Electric Cars

So maybe we didn't actually get to drive the Tesla Model S and Audi S7 parked in Nvidia's CES booth — but we did sit in the driver's seat and see all the auto technology up close, which was nearly as good (but not quite).

Car junkies feasted their eyes on the sleek sedans, which drew serious crowds on the showroom floor. We talked to Waikit Sin, head of technical marketing for Nvidia's auto unit, about the high-tech driving machines and how the technology company is moving the auto industry into the future.

Spring is in the air, so let's keep that air smelling fresh, shall we? If you aren't able to use public transportation for your daily commute, and biking is out of the question, these electric, hybrid, and small cars are able to step in when all other earth-friendly options are exhausted. We love them all for various reasons, but mostly it's because they make us feel like we're giving mother earth a little hug every day they're on the road.

While the gadgets have been plentiful at CES in Las Vegas, over in Detroit, it's all about the cars. The 2012 North American International Auto Show kicked off this week, and there are cars of many flavors: luxurious, flashy, eco-friendly, and my favorite — mini.

Tiny cars are great for big cities, but some are even better on gas. Take a gander at a few that I'd love to test-drive right away.

Created by Croatian industrialist Vjekoslav Majetic, the Doking XD electric car debuted at the LA Auto Show this week. Coming in at only nine feet long, this dual-winged car can sit three people (one in the front, two in the back), and give the Smart car a run for its money when looking for tiny parking spots.

If you ever wanted a competitor to the Smart Car, the Scion iQ is here to fill the void. This all-electric mini car due to hit the streets in 2012 is not only adorable and eco-friendly, but a friend to short-range drivers as well — a charge gets a driving range of about 50 miles, which isn't great for commuters, but perfect for city dwellers who often find themselves faced with tricky parking situations. The pint-sized iQ hasn't been priced yet, but keep your eye out for the electric mini car craze!

Thanks in part to skyrocketing gas prices, earth-friendly electric cars are getting more popular in America. While home owners have the luxury of adding an electric car charger to their garages, apartment dwellers (like myself) are not so lucky. Fact is, I would definitely consider an electric car purchase if more charging stations were made publicly available. So imagine my excitement when I heard that San Francisco is in the process of installing around 90 electric charging stations in public parking garages that can be used for free until 2013. All of the stations can be found on Google Maps, and some are already up and running in the city. The stations will provide both 140 and 240 volt chargers, which would juice up a car like the Nissan Leaf in about three hours.


I'm a big fan of the Nissan Leaf, but that's not the only all-electric car to keep your eye on. Check out a few others in this slideshow!

Happy Earth Day! In honor of the eco-conscious holiday, we're taking a look at five different all-electric or hybrid cars that are easier on the planet. Thanks to their low emissions and near zero gas dependencies, you'll be spending less at the pump (if anything at all!), and driving a lot cleaner in the process. Which one is your favorite? Take a look at all their features and vote in the gallery!