New Hybrid Cars

Archive for the ‘Electric Cars’ Category

This Nissan Leaf is historic because it will be the ever electric vehicle that will be mass produced for sale in the United States; this is history in the making. Lucky Lance Armstrong will be the first individual in the United States to get his hands on the Nissan Leaf on September 3 of 2010, which is three months before it will be released for sale in December. This should not be a big surprise considering the fact that Nissan is a major sponsor of Armstrong in the Tour de France. Armstrong has appeared in numerous commercials promoting the Leaf.

The Leaf is a curvaceous and sleek looking ride with five doors and it’s a hatchback. Obviously the Leaf won’t have a fuel door or exhaust pipe since its electric and it will be available in five colors; blue, red, silver, white and black. This futuristic car will sport 16″ alloy wheels, an aerodynamic under body and cool looking spoilers. One really unique aspect of this car is its cool headlights incorporating a blue design which actually divert airflow away from the doors in order to ensure a more comfortable ride. On top of that, these lights actually consume fifty percent less electricity than a regular lamp, which is very appropriate when you consider the car’s eco-conscious theme. Two trim levels will be available for the Leaf : SV and SL.

107 HP the amount of power generated by the lithium battery. It will take around four to eight hours to charge the Leaf but it only takes around 30 min at a commercial charging station. This electric car will be able to reach speeds of up to ninety miles an hour and will be able to travel around one hundred miles before it needs to be re-charged. You can see how many miles you have left before you need to recharge by observing the LCD panel available.

There is an incentive to purchase the Nissan Leaf in the form of tax credits. After a credit of $7,500, the base price will drop to around $25k from the standard $32,780 price tag. It will cost around $2,000 to have a special charging station installed in your home which will be able to charge the car in thirty minutes but some states offer tax incentives which almost recoup this expense. This vehicle is surprisingly pretty affordable after the tax credit.

You would expect such a futuristic car to have all sorts of technological advanced gadgets and this car definitely delivers! A navigation system comes standard with the car and an advanced feature lets you actually heat and cool your car from your phone before you get in, just perfect for those cold winter days or blistering hot summers. The audio system offers satellite radio, 6 speakers and is compatible with Ipod music players. Safety features include airbags, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, traction control, front and rear stabilizer bars, a tire pressure monitoring system and a vehicle security system.

If you want to go green and want to experience the latest automotive technology then the Leaf would be a very good choice. Lance Armstrong will get his Leaf in September but the rest of us will be able to experience this car for ourselves just in time for Christmas. With the tax credits applied, this car is priced to sell! Get your Leaf this Christmas and go green!

Written by Jacqueline Star: Used Cars San Bernardino, Carrollton Used Cars

Car shoppers are well aware that we must reduce our reliance on petroleum for a variety of reasons. There are a lot of alternatives to the traditional gasoline engine, but so far none of them has proven itself the clear leader. Here are the pros and cons of some of the top contenders.

Natural Gas

Pros: Natural gas burns much cleaner than gasoline, costs much less, and provides comparable power.

Cons: Hydrogen fuel cells are costly and often require replacement. In order to get an acceptable range, you need very high-pressure hydrogen storage. Hydrogen is expensive to transport, and there is no infrastructure in place yet, so it’s difficult to find places to refuel. Although hydrogen fuel can be made from renewable energy sources, it is currently made from natural gas. The production process creates a large amount of CO2 emissions.

Ethanol

Pros: Ethanol can be made locally from corn, in the future might be produced from other food or waste products. E10, which is a 10% blend, can be burned in any new car. Many existing cars can use E85.

Cons: Hybrids cost more than standard autos, requiring a large investment up front. Many consumers have been let down because their hybrids don’t get the gas mileage they hope for.

Plug-in hybrids

Pros: Cost per mile driven is much less than for a gasoline vehicle. Electric cars produce no emissions. Batteries can be charged at home.

Cons: The price is higher than that of conventional vehicles due high-priced batteries. Charging car batteries could put a strain on existing electric grid, especially if done during the daytime. The fuel economy depends to a great extent on driving habits, and drivers often don’t get the mileage they expect.

