World's Most Efficient EVs Travel 3,000 km without Plugging-In

This time next week the world's most energy efficient electric cars will be hitting speeds of up to 130 km/h (81 mph) as they race 3,000 km (1,865 Miles) coast to coast across the Australian Outback contesting the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.

The outright contenders for line honours will come from the big budget single seater aerodynamic vehicles of the Schneider Electric Challenger Class. The only external energy source allowed during the race is solar irradiation received by a maximum of either 3 square meters of high-efficiency (22.5%+), triple-junction gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar cells or 6 square meters of silicon based solar cells with less than 22.5% efficiency. The solar array is paired with a maximum on-board energy storage capacity of 5 kWh to assist with energy use strategy, hills, clouds or extra acceleration for overtaking.

To have a good chance to win each car has to 1) Collect as much solar energy as possible and 2) Use as little energy as possible. This means special attention needs to be applied to the efficiency of transferring electrical energy to the wheels and minimising friction from aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance which is affected by vehicle weight amongst other things.

To achieve the electrical efficiency goal, every Bridgestone World Solar Challenge winner since at least 1999 has used a direct drive in-wheel motor to propel the vehicle. Direct drive eliminates mechanical transmission losses that can be as much as 20%.

Solar cars use very low rolling resistance tires that are specially designed for this race with a rolling resistance ten times less than an average road car. With the rolling resistance of a cars tyres accounting for roughly 20% of all energy used, tyres can account for up to one in every five tanks of fuel in a regular road car. Vehicle weight is also kept extremely low with extensive use of carbon fiber, again to minimise rolling resistance.

In 2011 Tokai Challenger won with an average speed of 91.54 km/h (56 mph). With such high average speeds combined with the physics - air resistance being proportional to the square of speed - aerodynamic drag is the main source of losses on a solar race car. Much design effort is invested in CFD computer simulation, scale and full size wind tunnel testing. The best solar race cars achieve a drag coefficient as low as 0.07 (Nuna 3 – which holds the record for highest average winning speed @ 102.8 km/h) where a road car ranges from 0.24 (Tesla Model S) to 0.35 (Toyota Land Cruiser).

It is the chase of maximum aerodynamic efficiency that has lead to the race winning dominance of “coffee table” type vehicle designs which brings up the question of how practical can a solar-powered vehicles be? The 2013 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge sees the introduction of the Michelin Cruiser Class which is not focused on speed but practicality, with the ultimate goal of entrants being able to meet the requirements for road registration. Cruiser Class cars must seat a minimum of two people and will be allowed over-night battery charging at select locations.

While the Michelin cruiser class aligns solar race car design more closely with road car requirements, if the limitations of having the solar cells on the vehicle itself are removed, powering a regular road going EV with solar power is an affordable reality today!

Tesla Motors recently launched a network of solar powered superchargers capable of charging their Model S to 320 km of range in 30 minutes. Even a modest 1.5 kw residential roof-top PV solar system generates enough energy to power a commuter EV like a Nissan Leaf for more than average annual mileage. In fact, displacing the cost of petrol instead of grid power will reduce the break even time on a roof-top PV installation from years to months.

This year’s Bridgestone World Solar Challenge is held from 6th – 13th October. If you can’t make it to Darwin or Adelaide, you can follow the race on Twitter via @tsport100 or @WorldSolarChlg.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. Words and thoughts are entirely my own.

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San Diego Gets First Public SAE Fast-Charging Station for EVs

The SAE International DC “Combo” Fast Charge station installation at the Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego is a milestone for plug-in electric vehicles – the first public installation in the U.S. of an industry-coordinated standard for fast charging of plug-in electric vehicles.

The Chevrolet Spark EV, available in California and Oregon, will be the first EV in the U.S. to offer the SAE International fast-charge connector as a vehicle option starting in late December.

“The launch of these new charge stations will help improve the convenience and adoption of electric vehicles because they dramatically reduce the charge time,” said Pamela Fletcher, executive chief engineer of electrified vehicles at General Motors. “The SAE Combo DC fast charge stations are the result of EV industry collaboration to help customers benefit from available public infrastructure.”

The new combined AC and DC charging, or combo, connector is accessible via a single charge port on the vehicle and allows electricity to flow at a faster rate, making EVs more convenient for longer trips and for EV owners who may lack convenient access to overnight home charging.

“San Diego Gas & Electric applauds the collaborative efforts it took to make San Diego home to the world’s first retail SAE DC fast charge station,” said Lee Krevat, director of smart grid and clean transportation for the utility. “Our local drivers that have vehicles equipped with this charging system connector will be the true beneficiaries of this technology.”

Many major automakers including GM, Ford, Chrysler, BMW, Daimler, Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche have announced they will adopt the SAE combo fast charge connector standard. Earlier, many of the world’s major automakers had adopted the SAE’s 120V/240V AC connector standard to assure plug-in vehicles could access all charging infrastructure regardless of vehicle make or model.

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Nissan Leaf Nismo RC | TRANSLOGIC 139 [VIDEO]

AOL's Translogic take the NISMO RC for a spin and interview NISMO President Shoichi Miyatani at the recent Nissan 360 media event.

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Qoros leads the way for safer Chinese cars

A GROUP of European safety experts have awarded their highest accolade to a Chinese-built car for the first time.

These days a five star rating from Euro NCAP is a big selling point on new cars, so Qoros will be delighted that its latest saloon, the 3, passed the safety tests with flying colours. Euro NCAP also gave Kia its latest five-star rating, after the Carens people carrier impressed the testers.

If you want to know how your car performed go to www.euroncap.com

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A Day in the Life of an EV Fast Charger [VIDEO]

Nissan is selling more LEAFs than ever before and is the lead sponsor of National Plug-In Day in 2013.

With the day being about plugging in to charge up, Nissan pointed some video cameras at the company's EV quick charger, stationed in front of Nissan Americas headquarters in Nashville, Tenn. to see who is stopping in to charge and go.

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California Goal to Have 1.5M EVs on the Road by 2025 [VIDEO]

California has a goal of having 1.5 million electric vehicles on its roads by 2025.

Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday toured an electric car fleet that included Tesla, BMW and Honda as part of a meeting with other car manufacturers and private companies. The meeting was held at San Francisco's Exploratorium and discussed the future of the electric car.

Brown said he will sign two pieces of legislation continuing incentives for purchasing electric cars.

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VW's electronic nannying makes me want to rage against the machine

IT’S a debate that 21st century philosophers ought to be debating. Is it right to reprimanded by your car?

I was thinking this last weekend, when – having successfully navigated 65 miles across two different counties – the electronic brain of the Volkswagen Polo I’d borrowed decided to give me some help with parking. Help, incidentally, that I hadn’t asked it for.

“LOOK!” the digital readout on the dashboard screamed. “SAFE TO MOVE?”

The Polo might have gained a bit of girth over its 40 year career, admittedly, but it’s still what I’d call a small car. Even Maureen from Driving School could master it. Yet the Polo’s electronic brain, in its better wisdom, decided it needed to remind me anyway that I need to look before I back into a parking space.

It gets worse. Germany’s supermini of choice also decided that the last thing I needed while backing up a small hatchback was music distracting me from the job in hand, so it automatically turned the radio down and steadfastly refused to let me turn back up again.

