Terra Motors Reveals Its Electric Cargo Scooter, The Bizmo II

Japan’s Terra Motors is about to begin selling a small electric scooter with good range and, more importantly, excellent carrying capacity. The unit is meant for inner city delivery chores and comes with a variety of lockable storage compartments to safeguard the goods being transported, as well as a range of 90 miles.

Ultra low maintenance and fuel costs plus simple operation make the Bizmo II ideal for the the specialized use it is designed for. It weighs just 190 lbs and boasts a carrying capacity of 66 lbs. Top speed from its 3 hp motor is 34 mph.

While those specifications sound quite modest, there are lots of places around the world that need an agile, inexpensive and reliable means of delivering products to local merchants in a congested inner city environment. The company expects to sell 100,000 Bizmo II scooters by the end of 2015. It joins two other Terra Motors models, the iPhone-powered A400i and a three-wheeled electric tuk-tuk.

Source: Gas2

InMotion Announces Hybrid LMP1 Contender for 2016

It’s still just a concept, at this stage, but what a concept! The car you see here is being called the InMotion IM01, and the sexy, slinky, and slippery-looking race car is expected to compete against the established LMP1 teams of Porsche, Toyota, and Audi at the 2016 24 Hr. Nürburging race before going to LeMans in the experimental “Garage 56″ grid spot.

Like most modern LMP contenders, the InMotion IM01 is set to feature advanced hybrid-electric technology, combining a Wankel-style rotary generator with 4 in-wheel electric motors. Those motors would be individually controlled by advanced software to maximize grip in every corner of every lap, regardless of the weather.

If InMotion’s LMP1 contender comes together in time, the company’s wind-tunnel boffins are projecting a top speed in excess of 220 MPH.

So, do any of you think InMotion has a better chance of taking on the big boys as Perrinn Or, for that matter, Porsche? Do you think they’ll make it past the 24 minute mark if they do make it to LeMans 2016? Let us know what you think, in the comments.

Source | Images: InMotion, via TechVehi.

Hybrid Sales War: Ford Fusion Outsells Chevy Volt in June

The battle for plug-in hybrid supremacy has been heating up month after month, but June saw – for the first time – the Ford Fusion Energi PHEV take the sales crown from the Toyota Prius/Chevy Volt powerhouses. It was a surprise, for sure – but, the more I looked at it, the less surprising that seemed.

Consider that Ford’s Fusion is not only a good-looking hybrid, but a good-looking car, rife with styling influences from Jaguar and Aston Martin (both former Ford properties). Add to that the fact that Ford’s Fusion is a larger, roomier hybrid than Chevy’s Volt – and that it’s about the same price! – and maybe you, too, can start to see what people see in the thing.

One more Fusion bonus: it doesn’t shout “Hybrid!”

As far as the numbers go, the Ford Fusion chalked up 1,939 deliveries and beat out the consistent-selling “competition” at GM, which sold just 1,777 Chevy Volts – despite drastic discounts at dealers in key markets like California and Florida.

So, does this mean that Ford’s hybrid star is on the rise, or is this just a result of Chevy Volt and Toyota hybrid shoppers holding out until the all-new 2016 Chevy Volt and Toyota Prius models arrive? Let us know what you think in the comments, below.

Source: Green Car Reports.