Hybrids

Pros: Plug-in hybrids can be charged at home. When they’re using electric power, they have no emissions and have lower per mile operating costs. Their range is up to 40 miles on electric power, which is sufficient for most people most of the time. A gas engine can extend range for extended trips.

Cons: Diesel cars have historically had more vibration and engine noise than gasoline cars. The relatively high cost of diesel fuel can reduce the financial benefits of the improved fuel economy.

Plug-in hybrids

Pros: Ethanol can be made domestically from corn, with the potential to be produced from other food or waste products. E10, which is a 10% blend, can be burned in any new car. Many existing cars can use E85.

Cons: The cost is higher than that of conventional vehicles due high-priced batteries. Charging car batteries could put a strain on existing electric grid, especially if done during daytime hours. The gas mileage depends greatly on driving habits, and drivers often don’t get the mileage they expect.

Natural Gas

Pros: Diesel and biodiesel get 30% better fuel economy than traditional gasoline engines. Fuel is readily available. Although cars that run on diesel and biodiesel cost more than traditional gasoline cars, the cost premium is lower than it is for hybrids. Any diesel car can run on a blend of renewable biodiesel fuel.

Cons: Large amounts of natural gas are required, so cars must have huge gas tanks, which reduce space available for other uses. Refueling takes a long time due to the amount of fuel required. Natural gas cars have a limited range. There are very few refueling stations available.

Natural Gas

Pros: Natural gas burns much cleaner than gasoline, costs much less, and provides comparable power.

Cons: Hydrogen fuel cells are pricey and often require replacement. In order to get an acceptable range, you need very high-pressure hydrogen storage. Hydrogen is expensive to transport, and there is no infrastructure in place yet, so it’s difficult to find places to refuel. Although hydrogen fuel can be made from renewable energy sources, it is currently made from natural gas. The production process creates a large amount of CO2 emissions.

Most of these alternative vehicles involve extra upfront costs, which is only viable if the consumer can reasonably expect to recover the cost over time. So far in the U.S., hybrids are in the lead, with electric cars gaining popularity. Diesel engines have been practical in other countries for a long time. Only time will tell which technologies are practical and cost effective.

Written by Hannah Valez. Dallas Ford Lakeland Used Cars

Looking for an alternative fuel car? The all new Nissan Leaf will be available in select cities in December 2010. The popularity of hybrids, deisel powered cars and other alternatives to gasoline has increased in recent years. Is it finally time for a cost effective all electric car? Will it be practical for the average consumer?

There are many reasons to go electric. The Nissan Leaf produces zero emissions. None. That?s wonderful news to anyone who thinks it?s ridiculous to pollute the air we breathe to the point where we need a smog alert system. When the air is unhealthy to breathe, the Air Quality Management District issues a smog alert, advising people not to exercise outdoors. Soccer practices, picnics and recesses are cancelled and people are forced indoors. All because we can’t seem to break our addiction to gasoline powered engines. What if you could use your car all you want without polluting the air? Imagine now that zero emissions cars are the norm and gasoline is only something from the history books. The Nissan Leaf won’t even end up in a landfill at the end of its life. It’s made of almost all recyclable materials.

The Nissan Leaf is completely emissions free. That?s music to the ears of anyone who believes it?s ridiculous to poison the air we breathe to the point where we have a smog alert system. When the air is unhealthy to breathe, the Air Quality Management District issues a smog alert, advising people not to exercise outdoors. All because we can’t seem to break our reliance on gasoline powered engines. What if driving your car didn’t pollute the air at all? Imagine that zero emissions cars become the norm and gasoline powered engines go the way of the dinosaur. The Nissan Leaf won’t even end up in a landfill at the end of its life. It’s made of almost all recyclable materials.

Long drives have posed a challenge that until now has been insurmountable by many drivers. If you were driving from one state to another, you would need to charge your battery along the way. The Leaf’s battery can be charged up to 80% capacity in about half an hour at a quick charge station. That?s practical for long trips. You can charge your car while you stop for a meal. If there are enough electric cars on the road it would be wise for restaurants and hotels to install quick charge stations.

