10 of the Kookiest Vehicles Making Fossil Fuels History

December 15, 2015

Forget what Kermit said: It is easy being green. Nowadays, technological innovations that are helping us to lead more environmentally friendly lives are coming at a steady clip. For evidence, just look to our vehicles.

More and more, we’re trading gas-guzzling SUVs for cheerful hybrid cars, while electric car technology continues to blossom. But that’s not where the innovation ends: Inventors and engineers around the world are devising ever more creative eco-friendly transportation solutions. From solar powered vehicles to cars that biodegrade, these 10 rides will make you into a bona fide eco-warrior. Though many of them are still at the concept stage, we’re crossing our fingers that they’ll hit the streets (and skies and waters) soon. The future of transportation is so bright we gotta wear shades (or at least flip down the sun visor).

1. Solar-Powered Cars: How do you make an electric car even more energy efficient? Simple: Trick it out with solar panels. The new Ford C-Max Solar Energi concept car is among those pioneering the idea, with a rooftop solar panel that tracks the sun and slurps up to a four-hour charge. Forget what we said about wearing shades – this guy needs all the sunlight it can get.

Photo courtesy of Ford
2. Solar-Powered Planes: Solar powered technology is such a good idea that engineers aren't just limiting it to the roads. Enter Solar Impulse, a unique solar airplane capable of crossing oceans and continents (and staying aloft day and night). Next year its manufacturers are gearing up for a fuel-less, around the world journey, which its supporters can help track. Despite what Jules Verne said, it should definitely take fewer than 80 days.

Photo courtesy of Solar Impulse | Revillard | Rezo.ch
3. Solar Powered Boats: And boats – did we mention solar powered boats? Last year saw the debut of the MS Turanor Planet Solar: a slick yacht with whale-like proportions that also happens to be powered entirely by the sun. When it's out, over 5,000 square feet of solar panels unfurl like wings to soak up the rays. Now that's living in the lap of (sustainable) luxury.

Photo courtesy of Anthony Collins/Planet Solar
4. A Car That Gets 1,000 mpg: Resembling a mini rocket, the BYU Supermileage Vehicle was developed by a group of college engineers to get over 1,000 mpg. It did just that, traveling from Utah to Michigan on a single tank of gas. The only downside? Considering there's only room for one, it may be a lonely ride.

Photo courtesy of BYU
5. A Car that Runs on Cooking Oil: Oil: Not exactly sustainable. But cooking oil? You don't need a rig to get ahold of that. Clever car manufacturers are starting to develop engines that can use far more than plain old gasoline, like England's Trident Iceni. With 68 mpg and top speeds of 190 mph, it won't feel like you're running on canola.

Photo courtesy of Trident
6. An Engineless Car: It may not look like more than a glorified golf cart, but this prototype car developed by Ohio State engineers is hiding a pretty incredible secret under its admittedly not-so-glam exterior: It has no engine and no transmission. What it does have: battery-powered motors guiding every wheel, brakes, and a steering wheel. It's the simple things, right?

Photo courtesy of Ohio State
7. A Car That Cleans Itself: Live in a drought-ridden area and hesitant to waste water washing your car? Look to Nissan, who are currently trialing an "Ultra-Ever Dry"paint that keeps cars looking shiny and new, even after they've driven through dust and mud. Yes, this is real life; no, you're not dreaming.

Photo courtesy of Nissan
8. Self-Driving Cars: Subject to almost as much hype as Google Glass, tech giant Google's latest trick is pioneering self-driving car technology. It looks to be a reality for our roads soon, which is likely a good thing for the environment: Studies show that driving-by-machine can save hugely on gas in the long run. Get it together, human drivers.

