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Four Paths to Fuel Efficiency

Plenty of people claim they want fuel-efficiency, yet many shun higher-efficiency cars unless they see a tangible economic benefit. Many of us are environmentally concerned, but only when it doesn't cost us much—if anything...

Driving a Chevy Volt Test Mule

GM recently announced that the 2011 Chevrolet Volt could score 230 mpg in the EPA city fuel economy cycle and well into the triple digits for combined driving. Though the final EPA test methodology for vehicles that will plug into the electric grid has yet to be finalized, 230 mpg is GM’s best guess estimate given the EPA’s current criteria for plug-in hybrids and extended range electric vehicles...

Porsche Builds Hybrid SUV

Porsche has evolved (to the dismay of some and the excitement of others) from a company once known only for its sports cars into an automaker who is also building them in the forms of an SUV and a new sedan. In 2002, they released the ultimate performance SUV, the Cayenne. Later this year, the four-door Panamera goes on sale and, in late 2010, the company plans to market its first hybrid powertrain. Porsche says, "Using a parallel full hybrid design with the electric motor between the combustion engine and the transmission, Porsche engineers have been able to drive at speeds up to 86 mph without at all using the combustion engine."..

Cheat the New Fuel Economy Rules

In NASCAR it’s called "gettin' competitive." In research and development groups, it's termed “innovation” or “disruptive technology.” In sports they say, “That’s the way the game is played,” until the official calls a penalty. The self-righteous call it “cheating,” unless they’re doing it themselves. To meet the new 35.5-miles per gallon Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard, engineers at car companies must do something similar—come up with technological breakthroughs and push the gray areas of the regulations, perhaps to the breaking point. As in racing, sports and politics, it’s not cheating unless you get caught...

Hybrid Electric Vehicles: Pros and Cons

Given the choice of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) with limited range that takes hours to recharge or a conventional one powered by an internal combustion engine (ICE), the vast majority of buyers opt for the ICE. That is why BEVs were beaten out by ICEs in the industry’s early days and have not competed effectively since. Advancing battery technology is increasing range and making BEVs more acceptable for daily use, but battery prices remain high and realistic (non battery damaging) charge times long...

Electric Vehicles: Pros and Cons

In the early days of automotive history, electric cars were more popular than the other alternatives, gasoline and steam-powered vehicles. Gasoline was volatile, highly flammable, scary to store and tote around in a tank. (Ever wonder why early garages were on the other side of the lots from car-owners’ homes?) Scalding-hot steam was nearly as frightening, and not much fun to use, or fast to make...

Alternative Fuels and Vehicles Expo

On May 11, 2008, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline was about $3.72 a gallon. That was the date the four-day 2008 Alternatives Fuels and Vehicles National Conference and Expo opened in Las Vegas. On April 19, ‘09, the 2009 Alternative Fuels and Vehicles National Conference and Expo opened at Walt Disney World's Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando, FL. And the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline is about $2.05. Might that result in a decline in interest in alternative fuels?..

2009 Toyota Prius

In Washington, D.C., Toyota Prius seem almost as common as pickups in Texas. It’s not true, but some car-oriented visitors feel that way. The Prius, the nation’s fuel-mileage leader, is well suited for Washington’s congested streets. The gas-electric hybrid is far more convenient and, at least for suburban dwellers, a Prius will get you where you’re going quicker than the area’s Metro rail system. If four people share the cost of commuting, a Prius may be cheaper, too. More important for a place that’s all about making statements, the Prius might as well be wrapped with political vehicle graphics. These would say its owner is very environmentally conscious. Optionally, the graphics could also say: “I’m a liberal and darned proud of it.” Prius sales numbers may be a better barometer of public feelings than are political opinion polls.

Plug-In Hybrids: Ready For Prime Time?

Optimistic predictions for plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles abound. Advocates of plug-ins (also called PHEVs) say they promise to radically reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil, slash greenhouse gas emissions and radically cut the cost of running a vehicle. A study by the Electric Power Research Institute and the Natural Recourses Defense Council said plug-ins will cut U.S. petroleum use by up to four million barrels a day: The groups predicted it will be as if 80 million cars were removed from the road. Several automakers announced that they would offer plug-ins for sale by 2010. Advocates predicted that two-thirds of all vehicles—including larger delivery trucks—would be plug-in hybrids. Plug-ins will save money and the environment while protecting our national security, said the prognosticators. (A definition: Plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles can tap into household electric outlets to recharge their batteries. They retain conventional gasoline engines to allow longer journeys. Some call them “extended-range electric vehicles.”)..

