hybrid car Archives – The Green Optimistic

New Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Goes 1,300km a Year on Its Solar Panel Alone

Ovidiu Sandru — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 13:29:19 +0000

In the old times, there were Priuses. Now, it’s Hyundai. They just launched their Sonata Hybrid and it has a solar roof charging system. In the 2004-2009 Prius, the solar panel on the top was used to power the air conditioner while the car sat in full sunlight. Not Hyundai. They’re going after mileage gains […]

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Karma Revero – Fit With Solar Panels and a Gasoline Engine

Ovidiu Sandru — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 06:08:05 +0000

Karma Revero – that’s the name of the new Fisker-based Karma Automotive product. It is based on the Fisker Karma and, as the manufacturer says, will feature solar panels that are able to actually power the car. If you remember, a couple of years ago, Fisker Automotive has been acquired by Chinese company Wanxiang Group, and aims […]

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Top 6 Hottest Electric Cars at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show

Ovidiu Sandru — Sun, 06 Mar 2016 20:51:23 +0000

The 2016 Geneva Motor Show promised a lot, and almost delivered. Here are a few sparks that caught my eye while being there on the first day when regular visitors were allowed. For some reason, green tech blogs with over 2.1 million pageviews a year are not considered “press” by the distinguished organizers of the Geneva […]

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Fuel Cell Cars to Price Competitively with Clean-Diesel, says Toyota

Benji Jerew — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 19:13:50 +0000

Fuel cell cars are nothing new, and their price is certainly nothing to sniff at, which makes some people wonder who will adopt the technology. Of course, paying around $60,000 for a modestly-equipped midsize sedan, because it runs on a hydrogen fuel cell, would attract a certain number of buyers. That’s why the Tesla Model […]

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The Three Fears I Had to Overcome Before Buying My Prius

Ovidiu Sandru — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 20:03:47 +0000

So I bought a Prius – a 2004 one, which is the first wave of the second iteration Toyota took to the market. And while I entered the flock of those “morons who think they’re saving the planet” (Jeremy Clarkson) I wanted to find out how much of a “moron” can a human being become after […]

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Toyota Sees Hybrid Vehicles as the Path Forward

Benji Jerew — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 17:37:58 +0000

Electric vehicles, such as the Tesla Model S and Nissan Leaf, may indeed be the future of automotive transportation, but hybrid vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius and Chevy Volt, may be the stepping-stone that consumers and manufacturers need to make it to a pure-electric future. Pure electric vehicles, of course, have limited emissions, limited […]

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Ferrari Is All About Hybrids, Not The Plug-ins, Though

Mila Luleva — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 20:23:57 +0000

How far will Ferrari go in order to please all these wealthy and at the same time environmental oriented buyers? Many have wondered this exact thing, as the new LaFerrari hybrid has been quite successful since it hit the market. Well, the answer is- not too far. Hybrids yes, but electric plug-in’s no. It is […]

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Non-Hybrid Cars Could Be Banned in UK by 2040

Mila Luleva — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 12:27:27 +0000

How would you react if someone now told you that soon your Ferrari, which is carefully parked in the garage, will not be allowed on the road because of the amount of emissions it releases? If you live in the UK you might have to start considering this, as the Liberal Democrats proposed that only […]

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2015 Audi A4 Plug-In Hybrid Coming, at Least to the EU

Benji Jerew — Fri, 16 Aug 2013 18:43:30 +0000

Luxury cars don’t have to be gas guzzlers in order to deliver power and performance. Would most people interested in vehicles like the Audi A4 even consider it if it couldn’t get out of its own way on the highway? The next generation of the Audi A4, due to be released in 2015 in the […]

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Prius Hackers Show off How They Can Steer Your Car

Benji Jerew — Sat, 27 Jul 2013 16:53:53 +0000

Unlike vehicles that were made up as recently as the early as the 1970s, today’s vehicles are basically rolling computers. Add in vehicle connectivity via satellite or cellular service, and could this open up a whole new world of vehicle hacking? Imagine the scene: You’re in your vehicle and you set the cruise control. Your […]

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2013 Honda Fit Hybrid Bests Even Toyota Prius c!

