Robert Scardino, Author

I'm a writer stuck in an engineer's brain with a debilitating case of autoholism. While studying at the University of Illinois I discovered my passion for writing with a weekly sports column in a local newspaper. I've been writing ever since. When I moved out of my parents' house, I got married, rescued a beagle, and realized that environmental responsibility is a requirement, not a choice. I became obsessed with energy conservation to the annoyance of my wife, who raised an eyebrow when I suggested we use solar chargers for our portable electronics. I'm not ashamed to admit that my stash of earth friendly, biodegradable cleaners stems from an Oprah episode. I am embarrassed, however, that my steamiest dream lately involved a plug-in hybrid Toyota FJ Cruiser with go-anywhere attitude, room for my furry friends and a combined rating of 50 miles per gallon. Imagine my disappointment when I awoke and realized that this vehicle doesn't exist yet.

Articles

Concerned About Plug-In Hybrid Battery Life? How's 180,000 Miles? Robert Scardino November 23, 2008
Plug-in hybrid batteries may last longer than you own your car. Southern California Edison (SCE) said Tuesday that they've continuously tested a Johnson Control-Saft lithium-ion battery subpack for...
Another Nissan EV Partnership (Didn't I just write this?)
The Renault-Nissan Alliance strikes again. This time it's an agreement with Monaco to expand and improve their existing charging networks for electric vehicles. Additional incentives will be provided to consumers and businesses to encourage the purchase of EVs and educational programs will be...
Robert Scardino November 21, 2008

Hyundai Green Effort = Blue Drive
Hyundai Sonata Remember that South Korean automaker with a reputation for producing the cheapest econoboxes ever? These were the people who brought us the deplorable "Excel" in the early 90s . That was Hyundai then. This is Hyundai now. This is the company that channeled the Lexus RX with the...
Robert Scardino November 20, 2008
Nissan's Latest ZEV Partnership
The Nissan Renault Alliance has entered into yet another public-private partnership for the advancement of sustainable mobility. Today the company announced an agreement with the state of Oregon to supply zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs). Nissan will work with Oregon and Portland General Electric to...
Robert Scardino November 20, 2008
Chevy Releases Hybrid Silverado Pricing
Chevy announced pricing for the 2009 Silverado Two-Mode Hybrid pickup today. The 2WD model starts at $38,995 plus a $975 destination charge and gets 21 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. The 4WD model will get 20 mpg city and highway and likely add about $3,000 to the price. "For customers...
Robert Scardino November 19, 2008
US Made Prius Delayed?
The Japanese newspaper Nikkei reported Friday that Toyota will postpone US production of the Prius. Toyota has not confirmed the report, but has asserted that all future products are being reviewed. The Prius is currently made exclusively in Japan and the 2010 model goes on display at the Detroit...
Robert Scardino November 19, 2008
Video: "Dodge EV" vs. Challenger SRT8 Robert Scardino November 17, 2008

Dodge EV

Chrysler ENVI president, Lou Rhodes, believes a good product can save Chrysler. By the looks of these drag races (middle of the page) in Pasadena, he might be right....

MINI E Is Mighty Efficient
The MINI brand is synonymous with fuel efficient cars that are fun to drive. MINI is about to take fuel efficiency one step further. As part of a pilot program to study electric vehicles, MINI will release 500 "MINI E" pure electric cars powered by lithium ion batteries. Select MINI devotees will...
Robert Scardino November 14, 2008
Brabus Provides a Soundtrack for Tesla
Auto enthusiasts have plenty of questions about electric sports cars, not the least of which is how to replace the satisfying rumble of an internal combustion engine. Thankfully the German auto tuners at Brabus have that covered. They've incorporated a "space sound generator" into a modified Tesla...
Robert Scardino November 14, 2008
Will Your Future Electric Car Charge Itself?
Think plug-in hybrids are cutting edge? Get a load of this: the technology gurus at Nissan are studying ways to get that future electric car of yours to charge itself while you're driving. Gasoline and wall outlets never seemed so passé. Senior Vice President of Nissan's technology department...
Robert Scardino November 13, 2008
Electric Car Incentives Approved in Montevideo, Uruguay
Marketwire is reporting today that according to electric vehicle manufacturer, Zero Air Pollution (ZAP), Ricardo Erhlich, Mayor of Montevideo, Uruguay, has approved incentives to promote the use of electric vehicles in the city. ZAP Latin America representative, Fernando Cancela, says, "The...
Robert Scardino November 12, 2008
Venture One Featured at Opportunity Green Conference
It's a car. It's a bike. It's...what is it? It's called the VentureOne. With fuel economy approaching 100 miles per gallon and six second 0-60 performance, it could revolutionize how we think about driving. This past weekend at the Opportunity Green Conference at UCLA, Venture Vehicles, Inc. COO...
Robert Scardino November 11, 2008

Electrifying Partnership: Nissan and Yokohama Robert Scardino November 11, 2008

Nissan wants to put pure electric cars on the streets of Yokohama by 2010. Japan's second largest city is partnering with the Renault Nissan Alliance to study sustainable mobility. This is just the...