Elon Musk will take a Tesla on a coast-to-coast road trip in 6 days
Earlier this year, Tesla Motors founder and CEO announced his intentions for a cross-country Tesla Model S road trip.
This funky-looking LED bulb could be the future of lighting
September 5, 2013 1:17 PM
Rebecca Grant
NliteN launched an Indiegogo campaign today for its cheap, 2D LED light bulb that uses 80% less energy than 60 watt incandescent lightbulbs.
Tesla alone could double global demand for the laptop batteries it uses
Ensuring adequate battery supplies in sufficient time to expand car production is absolutely key to continuing Tesla’s growth.
Sunrun and Nest partner to convince you that cutting energy costs is good
September 3, 2013 11:23 AM
Rebecca Grant
Solar-as-a-service provider Sunrun and smart thermostat company Nest are offering consumers significant financial incentives to motivate adoption of energy-efficient technology.
Amazon opens one-stop-shop for home automation
September 3, 2013 7:08 AM
John Koetsier
“The aim is to simplify your life and help you live comfortably by automating everyday tasks and giving you remote access to your home when you’re away,” the company says on its new store, which is heavy with guides and introductory manuals.
Why men love their Tesla Model S electric cars
While the Model S is a very different kind of car, it seems to have a very stereotypical kind of buyer. Tesla has 29 percent fewer female owners than the average luxury brand.
100x more electric car fast-chargers by 2020?
By the end of 2013, the number of charging stations is expected to rise threefold to 5,900 and triple to 15,200 in 2014. With rapid growth, worldwide fast-charging stations could top 199,000 by the end of this decade.
After soaking up $1.4B of investment, Fisker might sell for just $25M
A German group, Fritz Nol, is said to be interested in acquiring the ill-fated electric car company for a mere $25 million.
Nissan’s electric Le Mans race car tested by gamer-turned-racer
Nissan’s latest electric masterwork is built for speed — and who better to help develop it than a former gamer?
Tesla’s 2017 car may be called the Model E
Tesla is expected to sell as many as five different models by 2016: the two sedans and crossovers mentioned above, plus a sports car to replace the much-loved Roadster. Could the Model E be the firm’s next two-seater?
The 5 most energy-efficient cars of 2013
Gasoline and diesel cars don’t even come close to these electric cars (and one plug-in hybrid), each of which offer the equivalent of more than 100 MPG.
Heliotrope to commercialize light- and heat-blocking ‘smart glass’
August 19, 2013 4:00 AM
Dylan Tweney
Last week, the journal Nature published details of a research breakthrough in making windows that can switch between transparent, heat-blocking, and completed shaded modes. Today, Heliotrope Technologies is announcing plans to commercialize the technology.
How to build political support for electric cars: Tesla test rides
It seems like a ride in an electric car–specifically, the Tesla Model S–is enough to convince several decision-makers that electric cars are actually pretty good.
Everything you ever wanted to know about Elon Musk’s Hyperloop super train
August 13, 2013 8:40 AM
John Koetsier
There’s a lot more to know about the Hyperloop — a high-speed train-in-a-tube that makes all other high-speed trains look like they’re stuck in first gear.
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to unveil 720 mph ‘Hyperloop’ designs today
August 12, 2013 7:15 AM
John Koetsier
“I think I kind of shot myself by ever mentioning the Hyperloop,� he said. “I don’t have any plans to execute, because I must remain focused on SpaceX and Tesla.�
2014 Volt: 98 miles/gallon, and $5K less
August 6, 2013 9:18 AM
John Koetsier
Chevy’s reducing the price you need to pay if you want to go green on wheels.
Sun-powered eco-friendly grill burn past its Kickstarter goal
August 2, 2013 4:08 PM
Rebecca Grant
Last Fourth of July, barbecues generated more CO2 in a single day than many African nations produce in a year. One SolSource solar grill can offset the carbon footprint of 4 Americans.
SpaceX wins launch contract for largest-ever Canadian space program
July 30, 2013 3:56 PM
John Koetsier
The three satellites are part of Canada’s RADARSAT Constellation Mission, which is designed to provide maritime surveillance, disaster management, and ecosystem monitoring capabilities.
Earth Starter makes growing your own food seem like ‘magic’
July 26, 2013 10:19 AM
Rebecca Grant
Earth Starter is raising a Kickstarter campaign to fix our broken food system. The company creates ‘Nourishmats’ that make it easy for anyone living in an urban area to grow their own vegetables and herbs.
Bidgely raises $5M to give you greater control over home energy use
July 24, 2013 6:00 AM
Rebecca Grant
Bidgley collects data from smart meters in homes, which record consumption of electric energy, and breaks down how much energy each appliance is using in real time.
On-Ramp Wireless raises $15M more to connect utilities and the Internet of Things
July 17, 2013 4:00 AM
Devindra Hardawar
Utility and energy companies are flocking to On-Ramp’s wireless tech.