Benji Jerew — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 14:46:52 +0000

Vehicle efficiency continues to improve as customers, and legislators, demand more fuel efficient vehicles and fewer vehicle emissions. Honda Motor Company has reached a new all-time high with an updated version of the Honda Fit Hybrid, set to be released in September. Toyota Prius, and other hybrids in the Toyota and Lexus lineup, rightfully deserves […]

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Nissan Leaf Marketing Scheme “Dumps” Toyota Prius and Others (in London)

Benji Jerew — Mon, 08 Jul 2013 14:09:22 +0000

In order to improve air quality in the London downtown district, legislators “encourage” drivers to choose cleaner transportation by imposing a daily Congestion Charge for any vehicles driven downtown that exceed 100g/km CO2 [carbon dioxide] emissions. Vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and Vauxhall Ampera [Chevy Volt] easily beat that requirement. Even other low-emissions models, like […]

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How Hybrid Cars Became Such a Success

Ovidiu Sandru — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 09:28:26 +0000

Whilst the hybrid may seem a recent modern innovation, the concept of electrically charged automobiles is something that was toyed with well over 100 years ago. As the world felt the full force of the industrial revolution, the turn of the century saw the birth of the motor car. The Industrial Revolution As early as […]

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Yo-Auto Crossover, Russia’s Multi-Fuel Hybrid Vehicle

Benji Jerew — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 17:00:03 +0000

We haven’t looked for innovation in Russia for a long time. At times, automobile technology seems to have simply stopped at some moment in the 1970’s, but recent hybrid vehicle innovations in Russia could be a change for the better. Yo-Auto in Russia already has a coupe, hatchback, and truck that feature a unique take […]

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How Hybrid and Electric Cars Compete With Gas-Powered Performance

Ovidiu Sandru — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 12:12:33 +0000

There’s been a great deal of attention placed on electric cars in the past couple of weeks, specifically when it comes to racing. Not only did a hybrid vehicle win the Le Mans 24-hour race, but a new record was set for land speed by an electric vehicle. To top it off, Nissan unveiled their […]

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Ford Says Their Regenerative Brakes Have Saved 100 Million Gallons of Gas Since the 90’s

Ovidiu Sandru — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 05:51:39 +0000

I’ve been writing on this blog for more than 5 years, but so far didn’t know Ford actually put regenerative braking into cars before the Prius had even been on the drawing table (disclaimer: I don’t work for them, nor have an advertisement deal with them). They now brag with their regen braking systems of […]

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Volkswagen XL1 Hybrid Electric Vehicle gets 261MPG with Supercar Roots

Benji Jerew — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 20:51:06 +0000

The XL1 owes its unspeakably awesome fuel economy to the generous application of supercar technology. Question: How do you make the most of the engine power in a supercar? Answer: Make it lighter. Some look at hybrid electric vehicle technology and think performance, while others take a more balanced view, or not. Those interested in a […]

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2014 Hybrid Porsche Panamera Brags Over 400HP and Over 50MPG

Benji Jerew — Mon, 27 May 2013 16:40:17 +0000

Put Porsche, Hybrid, and >50MPG in a Venn Diagram, and we’re certain that the diagram would have no vehicle would fit in that intersection. In the case of the Porsche Panamera Hybrid Electric Vehicle, we have to make an exception. A couple of weeks ago we covered Porsche in their future plans, which includes hybrid […]

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Toyota Hybrid Vehicles Selling Better Than Plug-Ins in the UK

Benji Jerew — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:47:32 +0000

As automakers strive to decrease emissions, thousands of hybrid vehicles are making their way into people’s garages. Hybrid vehicles aren’t the only choice in low-emissions, low-fuel-consumption vehicles. Drivers can also choose plug-in hybrid vehicles or pure electric vehicles. Apparently these other choices haven’t been all that popular, in spite of the fuel savings and emissions […]

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Volvo’s Kinetic Energy Recovery System Tested: 25% Fuel Savings

Ovidiu Sandru — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:42:44 +0000

Volvo has been working since 2011 to implement this technology in street-legal cars, and it has now been confirmed that the KERS system they will use in future alternative hybrid cars (these have come to have alternatives, too) will provide fuel savings of about 25 percent to owners, while decreasing emissions. High performance motoring like […]