2009 Ford Escape Hybrid

Rarely can “SUV,” “clean air,” and “good gas mileage” be used in the same sentence. One of the few exceptions is the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid...

Hybrid Vehicles: All You Need to Know

Hybrid-electric vehicles have been on American roads for more than a decade, but, still, a lot of people don’t truly know what exactly a hybrid vehicle is, much less how one works. A common reaction to a hybrid is: “Why are you putting gasoline in it? Don’t you plug it in?” We’ll tell you everything you need to know about hybrid vehicles and probably a whole lot more. Here are the basics:..

Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell Crossover

For years now, auto manufacturers have been developing experimental vehicles that contain a fuel cell. Typically, the fuel cell is used to convert hydrogen into electricity, which then operates the vehicle. Most of those experimental fuel-cell vehicles were exhibited at auto shows and other events, driven briefly by a handful of dignitaries, celebrities, government leaders, and media people. A tiny number wound up in the hands of government agencies or other organizations for longer-term trials...

2009 Honda Fit

When interest in smaller, fuel-efficient cars began to sizzle in the spring of 2008, Honda didn't have to worry much. In addition to the popular Civic, Honda had a smaller-yet Fit in its stable—with a redesigned version at Honda dealers now...

2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2009 Toyota Camry is the latest successor in a long line of regal Toyota sedans that ultimately lent the Camry its name. The word Camry ascended in a phonetic translation of the Japanese word kanmuri - or Crown. Not surprisingly, the flagship of the Toyota lineup in Japan before the advent of Camry was the mighty Toyota Crown. Executive level motoring luxury has since been spun off into the brand known stateside as Lexus. Deluxe motoring coaches aside, the Toyota lineup has always featured a mileage champion. The 1984 Toyota Starlet boasted an almost unbelievable EPA mileage rating of 55 mpg highway. This figure was likely achieved at the then national speed limit of 55 mph, and with an accompanying level of ride possible only in a small, short wheelbase compact hatchback. Merging the previously unrelated concepts of a comfortable, practical, and roomy sedan together with the fuel economy of a compact car is the hybrid version of the popular four-door Toyota Camry.

2009 Honda FCX Clarity Preview

The 2009 Honda FCX Clarity doesn’t have an engine. It doesn’t use gasoline, diesel or biofuel. Its emission are only water vapor and oxygen. It gets the equivalent of about 80 miles per gallon gasoline and is almost completely silent...

Civic Vs. Prius: Compact Hybrid Comparison

Popularity can grow, and it can fade. Hybrid (gasoline/electric) cars saw gradual but steady escalation in the early years of the 21st century, but interest began to slip a bit in the second half of the decade. Suddenly, triggered by skyrocketing gasoline prices in 2007, and even more so in 2008, hybrids began to practically fly off dealer lots. Gas-guzzling SUVs could barely be given away, but small, fuel-efficient automobiles quickly became the superstars of the sales race...

Gas Prices: Going Up, But How Far?

Motorists have been complaining about gasoline prices for years—even for decades. Up until the sharp price hikes in 2007 and, especially 2008, they had little to complain about...

100-MPG SUV

Back in the heyday of the internal-combustion engine, when gasoline was cheap and highways were full, not many motorists fretted about fuel economy. Teenagers could drive all night on a few bucks worth of gas. Long commutes weren't yet commonplace. Traffic jams were more likely to occur on Sundays, when "everybody" was out driving, than on workdays...

Getting 35 MPG

Most of the technology auto manufacturers need to make the mandated 35 miles per gallon Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) standard ordered by 2020 not only exists, but also is already in use in some vehicles, says Charles Hubbard of Lexus College...

Make Your Own Biodiesel Fuel

As noted in our article, “Biodiesel Benefits, Fueling the Green Revolution,” biodiesel is rapidly becoming a key alternative fuel. Refineries that make biodiesel are popping up all over the country. “The growth of the biodiesel industry is almost staggering,” observes NBB Chief Executive Joe Jobe. “We’re always hearing about how no new petroleum refineries have been built in the United States in 30 years. This is where biodiesel can make a difference. Every plant that goes up is adding fuel refining capacity to our nation’s energy capabilities.”..

Biodiesel Benefits

What's the next "Big Thing?" Well, clearly our energy problems seem to grow as fast as the prices at the pump, so finding an alternative fuel is now a national priority, and a common topic of conversation. For instance, just a few years ago if you mentioned the word "biodiesel" you'd probably get either a blank stare or a sarcastic remark about the exhaust smelling like french fries. Today, though, biodiesel is no joke. It's now an established alternative fuel, and becoming a mainstream commodity. In fact, the latest Energy Bill that's being signed into law will significantly increase the use of biodiesel in the United States...