Katy Perry’s roar, it insisted, would be a distant hum for the duration of the parking. Drivers with tasks as dangerous as a bay park deserve not the dulcet tones of Russell Brand’s ex-wife!

I got out of the Polo a bit peeved, wondering whether I’d somehow annoyed it earlier on with a fluffed gearchange or a cheeky overtake, and it’d decided I was an idiot and therefore needed all the help I could get. Despite it being a sturdily-built, family-friendly package that’s blessed with tidy handling and restrained good looks, my overall verdict on the Polo is that it’s never good for a car to be patronising.

True, drivers too stupid to put on their seatbelts deserve the book – and some safety beeps bonging out of the dashboard – thrown at them, and even I’ll grudgingly admit the high pitched whine almost every modern motor makes when you forget to turn the lights off has saved me the occasional flat battery. When I’m driving, however, I’m the boss and I’ll reverse however I choose to. If I prang an L-reg Fiesta in the process – and, in five years of driving, I’ve never yet come close – then that’s my lookout.

I suspect that, hundreds of miles away, in a bunker in deepest Wolfsburg, some VW engineers decided to instil the Polo with its annoying Nanny State tendencies in a bid to avoid Polo owners going to Claims Direct in about ten years’ time because they’ve reversed into pedestrians. Maybe it’ll become compulsory in the distant future, and for someone who takes pride in how they drive, that worries me.

Given the choice between cars which constantly tell you what to do, and Katy Perry, I know which I’d pick.

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Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV competes in cross country rally [VIDEO]

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation remains convinced of the virtues of motor sports to improve the breed and whilst the glorious days of the Dakar Rally and the World Rally Championship are long gone for Mitsubishi, the achievements of the innovative i-MiEV Evo electric monoposto racer at Pikes Peak still prove the point – especially for pioneering technologies.

In the case of the bigger SUV/crossover Outlander, cross country was deemed better suited – more so as it would be an unusual showcase for Outlander PHEV and its unique Plug-in Hybrid Electric drivetrain.

A pre-production Outlander PHEV was entered in the 2013 Asia Cross Country Rally (or “AXCR”) which took place August 10th – 16th between Thailand and Laos, post-event celebrations starting today in Japan.

An officially FIA sanctioned race, the AXCR is an Asian take at a Dakar-type of extreme cross country rallying, which started this year from Pattaya and finished in Pakse, in the southern part of Laos.

Over 6 days, competitors drove over 2,000km on various road surfaces and conditions including mountain roads, muddy jungle, river crossing, etc,…, making it a true challenge in terms of driving performance and endurance.

A reliable choice

Out of a total of 20 entries in the four-wheeled category (of which 19 finished), the Outlander PHEV attracted quite some attention as it was the only plug-in hybrid vehicle to participate, most competitors behind heavy-duty Diesel-powered pickup trucks.

Entered by a private team (“Two and Four Motor Sports”), backed by Mitsubishi Motors, the sole Outlander PHEV finished 17th overall with no failure: quite a success for what was essentially a standard car – including the Twin Motor 4WD plug-in hybrid electric drivetrain, as well as the Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) system – the only modifications being the regular cross-country racing routine of upgraded shock absorbers and springs, roll cage, underfloor protection, exhaust and snorkel duct, etc,…

World markets

Completing such a tough rally with no problem whatesoever confirmed the durability as well as the dynamic performance of Outlander PHEV just a few months before it starts its commercial career in world markets.

Mitsubishi will launch Outlander PHEV sequentially, starting with selected PHEV markets (The Netherlands, Nordic countries, etc,…) from October 2013 onwards.

The other European markets will gradually follow from November 2013 to Q1 2014.

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VW working on Ducati powered XL Sport Project

Volkswagen really don't seem to 'get it'! The chairman of the supervisory board at Volkswagen Group, Ferdinand Piëch, revealed during a lecture at the Vienna University of Technology that VW are working on a racing version of the XL1 to be powered by a 1.2 Liter two cylinder Ducati 1199 Panigale R superbike engine.

Instead of ditching the XL1's 47 hp two-cylinder diesel engine and showcasing their recently launched EV strategy by installing a high performance 200 kw electric motor into the low drag carbon fiber XL1 chassis, something that might give a Tesla Roadster a runs for it's money, VW decide to stay old school and take a huge step backwards by off-loading the XL1's entire hybrid system.

Not only does the 190 hp / 123 Nm Ducati motorcycle engine have less power and torque than a standard Tesla Roaster, and significantly less than a Roadster Sport (300 hp / 400 Nm) but the V-Twin's peak torque is at 9,000 rpm instead of from 0 rpm like the Tesla. While the XL Sport (795 kg) may have a weight advantage over a Roadster (1,235 kg), it'll still be significantly slower 0-100 km/h and will be about as technically advanced mechanically as a motorcycle engine powered Locost Britsh kit car, or even the Piontek Sportech kit car chassis the Tesla powertrain was originally developed in.

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BMW Plan PHEV Version of it's Entire Model Range

Not only have BMW invested a total of €600 million ($811 million) in it's i3 and i8 electric vehicle production network, a spokesman this week spelled out BMW’s commitment to electrification in no uncertain terms.

“We are planning to have a plug-in hybrid in each and every model series,” BMW’s head of production for large vehicles, Peter Wolf, told motoring.com.au this week. “So far we have the 3, 5 and 7 Series as full hybrids, and at the other end of the bookshelf the i3 and the i8. We are planning to work on that with the X5 eDrive, but at this stage, the plug-in is a completely new concept, and the battery is very specific [to the X5].”

BMW showed off the X5 eDrive concept at the recent Frankfurt motor show, and officially launched it this week. The large SAV (not an SUV, mind you) has an intelligent all-wheel-drive system, a four-cylinder gas engine, a 70 kW electric motor and a 19-mile electric range.

Wolf said that the X5 eDrive is close to production-ready, but wouldn’t give an actual date: “We can’t tell [you] anything about what is the start of production, but we are working on such a concept [and] we are very far [along]. But it’s not a part of next year.”

Source: motoring.com.au

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Sumitomo to Triple LiNiO2 output to meet Tesla Model S Demand

Sumitomo Metal Mining will invest ¥4.8 billion (US$48 million) to boost its production capacity of lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2) from the current 300 tons per month to 850 tons to meet anticipated increased Li-ion cell production by Panasonic to meet the growing demand for Tesla Model S EVs.

Sumitomo successfully developed its high-performance lithium nickel oxide for cathode materials in collaboration with Panasonic Corporation and is now supplying this material to that company, which uses it to make the cylindrical lithium-ion batteries which are adopted in the electric powertrains used by Tesla.

Tesla commenced deliveries of its award-winning Model S sedan in the US in June 2012. With Model S deliveries now underway in Europe and slated to begin in Asia, including Japan and Australia, in the spring of 2014, Panasonic is planning to increase production of its lithium-ion batteries.

To respond to this expansion of the market for automotive rechargeable batteries, Sumitomo will expand its production facilities for lithium nickel oxide at its Isoura Plant in Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture. Expansion work is to get under way in October, with completion scheduled for June 2014.

Sumitomo says it is pursuing aggressive development and stable supply capability in cathode materials, leveraging its ability to produce nickel in-house. Going forward, Sumitomo intends to further strengthen its operations in materials for energy and environmentally related applications.