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Car Repair Costs Rose in 2012 – Not for Hybrids, Though

Benji Jerew — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 20:00:22 +0000

Car repair costs are one of those things that car owners never really want to deal with, but how much you pay really depends on what type and what age of vehicle you drive. The newer your car is, the less often you’ll need to make repairs. Where older vehicles recommended oil changes every 3,000 […]

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Cardiac Devices Not Affected by Hybrid Cars, Study Claims

Mila Luleva — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:10:31 +0000

Scientists from Mayo Clinic in Arizona released a report which indicates that driving a hybrid or electric car does not influence the functions of implanted cardiac devices. The researchers state that there is no existing proof that electric vehicles might disrupt the functions of the so-called implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) devices like pacemakers. At the […]

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Breaking News: Founder Henrik Fisker Resigns from Fisker Automotive

Benji Jerew — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 17:49:10 +0000

Founded in 2007, Fisker Automotive has had a hard time getting up to speed, and today one of the founders, Henrik Fisker, resigns his post as executive chairman. What seemed to start out as a good idea, an electric vehicle with an onboard backup generator, or extended range electric vehicle, hasn’t turned out to be […]

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GM VP Sparks Speculation: Next Chevy Volt With Smaller Battery?

Benji Jerew — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:07:52 +0000

Everyone likes to have options, so could the next Chevy Volt have different battery options to change the price? Of course, the Chevy Volt is only available in one configuration, but wouldn’t be nice to be able to get it customized? The only reason we bring this up is because of a recent AutoExpress interview […]

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Volkswagen XL1, The 270 MPG Diesel Hybrid to be Exhibited in Geneva

Ovidiu Sandru — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 15:06:34 +0000

Volkswagen XL1, a diesel hybrid that has a fuel efficiency to be envied by GM or Toyota: 270 miles per gallon, while doing 60 mph, will be unveiled at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. The Volkswagen XL1 can go for up to 31 miles on electric mode. Its ultra-high mpg is partly due to the […]

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McLaren P1 Hybrid Supercar Concept at Geneva Motor Show

Benji Jerew — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 19:12:23 +0000

The McLaren P1 is a plug-in hybrid electric supercar concept and McLaren’s answer to the Ferrari F150 at the Geneva Motor Show. Hybrid vehicles may have gotten their start with the fuel-sipping and not-particularly-sporty Toyota Prius and Honda Insight hybrid electric vehicles, but they haven’t stayed that way. Electrified vehicles have been getting bigger and more powerful, including full-size trucks and even […]

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Peugeot 208 HYbrid FE at Geneva Motor Show, 100 mpg

Benji Jerew — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:23:12 +0000

In a press release before the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, Peugeot has let loose a few details on their latest hybrid, the 208 HYbrid FE Concept, as well as a couple of others. They’ll be showcasing 31 models at the show, and the lineup is impressive. Even more impressive are the technical specifications of the […]

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Russia’s First Hybrid Car, Yo-Mobil, Delayed – Again

Benji Jerew — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 07:41:30 +0000

Yo-Avto, the maker of the Yo-Mobil hasn’t sold a single unit. Russia’s first hybrid vehicle, and those who have pre-ordered theirs, will have to wait. Here in the United States, mention hybrid and Prius immediately comes to mind. Actually, do this pretty much anywhere in the world, because Toyota Prius is the world’s best-selling hybrid vehicle, […]

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Cost Per Mile of Driving – Electric vs Conventional

Benji Jerew — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 20:49:58 +0000

In any venture involving the exchange of money, it is often advisable to hire an analyst to perform a “Cost-Benefit Analysis,” which compares the amount of money you’d spend to what kind of returns you can expect. Such analysis helps companies stay in the black when they’re considering expansion, or purchase of a new technology. […]

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Nissan’s Future Hybrid Lineup Inspired by Resonance SUV Concept

Benji Jerew — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 18:21:55 +0000

In continuing with Nissan’s commitment to reducing emissions, both in support of corporate environmental responsibility as well as to meet stricter Corporate Average Fuel Economy [CAFE] standards, Nissan has been working to increase their overall fuel economy across the entire lineup. Since 2005, the implementation of hybrid– and pure-electric vehicles has increased Nissan’s CAFE by […]

