Robert Scardino, Author

Robert Scardino avatar
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

  • GM To Produce Cadillac Converj

    According to a report in the Detroit News today, General Motors will forge ahead with plans to produce the Cadillac Converj extended range electric vehicle (EREV). Though Cadillac would not confirm...

  • The Green Side of SEMA

    November is a time to give thanks...for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). These are the people and companies who make car enthusiasts drool with automotive add-ons and accessories fit for a classic episode of Pimp My Ride. Each November, when the SEMA show takes place in Las Vegas...

  • Electric Motorcycle To Be Featured On TLC's American Chopper

    The next episode of TLC's American Chopper will showcase more than a contentious family feud. The Siemens Smart Chopper will be featured on the show airing tomorrow at 9:00 p.m. eastern time. Orange County Choppers built the Siemens-engineered electric motorcycle, which uses an Advanced DC Motors...

  • Tesla Roadster Channels Taxi Cab In France

    If you own a car as unique as the Tesla Roadster, why not advertise your business with it? That's what one Monaco resident did with this electric sports car clad in the standard issue yellow and black. The owner, who runs a New York City cab company which uses mostly hybrid vehicles, recently put...

  • Sanyo To Supply NiMH Batteries to Peugeot

    The Nikkei is reporting that Sanyo Electric Co. has signed an agreement with PSA Peugeot Citroen to supply nickel-metal hydride batteries for diesel-electric hybrids. Peugeot wants to be the first car maker to put diesel-electric powertrains into production vehicles. The French auto company will...

  • Axon Automotive Reveals Plug-In Hybrid In The UK

    Is that the original Honda Insight? At least one commenter on Green Car Congress agrees that the diminutive plug-in hybrid pictured to the left bears some likeness to the spunky fuel sipper that debuted back in 1999. (Of course the Insight didn't come with a plug.) Resemblance aside, this is the...

  •
    Toyota Combats Prius Factory Emissions With Flower Power

    Toyota City, Japan, smells pretty sweet these days according to a report by Richard Blackburn at drive.com.au. Japan's largest automaker has developed two new flower species to help offset CO2...

  • Better Place Israel Partners With Jerusalem For EV Charging Infrastructure

    Better Place Israel signed an agreement with Israel's capital city of Jerusalem on Thursday, to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure throughout the municipality. The initiative will test charging stations and battery swapping facilities over the next 18 months. Charging stations will be...

  • Tesla Roadster, Toyota Prius, VW Touareg Crash in Denmark

      Here's a frightening scene from the streets of Denmark submitted to Autopia by reader, Lars H. A Tesla Roadster was involved in a three-way crash with a Volkswagen Touareg and a Toyota Prius earlier this week. Apparently the Roadster was stopped behind the Touareg when the Prius rear-ended the...

  • Inhabitat Lists Top 5 Modified Greenmobiles

    Do you ever wish your car came in an electric version? Do you find yourself daydreaming about bio-diesel conversions? If so, the bloggers at Inhabitat have assembled a list of vehicles to inspire you. The so-called "Top 5 Pimped-Out Eco Rides" range from a Hummer H1 stretch-limo to a 1985 Chevy S10...

  • Central Michigan University Requests Refund For EV

    In the summer of 2008, amid staggering gas prices, Central Michigan University (CMU) invested $23,000 into an electric vehicle. Just over a year later, the school is requesting a refund, citing the vehicle's poor performance in cold weather. The EV in question is believed to be a Miles ZX40ST Work...

  • Dutch Island of Terschelling Gets Th!nk City First Aid Vehicle

    Here in the United States where a typical commute exceeds 15 miles, range anxiety is at the forefront of the electric vehicle discussion. The residents of the island of Terschelling, in the northern Netherlands, needn't worry about such things. Their 12 miles of paved roads represent less than a...

  •
    Ford Names Director of Global Electrification

    If there was ever any doubt that Ford wants to be known for hybrids and electric vehicles, that was put to rest today, after the Dearborn, Michigan, based automaker named a "Director of...

