Zoomi Life

Tesla is determined to stay in the news at all times. Back in January, it was announced that Tesla would be supplying the batteries for Daimler’s Smart Ed (now the Smart ForTwo). Well, the first model with Tesla’s input has hit the streets and Doug King of the Tesla Motors Club took one for a spin. Here’s the video:

Read More: Tesla-Powered Smart ForTwo (Video)

In 2006, Mazda first introduced the hybrid version of their popular Tribute SUV. Since then, they’ve come of age and are some very efficient machines. These aren’t the best hybrids on the road, of course, but until mainstream America decides to give up on SUVs altogether, these are some of the better ones, I think.

Read More: Mazda’s Tribute Hybrid SUV

Mazda is famous for two things: fun cars and Wankel Rotary Engines. The company has two cars in its lineup right now it’s testing as hydrogen models: the Premacy and the RX-8. The Premacy is a mini-van and the RX-8 is a sport coupe and both use rotary engines.

Read More: Mazda’s Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid

Both General Motors and Chrysler have been told by the Obama administration’s automotive task force that they should prepare for bankruptcy. The U.S. Treasury has announced that they’re prepping plans to put Chrysler into Chapter 11 for a fast reorganization, which could happen before the month is out.

GM has already announced that Pontiac will be gone by 2011 and will be unloading Saab, Saturn, and Hummer before the end of the year. In all, there are 13 total GM brands hitting the bricks over the next 2 years. This is according to GM’s latest “viability plan” submitted to the government.

The Saturn brand is one of those likely to be sold off entirely, though the company has said that they are willing to continue production of Saturn vehicles as a contract assmebly deal. This would make a buyout of Saturn by Saturn dealerships viable–one of the known offers on the table right now.

Read More: GM and Chrysler Likely Facing Bankruptcy - GM Drops Pontiac and Saturn Brands

Wired Magazine likes to run “Artifacts From the Future” which are always interesting glimpses into what some artists think the future will look like. This one is especially interesting, since its a Photoshop of a travel plaza (aka truck stop) with future prices for various fuels listed.

Read More: Truck Stops of the Future: According to Wired

Drivers in both Brooklyn and Park Slope, New York will have car sharing options opened up to them starting May 1. In the first of Mint’s expansions for the year, these two areas will see new “cars on-demand” 24 hour rentals, taxis, and public transport.

Read More: Mint Announces New Car Sharing Option for New Yorkers Starting May 1

This PPMV (Piemonte Personal Mobility Vehicle) is called the H-ergo. It’s a hydrogen fuel-cell wheelchair intended for indoor/outdoor use. It’s diminutive size makes it highly maneuverable and for such a small unit, it has some serious guts.

Read More: H-ergo The Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Electric Wheelchair

Two universities in the United Kingdom are entering the TTXGP zero-emissions motorcycle race and Kingston University is one of them. They’ve revealed the rough (but working) prototype of their entry and announced that they have signed Maria Costello, world-renowned motorcycle racer and the fastest woman ever around the TT course, as their rider.

Read More: Kingston University Reveals TTXGP Entry

At the Swiss Show of Renewable Energy and New Technologies (Energissima), Green GT showcased its new prototype FIA-spec racer. This all-electric race car prototype has two water-cooled 100kW motors giving 1,475 lb ft of torque.

Read More: Green GT Racer Unveiled at Energissima in Switzerland

Back in March, we reported on Ford’s team-up with Smith Electric Vehicles to build the Ford Transit EV as a commercial delivery van for the U.S. market. Ford also plans to produce the same van with a diesel motor on a heavier chassis for harsher work loads.

Read More: Ford Transit EcoNetic Commercial Heavy Duty Van To Get 32.6mpg