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81 MPG Compressed Air Hybrid Unveiled by Peugeot/Citroën

Benji Jerew — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 07:40:24 +0000

Gasoline and diesel fuel are, by far, not the only options available in the world of automobile propulsion. Pretty much anything that stores energy can be used to propel a vehicle, whether as chemical energy in a combustible fuel, electrochemical energy stored in a battery pack, or air stored under pressure. There have been a […]

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Ford Fusion Energi – The 620-Mile Bid to Win the Hybrid War

Benji Jerew — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 21:16:48 +0000

In the beginning, there was only one, Toyota Prius, which dared to bring something new into the automotive world, a vehicle partially gasoline-powered and electric-powered. By combining the best characteristics of both electric motors and internal combustion engines, the Prius hybrid electric vehicle [HEV] set the fuel-efficiency bar higher than possible with just gasoline power […]

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Toyota Prius C is Greenest – Ford F-350 XL is Meanest

Benji Jerew — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 16:09:28 +0000

If you were to consider, what is the greenest form of transportation, that is, the least environmental impact, you might answer, “Sneakers.” That’s not far off, but have you considered what goes into the manufacture of a pair of sneakers? It requires a significant amount of energy [read: greenhouse gas emissions] to produce a single […]

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Hybrids – The Best-Selling Vehicles of 2012

Benji Jerew — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 21:20:11 +0000

Hybrid electric vehicles [HEV] were once in the realm of Japanese automobile manufacturing, and the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius were the first HEVs to grace US highways. Of course, being first also has its advantages, and “Prius” is practically synonymous with “hybrid.” Today, Toyota Prius is the best-selling hybrid in the world, Toyota […]

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TWIKE Human-Electric Hybrid Tricycle – 27 Years in the Making

Benji Jerew — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 21:16:28 +0000

A human-powered vehicle, a bicycle specifically, is extremely efficient compared to gasoline-powered powered vehicles today, upwards of 500 MPG according to some calculations. There is a problem with riding a bike to work every day, though, aside from not being able to go very fast, and generating a sweat, what happens when it rains? Sure, […]

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Three Times More Powerful Version of Volt/Ampera to Be Launched by Holden in Australia

Ovidiu Sandru — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 12:59:50 +0000

Aussie car manufacturer Holden is set bring about a new change with its eco-friendly green car, the Holden Volt. Current models of the Volt run on a 1.4 litre, four-cylinder petrol engine with no turbo, producing approximately 55kw of power. It has been rumoured from a General Motors insider, that the Volt will be updated […]

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Toyota Crown in Japan Gets a Hybrid Upgrade

Benji Jerew — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 21:43:09 +0000

Here in the US, since 1989, we have seen Lexus, Toyota’s luxury brand here in the US, grow from one model, the flagship LS 400, to fifteen models today. Lexus has led the luxury vehicle revolution here in the US ever since. In Japan, though, there is no Lexus name plate. There is, however, the […]

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Next-Generation Nissan GT-R Could Be Hybrid

Benji Jerew — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 19:10:16 +0000

The Nissan GT-R 545hp supercar is certainly eye- and ear-catching, but nothing could be better than actually driving it, unless… For 2014, Nissan’s street-legal race car is currently powered by a turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 and a twin-clutch transmission for near-instantaneous shifting, but the next-generation could be slightly different. Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn recently announced the […]

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Are Ford’s New Hybrids Failing to Deliver Economy?