Price has been an impediment for many types of alternative fuel cars. New technology is expensive. In this case, Nissan has priced the Leaf at around $35,000 in the U.S. It’s possible than Nissan is pricing it as low as they can in order to get a foothold on the electric car market. The $7,500 tax credit brings the effective price to $27,500. This is low enough to compete with the Toyota Prius and the Honda CR-V.

There are still challenges to alternative fuel vehicles, but I think Nissan has solved enough of them to make the Leaf a practical car for most drivers.

Written by Hannah Valez Nissan Riverside Nissan Dealers Orange County

Technology is moving at a speed most people have trouble keeping up with, so its nearly impossible to tell what the future will bring. From technological fantasies from the makers of The Jetsons and Star Trek, some of these fantasies have become reality. With the new face to face calling on the iPhone 4 to powerful computers that are mapping uncharted territories and uncovering entire genomes, new technology is constantly shaping the way we live our lives. One of these new technologies is the advent of the infamous electric car.

For years environmentalists have squandered for a solution that will both save the world and be practical for every-day use. We know that the huge consumption of fossil fuels is leading to problems within not only communities heavy laden with these gas-chugging behemoths, but also the world around them and as we all know the first step toward solving a problem is identifying it. Years ago people began pointing their fingers at cars whenever the issue of global warming or emissions came about. The illusive electric car has been an optimistic solution to this problem for many years and many attempts at perfecting the perfect concoction of battery-to-gas fuel have fallen flat because we have not, until recently, had technology at an affordable price that would be convenient to use on an every-day basis.

The year 2010 is shaping up to be one of the most influential years in the creation of the electric car. In fact, more than a quarter of the country’s estimated 4,600 electric charging stations were erected in this year alone. This is because the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf are expected to be released later in 2010.

Both cars offer groundbreaking statistics. For example, Chevrolet boasts that its new petroleum engine powered battery system will allow individuals to travel hundreds of miles on a single tank once the battery has been completely depleted. Nissan touts that its car can be charged to 80 percent battery life in just 30 minutes.

These cars will be offered at affordable prices, despite their leaps and bounds in terms of car technology. Our entire future is going electric. If you find yourself interested in one of these new wonders, make sure to protect your investment.

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It is rather apparent that pollution due to smog emissions has caused drastic damage to the earth, environment and our planet natural resources. We can clearly see the derogatory effects of our oil dependency in the current global warming situation, which is an issue which warrants our immediate attention. Despite the International Oil Embargo in 1973, the United States is still continuing to increase its import of oil volume wise. We Americans have become quite accustomed to driving our big SUV’s and cars. Luckily there is a solution in sight for this dilemma and that is mass producing the evironmentally friendly electric car.

At the turn of the early nineteenth century, electric cars were actually more popular when compared with combustion engines vehicles. Unfortunately, what gave way to this preference was the cheaper price of combustion engine vehicles and the lower price of oil; both of which were championed by the major automotive companies in the United States.

Pretty much all of the vehicles built in the twentieth century all had combustion engines. Experts and scientists have recently confirmed that humans are largely responsible for the planet’s global warming and a large part is due to our cars averaging nineteen pounds of carbon dioxide emissions for every mile driven. However surprising it may be, around the nineteen eighty’s the large car manufacturer GM had begun gaining attention for its focus on alternative energies in light of this looming threat. During this time, there was further pressure for auto companies to design and manufacture “clean” products. For example, the state of California had passed its “Zero Emissions Mandate,” which required there to be a certain percentage of cars manufactured that emitted significantly less carbon dioxide and pollutants. And in the 1990’s GM assigned Saturn to market the EV1, the first electric car ever built for mass consumption on a large scale.

Saturn’s marketing campaign for this vehicle focused on a threefold consumer question: how far? how fast? how much? From the very start the car attracted what seemed to be major interest. In fact, there was a long waiting list of people who were interested in purchasing this car. Interestingly, GM did not put these cars up for purchase and were only willing to lease them. Nevertheless, the drivers were euphoric about the EV1 as it produced zero CO2 emissions and was fast and fun to drive. Clearly, these drivers actually preferred electric over combustion, despite the car only averaging 60 miles per charge. Thus, the clean, quick and sleek electric car was more desirable than its “nuclear time bomb” counterpart. Are you curious to find out what happened to this environmentally friend vehicle?

