I am in Arizona and my in-laws just bought a toyota Sienna. Pretty nice ride, gives about 23-24 mpg on the highway. And as a HOV not bad. With 4 people in the car we get to go on to the Diamond lane. Drawbacks: to many little storage areas.
Pros: You can fit an elephant into [...]

Owning a hybrid does not mean you can go out and buy an SUV and claim that driving a hybrid justifies the fact that one can also own an SUV. A recent survey found that close to 25% of hybrid owners own an SUV. Now who is the hypocrite….

Its been awhile since I last blog, reason being my new job has kept pretty, busy, but i am back.
G2 is in the house.

So I was not the only one who thought that FFV are just another gimmick put up by the “Big3″. So gas price outside Ann Arbor is priced between $2.13-2.23, this does not mean that its going to stay like that forever. So these guys say oh, buy a FFV, be a patriot, buy American, [...]

If you have a spare 100k hanging around and gathering dust in your bank account, and you want fully powered electric vehicle. Guess what you can buy one from Tesla. The Tesla Roadster has a range of 250 miles, says the company. The EV1, with the best nickel metal hydride batteries, could go about 150 [...]

Last week I was able to get a ride in a super-charged MINI Cooper, this animal was fully loaded. I just fell in love with that little beast. It had 214-hp engine/ 6 speed MT and costing between 18-20k depending on the type of trim. A bit pricey for such a small car, and I [...]

If you want to get those tax credits for buying a hybrid, you better do it soon, because once any automaker reaches 60,000 hybrids, those tax credit will phase out within 15 months from that date. Toyota’s best-selling Prius and Camry hybrids will be the first to lose their tax-preferred status, which will be [...]

Krissy & I have driven 5501 miles on our Mazda3 over the last 6 months and it was time to get its oil changed, wheels rotated, inspection etc. Just what Gary told us it would give fuel wise when we first met him. He is one of the three people who made it possible [...]

Japanese car maker Suzuki and US automotive giant General Motors (GM) plan to jointly develop fuel-electric hybrid vehicles for the North American market, the leading Japanese business newspaper Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported Monday.
These guys plan on developing and launching another “fuel-efficient” hybrid SUV by 2009.
Source: http://autos.monstersandcritics.com/news

For aviation enthusiasts like me who will probably never own it this is what you have to look forward too. Honda is bringing the very light jet HondaJet to this year’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. After making only a brief appearance for its unveiling at Airventure 2005, the HondaJet will stick around for the entire event [...]

Talk about lowering the carbon dioxide levels down in a hybrid. This retrofitted Toyota Prius emits 20% less CO2 (80 g/km). IFP (Institut Français du Pétrole) is presenting a CNG-electric hybrid prototype vehicle based on the Toyota Prius at this Challenge Bibendum, running in Paris from 8-12 June 2006. IFP co-developed the CNG Prius with [...]

Mitsubishi and Honda plan on developing and producing clean burning diesel cars for the Japanese and US markets by 2009. Currently the only diesel car that is going to be launched later this year in all 50 US states is the Mercedes E320 BLUETEC.
Source: http://www.greencarcongress.com/

This Fall in the State of the Governator, California residents will be able to buy the Honda Civic GX which runs on compressed natural gas (CNG). Recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the cleanest internal-combustion vehicle on Earth, the Civic GX is perfect for getting around town and running everyday errands. In fact, [...]

Here is a list of the best and worst cars of 2006 by ForbesAuto.com.
Best cars for city driving:

Honda Insigth
Toyota Prius
BMW 3 Series Coupe,
Mini Cooper
Scion xB
Honda Civic Hybrid
Volvo V50
Audi A3
Saab 9-2X
Mercedes-Benz C-class.

Worst cars of 2006 according to Forbes Auto when it comes to city driving are (drum roll please)

Hummer H1 Alpha
Maybach Type 62
Lincoln Navigator L
Rolls-Royce Phantom
Hummer [...]

If Krissy and I were living in London, this is something we would definitely have considered buying. The Maranello 4 is a two-seater electric car which comes from the land of Ferrari, Fiat & Lamborghini. With a top speed of 30 mph, it can go up to 45 miles on a single charge (gelled lead-acid [...]

