Chevy Gm Caprice Malibu Seat Belts Gm on 2040-parts.com

Better Place EV Battery Swap business goes bust

It seemed like a good idea: take the cost of batteries out of the cost of buying an electric car and instead charge EV owners to use ‘Battery Swap’ stations where depleted batteries could be swapped for fully charged ones in the time it takes to fill an ICE car with petrol. But it’s all gone a bit Pete Tong. Better Place – which partnered with Renault in 2009 to make the battery swap technology viable – has failed to find anyone to add to the $750 million already involved in the project and has filed for bankruptcy.

First Sight: Renault Radiance concept truck

At this years IAA truck exhibition in Hannover, Germany, Renault Trucks surprised everyone by presenting a dynamic look into its future with the 'Radiance' concept truck. By capitalising on the cultural heritage of the brand, based on the three values of efficiency, 'caring and daring', and innovation, Renault Trucks have produced what they imagine to be a 'dream truck' which outlines their truck design language for the future. Xavier Allard, the design cheif of Renault Trucks explains his newest creation: "It should give people a look into a new chapter in the history of Renault Trucks".

Audi-designed Santa's sleigh (2009)

Father Christmas has adapted his own version of the new Audi A1. Ho-ho-ho By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 18 December 2009 08:04 Audi has opted for a quick fix in designing an Ingolstadt-sponsored Santa’s sleigh: it’s taken the forthcoming 2010 A1 and prepped it for Christmas duties. Santa looks cheery in this left-hooker, a three-door version of Audi’s new Mini rival.