The makers of the EV1 sternly insisted that there was no strong consumer interest despite having put millions into campaign ads, and that the waiting list was not a viable source for proving actual demand. Eventually, the hype was killed with GM removing all leased EV1s from the streets and turning them into demolished cubes. In defense of these roguish actions, among many other discussions, the auto industry argued that electric cars, because they were charged with electricity produced by coal, were even more detrimental for the environment. On top of this, the oil industry supported arguments against this emerging technology, and President Bush pushed for the inefficient and impractical fuel cell and hydrogen technologies to be the wave of the future and replace traditional cars.

The truth is that this energy efficient electric car was repressed by the car industry on purpose. The government and oil industry also played a large role in this. We as consumers did our part to support such actions by passively watching the advent of the electric car slip through our fingers. Luckily it is not too late to get this technology back and mass produce it. The EV1 was incredible and any car enthusiast would enjoy taking it out on a spin. It is not too late to reinvent this technology for use in the future.

Written by Jacqueline Cao: Ford dealer Irving, Ford dealer Grapevine

For certain, at some point, you’ve heard from the news or read inside the newspaper the wonders of electric cars and trucks. There are several factors why electrical cars and trucks are all over the bulletins suitable now. One particular point behind this phenomenon is that electric powered autos are types of vehicles which are powered by fuel cells. And because the rise of fuel prices are getting noticed by the public, the advantage of an electric vehicle is clearly seen.

Another purpose power cars are favorite is since electrical automobiles are environmentally friendly given that they generate less pollution than the frequent gasoline-powered autos. And one much more explanation concerning the hype is due to the fact of the stories in regards to the hybrid electronic automobiles that are largely owned by celebrities that promotes the ‘Green Movement’.

Most on the time, electric powered autos aren’t bought brand new by automobile owners rather a conversion of their previous frequent automobile. In plain web page you might somewhat have a tricky time to spot when the car is an electric powered 1 or not. A person method to point out when the auto is often a converted power automobile is the sound of it. Frequent gasoline-powered vehicles are little loud and electric cars and trucks are virtually silent. If a usual gasoline-powered motor vehicle is converted to an electrical auto then you definitely will notice that the following:

1. The fuel engine is traded for a utility motor,
2. The controller obtains it power from the selection of rechargeable batteries and
3. The power motor gains its energy via the controller.

Utility vehicles can be defined as a refined wiring project. Contrariwise, because of its fuel lines, colorant hoses, exhaust pipes and entry manifolds, a standard gasoline-powered auto is defined as a rough plumbing project.

So why select an electrical auto against regular motor vehicle? Yet another explanation is mainly because utility motors provide a distinct experience in driving. Most of electronic vehicles, mainly because of their low center of gravity, provide outstanding handling along with swift initial boost of velocity. Even at lower pace or speed, utility motor presents nearly incessant rotating force that makes it possible for the car to do things that normal or conventional petroleum based vehicles can not do. Just one wonderful case of point of this is when you are driving a normal gasoline-powered automobile and you are steering up to a curb in a street. With the regular automobile there’s still a will need for you personally to stop, aim to climb the curb and kick-start the motor to reach your goal. But with an electric powered car or truck, it will probably be a breeze for you personally to climb the curb.

Converting frequent gasoline-powered automobiles to electrical cars and trucks have so a lot of other positive aspects as well. And naturally, it also has its share of drawbacks. To fully realize how to convert a person yourself or comprehend what your mechanic is doing for your auto then you can hit the web to search for details in regards to building an electric motor vehicle. Using the several websites the functions this phenomenon then it is going to also be a breeze for you personally to understand the guidelines and fine points of converting a power vehicle.

James Falcon is an author, and expert in using Green Energy to Increase Fuel Efficiency.Click Here for Guaranteed Fuel Efficiency Technology!.