In the Hybrid SUV category the Toyota Highlander comes up on top according to Consumer Reports latest announcement. With the inception of the Highlander, Consumer Reports now has two hybrids in its Top Picks, the other being the Toyota Prius. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid beat the other SUV’s in its category based on the fact [...]

GM is pushing for more ethanol based gas stations in Michigan. There are currently 5 gas pumps in the entire state that supply E85 (85% ethanol and 15% gasoline blend) based gas for FFV. Now GM is going to “encourage” that all its employees driving FFV’s gas up at these pumps. There are plans to [...]

For the third year in succession, the 1.5-liter gasoline engine of the Prius Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain has won both the International Engine of the Year Award in the 1.4– 1.8-liter category and the “Best Fuel Economy” category. The awards were made at the Engine Expo in Stuttgart, Germany.
Apart from this, BMW snapped up five [...]

Apparently ethanol backers are facing an uphill task when it comes to touting its benefits. Ecology Prof. David Pimentel at Cornell University states that ethanol requires 30% more energy input in the production process and not to mention pollution caused to the environment due to the usage of pesticides and fertilisers.
Now that companies such as [...]

The 2007 Honda Fit with its 109 hp, 1.5 litre, 16-valve SOHC VTEC engine and with drive-by-wire technology is now available. The Honda Fit comes equipped with both 5-speed manual/automatic transmissions. Fit MT models are said to achieve 33/38 city/hwy mpg, while the models with AT gets 31/38 city/hwy mpg (1 hwy/mpg less in the [...]

If you own a Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle, and you want to find out how much CO2 your car emits, then you are in luck. Ford and TerraPass have come together and launched the Greener Miles program. The Greener Miles program invites Ford car owners to go online to create a personal emissions report, [...]

A survey conducted by the Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive Personal Finance Poll found that one-third (33%) of US adults who plan to purchase or lease a new vehicle say they are most likely to seriously consider an alternative-fueled vehicle for their next purchase.
Of those people polled, 47% would buy a “greencar” because it [...]

The 2007 Toyota Yaris has hit the roads, with a starting price of $10,950 for the lift back or hatch back MT model (34/40 city/hwy mpg) all the way to $14,050 for the S sedan AT (34/39 city/hwy mpg). Alas, if only our Jimmy or Geo had lasted us for 4 more months, Krissy and [...]

If faced with the choice, would you rather buy a hybrid vehicle which runs on gasoline and electricity and gives good city mileage and burns fuel more effectively while emitting way less CO2 and other pollutants. Alternatively, would you opt for a diesel vehicle, which will give you more mileage than a hybrid but diesel [...]

Analyst predict that by the year 2020 a billion cars will be on the roads all around the world. That’s one for every 61/2 people on the planet — and over 25 percent more vehicles than we have today.

Source: http://www.contracostatimes.com

Ron Cogan’s Green Car Journal Online has nominated 5 alternative fuel/FFV/hybrid cars etc. out of the many that are there. Judging criteria was based on environmental impact, but newness was the primary factor. Check them out at Green Car’s Top 5.

2006 Honda Accord Hybrid
2006 Honda Civic Hybrid
2006 Lexus RX 400h
2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
2006 Toyota Highlander [...]

Ford is recalling 134,365 Escape and Mercury Mariner SUV’s 2005 models, so that there can adjust the padding on the drivers side to prevent injuries during a collision, according to U.S safety regulators.
So people who own a 2005 Ford Escape or Mercury Mariner SUV, please contact your local Ford dealer asap. It caught my [...]

The need for speed for those environmentally conscious drivers has finally been answered, but there is a hefty price tag that comes with this sleek solar speed demon.I just cannot wait to see what this baby will look like. Hybrid Technologies will launch the LIX-75 (totally powered by batteries) at the New York Auto Show [...]

Now look what Chrysler has gone and done, man if this is not stupid, then I do not know what is stupid. Dodge released the Dodge Durango 2007 (here comes the good part) HYBRID at the Dallas Auto Show. This gas-guzzling hybrid with a combined fuel efficiency of a whooping 17 mpg will be available [...]

That is the question many people are asking now, as I have found the real question one should ask is “How much CO2 does it emit?” All car companies foreign or homegrown have leapt onto the “green bandwagon” and are touting their hybrid fuel efficient vehicles, but the fact that even the most fuel efficient [...]