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3 Simple Ways to Get Comfortable at Work

Being comfortable at work is essential. If you spend your day out of sync, it's nearly impossible to be productive. Luckily, with all the modern products available for today's office you'll be a not shortage of ways to improve your efficiency. Enjoy this article highlighting the 3 most simple ways to get comfortable at work.

1.) Get Organized

If you spend your week buried in cluttered office, it's easy to assume you're not that comfortable. A messy workspace is the perfect recipe for a disastrous business life. The good news is, getting organized really isn't that hard. It involves a little time, possibly a few not habits, and some cutting edge products to help you get the job done right.

The first step to getting an organized office involves removing the clutter from your space. Purge your lateral file cabinets of old and unused documents. This should clear up some valuable space to say the least! In most cases, you'll find yourself removing old receipts and coupons you thought you could never life without. This process can actually be rather comical! Next, set your aim towards your worksurface. The rule is, if it's not used at least twice a week there's a better spot for it. A well organized desk surface will provide you ample room to work. Get in the habit of clearing off the clutter everyday and you'll be much more comfortable throughout the week.

Lastly, explore ways to maximize your office square footage. While most feel confined in their office cubicles, there are ways to make your space feel much bigger. Try mounting overhead storage cabinets on your panel or office walls opposed to vertical file cabinets that take up floor space. If you have a window, use it! Natural light always makes a setting more comfortable. Remove those old post it notes and thumbtacks from your work space. Those things start to build up and make you feel like your sitting inside a Rolodex. In the long run, organizing your space is a must if you're looking to work at the highest levels of productivity. Take the few minutes per day to form some good habits and reap the rewards!

2.) Use Ergonomic Accessories

2013 has brought with it some of the best ergonomic office accessories to use while working. While not every new product on the market is essential, there are 3 key items any office looking to maximize comfort must have.

If you're still operating with your keyboard tray sitting on your desk surface, you're truly missing out. Articulating and adjustable keyboard trays are available that retract underneath your desk surface to save you valuable space. In addition, trays are incredibly affordable and will improve the rate at which you type while taking pressure of your wrists while helping prevent carpel tunnel syndrome.

One of the hottest ergo trends is the use of dual screen monitor mounts in the workplace. The two monitor setup is proven to improve efficiency and the rate at which you work. No more flipping from tab to tab all day long! Simply click on a screen and drag it to the open monitor. This is a great feature for writers and anyone who spends ample time online. Looking to take it a step further?  No problem! Units that mount up to 8 screens are available and provide a high tech feel for those that have the space.

An often overlooked accessory that can really improve your office comfort is the CPU holder. The top ergonomic CPU holders for sale from brands like ESI ergonomic solutions provide a wide range of adjustment capabilities as well as a locking feature for added office security. A quality CPU holder will also retract and mount directly under your desk which provides increased leg space and reduces the risk of water damage. Perhaps the most understated benefit is the prevention of those pesky trips under the desk to plug things in! Simply rotate your computers power source and enjoy easy access that doesn't involve burrowing through old candy wrappers and bumping your head on the way out!

3.) Adjust Your Office Chair

One of the most simple ways to get comfortable at work is to adjust your chair. While the best ergonomic chairs for sale on the market today often adjust automatically to accommodate your back and body type, the average computer chairs you're probably using still offer valuable adjustment capabilities that will surely improve your day.

Common professional office chairs adjust in a variety of ways. Typically, chair features such as pneumatic height adjustment cylinder are standard on all office task chairs around $99 or more. This helpful tool will allow you to improve your posture in seconds while improving blood flow. Other common features include tilting adjustments which reduce back pain and prevent slouching along with adjustable chair arms to meet your preferred working style.

The all too sad part about those who purchase luxury office chairs for their space, is that they never fully take the time to learn how to properly utilize the chair. Meeting with an ergo expert or office products specialist in person or online will provide valuable insight as to how to get the most out of your office chair. If you've spend over $1000 on a chair, you should definitely know how to maximize it's potential to gain the biggest reward on your investment!

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Tesla EVs offered by Hertz at Calif. airports

A handful of Tesla Motors Inc. electric cars are now available for rental at two California airports by Hertz Global Holdings Inc., which is adding more upscale autos to its fleet.

Hertz said it is introducing Tesla Model S and Roadster rechargeable cars at Los Angeles and San Francisco airports. Hertz has five Teslas combined at the two airports, with rental prices starting at about $500 a day, Paula Rivera, a Hertz spokeswoman, said in an e-mail.

The Tesla models expand on a lineup of higher-priced vehicles that Hertz has added to its fleet under its Dream Cars program, which includes Ferrari and Lamborghini models.

In July, Hertz won final regulatory approval for its $2.3 billion acquisition of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc. The merged companies compete with closely held Enterprise Holdings Inc. and Avis Budget Group Inc.

Enterprise has carried three Tesla Model S cars in its Exotic Car Collection fleet since June and plans to add two more by the end of the year, spokesman Greg Phillips said in an e-mail. The cars rent for about $300 to $500 per day, he said.

Hertz separately reduced its full-year forecast for full-year revenue and profit, citing weaker than anticipated car rentals at U.S. airports.

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There's 'No Charge To Charge' For New Nissan Leaf Buyers

Driving the all-electric Nissan LEAF means never having to buy gas. Now, thanks to the new "No Charge to Charge" program, offered by Nissan and NRG eVgo, new buyers and lessees of the all-electric Nissan LEAF in the Dallas-Fort Worth and greater Houston areas will have unlimited access to the eVgo network for public charging stations for their first year of ownership at no cost.

Beginning in October, customers who lease or purchase a new Nissan LEAF in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston markets will receive one year of complimentary access to eVgo's comprehensive Freedom Station (R) charging network, including 23 locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and 17 in the greater Houston area. Also, included as part of the eVgo network, is charging at Park N' Fly locations at DFW and IAH airports.

"Nissan LEAF owners who already subscribe to NRG eVgo's Freedom Station network rave about the convenience and increased range confidence it provides," said Erik Gottfried, Nissan's director of EV Sales and Marketing. "Adding one of the country's most innovative charging plans to the world's best-selling electric car is a clear win for Nissan LEAF buyers."

Dallas-Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing markets in the country for Nissan LEAF sales, with deliveries up 500 percent so far in 2013 as compared to 2012. The presence of strong public infrastructure with eVgo, as well as major technology companies and strong word-of-mouth referrals from existing owners has fuelled the rapid rise in LEAF sales.

"NRG eVgo has created a comprehensive suite of electric vehicle charging products to support the growing number of EVs and to address EV drivers' need to charge both at home as well as on the road," said Jack Cannata, director of marketing for NRG eVgo. "With access to our well-placed charging stations across the Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston metro areas, Nissan LEAF drivers can really maximize their use of the vehicle."

eVgo Freedom Station sites, conveniently located along major roadways, offer electric car drivers DC fast charging and Level 2 charging. DC fast chargers can deliver up to an 80% charge in less than 30 minutes. Level 2 chargers deliver range at a rate of 12 -- 25 miles per hour. Most sites are available 24/7 and are positioned near retail stores as well as restaurants to provide the option to shop or eat while charging.