For certain, at some point, you’ve heard within the news or read within the newspaper the wonders of utility automobiles. There are numerous factors why electrical automobiles are all over the bulletins appropriate now. One particular point behind this phenomenon is that utility automobiles are kinds of autos which is powered by fuel cells. And due to the fact the rise of fuel costs are getting noticed by the public, the advantage of an electrical motor vehicle is clearly seen.

A different motive electrical vehicles are common is because electrical autos are environmentally friendly since they generate less pollution than the normal gasoline-powered motors. And one much more explanation in regards to the hype is simply because on the stories about the hybrid utility motors which are largely owned by celebrities that promotes the ‘Green Movement’.

Most of the time, utility vehicles are not bought brand new by automobile owners rather a conversion of their previous regular automobile. In plain site you are going to somewhat have a difficult time to spot if the car or truck is a power a single or not. Just one method to point out if the motor vehicle can be a converted utility car or truck is the sound of it. Typical gasoline-powered autos are a little loud and power autos are practically silent. Nevertheless, you can easily distinguish the make with the auto once the hood is popped-up. If a typical gasoline-powered auto is converted to an electric powered car or truck then you definitely will notice that the following:

1. The fuel engine is traded for an electronic motor,
2. The controller obtains it power from the selection of rechargeable batteries and
3. The electrical motor gains its energy by way of the controller.

Electrical motors could be defined as being a refined wiring project. Contrariwise, since of its fuel lines, colorant hoses, exhaust pipes and entry manifolds, a typical gasoline-powered auto is defined being a rough plumbing project.

So why opt for a utility motor vehicle against regular car or truck? Yet another motive is since utility automobiles offer a distinct encounter in driving. Most of electronic cars, because of their low center of gravity, supply outstanding handling along with swift initial enhance of velocity. Even at lower pace or speed, electric powered motor presents almost incessant rotating force that permits the automobile to do things that normal or traditional petroleum based automobiles can not do. A single wonderful case of point of this is when you’re driving a normal gasoline-powered car or truck and you’re steering up to a curb in a street. Using the frequent auto there’s still require for you personally to stop, aim to climb the curb and kick-start the motor to reach your goal. But with a power car or truck, it will be a breeze for you personally to climb the curb.

Converting regular gasoline-powered autos to electric vehicles have so quite a few other benefits as well. And naturally, it also has its share of drawbacks. To fully understand how to convert one particular yourself or comprehend what your mechanic is performing for your automobile then you definitely can hit the web to search for details in regards to building a power motor vehicle. While using many sites the functions this phenomenon then it is going to also be a breeze to suit your needs to discover the guidelines and fine points of converting an electric powered motor vehicle.

James Falcon is an author, and expert in using Green Energy to Increase Fuel Efficiency.Click Here for Guaranteed Fuel Efficiency Results!.

In the mad scramble to gather a pie of the electric car market space, Toyota Motors was probably left way behind by its competitors. Talk about Nissan, Chevrolet or Ford, and you will understand that almost all the major automotive manufacturers have had advanced strategy and planning to build, market and support electric vehicles.

Essentially, the Company is bringing these jobs within the Company fold from the existing outsourced partners that are based outside US. While one plant is supposed to make battery packs the other one is going to make the hybrid transmissions.

Behind this reverse-outsourcing deal, a lot of work has been done by the Ford Motors alongside the United Auto Workers (UAW) and the US Department of Energy. Obviously, the first and most significant part is the intent demonstrated by Ford Motors to bring the jobs back to the US.

Remember that the Leaf pricing in the US is pretty competitive and the price-angle is more than sure a good motivator for people to try the newer electric technology. And in arriving at the pricing for Nissan Leaf for UK and Europe, Nissan may have left some money on the table.

Some analysts are of the opinion that this plan is going to give a boost to the brand of Ford Motors and also establishes it ahead of Toyota?s investment in Tesla motors. While Toyota picked up stake in Tesla Motors for $50 million, nothing can beat the positivity generated by the decision to keep a manufacturing plant active and the subsequent additions to the employee base.

