Rolls-Royce is seriously considering building electric versions of its cars, probably as plug-in hybrids, the company's new CEO, Tom Purvis, says the company needs to prepare itself for much-tougher inner-city CO2 legislation, and believes that the near-silence of electric propulsion, and the fact that full torque is available from a standstill. Having just driven the new electric Mini, Purves was 'bowled over', raving about its power delivery and quietude. He now thinks such a powerplant would be perfect for his own brand as well. Purves also envisions a future where traditional combustion-powered cars might be banned outright from city centers - not an unrealistic idea, given London's current congestion charge and the vehement opposition to larger vehicles in the UK and Europe. When we observe how their owners use cars, you soon see that they do either huge open-road mileages, or relatively small distances in urban areas, Purvis believes that an electric Rolls-Royce would be ideal for the second category.

More...

Japanese telecommunications giant NTT is developing shoes that it claims can charge your mobile phone for ever as long as the user keeps walking. The Turbine shoes do not provide any storage of the power that it generates but is an ideal solution to charge your MP3 player while you take a jog. The shoe manages to generate 1.2 watts of electricity, which is enough for most mp3 players or mobile phones. Small turbines that are attached to water filled soles power NTT shoes. Every time the user takes a step, the water in the sole moves and turns the turbines, which generates power.

More...