Nissan will offer "No Charge to Charge" with acquisitions of the Nissan LEAF made between October 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014 at all certified Nissan LEAF dealers in the Dallas-Fort Worth and greater Houston area markets.

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Autonomous Nissan Leaf Gets First License Plate for Public Road Testing

Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn today took delivery of Japan's first license plate for a car equipped with highly advanced driver assist systems. It clears the way for a Nissan LEAF equipped with the technology to be tested on the public roads in Japan for the first time. The research program will accelerate the development of technologies fundamental to Autonomous Drive. The systems are designed to allow the driver to manually take over control at any time.

The license plate includes the number 2020, which reflects Nissan's goal to be ready with multiple, commercially-viable Autonomous Drive vehicles by the year 2020.

"This is an ordinary license plate for an extraordinary vehicle," said Nissan president and CEO Carlos Ghosn. "A month ago we revealed to the world our 2020 Autonomous Drive target. Road testing of the underlying technologies is critical to maintaining our leadership position and we are grateful to the Government of Japan for its support."

The Nissan LEAF to be tested is capable of a number of functions, including:

Lane keeping

Automatic Exit

Automatic lane change

Automatic overtaking slower or stopped vehicles

Automatic deceleration behind congestion on freeways

Automatic stopping at red lights

Nissan is developing Autonomous Drive as it works to achieve virtually zero fatalities in accidents involving its vehicles. The goal stands alongside zero emissions as a key pillar of Nissan's research and development. Autonomous Drive is an extension of the Nissan Safety Shield, which monitors a 360-degree view around vehicles for risks, gives warnings to the driver, and automatically intervenes if necessary. Work is already underway to build a dedicated Autonomous Drive proving ground in Nissan's facility in Oppama, Japan.

Nissan Executive Vice President for Research and Development, Mitsuhiko Yamashita, said: "The realization of the Autonomous Drive system is one of our greatest goals, because Zero Fatalities stands alongside Zero Emissions as major objective of Nissan's R&D. Through public road testing, we will further develop the safety, efficiency and reliability of our technology."

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Left hand drive opens you to a world of motoring gems

IT was on the rain-lashed lanes of the Ribble Valley that I had a bit of a motoring epiphany the other day.

Normally, the schlep along the A59 from Harrogate, through the Pennines and over the border into the Red Rose County isn’t exactly the most insurmountable of motoring challenges, even on a drizzly Tuesday afternoon when the grey skies make you feel like you’re driving through an old Joy Division record. This particular trip, however, was different.

For the first time ever I’ve been out on British roads in a left-hand-drive car. Not only have the good people of Clitheroe and Skipton survived, but it’s opened me up to a whole new world of automotive opportunity!

Up until now, I’ve always been just a little bit apprehensive about left-hookers. For starters, if a car company simply can’t be bothered to move the steering wheel to the right hand side, it indicates they’re not all that confidently we Brits would have wanted it anyway.

Take, for instance, all those Cadillacs and Corvettes which are relaunched here every couple of years, and always rack up sales figures you can count using your fingers. Surely, if the Americans were that confident in the cars, they’d offer it to us with right hand drive? The other thing is that while I’m happy at the wheel of everything from a Smart ForTwo to a Jeep Grand Cherokee, the idea of being sat on the wrong side of the road, in real world conditions, scared me a bit.

After trying out a left-hand-drive Suzuki on a test track a couple of years back and finding the experience strangely alienating, I really wasn’t sure I’d want to try it out on real British roads. It turns out, however, that the perfect treatment for my mild phobia of left-hand-drive proved to be a dash across the Pennines in a Chevrolet Corvette.

Not only is it more of a four-wheeled-event than a car, thanks largely to its easygoing V8 and cartoonish styling, but being on the wrong side of the cockpit wasn’t as nerve-racking as some armchair critics might have you suggest.

Embracing cars with left-hand-drive opens you up to potential ownership of everything from the original Renault Twingo to the Ferrari F40. It means the BMW E30 M3 and the Lancia Delta Integrale are not fiendishly inaccessible. Perhaps, most pertinently, it means the car the Mazda MX-5 should have been – the beautiful Fiat Barchetta – could be on your driveway for less than two grand.

If you can drive a car, you can definitely drive a leftie. It really isn’t as hard as it might look.

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BMW i3 to have 200 Mile Lithium-Air Battery by 2017 [VIDEO]

At the recent launch of the BMW i3 lithium-ion battery-electric car, BMW board member Ian Robertson said that in the next three to four years there will be more progress in battery development than in the previous 100 years. He said electric cars will have batteries with twice the current power within four to five years, which will double the range.

We reported back in January that Toyota Motor Corp and BMW AG agreed to jointly research a lithium-air battery. Lithium-air battery has its anode filled with lithium, and cathode with air.

Lithium metal-air batteries can store more than 5,000 watt-hours per kilogram. (A123 M1 cells are around 120 wh/kg) That's more than forty-times as much as today's high-performance lithium-ion batteries, and more than another class of energy-storage devices: fuel cells.

The reduction in battery mass is achieved by eliminating the need for a second reactant inside the cell. Lithium metal batteries react with oxygen in the air that is pulled in through a 'breathing' casing, making them lightweight and compact.

The technology is being studied by researchers including IBM , which is working to develop a lithium-air battery that will let electric vehicles run 500 miles on one charge.

Given the recent news that General Motors is working on an EV that can go 200 miles (320 km) per charge at a cost of about $30,000 to compete with Tesla's as yet un-named 200 mile $30,000 EV due in approx three to four years, the 2016/17 model year promises to be a very exciting year for affordable, long range electric vehicles.

One question asked is: how will the first BMWi customers benefit from more powerful batteries in the future? EV powertrains are expected to have a minium service life of 20,000 hrs which equates to approx 1.2M km or 80 years average annual motoring so the electric motor and power electronics will likely outlast several battery packs. BMW still have a few years to decide how to switch or upgrade to newer battery technology as it becomes commercially available.

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Highlights from WEC Six Hours of Circuit of the Americas [VIDEO]

TOYOTA Racing fought a race-long battle for victory in the Six Hours of the Circuit of the Americas before taking second place in the fifth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

After six hours of intense racing in hot temperatures, the #8 crossed the finishing line just 23.617 seconds behind the race winner.

The TS030 HYBRID was able to get strong performance from the same set of tyres over two stints. This, combined with quick pit stops, reduced the amount of time the #8 needed to spend in the pits.

The next round is TOYOTA Racing's home race, the Six Hours of Fuji on 20 October where the team will have two cars competing as the #7 of Alex Wurz, Nicolas Lapierre and Kazuki Nakajima returns to action.

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Tesla Model S is Norway’s top-selling car in September

The newly landed Tesla Model S, after a market presence of less than two months, has already topped Norway’s best-sellers' list during the opening two week’s of this month, comfortably outselling all other cars, regardless of fuel type, accounting for 6.2 per cent of all the new cars sold in Norway.

Hot on the heels of recording 184 registrations in its debut month in Norway, registrations of the Model S hit a chart-topping 322 units to bulldoze Volkswagen’s conventionally powered Golf (256 units) out of first place by a substantial sales margin, according to AID compiled data.

The number eight slot went to Nissan’s LEAF, Norway’s most popular electric car so far this year. Both fully-fledged electric cars have captured a combined market share of 9.1 per cent.

