How would you like to run your car for the equivalent of less than one dollar per gallon, with much lower emissions? Impossible, right?
A step-by-step breakdown of what happens when you sit behind the wheel of a hybrid car.
Are all hybrids created equal? Get a grasp on the definitions: full hybrid, mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid, parallel hybrid and serial hybrid...
Wishing upon a star or throwing a coin in a well might make dreams come true, but when it comes to fuel cell vehicles, auto industry executives are hoping that chanting in unison will turn hopes into reality. The mantra from execs: “Fuel cell cars for sale by 2015.”
Consumers eager to get behind the wheel of an electric car have experienced crushing disappointment for many years. But now, they may finally have their chance. Major auto companies—like Ford, Chevy and Nissan—plan to roll out the next generation of practical, affordable plug-in cars in 2011 or 2012. But what if you just can’t wait for the two or three years for an EV? Or if you don’t have deep enough pockets for a Tesla? What if you don’t believe the press releases coming out from the car companies? There’s an answer for those skeptics and impatient souls: An electric car conversion.
The goal of the Progressive Automotive X Prize is to foster the next generation of 100-mpg+ vehicles. Ten million dollars goes to the team that achieves 100 mpg in a race simulating real-world driving conditions. In yet another sign that the mainstream auto industry is unwilling to think outside the box, not a single major car company is entering the competition. So where are the next creative ideas for tomorrow’s fuel-efficient cars going to come from?
Honda has been banking on a transition to fuel cell cars as the long-term strategy for sustainable mobility. Nissan has been primarily moving toward pure battery-electric vehicles. Executives from both companies are now suggesting that hybrids and plug-in hybrids could be around for a very long time.
The theme of this year’s annual meeting of automotive engineers was “Racing to Green Mobility.” The unlikely symbol of the event—the 2009 World Congress of the Society of Automotive Engineers held from April 20 to 23—was California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Hummer. The Governor kicked off the conference by pointing at shortcomings in federal energy policy, while overlooking his role as the most famous promoter of the ultimate gas-guzzler. The message was that government-supported advanced auto technology will allow US drivers to continue driving fast large vehicles without any compromise.
One day after the US government rejected GM’s turnaround plan, Mark LaNeve, the company’s vice president of sales, service, and marketing for North America, spoke with Eddie Alterman, editor-in-chief of Car and Driver magazine. For most of the discussion, LaNeve and Alterman talked about restoring consumer confidence and the future of GM brands. But finally LaNeve said that GM needs to turn away from high-performance and toward fuel-efficiency to send "a better message" to key stakeholders."
The days of fuel economy only coming in small, slow and stripped-down cars are over. Every major auto show these days brings the unveiling of another green super car using hybrid or electric car technology to conserve fuel while delivering Ferrari-like performance. Do any of these wild concepts have a real shot at becoming cost-effective realities? Not so much. And yet, with each new green racer, the appeal of hybrids and electric cars to mainstream drivers grows a little stronger. Here are our all-time green machine fantasy favorites, like the 1,000-horsepower Shelby Ultimate Aero EV.