Benji Jerew — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 07:39:30 +0000

With all the hype on the increased fuel efficiency of vehicles being released these days, it’s good to see that they are living up to the high expectations drivers have come to acquire. Unfortunately, sometimes it turns out to be just that, hype. In light of recent federal investigations of manufacturers overestimating their fuel economy, […]

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A Different Take on Hybrid Cars in Qatar

Benji Jerew — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 19:44:02 +0000

Qatar is currently the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitter per capita. Aiming to change some of that, a research company in Qatar just unveiled a slightly different take on hybrid vehicles, combining multiple technologies. “Designed and developed in Qatar, the engine captures thermal waste energy that is utilized to generate electric energy to run hydrogen […]

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Toyota Announces Prius Price Cuts by December 3

Benji Jerew — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 20:45:26 +0000

Synonymous with ‘hybrid,’ Toyota Prius hybrid electric vehicle [HEV] is the most popular HEV in the US, and according to global sales numbers, the third-most-popular vehicle in the world for the first quarter 2012. Having sold nearly 10,000 Prii in October alone, Toyota isn’t resting on its laurels. Prius’ newest neighbor in the hybrid segment […]

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Toyota’s Next-Generation Magnesium Battery Technology

Benji Jerew — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:08:33 +0000

Thousands of electric vehicles [EV] have been sold in the US, all with the same problem, range and expense. True, current battery technology, lithium-ion [Li-ion] has come leaps and bounds past its predecessors, nickel-metal hydride [NiMH] and nickel-cadmium [NiCad] and even lead-acid. Each step in battery technology increased the capacity and reduced weight. Still, current […]

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Fisker Karma Review by an Actual Owner

Ovidiu Sandru — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 16:21:46 +0000

In the post-Sandy aftermath, you’ve surely heard of Fisker and their loss of several million dollars-worth of hybrid cars. Karma, Fisker’s flagship hybrid, costs about $100,000 and contains a V8 engine and an electric motor. However, it is not a sportscar, despite its gorgeous looks. As a hybrid, the Karma has no competition, but as […]

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Next Ferrari Enzo Supercar is a Hybrid

Benji Jerew — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 18:08:32 +0000

Can a hybrid car be fun? Can a hybrid car be fast? Ferrari says “Yes!” with their latest toy, the replacement for the Ferrari Enzo, currently code-named the F150. The F150, though, isn’t a hybrid showpiece, but a very well-endowed, race-inspired, machine. Ferrari engineers have taken everything they know about Formula One [F1] racing and […]

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Toyota Prius to Get a New Look and All-Wheel Drive by 2015

Benji Jerew — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 18:07:33 +0000

Toyota Prius, although not the first hybrid, is certainly the most well-known and best-selling hybrid in the US. While sporting class-leading fuel economy, some people are still a little put off by its appearance and lack of all-wheel drive, especially in the northeast US, where the winters are harsh, and the fuel is expensive. A […]

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Honda’s Three New Hybrid Systems Hit The Market

Mila Luleva — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 16:52:23 +0000

Three brand new hybrid systems were presented by the Japanese giant “Honda”, each covering a different need of individual customers. It seems hybrid technology takes over a large part of Honda’s future plans. Each hybrid serves multitude of uses in different cars, and although it should not always be about efficiency, two out of the […]

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Entry-Level Hybrid Electric Vehicle Planned by Fisker

Benji Jerew — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:24:39 +0000

As start-ups often have to contend with, bad press seems to have been following Fisker Automotive, wild accusations of the inherent safety problems with large rechargeable batteries. In the end, even the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration [NHSTA] has debunked these, but Fisker has been working hard to dispel myths such as these since […]

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2012 Prius C Rated Most Reliable Vehicle

Leigh Hutchens — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 20:10:55 +0000

This year, the Consumer Reports’ list of reliable 2012 vehicles is led by the Toyota Prius C compact hybrid. In fact, Toyota-made automobiles dominated the top of the list. This list is compiled from subscriber input and experience with 1.2 million vehicles, however, Consumer Reports did acknowledge that some results may have been affected by […]

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Bad Karma for Fisker: 16 Karma Hybrids on Fire After Sandy

Benji Jerew — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 19:40:16 +0000

Electrified vehicles have had some serious setbacks in public perception, including their limited range, excessive charging times, and higher up-front expenses. Another problem comes from the media, who, every chance they get, paint them as fiery deathtraps, such as a Chevy Volt that caught fire in the NHTSA lab. The media forgot to mention that […]

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A 1929 Hybrid – The Stearns-Knight Gasoline-Electric Hybrid Vehicle

Benji Jerew — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 19:56:18 +0000

Gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles are nothing new, as some news from as far back as 1929 goes to show. Colonel Edward Howland Robinson “Ned” Green had three hybrids custom-built for him. A wealthy son of the wealthy, but eccentric, Hetty Green, had a hybrid car designed and built simply because he could. Of course, there was […]

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2013 Lincoln MKZ – The Most Fuel Efficient Luxury Car

Benji Jerew — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 15:38:30 +0000

What does Lincoln stand for? Jim Farley, group vice president, Global Marketing, Sales and Service, responds, “MKZ is our strongest proof yet on what the reinvented Lincoln stands for – beautiful vehicles with compelling and warm experiences that create a clear alternative in today’s increasingly competitive luxury marketplace.” Further enhancing Lincoln’s luxury image is the […]

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SCI hyMod: an EV – HEV Modular Vehicle Designed by Romanian Engineers

Benji Jerew — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 19:06:00 +0000

A Romanian design team, made up of automotive journalist Dan Scarlat, designer Marian Cilibeanu, and engineer Cristian Ionescu, has come together to design a unique hybrid vehicle, the SCI hyMod. The hyMod is basically an electric vehicle, equipped with a 5 kWh battery pack in the floor of the car, and a 42 kW motor on the front axle. […]

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Americans Considering a Smaller, Fuel-Efficient Car as Their Next

Guest Contributor — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:40:27 +0000

Among the key factors that the Americans will consider when buying their next car is fuel economy, according to a recent Consumer Reports survey. As it has always been the case, an ever increasing trend of gas prices has led to fewer vehicles being driven and serious considerations of changing big fuel guzzling vehicles for smaller […]

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Honda to Recycle Old Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries From Hybrid Models

Guest Contributor — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:19:09 +0000

Honda Motor Co., Ltd is commencing the large-scale recycling of rare earth metals from used parts in its products. In collaboration with Japan Metals & Chemicals Co., Ltd, Honda announced the establishment of a pioneering process on an industrial mass-production process. The recycling plant proposed will not be made for experimental trials, as Honda further […]

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Toyota Developing Charging Station Regulator for EVs and PHEVs

Ovidiu Sandru — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:29:41 +0000

Since launching the Prius in the 90’s, Toyota has kept innovating in this field, and now dreams of a world where there will be so many PHEVs and EVs that the existing electric grid, in the way it’s organized today, wouldn’t be enough. For that purpose, Toyota revealed that they are currently developing a system […]

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Toyota to Launch 2012 Facelifted Prius in Europe

Ovidiu Sandru — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:05:15 +0000

Toyota’s flagship hybrid, Prius, has received a new facelift at the beginning of 2012. What has once been world’s first commercially-available hybrid car now received new multimedia systems, but the performance figures stay the same. The front bumper has been revised, the air intake is now bigger, and the headlights feature daylight-visible LEDs. The rear […]

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GM Exposes Chevy Malibu Eco's Mild Hybrid Mechanism

Ovidiu Sandru — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:24:36 +0000

I guess everybody knows by now what a hybrid car is, what it does and how. What most people don’t know, though, is that you can do many tricks with an electric motor and a battery, and it doesn’t have to get even nearly that expensive if you want your car to become a hybrid. […]

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Volvo V60 Diesel Hybrid Bragging 124 MPG and a Hefty Price Tag

Ovidiu Sandru — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:26:51 +0000

Volvo is going to become maybe the greenest car manufacturer out there, or at least they’re going to produce the greenest car on the streets powered by a diesel engine and an electric motor. The new V60 will hit Europe’s highways and will feature a fuel economy figure few have been able to brag with: […]

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Honda to Build Innovative SH-AWD Hybrid Using Three Electric Motors

Ovidiu Sandru — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 09:58:07 +0000

Honda wants to reaffirm its position in the hybrid vehicle business by planning a kind of hybrid that nobody has ever seen before. The Japanese car manufacturer wants to put two electric motors in the rear, and one in the front. Besides the electrical part, a V6 3.5L gasoline engine will be mounted in the […]

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Hybrid Cars Safer Than Gas-Only Siblings Due to Weight, Study Finds

