The divide between car and motorcycle has proven to be definitive over time. Cars are the standard choice for transportation regardless of the situation since they provide the safety, space, and ease of maneuverability that motorcycles traditionally can’t match. Well, Lit Motors and more specifically designer Daniel Kim, aim to bridge the gap between two drastically different modes of transportation.

Enter the C-1 prototype, a fully framed, all electric motorcycle that features a newly developed gyroscopic technology which allows the vehicle to remain balanced and upright while not in use and even in the event of a collision. The motorcycle will have a full battery range of approximately 200 miles, while being able to reach tops speeds of 120 miles per hour.

The inspiration for the motorcycle stemmed from Kim’s travels across the world. Kim noticed the congestion in heavily populated urban areas and was inspired to design a solution. According to Kim, it is not about tailoring to a new market, but rather catering to one that already exists — the upwards of 200 million people worldwide who are motorcyclists: “We’re creating a safe motorcycle, and that’s never been done in the way that were doing it, where it’s also incredibly efficient.”

Pricing for the C-1 is expected to be around $16,000, and if things go smoothly with production, this versatile vehicle could be seen on the streets sometime in 2014.

Kim ultimately hopes that the C-1 will be suitable for many as their primary mode of transportation.

related: more green design finds on The Alternative Consumer

The Willow Run-A-Bout is the brainchild of designer Eric Strebel who runs an Industrial Design studio called Botzen Design in Detroit, MI.

The three-wheeled electric scooter concept features a low-cost laminated wood frame, a front hub-less wheel, a rear basket and recycled rubber airless tires.

The vehicle’s storage baskets are made of native European willow using local flexible manufacturing (the Willow was designed for scooting around Amsterdam). The two-seater also sports dual electric motors, a hub-less front wheel and independent rear suspension. The EV features a smart phone app to manage your charging voltage and navigation during driving.

Details: the design features locally sourced sustainable materials. Great care was taken to use wood, metal and natural fibers. Virgin plastics were avoided at all cost, only the wheels are made from recycled rubber.

If you like the concept, you can give it a vote in the local-motors.com design contest.

Related: more cool green design on The Alternative Consumer

This innovative little microcar is called the Hiriko – it’s small, has no doors, folds-up when not in use and looks like something right out of a science fiction movie. In reality, it’s been in the concept stage as the “CityCar” for nearly a decade. The car, which is the brainchild of the engineers and scientists at MIT-Media Lab, a division of MIT, is now slated to go into production in 2013 in Europe, and sometime later in the United States, by the European technology consortium, Urban. Production of the tiny electric vehicle is anticipated to reach an estimated 9,000 units by 2015.

The Hiriko microcar was designed to reduce traffic congestion and space concerns in major metropolitan areas. According to European Commission President José Manuel Durao Barroso “Hiriko is an answer to the crisis,” an urban population crisis that will see more than half the world’s population residing in cities by 2050 (a 70% increase). Barroso and experts from the European Commission imagine having Hiriko ‘fleets’ owned by cities, where the cars will be readily available and easily rented, much like bikes are in many cities today. Purchasing the car will also be another option and it will cost about $16,500.

Though very small, the Hiriko may have big implications in terms of urban mobility; it is so small that 3 of the microcars can fit in a single, typical car’s parking spot. The Hiriko is a four wheel drive, two-seater that reaches speeds up to 59 mph and will be electronically programmed to abide by city-specific speed limits. The car is powered by electricity and has a range of 75 miles. The car’s robot wheels can spin the car 80 degrees allowing to be parked straight to the curb, so hapless drivers everywhere can rejoice!

Take a look at the video produced by MIT to see why the Hiriko could be changing the way you commute.

Related: more electric vehicle featured on The Alternative Consumer

Remember how high the initial demand was for hybrid vehicles? Now the growing demand for pure electric vehicles (EVs), is making things even more hectic. It’s a good thing the number of electric car charging stations is rising too.

Nationwide there are currently twice as many charging stations (roughly 4,500) as there are E-85 ethanol stations, with the government finalizing a proposal to expand the number to nearly 14,000 in the near future. (more…)

One great way to reduce your carbon footprint and lower the cost of your daily commute is replace your car with an e-bike. The Joe Fly e-bike (pictured above) is one of the sexier alternatives. Made by Italian bike maker Prima Power Bikes – the Joe Fly is a pedal-assist electric bike, meaning you start pedaling and the bike’s 250 watt hub-mounted electric motor will kick-in to help you reach speeds up to 15 mph.

You can travel about 20 miles on a full charge, which will get most people to their job, or the local farmers’ market.

The Joe Fly has 3 driving modes: eco (for extended distance), normal and boost (for extra speed), other features include: a regenerative braking system, an Ni-MH battery, a multi-function display, a front disk brake, front fork suspension, electronic anti-theft protection and a polymer body. Largo Scooters sells the stylish Joe Fly in the US.

Related: more electric bikes on The Alternative Consumer

The car industry continues to get greener – Ford Motor Company, through the use of REPREVE recycled plastic fiber, plans to keep about 2 million post-consumer plastic bottles out of  landfills. Ford and recycled plastic innovator REPREVE will use the recycled plastic fiber in new vehicles beginning with the 2012 Focus Electric – the first vehicle to feature branded REPREVE’s seat fabric made from a hybrid blend of recycled plastic bottles and post-consumer waste.

The companies will collect bottles at events throughout the year, beginning with the North American International Auto Show and Consumer Electronics Show and convert them into REPREVE recycled fibers.

Ford states that the Focus Electric is the first vehicle with interior materials made of 100 percent clean technology, including the use of REPREVE recycled fibers — seating in each vehicle interior uses roughly 22 recycled plastic bottles.

Note: Ford’s recycling program is part of an effort to raise awareness that only 29 percent of plastic bottles are recycled in the United States – only half the rate of Europe.

Source: Ford Motor Company

Related: more green car info on The Alternative Consumer

Great little stocking stuffer … Now I know what to get my biking, boarding, kayaking, camping loving niece … the Joe-2-Go by Origin8 … attaches via screw to the handlebars and you’re good to pedal, sip and go. No more messy spills. Bronze colored aluminum. Comes in 2 sizes – see below; $13 @ amazon.com

specs:
Standard size fits most standards cups – inside diameter tapers from 78mm to 75mm.
XL size fits larger cups – inside diameter tapers from 83mm to 78mm.
Made of durable 6061-T aluminum alloy, with a 25.4mm (1-inch) clamp to fit most common handlebars.

suggestion: measure your reusable drink cup before purchasing.

Related: more outdoor gear on The Alternative Consumer.

Bike makers for the urban dweller, Brooklyn, New York City-based, Brooklyness, designs and builds two-wheeled solutions for the city commuter. Their CMYK 2.0 (photos above + below) folding electric commuter bike is a perfect vehicle for space-challenged apartment dwellers. The little bike can easily take you from home or apartment to rain, bus station or ultimate destination.

The handlebars and seat fold-down for carrying it on the train or bus – or ride it to the office, and fold it up and store under your desk or cube. (more…)

Whether pedaling happily down a country trail or traversing hazardous city streets, every biker knows the value of a good bell. Unsuspecting squirrels, walkers and the like inevitably cross our paths … sound the alarm, we’re coming faaast.

These handy little accessories are painted by hand with paints free of solvents and toxic perfumes; made by artisans in Montreal, Canada. Choose your favorite design – watermelon, ice cream or orange; $29/each. Find these bike bells at Poketo.