2008 Midsize Hybrid Sedan Comparison

Hybrid powertrains started in small cars—namely the two-passenger Honda Insight and the compact Toyota Prius. Those vehicles were uniquely hybrid, offered only with a gasoline/electric powertrain...

Hybrid Myths

Most new technologies create unfounded fear among the uninformed, while even the well educated overlook truly serious issues. It's no different for hybrid vehicles. Some inappropriately worry that wrecked hybrids may electrocute passengers and rescue workers. Others unnecessarily fear that hybrids' batteries will need to be replaced as often as those in a smoke detector. While most hybrid owners are smug about their vehicles' environmental friendliness, few are concerned with the real possibility that hybrid batteries may wind up in landfills...

2007 Hybrid Vehicle Guide

Honda and Toyota led in bringing hybrid automobiles to America just as the 21st century got underway. Honda's Insight was an ultra-lightweight two-seater, while the Toyota Prius was a curious-looking but otherwise conventional four-door sedan. Redesigning of the Prius for 2004 cemented its position as the top-selling hybrid automobile in America...

Alliances Along the Hybrid Highway

While the conventional internal combustion engines that have powered cars, trucks and SUVs for many decades will continue to be popular, car buyers are demanding alternatives. Thanks to an improvement in hybrid technology, there are currently three hybrid models on the market and many others coming. Combined with a concern for our planet's well being and the relatively limited supply of fossil fuels, hybrid propulsion promises to become an integral part of the automotive landscape...

Alternative Fuels

Americans, often noted for their so-called love affair with the car, have recently begun to support alternatives to straight gasoline- and diesel-fueled vehicles. While they have been available for over a decade, both traditional and alternative fuels have seen recent technical advances and innovations that have made them both feasible and affordable. For reasons that include reducing air pollution, the eventual consumption of all fossil fuels, the increasing price of gas, and the dependence on foreign petroleum, alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) are growing in popularity with not just environmentalists and consumers, but with auto manufacturers and the government, as well...

Alternative Fuels Glossary

Alternative fuels have earned plenty of publicity lately. Even so, most unconventional fuel sources and powertrains are in a state of infancy...

Au(to) Natural

Imagine metal junkyards—the ugly graveyards of rusting cars and trucks—magically transformed into compost centers. The idea of cars being turned into organic matter, although seemingly impossible, is really not all that far-fetched. Automakers and scientists are teaming up to develop and employ new bio plastics made from sugar cane, sweet potatoes, elephant grass, soy beans, bananas, bamboo, and other plant matter. Lasting a minimum of 14 years, this green plastic is as tough and durable as its petroleum-based cousin when in use, but is actually vastly superior during the manufacturing process and once the car is retired...

Car Care for Better Mileage

Remember when gas was less than $2 a gallon? While it would be nice to see those prices again, there are several easy and inexpensive things you can do to your vehicle to get the maximum miles per gallon, adding up to considerable savings over a full year of driving...

Conservation is Key

You know gas prices have become very serious when a dedicated car enthusiast sells his BMW M3 convertible to buy a hybrid...

E85: Flex-Fuel Vehicles

Nearly five million alternative-fuel vehicles are currently on U.S. roads—and many of their owners don't even know it. Flexible-fuel (flex-fuel) models first appeared in 1991. Since then, each of the Big 3 domestic automakers has manufactured about 1.5 million flex-fuel cars, and hundreds of thousands more are expected to arrive by the end of 2006. A flex-fuel vehicle, or FFV, is a vehicle that is capable of running on either gasoline or E85, which is a blend of 85-percent ethanol and 15-percent gasoline. The idea of such vehicles is not a new one; Henry Ford designed his Model T to operate solely on ethyl alcohol, also known as ethanol. All current vehicles can accept fuel containing up to 10-percent ethanol...

EPA Innovates Hydraulic Hybrid System

The Environmental Protection Agency is testing a cheaper, simpler hybrid technology it hopes can greatly increase the mpg of American vehicles. The agency has 20 patents on the system and has already begun testing it this year. EPA's new hydraulic hybrid technology could improve fuel economy up to 55 percent—better than the 30 to 40 percent fuel economy of gas-electric hybrids. The system uses hydraulic pressure to recapture energy lost through braking, and then releases the pressure during acceleration...

EPA Mileage Testing Under Scrutiny

Legislation is winding its torturous route through Congress that may change the 30-year-old test by which the Environmental Protection Agency arrives at its city and highway estimated miles per gallon for all new model cars and light trucks. A provision in the Highway Bill that passed the Senate offered by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) would require the EPA to revamp its testing. Ever since the last gas crisis in the '70s, the government stamps an estimate of average gas mileage on new models' showroom stickers. EPA gets its estimate from lab tests where vehicles run on a dynamometer—sort of a treadmill for cars—that simulates driving at an average speed of 48 mph and at a top speed of 60. Unfortunately the test doesn't take into consideration the hallmarks of today's driving...