Ovidiu Sandru — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:30:16 +0000

Hybrid cars may have lots of advantages related to fuel economy, but a recent study performed by the Highway Loss Data Institute found out they’re even safer in a case of crash than their non-hybrid counterparts, MSNBC reports. The analysis took into account only hybrids that have a gas-only powered sibling, like the Toyota Highlander […]

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Small Battery Hybrids May Make More Economic and Environmental Sense Than Full Hybrids, Study Says

Ovidiu Sandru — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:07:45 +0000

A new study from the Carnegie Mellon University, performed by Jeremy J. Michalek and his colleagues reveals that owning cars with large batteries isn’t necessarily the best option available right now. They say hybrids with smaller batteries make more sense both economically and environmentally. “While larger battery packs allow plug-in vehicles to drive longer distances […]

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Urbee: World's First 3D-Printed Hybrid Car Does 200 MPG

Ovidiu Sandru — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 06:01:05 +0000

Urbee is the name of world’s first 3D-printed hybrid car, designed by mechanical engineer Jim Kor, who spent his last 15 years building it. Kor recently unveiled a fully functional prototype at the TEDx conference in Winnipeg, Canada. The body is entirely made of polymers shaped by a 3D printer, part by part, layer by […]

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Peugeot 508 RXH Announced Before The 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show

Ovidiu Sandru — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 09:56:48 +0000

It's been a while since Peugeot announced its 3008 Hybrid4, which we've also seen at The Paris Motor Show last year. Now, in a competition with Audi's A4 Allroad, the French car manufacturer announces the launch of Pegeot 508 RXH diesel electric hybrid.

The post Peugeot 508 RXH Announced Before The 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

New 2012 Prius V Plug-In Hybrid Features Neat EV-Only Mode and Much More

Ovidiu Sandru — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 18:36:25 +0000

Toyota has been keeping people waiting for their new plug-in Prius for a long time now. Consumesearch drove a prototype of the Prius V set to enter the market in 2012 and made a list of the enhancements it will feature compared to a present-day non-plug-in Prius.

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Prius V Wagon Demand Higher Than Expected, Toyota Ramps Up Production

Ovidiu Sandru — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 08:50:24 +0000

I know it may sound strange, but Priuses have been from the beginning designed for family guys, and the fact that now Toyota is about to release the Prius V wagon is no wonder.

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Why This Is Not The Best Time To Trade Your Gas-Guzzler For a Hybrid

Ovidiu Sandru — Mon, 23 May 2011 12:26:51 +0000

A couple of years ago I was mad about getting a Toyota Prius, by then the only hybrid car on the market. A few years later I changed my mind to the gorgeous design and good fuel consumption of Honda Civic's 2007 hatchback. But that's not the only reason I did not go for a hybrid... yet.

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Google Partners With Ford in Hybrid Car Fuel Efficiency Optimization Project

Ovidiu Sandru — Tue, 17 May 2011 18:14:16 +0000

Google usually handles internet searches, advertising and other high-tech stuff, but it looks like they've recently involved in various automotive projects, like the one Ford is going to use for predicting the user's driving behavior and adapting the power needed for that particular driving style and road.

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Four Running Men Pollute More Than a Hybrid Car, Italian Study Claims

Ovidiu Sandru — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:01:05 +0000

Watch the chart on the left... what do you think it represents?

Did you watch it carefully enough? This represents the auto industry's top notch statistic, claiming that 4 (four) running men (the average size) pollute more than 1 (one) hybrid car (carrying its 1.2+ tons and the four men) running at a speed of 30 km/h. Do you also think that's stupid? I did, too.

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Dacia Hamster: The First Romanian Diesel Hybrid Car, Also The Cheapest

Ovidiu Sandru — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 18:09:16 +0000

After the European success held by Dacia Sandero, meet Dacia Hamster. You read right, Hamster (in German the word refers to the action of gathering, storing - you get the idea). It was about time someone developed a cheap hybrid car that, although new, doesn't exceed the money of a regular car and has the CO2 emissions of a Prius.

The post Dacia Hamster: The First Romanian Diesel Hybrid Car, Also The Cheapest appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

BMW and Peugeot/Citroen Venturing for Future European Hybrid and Electric Cars

Ovidiu Sandru — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 19:04:08 +0000

Few times in history have there been alliances between French and German auto manufacturers, but it seems right now that BMW and Peugeot/Citroen are actually interested in building an electric vehicle alliance set to bring profits to them both and to set an European manufacturing standard.

