BMW rolled the electric car movement further into the mainstream in 2014 by introducing two new electric cars: the i3 and the i8. The former is a three-door hatchback coupe, while the i8 is a sporty two-door boasting 357 horsepower. To further cement their commitment to creating eco-friendly transportation, BMW also developed a charger for their new e-cars that uses completely off-grid power.

The i Solar Carport is made of sustainable, fast-growing bamboo and topped with efficient glass solar panels. The panels collect solar energy and send it directly to the EVs via BMW’s i Wallbox Pro, a charging module mounted directly to the carport. The readout on the Wallbox indicates just how much energy is being generated. After your car is charged, any excess solar energy can be directed to your home, actually saving money on your home electricity costs.

Pricing information isn’t readily available; the BMW website directs consumers to speak with dealers about purchasing their own i Solar Carport. Given its high quality materials and the high-end BMW brand, we expect it won’t be cheap. But if you’re going to throw down $41,000 (the i3) to $135,000 (the i8) on an electric BMW, you might as well go a little further to get a personal charging station that can power your home as well as your car.

The post BMW’s EVs Now Have a Solar Charger To Power Your House first appeared on Gajitz.

Soon the subtle ‘thunk’ you hear as you pass over a manhole won’t make you wonder if your tire is intact. You’ll know it’s better for the environment. The team that created Hevo Power managed to do something as little as taking away some of your daily frustration – and something much bigger.

For those Six Sigma fans out there, Hevo is short for Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Optimization. To the layperson, it’s a charging station for electric cars to be integrated with manholes around New York City. Once your vehicle is situated over designated areas, a receiver on the battery absorbs the transmitted energy, eliminating the need of a charging cord.

The current model transmits more than 10kW, with a convenient smartphone app to notify the driver where to park and how much power was received. Hevo is branching out their technology, and titans such as Walgreens and Pepsico have shown interest. It’s yet another example of how green power can increase efficiency.

The post E-Car Charging Stations Disguised As City Manhole Covers first appeared on Gajitz.