Fuel Saving Engine Technology

Over more than a century, the automobile has presented itself as a fascinating microcosm of technological evolution at work, with humble beginnings that embraced bicycle wheels, a tiller to steer, and a variety of rudimentary powerplants running on fuels ranging from coal gas, hydrogen and oxygen, steam, kerosene, and electricity, to the currently more common gasoline, diesel and, now, E85. These latter fuels power nearly all of the vehicles on our roads today...

Hybrid Innovations

There are many ways to blend the internal combustion (IC) engine and electric power. These technologies have much in common—and many points of differentiation. In addition to Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) system, other manufacturers have devised alternative means of propelling cars and trucks with a blend of fossil fuel and electricity...

Hybrid Vehicle Guide

When hybrid-powered vehicles first appeared, starting in 2000, the idea of switching between gasoline and electric power seemed a bit of a gimmick. Certainly, the need for more economical vehicles was growing. Fully electric cars had never caught on, largely because of their limited range and the need to plug in for recharging. Still, there had to be a more appealing answer; most likely, fuel-cell vehicles that run on hydrogen...

Hybrid Vehicle Tax Credits

Skyrocketing gas prices and fears of global warming jump started sales of hybrids and fuel-efficient vehicles last year. In an effort to swell green showroom traffic, the Federal Government offered a tax carrot to seal the deal. Tucked into the Energy Policy Act of 2005 are tax credits for consumers who purchase various advanced technology vehicles, including hybrid-electric and diesel-powered cars and light trucks. The provision, which became effective in January 2006, differs from previous federal incentives for these vehicles by utilizing tax credits rather than deductions. Tax credits typically result in greater savings for consumers. The Feds are offering a tax credit to buyers of hybrid and clean diesel vehicles of $250 to $3,400, depending on the energy efficiency of the model, although none of the current 32 models qualify for the top credit this year...

Living with Your Alternative Fuel Vehicle

Back in the 1950s, drivers of tiny imported cars often encountered derisive glares from pilots of domestic V-8 land yachts. A few years ago, the buyer of an alternative-fuel vehicle might have faced similar reactions. Today, their owners are more likely to be viewed as sensible visionaries...

More MPG Tips

Since prices at the pump have escalated to record heights, it's worth every penny we spend on gas to try and maximize the mileage we get with each fill-up. While some of us choose to drive full-sized SUVs or high-performance musclecars and some might select a fuel-efficient hybrid as a daily driver, our driving habits and vehicle-maintenance practices can extend each tank of gas and save us a significant amount of money over time regardless of vehicle preference...

Proper Pump Etiquette

It's 5:40 p.m. and you desperately need to get gas before you get onto the freeway. And you're apparently not alone. Pulling into a crowded station and finding a place in line requires quick thinking and a cool temperament...

Super Hybrids

Earlier this summer, three dollars a gallon stood like a benchmark for unacceptable gasoline prices. Now, with record-breaking storms coming in record-breaking numbers and continued instability in the Middle East, the sky appears to be the limit for gas prices. If there ever was a time for innovative approaches to creating more fuel-efficient transportation, this is it...

The Future of Fuel Economy is Now

Just as Congress and the auto industry are battling over new fuel economy rules to reduce U.S. oil consumption, the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) released a study arguing that, "technologies exist today that can improve light-duty vehicle fuel economy by up to 50 percent over the next 10 years without reducing the size of the vehicle," or compromising safety...

Volvo's Concept for Cleaning the Air

These days, automakers are selling an increasing number of cars that feature extremely low emissions and high fuel economy. The aim, of course, is to provide choices for those who wish to go about their daily drive in ways that leave the least amount of emissions in their wake...

Weird Science

In the film "Back to the Future," Doc popped the hood of his time-traveling DeLorean and tossed kitchen scraps and beer cans into his gigawatt fusion converter thingamajig. It functioned much like a food processor/trash compactor, but converting waste into automotive fuel. Turns out that this cinematic solution to contemporary problems of both excess litter and fuel shortages isn't that far off the mark...

What Kind of Fuel Am I?

Many people pick a gas station based on price and/or convenience, probably because they feel that most brands of fuel are pretty much alike. Is that really the case, though? Since your choice of gasoline directly affects engine performance, economy and longevity, along with the environment, it pays to know the facts about different types of fuel...