Peter Arnell is chairman and chief creative officer, of product innovation firm Arnell, as well as Chrysler's chief innovation officer. His latest venture is Peapod Mobility: "On Earth Day, we're unveiling the Peapod, a $12,500, 25-mph 'neighborhood electric vehicle' not allowed on highways." Here's how this 21st century love bug borrows from the past and piggybacks on our Apple-obsessed future.

  • The Peapod takes design cues from charming small vehicles from the 1950s and 1960s and looks futuristic from the front

  • It's made from 95% recycled and recyclable materials and costs between 2 and 2.5 cents per mile to operate

  • Instead of a key, it starts by plugging your iPhone or iPod into the docking station on the dashboard. Eventually, it will record and display your energy efficiency and your carbon footprint