While Ford may not be the first to try and ensure sustainability of US based plants and in the process ensure welfare and sustainability of US plant workers, the plan is expected to support Ford Motor?s strategy for producing electric vehicles within US. It seems like that Ford Motors wants to make sure that its US antecedents are re-inforced to give it a committed share of the electric vehicle markets

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A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) combines a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) with the electric powered propulsion system. The presence of the electrical powertrain is supposed to achieve possibly much better gasoline economy than the usual conventional vehicle, or superior performance. Many different varieties of HEV can be found, and the degree to which they operate as EVs varies also. The most common kind is the hybrid electric car, although vans (pickups and also tractors) also can be found.

Modern Hybrid Electric Vehicles or HEVs take advantage of efficiency-improving engineering like regenerative braking, this converts the vehicle’s kinetic energy into battery-replenishing electric power, instead of losing it in the form of heat energy like traditional brakes do. A few models of HEVs make use of their internal combustion engine to generate electricity by spinning an electric generator (this kind of mix is termed a motor-generator), to be able to either recharge their battery packs or even directly power the electric drive motor.

Several HEVs decrease nonproductive wastes as a result of closing down the ICE at idle and restarting it when needed; this method is recognized as a start-stop system. A hybrid-electric releases fewer pollution levels from its ICE when compared to a comparably-sized gasoline car, being an HEV’s petrol engine is generally less space-consuming than a pure fossil-fuel vehicle, and if not utilized to directly drive the car, can be geared to operate at optimum efficiency, further improving fuel economy.

Ferdinand Porsche in 1900 created the Lohner-Porsche Mixte Hybrid, the very first gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle in the world, even though the hybrid never took off until the middle of the 1990s. It is possible to get a kit which in turn can be used to transfer nearly all motors to hybrid fuel power. The PHEV kit is really the only product on the market which can be fitted on to the Toyota Prius Gens 1, 2 and 3 (1997-2010 editions) along with other brand names including Ford Escape, Fusion and Honda Insight, and that has been mass produced and sent out to the world market as a result of its highly developed technology and simple structure / components.

The product seems to have derived remarkable attention internationally and been distributed to a lot of states in the states and also to various other developed countries for example The british isles, France, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia, Italy, Germany, Canada, New Zealand, Korea and Japan.

Technical Guru Nicola Meere comments on the thrilling new realm of Hybrid Electric Car have a look at the website and learn all the things you will need to know concerning the exceptional machines Electric Car Hybrid

categories: Hybrid Cars,Hybrid Vehicles,Electric Cars,Electric Vehicles,Motor Vehicles,Motor Cars,Cars

Wind Energy is converted into electricity at home by making use of wind turbines. It is easy to construct a home made turbine, not so hard. To reduce our energy bills, this homemade wind power helps us in a better way. To build the wind turbines, there are a few tools that are required. These tools can be purchased from the market. The electricity can be used for all the electrical appliances, farms and other industries.

Wind energy does not produce air pollution. You can save the planet by generating wind power at home to make use of it for domestic purposes. The wind turbine should not be mounted on the roof. The reason is, the power generated is reduced because the winds near the roof are very slow. On an open land where there is maximum flow of wind, the home made windmills can be placed. To withstand strong winds, the pole must be fixed firmly on the ground.

To generate homemade wind power, a wind turbine must be setup which should have blades, a pole, a hub to hold the blades and a motor. To catch the wind, the blades are actually used. The blades must be fixed with equal space on the hub. More amount of wind can be captured; the blades are fixed in such a way. Generally, they are made from pvc pics. The hub will connect all the blades. The blades must be cut such that they are of equal size.

The wind energy is drawn by blades to electricity, which is converted by electric motor. The tower or pole acts as the supporting element. It has to be fixed firmly on the ground. Finally Wires are used to connect all the devices to establish connectivity. To store excess electricity, the motor is connected to a battery. Then finally the direct current is converted into alternating current and is made use at home.

Whether the electricity is being generated with the help of the ammeter, you can check it out. You can either use the simple ammeter which is quiet cheap or you can purchase the multimeter and then use it for ever. The use of the multimeter would be really appreciated.

Victor Falcon is an author,and expert in using Green Energy to Increase Fuel Efficiency.Click Here for Guaranteed Fuel Efficiency Technology!.