05 Honda Trx300ex Gas Tank & Fuel Petcock on 2040-parts.com

Battery breakthrough set to accelerate electric-car development

A team of scientists working at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are claiming a significant breakthrough in recharging times for lithium-ion batteries. According to findings published in the scientific journal Nature, MIT researchers Byoungwoo Kang and Gerbrand Ceder have unlocked the potential of lithium-ion batteries by patenting a unique process which is claimed to allow a typical laptop power pack to be fully recharged in less than a minute--an improvement in recharging performance of roughly 90 percent over existing lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries generate electric current via the flow of lithium ions across an electrolyte, from an electrode to a cathode.

Vauxhall Adam SUV/Crossover on the way

Vauxhall Adam SUV/Crossover on the way based on the Rocks Concept (pictured) The Vauxhall/Opel Adam is now finding its way on to our roads, and it’s a decent – if slightly generic – take on the funky little urban runaround. But GM have big plans for the Adam and want to create a car that can compete on level terms with cars like the MINI and Fiat’s 500. So the Adam comes with plenty of personalisation options and daft names to let younger car buyers create the car they want.

Volkswagen trots out Mini Vader for Chattanooga plant inauguration

Volkswagen is hoping that a little advertising goes a long way. The company brought its Super Bowl star Mini Vader back for an encore during the opening ceremonies for VW’s new Chattanooga factory. The pint-sized Dark Lord gave a final blessing to the plant before pushing a red button to make things official.