I was just curious as to how much impact my Mazda 3 would have on the environment and my wallet. Using the Gas Mileage Impact (GMI) calculator on the Hybrid Cars website, this is what I found:

My Mazda 3 cost just over $16,000, the Honda Accord Hybrid cost approx. $30,000.
Fuel Economy on my Mazda is [...]

When we talk about green cars, we would generally assume that one is talking about cars on the road, but now its time the aviation industry to do its bit and ground support companies for the aviation industry should convert to “greener fuels”. You have probably seen those men & women driving those luggage tractors [...]

One of my close friends from University back in London, who now lives in Texas was checking out the site and this was his feelings:
He just reiterated that I do not drive a hybrid and also that since I have not been to any of the current motor shows, how can I be comfortable being [...]

To save energy and help the environment, EPA and the University of Toledo signed a cooperative agreement worth $1 million to develop advanced vehicle technology that will maximize fuel economy benefits and minimize emissions. EPA is providing $450,000 and the University of Toledo will cost share in support of the three-year agreement.
Albeit that a million [...]

GM plans on developing a gas-electric hybrid by its European acquired company Saab. What this means to you: Environmentally friendly vehicles would fit nicely into Saab’s image — but shouldn’t hybrids be part of every GM brand’s offerings?
Does GM still think that hybrids are foreign concepts and that small, fuel efficient cars are not meant [...]

Now come on, even a child can tell you that we do not need hybrid SUV’s. I mean, you go from a SUV such as the Ford Escape which gives about 22/26 mpg city/hyw, depending on engine specs to a Ford Escape Hybrid 36/31 mpg city/hyw (31 mpg combined). I can understand when the [...]

Saw a car with 60MPG sticker on its bumper. Now that is definitely rubbing it in gas guzzlers faces. Want to find out your cars average fuel cost, go to http://www.fueleconomy.gov/
Want one sticker with your MPG on it, check out http://www.cafepress.com/mpgstickers

The team from the University of Michigan had taken top honors at the 2005 North American Solar Challenge, crossing the finish line first in Calgary, Alberta, Canada after 2,494 miles of driving from the start of the race in Austin, Texas. The University of Michigan’s solar-powered car, Momentum, made the trip in a total of [...]

For people in the Washington DC area and in California, Ford is offereing interest free loans on its Escape Hybrid SUV. Previously I had mentioned about the $1000 rebate that came with it, well this cannot be added on to onto the 0% APR financing plan that Ford is offering, plan ends in 3 weeks, [...]

In continuation from yesterday’s article in Mercury News by Gary Richards, Roadshow: The Other side: Readers tell why they won’t buy a trendy hybrid. I do agree with some of the criticism, yes battery replacements are expensive, car pooling does work, but the fact that some people still do not care for the environment and [...]

The Ford Motor Company is going all out by increasing factory discounts and spending more on advertising. Apparently Ford spent $2.5 million on the Super Bowl XL ad just to launch the Escape Hybrid. When we went to a Ford dealership earlier this year in Detroit and asked about incentives in general, we were told [...]

Krissy and I were driving around Ann Arbor today and wherever we drove we were either behind, in front or passing a Prius. At one point we though we just may be seeing the same cars passing by, but that does not see to be the case, Ann Arborites have definitely taken the green car [...]

Research shows that by 2007 there will be close to 1 million hybrids on the roads in the US. Now all these hybrids have one thing in common, Ni-MH (nickel metal hydride) batteries. These batteries do risk polluting the environment but its toxicity level and impact is much lower than convential lead acid batteries and [...]

And the Razz award goes to “Dodge RAM SRT 10″. With whooper of an engine 8.3L, 500 hp, 10 cylinder, it give 9/12 mpg (city/highway). Way to go Dodge (Source: Hybridcars.com), I cannot even begin to imagine the CO2 emissions of the car but, hey who cares about the environment.

Will driving a battery only car give you a queasy feeling that you are running out of juice? With a car such as the Blue Car or Mitsubishi’s Concept-EZ MIEV (Mitsubishi In-wheel motor Electric Vehicle) it make us very conscious of where we go and how far we have to go?

Ok, this is as far as I got today, as of 2003 there were 204 million vehicles and 191 million drivers Number of Cars.
Anyone else got some more facts.