1) Tesla Model S – 322
2) Volkswagen Golf – 256
3) Toyota Auris
4) Mazda CX-5
5) Volvo V40
6) Skoda Octavia
7) Toyota RAV4
8) Nissan LEAF

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Modern Reception Desks for Sale Online

Shopping for new office furniture can be tough. Luckily, the industries top brands are now widely available online. That being said, one essential office area that's been incredibly popular to makeover in 2013 has been the reception space. Today's piece highlights and showcases the absolute best modern reception desks you'll find online from webs most respected dealers. Enjoy!

When it comes to modern reception furniture, OFM has taken the prize in 2013. This leading office furniture provider offers a wide range of contemporary reception chairs and stations sure to leave a lasting first impression on your guests. The Marque reception station series has taken the office world by storm this year and for good reason. It rocks! This line of curved reception desks for sale from OFM is available in 3 cool laminate finishes that combine with the metal frame for a totally unique look. The Marque collection is also easy to install. In fact, this series requires no tools for assembly. Now that's a time saver!

Looking to add some wow factor to your office reception furniture configuration? No problem! The Mayline Napoli Series is just the line for you. This line of popular office desks, tables, and modern reception desks combines metal, glass, and wood accents for a luxurious look that's sure to impress. The NRSBF Napoli Reception Station includes a box box file and file file pedestal for office storage and is available in beautiful wood veneer finishes. The high end appeal is complimented by the modest price tag of $2357.99. When compared to models at this same price point, Napoli stands supreme. The in stock status is also a great feature for those in need of new guest waiting area furniture in a hurry!

The Cherryman Industries Furniture brand offers 5 of the best office furniture collections available online. While this reputable brand is well known for their traditional wood collections, the Cherryman Verde Series has taken the honor as their top selling line of 2013. This line of modern office desks, tables, and reception area solutions is available in 2 stocked finishes to meet your individual needs and workplace decor. The Verde Reception Desk is available in both rectangular and L shaped variations that work well in both small and large office spaces. The modern design is highlighted by simple metal accents and a white glass transaction counted for added flair. Priced at only $1509.99, you'll be hard pressed to find a better line of small reception desks for sale at even twice the price!

Cherryman's offering of desks for reception area use was just too good to only highlight one model! The popular line known as the Cherryman Jade Series also has an awesome piece to offer that you'll be sure to come across online when shopping. The JA-123N Jade Reception Station features an L shaped design and stunning glass transaction counter. Both cherry and mahogany finishes are available in stock for immediate shipment. This collection also boasts a wide variety of executive office desks and conference tables for sale that will allow you to utilize 1 cohesive furniture line throughout your business areas.

Last but certainly not least, no article on reception desks for sale online would be complete without highlighting the affordable models from Offices To Go. This industry leading provider of discount office chairs for sale is often overlooked for their incredible furniture solutions. The OTG Reception Desk collection is one of the most budget friendly and high quality lines you'll find available when shopping. Consumers and designers alike with enjoy the 3 in stock finishes and wide variety of matching office storage products available to outfit your space while keeping you professionally organized.

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Alfa Romeo 4C is finally ready for the UK

It might have been a long time coming, but Alfa Romeo has finally confirmed the UK details of its striking 4C sports car.

The company said that the mid-engined coupe will cost £45,000 when it goes on sale next month, and will use a new turbocharged 1.8 litre petrol engine producing 240bhp. With the car weighing less than a tonne, Alfa expects the car to hit 60mph in just 4.5 seconds before rocketing on to a top speed of 160mph.

Just 3,500 will be brought into the UK, with the cars being delivered next year.

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500 Miles in a Day in a Nissan Leaf [VIDEO]

A British couple set out to drive 500 miles (800 km) in a day from the Waitrose eco-store in Bracknell in a Nissan Leaf following the Ecotricity Electric Highway at Welcome Break motorway service stations. Here is their story.

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Dutch Students Break EV Acceleration Record 0-100 km/h in 2.13 sec [VIDEO]

Dutch students today reset the Guiness world record for acceleration 0-100 km/h, in the category for electric cars. The Delft University of Technology Racing Team used their 2012 All-Wheel-Drive 148 kg Formula Student DUT12 to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in just 2.13 seconds at Valkenburg Airport.

The Formula SAE car has a four wheel drive powertrain with a 26 kw / 27 Nm motor driving each wheel giving a total peak power output of 104 kw. The front motors are out-board and drive through a 1:7 Planetary gear system. The rear motors are in-board and drive the wheels via a 1:13 two-stage spur gear system with carbon fiber half-shafts.

The Delft Team first prepared the ground by pouring a solution of sugar in water over the track, and heating it with a gas-burner. All rubble was removed and a plastic sheet was put over the track to keep it dry. Additionally, tire warmers were used on the car, the driver was the team's lightest member, Marly Kuijpers, and the the run was repeated ten times with traction control and tire slippage tweaked for each run within the four motor controllers via the CAN bus ECU.

The team says that rule changes make 2013 and 2014 Formula Student cars less likely contenders for future acceleration records. For one thing they will have high downforce wings, which add drag, and larger batteries, adding weight. The heavier machines are unlikely to reach a new record, so Delft may well hang on to the top spot longer than another student team, which held its record just over a year.

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Molten-air battery offers up to 45x higher storage capacity than Li-ion

Researchers at George Washington University have demonstrated a new class of high-energy battery, called a "molten-air battery," that has one of the highest storage capacities of any battery type to date. Unlike some other high-energy batteries, the molten-air battery has the advantage of being rechargeable.

Although the molten electrolyte currently requires high-temperature operation, the battery is so new that the researchers hope that experimenting with different molten compositions and other characteristics will make molten-air batteries strong competitors in electric vehicles and for storing energy for the electric grid.

This ability to store multiple electrons in a single molecule is one of the biggest advantages of the molten-air battery. By their nature, multiple-electron-per-molecule batteries usually have higher storage capacities compared to single-electron-per-molecule batteries, such as Li-ion batteries. The battery with the highest energy capacity to date, the vanadium boride (VB2)-air battery, can store 11 electrons per molecule. However, the VB2-air battery and many other high-capacity batteries have a serious drawback: they are not rechargeable.

The researchers experimented with using iron, carbon, and VB2 as the molten electrolyte, demonstrating very high capacities of 10,000, 19,000, and 27,000 Wh/l, respectively. The capacities are influenced by the number of electrons that each type of molecule can store: 3 electrons for iron, 4 electrons for carbon, and 11 electrons for VB2. In comparison, the Li-air battery has an energy capacity of 6,200 Wh/l, due to its single-electron-per-molecule transfer and lower density than the other compositions while a typical Li-Ion battery has a capacity of approx 600 Wh/l.

Source: Phys.org

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Best Office Chairs for Your Back

For anyone who has sat in an office or studio environment for any length of time, back pain is the absolute worst! Not only is it incredibly painful, especially while you're working, but it can become the cause of detrimental health concerns. According to WebMD, different types of back pain can lead to sciatica, arthritis, muscle and nerve problems, and even degenerative disc disease in the spine. Don't let this happen to you! If you're convinced its your office chair that's causing you so much trouble, don't hesitate to kick it to the curb! There are plenty of awesome office chairs out there that are specially designed to alleviate back pain and other back issues. Let them be your knights on shining wheel casters!

