housing a three-cylinder 1.5-litre engine integrated with a hybrid drive, and a 12kw electric motor. The car utilizes the three-cylinder combustion engine in parallel to the electric motor, allowing for extra performance and fewer emissions.

Electric-powered fuel and water pumps help cut fuel consumption, and an exhaust manifold integrated into the cylinder head uses fewer components and weight reduction.

This isn’t the first venture into electric by Lotus, having worked with ZAP cars in developing the seven-seat 635bhp electric crossover.

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What I learned from this transaction, is that the process of buying a used car is changing with the infusion of hybrid-electric vehicles (HEV) into the marketplace. Let me explain.

Oh, the building in the background? I have a link at the end of the article.

As you know, we’re older. (Well, I’m much older, Sally’s just older.) We have limited income and some physical considerations, so we had to settle for something less than I would like from the standpoint of our carbon footprint. Purchasing a used HEV was out of the question, as much as I would like to have one, but I’ll cover that later.

I did all the “guy” things, you know, kick the tires, check the engine, look at fluid levels and general physical condition. Sally did her part. She looked it over inside and out, got in the passenger seat for the test ride and exclaimed, “I like it, let’s buy it,” and we did.

Later, I got to thinking, what used car will you buy in the next few years? This will undoubtedly be my last car purchase, and it was done in the traditional manner with all the traditional considerations as outlined above. You, on the other hand, may have to think about more than the tires, drive train, engine, brakes and the like.

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Which system will survive? Or will we have a mixture of E85’s, biodiesel, electric, air and hydrogen fueled vehicles cramming our highways and straining the fuel delivery system infrastructure? Eventually, according to the age-old theory that the fittest shall survive, one method of moving us from point “A” to point “B” will emerge, and some folks are betting on the plug-in hybrid.

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My, how things have changed. There are more fuel choices, and a trip to the MapQuest Gas Prices website will show you what I mean.

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That article resulted in an email from another Floridian: Paul Liddle, the owner of EVPorsche, who is electrifying Porsches, Lamborghinis, and even a Rolls Royce! And I thought, "WOW, an electric Porsche 911, cool!"

And then I thought, what about the vroom-vroom? You know, racing the engine at a stop sign, popping the clutch with the pedal to the metal, speed shifting up from first to the top gear, and getting thrown back in the seat as the engine roars ahead until you’ve reached a hundred or so. And then there’s the downshifting, again the engine revving up as you save the brakes and come to a slower speed or a stop.

I’ve driven a few sports cars, and that was part of the thrill: coordinating the clutch with the gears (as fast as possible), pedal to the metal, complete control, and the vrooooom. Well, according to Paul’s website, you’ll get fast, smooth, quiet acceleration with some optional gear shifting. Your Porsche will still act like it’s on steroids, but without the “feel” and sound of a piston engine car. If I could afford one, I’d ask Paul to add a recording of engine noises that correspond with the increase or decrease in speed, with speakers in and outside the car for make believe. Add in a little mechanism to vibrate the car just a bit, and I’d be in hog heaven.

Maybe electric car manufacturers would make those options available to those of us who still like the sound and feel of an internal combustion power plant. I come from a time when a V8 with glass paks made you king of the hill, or at least feel like it. Four and six cylinder cars were wimps; my, how times have changed. I still chuckle when I see some guy in his little four-cylinder car with loud mufflers “roar” away from a stop sign.

Ok, so I’m having some fun, but Paul is dead serious and you should see his site: it’s very impressive. And then I thought, "Are other smaller entrepreneurs doing the same thing?" While searching for an answer, I found the Electric Auto Association. It’s a veritable treasure trove of information about electric vehicles, from the new, to gas-car conversions for sale, hybrids, conversion kits, electric scooters, bikes, motorcycles, working electrics at Gorilla Vehicles … the list goes on. The EAA site also has a link to electric vehicles for sale on Ebay. You’ll find electric vehicle events around the country, forums, and links to EAA chapters 19 states, as well as Canada.

More Googles turned up Free Energy News where you’ll find links to several resources. If you’re really interested in electric vehicles of any kind, just Google “electric vehicles” and knock yourself out.

I still think the VROOOOOM would be a nice touch.