Here are some images of the Saab Aero X which was showcased at the Geneva Car Show.

There are 13 Biodiesel locations in Michigan. That is 9 more than E85 locations.

The US DoE has posted a list of AFV’s.
AFV List 2006

The VW Polo Bluemotion uses a modified version of the 3-cylinder 1.4-liter TDI diesel engine in the conventional Polo to produce the same power output—59 kW (79 hp)—and torque—195 Nm—but with a reduction in fuel consumption of 11% (0.5 liters/100km) to 3.9 liters/100km (60 mpg US). Emissions of CO2 drop by 13% from 119 g/km [...]

Now going out and a buying a Green car does not mean that you can throw caution to the wind when you go out driving. Definitely, the car one buys is a very important factor, but how well you maintain and drive your car will be the determining factor on how you help reduce the [...]

Loremo: The Ultra Efficient Car – 157MPG! The Loremo LS is powered by a 2 cylinder Turbo Diesel engine with 20 hp and 160km/h top speed. The amazing thing is that the Loremo only needs 1.5l per 100km. This is approx. 157MPG! The Toyota Prius hybrid has only 55MPG (combined city and highway). With one [...]

I have been a resident of Washtenaw County since last year and I just found out about the Ann Arbor Area Clean Cities Coalition. This private/public organization was formed to generate interest and create an infrastructure for FFV’s & AFV’s. The main goal obivously being to reduce air pollution and dependence on imported oil. Just [...]

Here are some facts about E85 ethanol provided by the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC): E85 has an octane of approximately 105. E85 sells for approximately the same price as unleaded gasoline. Ethanol reduces the incidence of greenhouse gas emissions. Ethanol is domestically produced and promotes energy independence. Ethanol production increases the value of feed [...]

The simple answer is “CORN”. For those interested in a more detailed explanation read on. Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFV) run on a blend of 85% Ethanol and 15% gasoline. Previously it used to be 90% Ethanol and 10% gasoline. Hence a much cleaner burning fuel. Ethanol is produced by fermenting and then distilling the sugars [...]

The Green Car Journal Online has awarded the 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid, Lincoln-Mercury’s first gas/electric hybrid, the Green Car of the Year Award. The Mariner Hybrid was chosen by a high-profile jury of auto and environmental leaders, the other nominees were Honda Accord Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid, Lexus RX 400h, and Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The [...]

My wife and I have been driving our Mazda3i AT for five weeks now and we are averaging 26.15 mpg/combined (26/34 city/hwy mpg). Our Mazda has been keeping its end up. The estimated annual fuel cost is $1,138.00 as of Jan 2006. the car handles really very well and since this is our first Mazda, [...]

When considering buying a new car today, there are several factors that go in to our decision making (e.g. safety rating, performance, emission rating, price etc). Buying a “green car” today can become a very complex process and every automotive company has it own version of a “green car”. So I have started reviewing sites [...]

If anyone wants to find out green car rankings acccording to the EPA guidelines. This site has separate categories for cars and trucks. Found out my car comes in 7.Go find out if where your car stands.

Over the past few weeks I have noticed a lot of commercials for “live green, go yellow”. GM is making a big push for its new line of flexfuel cars. These cars can either run on gasoline or ethanol produced from corn. Check out the GM site.

Hello folks, quick introduction as to where I popped up from, I am Mark’s high school buddy from Calcutta, India. I have finally settled in Michigan via London (4yrs), then Montreal(3yrs). So Krissy (my wife) and I were shopping around for an “affordable” green car. We had heard alot about the Toyota Prius and since [...]

This is a slight move away from the whole greencar thing, but I would like to talk about the Street Glow 4500k headlights. They are good. Simply put, they are BETTER than Sylvania Silverstars (though I have not data to judge longevity, I will soon) and they are a much better value.
 The Street Glow lights [...]

This is awsome and only if you are the most dedicated wrench head or a computer geek should you read any further. But this guy has published plans for a homemade dyno using a timing light spak plug clamp, a laptop computer, MATLAB and some old fashioned geek ingenuity. Basically he records some numbers from [...]

In keeping with my series on performing oil changes on my Mazda, I replaced and serviced the transmission, the transaxle and the engine oil over the past week. I found some very good resources online for changing my oil. It actually cost me quite a bit more than the service station since I needed a [...]