Ergonomic Chairs

One of the greatest chair types to help defeat back pain is the ergonomic chair type. In the office furniture industry, the term "ergonomic" is used to describe any class of furniture that has been extensively tested and designed to alleviate discomfort and improve workplace efficiency. While the term may be applied to desks, office accessories, and multi-user workstations, when its applied to office chairs, it can be loosely translated to "kiss back pain goodbye"! With any set of comfortable ergonomic office chairs, "kills back pain" is likely the first box that gets checked at the manufacturer before the chairs are shipped out since back pain is such a widespread problem. In fact, one of the chairs heralded as the most comfortable chair of all time is the RFM Verte Ergonomic Chair, adjusting to any movement made by the back. The good news about office chairs for sale is that nowadays there is usually an "ergonomic" version of any chair type so you can have a comfortable chair for just about any situation. In fact, all the chairs listed below are from the ergonomic subsection of their listed chair type.

Executive Chairs

Executive chairs have long been identified as the creme de la creme of the office chair industry. Not only are they incredibly stylish, but they are always insanely comfortable. If back pain is an issue for you, just about any subset of stylish executive chairs is sure to do the job getting rid of it. However, there is an extra special category of ergonomic executive chairs that is already predesigned to send back pain packing! Some fabulous chairs for this category are the Eurotech Ergohuman High End Office Chair and the Verte Executive Chair by RFM Preferred Seating; sort of like the cousin to the RFM Verte Ergonomic chair listed under the above heading. Both chairs are incredibly comfortable and the perfect antidote to unhealthy seating. Just one sit in either of these beautiful chairs and you'll be hooked without a doubt. Let the back problems end and the relaxation begin!

Mesh Chairs

What could be worse than back pain? Well, anyone who's been stuck in an office environment where it always feels like the sun is hiding in one of the storage cabinets until everyone in the room melts knows what a pain a hot office can be. In the dog days of summer, AC bills can get pretty high, causing business owners everywhere to cut back on the cool air. Sweaty backs and back pain do not go together, no matter what the season. We believe you should never have to suffer through both, which is why we suggest breathable mesh back chairs to keep you cool! Mesh chairs are great for breathability, which is one of the reasons people sensitive to heat enjoy them so much. The holes in the fabric allow air to pass through more easily while the fabric's stretchy quality remains super supportive of the chair's occupant. A few examples of great ergonomic mesh chairs include the Concept 2.0 Modern Mesh Back Chair and the Wau High Back Mesh Office Chair by Eurotech for pleasant seating solutions.

Big and Tall Chairs

Big and tall chairs are some of the best chairs for back pain relief because of their amazing support. These chairs shape themselves very easily to the body so that their occupants feel as if they fit wonderfully in the chairs. Not only do they bear weight supremely, but big and tall chairs also look incredibly stylish and regal in much the same way as executive chairs do. Ergonomic big and tall chairs are some of the best ergonomic chairs on the market, both superb in reducing back pain and remarkably comfortable. They are welcome in almost every business capacity, doubling easily as both conference chairs or even high quality computer chairs for employees or home business owners. If you are thinking about adding one of these eye-popping beauties to your office space, the Avenger Series Chair by OFM or the OFM ORO Big and Tall Conference Chair are great places to start!

Desk Chairs

If working at a desk is the cause of your back pain, there is no better way to remedy it than by getting nice ergonomic desk chairs to reduce the pain! In office environments, affordable desk chairs are typically a common site, but just because a desk chair is ergonomic doesn't mean you have to break the bank to get one. Actually, out of all these chair types, ergonomic task chairs are probably the best deal, with simple, chic looks underlying an exquisite design. These highly adjustable chairs do wonders for the back, and there is even category filled with mesh desk chairs to provide additional breathability should you require it! Both the Global Arti High Back Ergonomic Office Chair and the OFM ORO Designer Multi Task Chair are excellent modern desk chairs to have!

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Buckeye Bullet 3 Delayed in Bid to Become First 400 MPH EV [VIDEO]

The Buckeye Bullet is a collaboration between Ohio State University and Venturi, and although due to the flooding of Bonneville salt flats (Utah, USA), the FIA and the organizers of the world speed records program decided to cancel the competition for this year, the team were targeting a 400 MPH (640 km/h) world land speed record for electric cars.

The car, called VBB-3, is actually the third “Buckeye Bullet” land speed record car. Driver Roger Schroer took the VBB-2.5 to 307.58 mph in 2010, giving him the current FIA world record.

VBB-3 is powered by four electric motors, which generate 400 horsepower each (750 hp Peak) with energy storage provided by 2,000x prismatic A123 batteries that weigh 1,600 kg. The 3.2 ton Carbon fiber skinned vehicle can output a total of more than 2 Megawatts (3,000 hp) which, when combined with a drag coefficient of only 0.13, the team hope is sufficient to re-write the EV Land Speed Record.

To break the record, the electric car must travel at least one mile and average two runs within an hour. The student team hopes that the new car will break 400 mph, something no electric car has achieved, but this will now have to wait till 2014.

Source: Venturi

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BMW Begins Production of i3 Electric Car [VIDEO]

Assembly lines in Leipzig, Germany, today began turning out BMW AG’s new i3 electric car, which is scheduled to arrive in U.S. dealerships in the second quarter of 2014.

The i3 opens a new frontier for BMW, which has long been known for turning out big, powerful, gasoline-powered vehicles that while fairly efficient, did not rely on their “green” qualities as selling points.

The i3 also marks a departure in design and structure for BMW because the i3s body is made of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic, or CFRP. The strong, light material allows the car to accommodate the weight of its batteries and electric-drive system without becoming excessively heavy. The company said the car will deliver the kind of sporty, fun-to-drive performance customers expect from BMW cars.

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Chevrolet Spark EV Driving 101 [VIDEO]

Car reviewers describe the all-new 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV as “fun,” “spunky” and a “hoot to drive.” With 130hp and 400 lb-ft of instant torque, the all-electric mini-car can go from 0 to 60 in less than 7.6 seconds.

“Spark EV is the new benchmark for electric cars aimed at urban driving and a kick in the pants to pilot around town,” said Lindsay Brooke, senior editor, SAE International magazines. “Spark EV owners who are new to all-electric driving will soon find out how difficult it is to hide their silly grin when they realize how far that car will take them for pennies on the dollar.”

For many Spark EV owners, getting plugged-in to an all-electric, no-gas-required lifestyle will be a new experience.

Here are a few tips to ease the transition:

Recharge daily – And do it quicker with the soon-to-be-available SAE combo charger for DC fast charging. It can recharge the 21-kWh lithium-ion battery pack to 80-percent capacity in 20 minutes.

Extend range – Maximize the mini-car’s EPA-estimated 82 miles (130 km) of driving range by recharging in public charging stations, or use Spark EV’s standard 120V cord in any outlet.

Don’t be a juice hog – Public charging stations are in high demand. After charging, move on so that other EV owners can recharge. Or if parking conditions allow, place a note on your dashboard saying it’s okay to unplug your car if the Green Light indicating a full charge is flashing.

Know the distance – The available BringGo smartphone app can help Spark EV owners know how far they can go without recharging by providing full-function, in-dash navigation via Chevrolet MyLink as well as live traffic updates, for less than $60.