Provender wants to disrupt an antique $200B industry — and change the way you eat
July 11, 2013 11:24 AM
John Koetsier
Editor’s Pick “That last mile is a real bitch,” Rintoul added. “Only Amazon has really nailed it.”
Tesla Motors White House petition passes 100K signatures — a small win for electric cars?
July 2, 2013 5:21 PM
Tom Cheredar
A White House petition to make it legal for Tesla Motors to sell its revolutionary cars directly to consumers surpassed its goal of 100,000 signatures today — meaning it’ll get an official response from the Obama administration.
Coinstar rebrands as Outerwall, acquires phone recycling startup ecoATM for $350M
July 2, 2013 10:13 AM
Rebecca Grant
ecoATM makes automated self-serve kiosk systems for recycling mobile devices. This acquisition will put Outerwall in the hot recycled electronics market, as well as cut down on the millions of tons of e-waste generated per year.
Triea Systems raises $2.2M to fight global warming with chicken poop (exclusive)
June 27, 2013 3:21 PM
Rebecca Grant
Triea Systems is a green tech startup that converts heat from rejected, existing sources — like animal manure — into a usable resource.
Sunrun secures $630M to put solar panels on every house in America
June 25, 2013 5:03 PM
Rebecca Grant
Solar financing startup Sunrun announced that it has secured financing from JP Morgan and existing investors to support solar installation around the country.
Fourth grade problem-solvers take their classroom ‘off the grid’
June 24, 2013 11:28 AM
Selena Larson
A fourth grade class full of problem-solvers made their classroom run solely on solar power.
Tesla Motors’ 90-second battery swapping tech is faster than filling a gas tank (video)
June 21, 2013 6:58 AM
Sean Ludwig
Tesla Motors founder Elon Musk has shown off the company’s new battery swapping technology during an on-stage demo. The best part? It only takes 90 seconds to swap a Tesla electric car battery.
Elon Musk plans Tesla battery-swapping tech demo for June 20
June 18, 2013 9:51 AM
Tom Cheredar
Electric-car company Tesla is planing to hold a demonstration of its battery-swapping technology, which should enable its vehicles to travel nonstop on long road trips.
Kyocera announces $89M deal to provide solar energy to Japan’s farming community
June 17, 2013 11:15 AM
Selena Larson
Kyocera will provide 30MW of solar power generating systems to alternative energy project that powers Japan’s agricultural community.
Mercatus raises $2M to introduce energy industry credit score
June 10, 2013 3:51 PM
Jack Wagner
The credit score, a first for the industry, is calculated using eight different criteria that are assembled to create an economic and risk profile for a project.
How tiny commuting app Transit is beating Google Maps in Canada
June 5, 2013 8:23 PM
John Koetsier
Sometimes it pays, in wars between giants, to align with one side.
WeMonitor raises $5.3M to keep your energy bills down
June 5, 2013 2:27 PM
Rebecca Grant
San Diego-based WeMonitor provides monitoring systems that “demystify” home energy. It has raised $5.3 million in financing to expand its team and release its first product later this year.
VC firm hopes for high returns with fund for marijuana
June 5, 2013 12:51 PM
Rebecca Grant
Ghost Group, a venture capital firm located in Newport Beach, California, has raised a $1 million fund to provide people with an opportunity to invest in the growing marijuana industry.
These transparent solar cells provide 50% more battery life for your phone — and ‘infinite’ standby time
June 4, 2013 2:54 PM
John Koetsier
“We intend to double our efficiency next year and the year after as well,” Debroca said. “Going from 20 percent more battery life to 50 percent is a rational objective.”
Apple Campus 2′s impact: 7K employees, $32M in property tax, 9K construction jobs, $66M in public improvements
June 4, 2013 11:38 AM
John Koetsier
Apple is putting significant pressure on local communities, particularly Cupertino, to approve its construction requests.
What’s next from Elon Musk? Warp drives, and colonizing Mars
May 29, 2013 10:50 PM
Dylan Tweney
Editor’s Pick In remarks at D11 today, Musk came across as a visionary leader who, unlike his peers, actually knows what the hell he’s doing and isn’t afraid to say what he thinks.
Next year, you’ll be able to drive a Tesla from coast to coast
May 29, 2013 8:16 PM
Dylan Tweney
By next year, you’ll be able to drive a Tesla Model S from Los Angeles to New York, recharging at Tesla Motors’ “Supercharger” stations all the way.
Tesla now worth 25% of General Motors as CEO Elon Musk teases $30K electric vehicle
May 28, 2013 8:54 AM
John Koetsier
Tesla stock has had an amazing three months, blasting above $100 from the low $30s just in March.
Electric car company Better Place shuts down after burning through $850M
May 26, 2013 6:26 AM
Matt Marshall
Better Place, the electric car company that hoped to change the world with its ambitious battery-swapping stations, said today it is shutting down. The closure brings to an end the most audacious “clean tech” company ever attempted.
