The city's first solar-powered electric vehicle charging station has opened in Red Hook, Inhabitat reports. It's the work of Beautiful Earth Group, a sustainable energy company, and located on an industrial lot by their offices. This baby's completely off the grid, built out of recycled steel shipping containers, and powered solely by 235 watt photovoltaic panels. The Beautiful Earth Group's currently using it to charge their 100% electric BMW MINI E, which is now one of the few cars in the world to run exclusively on solar power. more ›

While aliens are being spotted in New Jersey, there have been some out-of-this-world car sightings right in downtown New York recently. The NY Post reports on the mysterious Jeston-like car that many pedestrians have been intrigued by, but it turns out it's only making a rare East Coast appearance. The Aptera 2e, a 1700-lb, 3-wheeled electric car set to hit the market later this year (here's a video showing it in action), will only be sold in California at first. It's classified as a motorcycle, but if you have the $25-40K to hand over for one, you won't need the proper license because it operates like an automobile (even containing a trunk and airbags). The car can drive on both city streets and highways, and one Wired writer just sat shotgun for a ride, saying of his driver, "he suddenly gunned it at a green light, turned right on a dime, faded three lanes to his left while outrunning a cab turning left from the opposing lane and came to a comfortable stop perhaps 50 yards later." The car 200 miles per gallon, meaning you could drive 100 miles for less than it would cost to take one trip on the subway. more ›

The MINI people have announced their 100% electric, zero-emissions car, and a New York field trial program to go along with it. They're looking for 500 people in the area who want to be "motoring pioneers" -- sounds pretty exciting, right? Wrong. While the prospect of electric cars hitting the streets is exciting, one look at the laborious application and FAQ section and you'll quickly learn that the trial will cost you no less than $850 a month. That's just for the car. On top of that, you'll have to get yourself a garage and update the electrical wiring in your home. By the end of the year, you'll be broke, but the company declares that "as motoring pioneers, you'll proudly go down in MINI history as a widely respected group who helped pave the road to the future for us all." They will then take your MINI away. If you decide you want to take part anyway, be sure to read the fine print before signing up. more ›