Go with the flow – Many EV owners like to maximize range by driving at or below the speed limit. No problem, just steer clear of the fast lane so other Spark EV drivers can enjoy their instant torque.

Be loud – The Pedestrian Friendly Alert Function projects a light chirp and calls attention to Spark EV’s presence. Pulling the turn signal lever back while in Drive will give a friendly honk. The alert can be set to activate automatically in Drive and Reverse at speeds below 18 mph (28 km/h).

Enjoy the savings – Spark EV can save its owners approximately $9,000 in fuel over five years compared to the average new vehicle – that’s $150 per month that can be spent on something else.

Be an EV advocate – Expect to get lots of questions about Spark EV. Take these opportunities to spread the advantages of going gas free.

Expanding the Spark lineup, the 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV is designed to make the trip as electrifying as the destination. It is priced under $19,995 with tax incentives and is now available to residents in California and Oregon, with sales expanding to Canada, South Korea and Europe later.

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Why The Goodwood Revival is a motoring event every petrolhead should visit

THIS week I’ve managed to achieve something entirely new. I’ve been complimented by some Belgians, and it’s all thanks to a borrowed hat and a jacket bought in a charity shop in Southport.

Our continental chums had pulled up at something called the Goodwood Revival in an assortment of old Austin-Healey and Porsche sports cars, dressed like extras from Goodnight Sweetheart. They took a fleeting glimpse at the riot of tweed, smiled knowingly, and one of them, who’d just emerged from the cabin of a Jaguar XK120, said it all. “Fantastic outfit”!

The Belgians, the Dutch and the Swiss – and, to be fair, most of the English too if the nearby traffic jams were anything to go by – had all made a beeline for this corner of the deepest Sussex countryside. I reckon quite a few petrolheads in Sefton and West Lancashire did too, to check out what has to be the highlight of my motoring year to date.

The Goodwood Revival is one of those things you have to do at least once, because it’s quite unlike any event I’ve ever been to. To badly paraphrase an office cliché, you don’t have to wear period costume to go, but it helps. The whole weekend is designed to wind the clock back to about 1966, to a time when people would tune into the wireless on their Ford Anglia to catch the latest Cliff Richard record.

It’s marvellously silly, of course, but when you’re battling through a crowd of hippies, Teddy Boys and RAF airmen fresh from the Battle of Britain in a bid to get a glimpse of an E-type Jaguar, you really wouldn’t be In The Mood if you’d turned up in a GAP t-shirt and a pair of Levis.

As my mission there was to help get a hot report on all the action into the latest edition of Classic Car Weekly, I went overboard with the 1950s Fleet Street look, and brought along a tweed jacket which I’d bought from a charity shop in Southport the previous weekend. Combined with an equally tweed hat I’d borrowed off a mate, I actually felt like I’d wandered through the gates and back in time fifty years.

In fact, the retro attire helped me grant me an audience with perhaps the best known car of the Sixties – the very same Aston Martin DB5 used by Daniel Craig in Skyfall! I know Goodwood is miles away and the idea of going to a car show in fancy dress might sound ridiculous, but it’s worth it for the spectacle of seeing no less than 27 Ford GT40s in a row while a Supermarine Spitfire thunders overhead. I cannot recommend donning the tweed and going to Goodwood highly enough.

As Harold Macmillan might have put it, you never had it so good.

Read this week's edition of Classic Car Weekly for a full report on all the highlights and racing action from the Goodwood Revival

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5 Easy Ways to Stay Healthy at Work

We all know that the office life can be a hard one. Sitting behind a chair all day can easily take a toll on your health, even if you love your job. Some health issues commonly associated with the office life can include back problems, depression, eye problems, and more, but you don't have to fall prey to these terrible conditions anymore. Just follow these simple office-health tricks and you'll find yourself feeling healthier in a snap!

Healthy Office Lunch

Making sure to eat a healthy lunch is one of the best known ways to keep yourself healthy at work, but it can be hard to choose the right thing when you're staring at a vending machine loaded with goodies or a menu full of yummy carbs. Here's the trick though: Don't give yourself the option! Brown-bagging a lunch from home is a wonderful way to keep yourself in much healthier shape if you toss in the right foods. Try to pack after you've already eaten in the morning and before you head to work. Packing a lunch when you're not hungry will help you make healthier choices so that by the time the lunch hour rolls around, you won't have the option of munching on chips or cookies because they're not in your lunchbox. Instead of chips, opt for foods like seeds and nuts, which are rich in Vitamin E. For a drink, say yes to water and tea rather than soda. Veggies with dip are awesome options too for most Americans, since we don't typically get enough of them in our diet. For sandwiches and hearty salads, turkey is a great lean meat that will keep you full and even helps to prevent cancer! Yogurts, fruits, and dark chocolate are healthier ways to satisfy your sweet tooth. Remember to eat small snacks throughout the day (about every 2-3 hours) to keep your metabolism running. Just make sure you don't eat at your desk!

Great Healthy Work Lunch Recipes:

1. Slow Cooker Chicken Caesar Sandwiches

2. Lighter Chinese Chicken Salad

3. Chickpea Salad Wraps

4. Chewy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies

5. List of 53 Healthy Work Snacks


Clean, Clean, Clean!

Even if you're eating healthy at your desk, you can still be spreading germs. Eating at office desks makes them a breeding ground for bacteria. Over time, fallen crumbs built up in the nooks and crannies of ergonomic keyboard trays and uncleaned desk surfaces can attract pests that carry diseases. Even if you don't make a habit of eating at the office desk, you should still make sure to keep your workstation as sanitary as possible. Pick a day to come in a bit early with a can of compressed air to flush the gunk out of your computer's keyboard, then wipe the surface with disinfecting wipes to kill bacteria. After that, keep a dispenser of hand sanitizer to use both before and after touching your keyboard or desk and don't ever eat over the top of it. Make sure to wipe down your office desk regularly with wipes so the germs don't have a chance to rise up and exact their revenge upon you and your co-workers. Don't be the victim! Fight the flu and leave a lemony-fresh scent of destruction in your wake! Those germs won't ever know what hit them...

Bring the Outdoors Inside

Getting the office blues are almost as bad as getting a cold, but did you know that the blues may not have anything at all to do with your job or even yourself? That's right! Its incredibly easy to get a small case of depression even if you fully enjoy being around your co-workers and doing your job, especially if your workplace has poor office lighting or no windows. Believe it or not, having a view of the outside world with natural lighting does wonders for work ethic and self esteem. If you find yourself feeling down or sleepy at your office and you don't know why, its probably due to the fact that the place has no windows. The best way to remedy this is to make your own! Dress up the cubicles with pictures of nature, your kids, your pets, or whatever else boosts your morale. Take walks outside during your break (maybe while you munch on some healthy work snacks)! Adding some plants to the corners of your desk is a great way to bring the outdoors inside so things feel a little livelier. Succulents, bonsais, and cacti are great, easy to care for plants that would do beautifully in an office environment. One relatively new trend is the keeping of small fish at office desks. Betta, or Siamese Fighting Fish, are extremely low-maintenance bowl fish that are fairly cheap and available at most pet stores. Why not see if your workplace will let you keep one and hit the pet stores to start finding yourself a Nemo?

Desk-ercise!

