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

  • AWD and Back Seats for Next Tesla Sportscar

    By all accounts, the Tesla Roadster is a stupendous drive. It's fast, it grips the road and it doesn't use a drop of gas. For all of this, the driver is treated to one retractable cup holder and one...

  • Tesla Recalls 345 Roadsters

    It's official. Tesla is a legitimate automaker. The electric car company is recalling 345 Roadsters because of an under-torqued rear hub flange bolt, which could become loose, resulting in poor handling and a rubbing noise from the back of the vehicle. The other possible consequence of this loose...

  • Factmill: Electric Audi R8 Concept Will Not Be At Frankfurt Motor Show

    Contrary to blogosphere speculation, Edmunds has confirmed that there will be no electric Audi R8 at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. An Audi spokesperson who wished to remain anonymous told Edmunds that rumors starting in the European automotive press (and perpetuated by yours truly) are not...

  • Rumormill: Electric R8 Coming to Frankfurt?

    Any worthwhile discussion of today's best supercars mentions the Audi R8. It's a car that looks like it was sent to Earth from an alternate, more advanced (but clearly benevolent) dimension. The interior is as luxurious as they come. Not to mention the performance, which rivals that of Ferraris...

  • NADAguides.com Calls Fusion Hybrid 'Hidden Gem'

    Vehicle valuation company, NADA Appraisal Guides, published a list of five 'hidden gems of the auto industry' today. The Buick Enclave, Pontiac G5, Volkswagen CC, Lincoln MKS, and our favorite, Ford Fusion Hybrid rounded out the list. NADA describes the Fusion Hybrid as 'easy on the planet, easy on...

  • Spied: Dodge Ram Hybrid

    The Hybrid HEMI is on the prowl again. The folks at Leftlane News got some new pictures of what will become Dodge's only hybrid model: the Ram pickup truck. This comes after Chrysler pulled the plug on hybrid versions of the full-size Aspen and Durango SUVs a short time ago. The Hybrid Ram uses...

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    Ferrari Files Patent Application For Four-Wheel Drive Hybrid

    The name Ferrari isn't exactly synonymous with fuel efficiency, so when we heard news of a four-wheel drive "hybrid" system from Maranello, it piqued our curiosity. Apparently the Italian exotic car...

  • Subaru Plans For Cleaner Diesels and Hybrid Models by 2011

    Quirky carmaker Subaru sees cleaner diesels and hybrids on the horizon. This week Ikuo Mori, president of Fuji Heavy Industries, (Subaru's parent company) told Japanese reporters that Subaru is developing a cleaner diesel designed to meet 2011 global emissions standards and that he hopes to have a...

  • New Engine To Increase Efficiency Of GM's Future Hybrids

    With Congress breathing down the automakers' necks, demanding more fuel efficient vehicles, it's no wonder GM is developing a new gas-sipping engine. Instead of using a spark plug to light the air-fuel mixture in a piston, the 'homogeneous charge compression ignition engine,' (HCCI) squeezes the...

  • Elektromotive Unveils New Technologies At EVS24

    The British company, Elektromotive, unveiled two new technologies at the Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS 24) in Norway today. The innovations are aimed at convenient billing for power consumption at charging stations and reducing EV charging times. The 'Three-Phase Fast Charge Elektrobay...

  • Lutz To Appear On The Late Show This Wednesday

    General Motors has confirmed that former vice chairman, Bob Lutz, will bring the Chevy Volt to the Late Show with David Letterman on Wednesday. This comes after Letterman ripped the Volt during an April 29 episode which featured Tesla Motors CEO, Elon Musk, and his all-electric Model S Sedan. The...

  • High Volume Fisker for 2011?

    Fisker Automotive is making some audacious claims about their future vehicle lineup. They've already committed to producing the Fisker Karma sedan for 2010, and the Karma Convertible for 2011. Now they're planning a third Karma-based vehicle and a high volume entry level model. CEO, Henrik Fisker...

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    GM Recalls Escalade, Yukon and Tahoe Hybrids

    In response to a faulty fuel sensor control module, GM is recalling 13 of its 2009 models.  Among the 27,188 vehicles affected are the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, the GMC Yukon Hybrid and the Chevy...

  • Nissan and AeroVironment Charging the Nation's Capital

    Nissan is leaving no stone unturned in its relentless pursuit of zero-emission partnerships. The electric energy experts at AeroVironment, and the District of Columbia (D.C.) are the latest entities to partner with Japan's third largest automaker in the name of emission-free mobility. This...

  • Dodge Circuit Cancelled?

    Last month CNN told us that the Dodge Circuit would be Chrysler's first production ready EV. Today, according to Autocar, the Circuit has been cancelled. Fare thee well, Circuit. We hardly knew ya. After several auto show appearances, and an ad-campaign asserting that Chrysler was "building a new...

  • Electric Vehicles Coming to a Best Buy Near You

    Brammo CEO, Craig Bramscher had a problem. His startup electric motorcycle company had no place to sell its products. Enter the nation's largest electronics store: Best Buy. In February, Autoblog reported that the Brammo Enertia motorcycle would be available at five Best Buy stores on the west...

  • Lexus Planning Hybrid Audi A3 Competitor

    Lexus plans to unveil a front-wheel drive, hybrid-only hatchback at the Frankfurt Auto Show to compete with the likes of the Audi A3 and the BMW 1-series. The car will be the European cousin to the HS 250h, which is expected to go on sale this summer in the U.S. The new hatchback won't share any...

  • Rumormill: 370Z Plug-In Hybrid Planned For 2011

    We've been following Nissan's plans to offer hybrid versions of Infiniti models for awhile now. If this excites you, the latest rumors out of Japan will make you downright giddy. According to 370Z.com Nissan plans to offer the same hybrid system in the 370Z by 2011. The Z will incorporate a...

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    Cash For Guzzlers Agreement Reached

    Reuters is reporting that an agreement has been reached on a "cash-for-guzzlers" bill which would reward owners of old, inefficient vehicles who trade them for newer, more fuel efficient models.

    The...

  • EV Makers In India Ask Government For Help

    A declining world economy and falling gas prices have put Indian EV makers on the offensive. The industry has asked the Indian government for a 25% subsidy on each electric vehicle purchase for the next two to three years. The request comes as a previously hot market for electric scooters has all...

  • Surprise! Another Zero Emissions Partnership for Nissan

    There are three constants in life: death, taxes, and Nissan's periodic announcement of another zero-emission partnership. This time, the Renault-Nissan Alliance is working with Progress Energy and the non-profit group, Advance Energy, both based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The three entities will...

  • VIDEO: Tesla Powered Smart EV

    Tesla is determined to make electric transportation a mainstream reality. Exhibit A: this Smart Fortwo outfitted with their Roadster's powertrain. Doug King, of the Tesla Motors Club took a short ride in the Fortwo and was kind enough to post numerous photos and a video of the quick trip. This...

  • Video: Tesla Model S Test Drive

    How would you like to test drive a Tesla Model S today? Too bad. Unless you've already committed to buying one, this video is probably as close as you'll get - at least until it reaches showrooms in 2011. Venture capitalist, and first Model S customer, Steve Jurvetson, on the other hand, sat...

  • Honda Insight Ad to Warm the Cockles of Your Heart

    As the Honda Insight nears its launch, advertisements touting its green cred are about to hit the airwaves. Starting in Belgium tomorrow and throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Russia thereafter, a new TV commercial called, "Let it Shine," will air. The theme of the commercial is that...

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