Photo courtesy of Google
9. A Biodegradable Car: Like bamboo? The Phoenix Roadster is a fully biodegradable car that also happens to be made out of panda chow. Designed by Kenneth Cobonpue, the vehicle is woven from rattan and bamboo and designed to last for five years. It may not be road-ready as is, but we're hoping for a pretty, woven little car of our own one day.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Cobonpue
10. Hydrogen-Powered Cars: Just when you were getting the hang of cars that you can plug in, the next thing comes chugging along: Say hello to hydrogen-powered cars. Hyundai's Tucson Fuel Cell is one of the first cars to motor along on hydrogen gas; its only emission is water. The future is now.

Photo courtesy of Hyundai
1. Solar-Powered Cars: How do you make an electric car even more energy efficient? Simple: Trick it out with solar panels. The new Ford C-Max Solar Energi concept car is among those pioneering the idea, with a rooftop solar panel that tracks the sun and slurps up to a four-hour charge. Forget what we said about wearing shades – this guy needs all the sunlight it can get.

Photo courtesy of Ford
2. Solar-Powered Planes: Solar powered technology is such a good idea that engineers aren't just limiting it to the roads. Enter Solar Impulse, a unique solar airplane capable of crossing oceans and continents (and staying aloft day and night). Next year its manufacturers are gearing up for a fuel-less, around the world journey, which its supporters can help track. Despite what Jules Verne said, it should definitely take fewer than 80 days.

Photo courtesy of Solar Impulse | Revillard | Rezo.ch
3. Solar Powered Boats: And boats – did we mention solar powered boats? Last year saw the debut of the MS Turanor Planet Solar: a slick yacht with whale-like proportions that also happens to be powered entirely by the sun. When it's out, over 5,000 square feet of solar panels unfurl like wings to soak up the rays. Now that's living in the lap of (sustainable) luxury.

Photo courtesy of Anthony Collins/Planet Solar
4. A Car That Gets 1,000 mpg: Resembling a mini rocket, the BYU Supermileage Vehicle was developed by a group of college engineers to get over 1,000 mpg. It did just that, traveling from Utah to Michigan on a single tank of gas. The only downside? Considering there's only room for one, it may be a lonely ride.

Photo courtesy of BYU
5. A Car that Runs on Cooking Oil: Oil: Not exactly sustainable. But cooking oil? You don't need a rig to get ahold of that. Clever car manufacturers are starting to develop engines that can use far more than plain old gasoline, like England's Trident Iceni. With 68 mpg and top speeds of 190 mph, it won't feel like you're running on canola.

Photo courtesy of Trident
6. An Engineless Car: It may not look like more than a glorified golf cart, but this prototype car developed by Ohio State engineers is hiding a pretty incredible secret under its admittedly not-so-glam exterior: It has no engine and no transmission. What it does have: battery-powered motors guiding every wheel, brakes, and a steering wheel. It's the simple things, right?

Photo courtesy of Ohio State
7. A Car That Cleans Itself: Live in a drought-ridden area and hesitant to waste water washing your car? Look to Nissan, who are currently trialing an "Ultra-Ever Dry"paint that keeps cars looking shiny and new, even after they've driven through dust and mud. Yes, this is real life; no, you're not dreaming.

Photo courtesy of Nissan
8. Self-Driving Cars: Subject to almost as much hype as Google Glass, tech giant Google's latest trick is pioneering self-driving car technology. It looks to be a reality for our roads soon, which is likely a good thing for the environment: Studies show that driving-by-machine can save hugely on gas in the long run. Get it together, human drivers.

Photo courtesy of Google
9. A Biodegradable Car: Like bamboo? The Phoenix Roadster is a fully biodegradable car that also happens to be made out of panda chow. Designed by Kenneth Cobonpue, the vehicle is woven from rattan and bamboo and designed to last for five years. It may not be road-ready as is, but we're hoping for a pretty, woven little car of our own one day.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Cobonpue
10. Hydrogen-Powered Cars: Just when you were getting the hang of cars that you can plug in, the next thing comes chugging along: Say hello to hydrogen-powered cars. Hyundai's Tucson Fuel Cell is one of the first cars to motor along on hydrogen gas; its only emission is water. The future is now.

Photo courtesy of Hyundai