The Geneva Motor Show, held from the 4th to the 14th March 2010, saw vehicles aiming to reduce their ecological tyre print take a starring role. These electric or hybrid models are either still at the concept stage or close to production

The Indian car manufacturer Tata Motors unveiled its electric Nano at Geneva, presenting it as the "the cheapest car in the world"…even if the price has not yet been revealed! Voiture électrique tells us that the Nano is equipped with a new range of Lithium-ion battery, has a 160-kilometre (100-mile) range and can reach 60 km/h (37 mph) in 10 seconds.

Presented by the manufacturer Kia, the Venga EV includes a battery block using the innovative LiPoly (Lithium Ion Polymer) technology, which, according to Green Car Congress, gives it a range of 180 km (112 miles) on a single charge. Thanks to a quick recharging cycle, its users should be able to recharge the battery to 80% capacity in 20 minutes.

Figuring prominently among the most innovative concepts at the Show, according to Blog Automobile, is the German electric vehicle called "Project Elmar". The first innovation is the design of Project Elmar, which has a structure composed of 4 carbon fibre arms. The second innovation is the four 7.5-kW engines incorporated into the wheels. The third innovation is the integration of the iPhone, which can act as a GPS or as the main control system to drive the car.

The South African company Optimal Energie is showing the Joule, an electric car powered by a 36-kW Lithium-ion battery pack. Green Car Advisor specifies that it has a range of around 230 km (143 miles).

Finally, the Geneva Motor Show also presented the opportunity for Vincent Bolloré to confirm that production of its BlueCar electric car would start early this year. Cartech emphasises that the final version will be unveiled in September at the Paris Motor Show.

Treehugger lists 10 reasons that could push Americans to adopt electric vehicles. On the list are the decrease in battery costs, the development of EV dealers near offices and industrial estates coupled with preferential rates for regular customers, and finally the implementation of credits and subsidies for those purchasing electric vehicles made in the USA.

Greenlaunches shows how the United States is increasing the number of initiatives supporting clean transport, notably through the use of solar energy. In California, for example, Intelligent Transportation has developed a solar panel system that allows a bus to recharge via an integrated battery system.

New York is also, according to Technologies propres, at the cutting edge: in fact, the city has just opened its first solar-powered battery-charging station for electric cars. The station was built from recycled transport containers. This initiative reminds the author of the article of the "solar trees" planted by Dell, in Texas, to allow those employees driving electric vehicles to recharge them.

Back to France, with the SNCF’s acquisition of a stake in Urban-Cab, a passenger and goods transport company that uses power-assisted tricyles. Avem reminds us that the SNCF already finances two other companies in the electric vehicle field: Lumeneo and VU-Log (which developed urban mobility software allowing the management of fleets of self-service electric cars).

Clean Tech Republic tells us about the Moov’Eco programme, a collaborative city vehicle project, that its creators are defining as "a platform that adapts according to the use of the vehicle that rests on it: car sharing, person with reduced mobility, a professional office or a family journey". From this platform, the user can choose the setting that best meets his/her needs. The first platform should be ready by the last quarter of 2010, whereas the first vehicle is expected in mid-2011. To be continued!

Tired of pedalling up steep hills? Greenlaunches suggests a solution that saves the rider’s energy: the SPL Eneloop. This new hybrid bicycle, launched by Sanyo, charges up while the rider is pedalling along on flat surfaces … in order to then let him/her to go up hills without making an effort!

Another surprising innovation: RoboCar, an "automated and autonomous" electric car which should be commercialised by autumn 2010 in Japan. According to Voiture électrique, this car will be capable of avoiding obstacles without driver intervention thanks to its various laser and infrared radars, and its two video cameras. It will work with a Lithium-ion battery and reach a maximum speed of 60 km/h (37 mph). It will be proposed to hospitals, and, during the first testing stage, to research laboratories and private companies.