  • Think Announces New Board of Directors

    Less than two months since Think exited bankruptcy, the Scandinavian electric vehicle maker has announced its new board of directors. The new Chairman, Reidar Langmo, is a founding partner and CEO of Novus Energy, an investment fund devoted to emerging companies in the "new energy" field. His...

  • Panasonic Linking PC Batteries Together To Power Cars

    If Panasonic gets its way, your average laptop battery could be the electric vehicle power source of the future. The Japanese consumer electronics company announced Thursday that it has developed a method of binding standard lithium-ion batteries together (Tesla Motors style), for use in...

  • Infiniti Preparing M35 Hybrid For Spring Of 2011

    In March we told you that Nissan's luxury brand, Infiniti, planned to release a hybrid version of their M sedan. Today the Japanese automaker has confirmed that the new hybrid will be available in the spring of 2011 for the 2012 model year. This will be Infiniti's first offering in the luxury...

  • Video: Fox News Criticizes DOE Loans to Fisker and Tesla

    While discussing two upstart electric car companies, contributors to the self proclaimed "fair and balanced" Fox News Channel (FNC) have proven that they are not smarter than a fifth grader. Jeff Foxworthy didn't even have to ask a single question. In reports criticizing recent Department of Energy...

  • Suzuki Swift Plug-In Hybrid Headed To Tokyo

      Suzuki says that their cars are as much fun as their bikes. Now they're trying to make one model just as fuel efficient. The Japanese automaker plans to unveil a plug-in hybrid version of the Swift hatchback at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. Suzuki's subcompact already has a loyal following in...

  •
    GM's Electric Car Guru Resigns

    Bob Kruse, who formulated General Motors' long-term electric vehicle plans and whose team helped develop the Chevy Volt, has resigned, ending his 31-year career with the company. The 50-year-old...

  • Tommy Kaira Mods Toyota Prius

    Japanese tuning firm, Tommy Kaira, has released a modified Toyota Prius that actually looks like it would be fun to drive. Unfortunately, it appears that the modifications are mostly visual, so if you were dreaming of a faster gas sipper, dream on. The pimped-out Prius certainly looks meaner, with...

  • VIDEO: Electric 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster Replica

    Sure, Porsche is planning an electric vehicle, but it won't be in showrooms for years, and it probably won't ever be as charming as this 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster. If a carbon neutral vintage Porsche replica turns you on, check out this eBay listing posted by Jack Rickard. Jack is an EV...

  • Tesla Engineering and Manufacturing Chief Resigns

    The revolving door of Tesla Motors leadership keeps turning. Today, executive vice president of vehicle engineering and manufacturing, Mike Donoughe, is calling it quits, just over a year after he started the job. Formerly employed by Chrysler, Donoughe was charged with overseeing engineering...

  • Electric Supercharger Gives Gas Engines Diesel Efficiency

    If you frequent this site, you've read all about electric vehicles and gas-electric hybrids. In those applications, electricity is stored in a battery, which powers an electric motor. That electric motor can either move the vehicle or assist the gas engine in hybrid configurations. One U.K. company...

  • Porsche Boss Expects EV Model Within The Decade

    Nearly a week ago, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Porsche CEO, Michael Macht, announced plans to produce an all-electric sports car. He recently reiterated that sentiment in the German magazine Welt am Sonntag. Macht says the company is working "intensively" on an EV, but that it will take time for...

Charging Mobility Sustainability
Gas Mileage Hybrids Electric Cars
Alt Fuels Diesel Cars Features
View All
Green Car Reports Newsletter
Sign up to get the latest green car and environmental news, delivered to your inbox daily!
I agree to receive emails from Green Car Reports. I understand that I can unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy.
News
Charging Mobility Sustainability Gas Mileage Hybrids Electric Cars Alt Fuels Diesel Cars Features View All
First Drives Electric Cars Hybrids Guides Green Life