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

  • Fisker Distinguishes His Company From Tesla, Chevy

    In the world of electric performance cars, there are two names to know: Fisker and Tesla. The man behind the upcoming $87,900 Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid sports sedan wants you to know the...

  • VW Going Electric By 2013

    Volkswagen will unveil its first electric car by 2013, said CEO Martin Winterkorn on Friday. Winterkorn espouses the electric car movement, but has previously mentioned that he thinks it will take 15 to 20 years before EVs comprise a significant fraction of the market. That won't stop VW from...

  • VIDEO: Tomberlin Unveils Anvil LSV on CBS Early Show

    It's a Jeep! It's a golf cart! No! It's an Anvil? The Georgia based Tomberlin Group showcased their electric low speed vehicle (LSV) on the CBS Early Show on Monday and it looks nothing like anything else on the road today. Dubbed the "Anvil," it has a top speed of 25 miles per hour and is legal...

  • Tesla Files For Dismissal of Eberhard Lawsuit

    Tesla Motors has asked the courts of San Mateo County, California to dismiss the lawsuit filed against them by co-founder and former CEO, Martin Eberhard. Eberhard sued Tesla on May 26 for libel, slander and breach of contract. Tesla's response was characteristic of their current CEO, Elon Musk...

  • Persistent Rumors: Toyota To Give GM A Version Of The Prius

    According to a report in Bloomberg today, Toyota may give General Motors a version of their iconic Prius hybrid. This news broke even as General Motors announced that their joint venture with the Japanese automaker at the Fremont, California based NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturing Incorporated)...

  • Cars.com Survey: $4 Per Gallon Gas Spurs Interest In More Efficient Cars?

    At first glance, a recent survey published by Cars.com appears to reinforce the idea that economics trump eco-consciousness when drivers choose which vehicles to buy. The survey, which polled 1,088 men and women over age 18 found that 40% of car shoppers would consider purchasing a more fuel...

  •
    Fisker Karma Sunset Named 2009 North American Production Preview Vehicle of the Year

    You can't bring a Fisker Karma Sunset home yet, but it can already be dubbed "award-winning." That's because the eagerly anticipated plug-in hybrid hardtop convertible was named the 2009 North...

  • Claymation: Renault Twingo ZE Electric Car In The Buff

    Last week we reported that Renault planned to unveil three new electric vehicles at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Today, some Wallace and Gromit style images purporting to be one of those new vehicles, surfaced on Auto Plus, a French car website. The clay model depicts the three-seat Twingo ZE, which...

  • GM To License Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive? Nope.

    In a live webchat on Friday, our illustrious Editor-In-Chief, Lyle Dennis, posed a question to GM North America President, Troy Clarke, regarding collaboration with Toyota, given the American automaker's failed economic state.Dennis: What are some possible options under consideration for GM’s...

  • Denmark Embarks On Wind, Vehicle-To-Grid Experiment

    Denmark is one of the more progressive countries in the world where renewable energy is concerned. They've already partnered with Better Place and Nissan to build a charging infrastructure in support of widespread adoption of electric vehicles. They currently meet 20% of their energy needs with...

  • EV Rentals Available In Bergamo, Italy

    Say you're an eco-conscious tourist on vacation in Italy and you'd like to explore the outskirts of Milan, but you left your driver's license in the hotel safe. No problem. Catch a cab 25 miles northeast to Bergamo and rent an Italian-made Startlab Open Street EV. The Startlab is an electric...

  • Fisker Dealership Coming to South Florida

    If you live in South Florida, your Fisker dealership is on its way. Car selling veteran, Warren Henry Zinn, plans to open a Fisker Chic showroom in North Dade County by the fourth quarter of 2009. The new facility will showcase Fisker's $87,900 plug-in hybrid Karma sports sedan. Zinn's current...

  •
    Update: Hybrid Jaguar XE Roadster And Other Green Technologies For Jaguar, Land Rover

    With rumors swirling about various Jaguar hybrids in the works, we contacted Media Communications Officer, Mia Bae, to help us make sense of it all. The information gleaned from several emails...

  • Koenigsegg To Produce Quant Solar-Electric Supercar

    What do you get when a niche Swedish supercar company, Koenigsegg, buys the common man's Swedish car company, Saab? Apparently you get the capacity to produce electric supercars in volume. Realtid.se has reported that Koenigsegg's recent purchase of Saab was intended to give the supercar company...

  • VIDEO: Hot Hybrid Racing Action - Prius vs. Insight

    Hybrids aren't known for blistering performance, but that didn't stop one UK automotive publication from putting two of the most popular fuel misers on the drag strip. In a recent comparison of the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight, iMotor performed the standing quarter mile in both cars. Needless...

  • VIDEO: UK Electronics Chain Offers Free Electricity To EVs

    UK electronics retailer, Comet, has installed an EV charging point at their store in Croydon, South London. The "Plug & Go" charger offers 240 volts AC at 13 amps and is available to any EV driver who requests a key via email or at the customer help desk. (The outlet is presumably locked up to...

  • Jaguar Extended Range Hybrid Two-Seater In The Making

    Jaguar has been undergoing a transformation. They've changed parent companies, they've produced new, attractive designs targeted to younger buyers, and they've improved vehicle quality. And like most other carmakers, they're positioning themselves to go green (or at least improve their corporate...

  • Audi Q5 Hybrid Back On

    "We have to do hybrids in order to show people that we are able to do them," said Wolfgang Hatz, head of powertrain development for the Volkswagen Group, back in January at the Detroit Auto Show. Maybe that explains why Audi has been waffling in their decision to make a hybrid version of the Q5...

  •
    Daimler Trucks Gives Diesel-Electric Hybrid To Forgotten Harvest Charity

    With all of the accusations of libel and slander going on these days in the EV world, a story about charitable giving to a community in need is refreshing. So prepare to be refreshed.

    Daimler...

  • GM Pulls The Plug On Malibu, Vue Hybrids

    Chevy's midsize Malibu sedan has enjoyed widespread praise among automotive media, but one version of the vehicle is conspicuously absent from GM's plans for 2010. The Malibu Hybrid will no longer be available next year, as GM continues to whittle away at its product lineup. The Hybrid achieved an...

  • VIDEO: GM Plugs Electric Cars in New Reinvention Commercial

    After months of avoiding bankruptcy like the plague, a new advertisement from General Motors tells us it's not so bad after all. The "Reinvention" commercial (see the video below) pairs nationalistic imagery with a message of a company determined to sell better, more relevant cars. "There was a...

  • VIDEO: Attack Of The Tesla Roadsters! Owners Celebrate 500th Delivery

    Over two dozen Tesla Roadster owners hit the streets of L.A. on Saturday to recognize the San Carlos, California, based electric car company's 500th delivery. Sixty miles of driving and one Malibu barbecue later, some impressive videos of the event appeared on YouTube. This was no ordinary car...

  • Tesla To Open Seven Dealerships This Summer

    Tesla Motors has confirmed that they will open seven new regional sales and services centers this summer. The new stores will be located in New York, Seattle, Chicago, Miami, London, Monaco and Munich. The New York, Chicago and London locations will all open within the next few weeks. The electric...

  • More Details on Tesla, Daimler EV Collaboration and the Future Roadster

    Tesla Motors is collaborating with Daimler AG on two affordable EVs planned for production within the next few years. In an interview with Green Car Advisor Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, confirmed that in addition to the previously publicized Smart EV, the two companies have been working on another...

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