Washington: Ordinary paper could one day be used as a lightweight battery to power the devices that are now enabling the printed word to be eclipsed by email, ebooks and online news.

Toyota Motor Corp will buy hybrid-car batteries from Sanyo Electric Co, a source familiar with the matter said, as the automaker struggles to meet growing demand for the fuel-sipping vehicles due to a shortage of battery supply.

Companies working with Ford Motor Co (F.N), Chrysler Group and General Motors Corp [GM.UL] received more than $600 million on Wednesday to further development of batteries for hybrids and electric cars.

The awards were part of $2.4 billion in grants being announced by the Obama administration as part of its "green" economy vision and efforts to enhance U.S. energy independence.

Hyundai Motor Group, the world's No.5 automaker, said on Wednesday it would invest $3.3 billion in green projects to meet the government's stricter fuel efficiency and emission requirements, joining a recent series of eco-friendly investments by South Korean firms.

Tripura Renewable Energy Agency (TREA) has adopted an ambitious plan for producing low-cost electricity. As part of the plan, one solar hybrid project has been installed on top of the Vigyan Bhavan recently. The project that was established at a cost of Rs 5 lakh is unique in nature as it uses both wind and sunlight to generate power. The project has been producing two-kilo watt power each day by using wind as well as Sun, said Subhash Chowdhury, Director of TREA here on Tuesday.

Feel than a standard dealership to fit the image of the vehicles.

Public sector auto maker Scooters India (SIL) is planning to get into the electric two-wheeler segment, in addition to its range of passenger three-wheelers.

Rajkot company in talks with Australian firm. The Tata group may have set a trend in automobile history with the Nano, the world's cheapest car. Now, a Rajkot-based diesel engine maker is working on a small electric car with foreign collaboration that is likely to be priced at Rs 99,000. The manufacturer, Fieldmarshal Group, is planning to enter the small car market in partnership with an Australian technology- and project-development firm. The car, which appears to be a classic commuter vehicle, could have a maximum speed of 70 to 80 km and is being designed to have lightweight batteries and low manufacturing costs. Under the terms of the joint venture, which is to be signed soon, the Australian company will take the lead role in bringing international foreign investors for the project. The foreign collaborator has already developed a concept car specifically for the Indian market that could be manufactured at Fieldmarshal's plant at Rajkot. It is learnt that the Australian company is looking at an arrangement by which Rajkot would house the primary plant and assembly plants could be set up in other parts of the country. The joint venture is also planning a 24-seater electric bus. Early discussions have revolved around setting up separate companies for the car and bus projects. The initial focus will be on domestic markets but exports are also on the cards considering the booming market for electric vehicles. Once it is on the roads, Fieldmarshal's electric car would be another offering after the Reva, which became the highest selling on-road electric vehicle globally last year on the back of tax exemptions and subsidies given to electric car-owners by governments. In the UK, owners of electric vehicles are exempt from paying parking fees, congestion taxes, sales and road tax. The French government has also introduced free parking for electric vehicles, low road tax and 100 per cent depreciation for companies. No taxes are imposed on electricity used for charging the cars. At present, the Fieldmarshal group, which is known for its flagship company PM Diesels, manufactures diesel, petrol and LPG auto-rickshaws at its new facility at Shapar near Rajkot. It has a capacity of 1,000 rickshaws per month and rolls out 450 vehicles per month. It has exported 1,500 vehicles in the last six months, selling petrol rickshaws to Egypt, Sudan and Nigeria and diesel vehicles to Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia. The company expects exports to account for 40 per cent of revenues in the next two years.

Hollywood: As the environmentally friendly limo-driver to the stars, Y Fray does not like to talk about her A-list clientele. But one look at the wall of her office

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