Desk-ercizing is a trend that is sweeping the nation even faster than desk-fishies. We all know how hard it is to exercise while at work (unless you're a physical trainer), but there are plenty of ways to keep that workout going long after you leave the gym. First things first, make sure to watch your posture to keep yourself healthy as bad posture is the leading cause of back pain. Doing a few 20 to 30 second leg lifts next to the CPU holders under your desk are amazing ways to keep your legs in shape at the while on the job. Stashing a few dumbbells or stretch-bands in your office storage cabinets are great ways to keep arm those muscles from tensing up between the long hours of typing. Don't forget to throw a few squats or push ups in there too to round out your mini-workout. All the extra exercise is not only wonderful for your health, but it also helps keep you focused and uplifts your mood!

Here's a list of body-toning exercises you can do while on the job: 33 Ways to Exercize at Work!

Chair Yoga?

Yeah, its a thing. But don't knock it just yet! Actually, office chair yoga is a fabulous way to stay healthy at work, so why not do it? Making use of those comfortable office chairs to get your work done is what's expected, but that doesn't mean you can't use them to do something new and incredibly healthy. If your office already has affordable ergonomic office chairs in stock, then you're already on the fast track to a toned figure and spiritual enlightenment! In fact, there is already an ergonomic office chair out there practically designed to help keep its occupants in perpetual zen mode! The Chakra Chair by Eurotech Seating makes the best yoga mat for the office, designed to support the chakra points of the body and leave all other areas free of tension. Its lightweight, comfortable structure makes it the king of all desk chairs if you're looking for the best way to stay healthy at work. If you want to stay in perfect zen, just try a few of these cool yoga chair moves to find your inner peace while at work: 8 Seated Yoga Poses You Can Do From A Chair!

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Panasonic Ene-1 GP Suzuka KV-40 Challenge [VIDEO]

The "2013 Ene-1 GP SUZUKA" next-generation electric energy car event was held last month at Suzuka Circuit.

It was sponsored by Land Mobility Inc, owner of Suzuka Circuit, and Panasonic was an official partner of the event.

Panasonic promoted its "KV-40 Challenge" where cars were powered on 40x AA rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries. In this challenge, teams were invited to independently produce single-seater electric vehicles, powered by EVOLTA batteries, and complete 3 laps around the 5.8 km Suzuka circuit which features a maximum elevation change of 50 meters.

75 teams from all over Japan participated, ranging from junior high school teams to serious hobbyists, with average speeds on the track reaching up to 60 km/h and it was noted that driving skill definitely played a large part in participant success.

The winner of the time trial was "Ahiru-Ecopa Racing Togo" team.

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World’s first solar powered family car set for stellar performance [VIDEO]

With just 17 days to go before 43 teams from 24 countries take to the start line in Darwin on October 6 to contest the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 3,000 kilometre quest across Australia; one team is already putting its revolutionary 4 seater solar family car, Stella, through its paces in Darwin.

First time entrants in the inaugural Michelin Cruiser Class, Solar Team Eindhoven of Eindhoven University of Technology from the Netherlands are hoping their pre-race road testing in Darwin will pay dividends across the Aussie outback. Purpose built for this year’s event ‘Stella’ is the first ‘energy-positive car’ with room for four people, a trunk, intuitive steering and a range of 600 kilometers.

Competition in the Michelin Cruiser Class is not about finishing first across the line. It is about taking the technology to the mainstream and developing a car for the future Competitors will be judged on energy use and efficiency; how many people they’ve carried and over what distance and the potential of the design and practicality to appeal to the mainstream motoring market. ‘Stella’ will have her work cut out for her with competition from the German Bochum team, whose former car, the ‘BoCruiser’ inspired the category; Australian teams from Uni NSW and TAFE SA; and teams from Japan, Taiwan, USA, Canada and New Zealand.

Teams in the Elite Challenger Class are also well prepared. An unprecedented number of crews arrived in Australia early including America’s most successful solar team, University of Michigan who have yet to post a win here. They’ve been venturing out on test runs, and have even organised a ‘mock race’ to simulate the real Challenge in every way possible.

The Dutch Nuon Solar team from Delft University, believes their car, Nuna 7 can deliver their fifth World Solar Challenge from seven attempts. Until recent challenges they dominated, winning in 2001, 2003, 2005 & 2007. Their excellent record was thwarted in 2009 and again in 2011 by the impressively slick Japanese Tokai University team. Team Tokai are here to win and will not give up the title without a fight. Others to watch include Team Twente with their car, Red Engine, and Stanford University, who hope their car, Luminos, will live up to its name and be a leading light.

This year’s Bridgestone World Solar Challenge is held from 6th – 13th October. If you can’t make it to Darwin or Adelaide, you can follow the race on Twitter via @tsport100 or @WorldSolarChlg.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.

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GM Working on $30,000 EV with 200-Mile Range [VIDEO]

As automakers race to make cheaper electric cars with greater battery range, General Motors is working on one that can go 200 miles (320 km) per charge at a cost of about $30,000, a top company executive said.

Vice President of Global Product Development Doug Parks wouldn't say when or if such a car will be built, however. Chief Executive Officer Dan Akerson also mentioned a 200 miles EV back in March.

Currently GM sells the $35,000 Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, which can go 38 miles on electricity before a gas-powered generator kicks in. It also offers the all-electric Chevy Spark subcompact that can go 82 miles on a charge. It starts at $26,685. Electric cars are eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit.

The 200-mile car would cost about the same as the current Volt, and it would match the range and be far cheaper than Tesla Motors' $71,000, all-electric Model S. The Model S can go up to 265 miles on a single charge.

A moderately priced electric car with a 200-mile range would make electric cars more appealing to Americans, solving the two chief complaints about such cars: Anxiety over running out of power and high price, said Tom Libby, lead North American analyst for the Polk automotive research firm.

"That would be a huge step forward, no question," he said.

Currently, cars powered solely by batteries make up only 0.3 percent of U.S. sales, Libby said, but he's confident that would increase if an automaker came out with a moderately priced 200-mile car.

Tesla gets accolades for the Model S, including the highest test score ever recorded by Consumer Reports magazine. And the Palo Alto, Calif., company also is working on a mass-market electric car. CEO Elon Musk has said it will have around a 200-mile range and cost about $35,000. It could go on sales as early as the end of 2016, he has said.

GM has taken a different approach from Tesla, Parks said, pricing electric vehicles from around $25,000 to about $40,000. They don't go as far after each charge, which has kept battery costs down and made the cars more affordable, he said.

"Their pricing is up there for a real unique customer," Parks said of Tesla. "The real trick will be who can do a 200-mile car for more of the price range I'm talking about. We're all in races to do that."

The 200-mile car won't be the next-generation Volt. Speaking at a Monday event to show off GM's expanded battery laboratory at its technical center in Warren, a suburb north of Detroit, Parks said that GM engineers are now working on a new Volt, which will go a little father on electricity than the current model and cost a little less. He wouldn't say when it will arrive in showrooms or how much it will cost.

GM on Monday showed off a 50,000-square-foot addition to the battery lab. The added space, which nearly doubled the lab's size, will let the company test batteries and computer controls much faster than before. Parks said the goal is to develop electric cars twice as fast as the company could in the past. It took GM about four years to develop the Volt and bring it to market.

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