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Ford to Introduce Start-Stop Mechanism to Conventional Cars in North America Starting 2012

Ovidiu Sandru — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 19:38:36 +0000

Just like you see all the latest automotive technologies applied to high-end class Mercedes cars, the newest innovations in the field of electric cars of a few years ago start to show up in "regular" automobiles, to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

The post Ford to Introduce Start-Stop Mechanism to Conventional Cars in North America Starting 2012 appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Oil Recycled From BP Spill Used to Make Chevy Volt Plastic Parts

Ovidiu Sandru — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 16:53:39 +0000

The BP spill has definitely caused a lot of environmental damage and people spent a lot of money and energy to clean it. To make themselves a greener image the General Motors company has, for marketing purposes, announced that they will use recycled BP spilled oil to make the plastics in the iconic Chevy Volt... which is a half-blood electric.

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Honda CR-Z Hybrid Getting Second Place of 25-Hour Endurance Race

Ovidiu Sandru — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 17:58:19 +0000

It's a known fact that endurance tests are the ones that made a difference in the engine history, because those who did it at LeMans did it on the streets, in terms of reliability and life time. Honda CR-Z hybrid has competed in one such endurance racing, and even got a prize.

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Toyota Plans to Launch Several Hybrid Vehicles Until 2012

Mike Sandru — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 18:42:36 +0000

The giant Japanese automaker Toyota intends to launch 11 hybrid car models by the end of 2012. The 11-hybrid-car group consists of brand new and redesigned models, powered by engines that run on both gasoline and electricity, at a time when rivals focus their efforts on all-electric vehicle development.

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Honda's Hybrid Models Facing Braking System Failure Claims, Fatal Accident Quoted

Ovidiu Sandru — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 19:15:37 +0000

Honda has been faced with charges just like its compatriot, Toyota. The claims say that the acceleration pedal of Honda's hybrid models doesn't work properly and has even caused accidents, one including the death of the front seat occupant.

The post Honda's Hybrid Models Facing Braking System Failure Claims, Fatal Accident Quoted appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Chevy Volt's Drivetrain: A Big Lie From GM, Or A Last-Second Desperate Measure?

Ovidiu Sandru — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 08:29:09 +0000

Politicians lie, husbands lie, wives lie, even your local grocer lies about something, sometimes, to get his merchandise sold. If everybody lies, why shouldn't GM? The fact is, if you haven't already heard, that GM promised for years that they'll have an electric car coming with the Chevy Volt.

The post Chevy Volt's Drivetrain: A Big Lie From GM, Or A Last-Second Desperate Measure? appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Rumour Saying Toyota Collaborates With Daimler for Exporting Hybrid Tech to Mercedes

Ovidiu Sandru — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 18:47:52 +0000

The German automaker had also signed contracts with Renault-Nissan and BMW, joining efforts to bring hybrid cars to their maximum efficiency. The collaboration would also cover fuel cell vehicles and other next-generation concepts.

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Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4: World's First Diesel Hybrid, With The Most Versatile Character Ever Seen

Ovidiu Sandru — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:13:24 +0000

I've been thinking for a long time that it made sense somebody built a diesel hybrid, not only gasoline-powered, like the ones existing today. That is because diesel engines have advanced pretty fast in the last 10 years and now feature both torque and decreased fuel consumption.

The post Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4: World's First Diesel Hybrid, With The Most Versatile Character Ever Seen appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Ford Prodigy: The 80 MPG Diesel Hybrid Car Built in The 1990s

Ovidiu Sandru — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:09:48 +0000

So it's possible to build an 80 mpg (2.3 L/100km) car, with all the accessories it needs, and still claim it can't be done. This pisses me off. The Ford Prodigy concept, unveiled in 2000 at the NAIAS (North American International Auto Show) in Detroit, featured such savings and, above all these, it was a hybrid!

The post Ford Prodigy: The 80 MPG Diesel Hybrid Car Built in The 1990s appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Chevy Volt to Use AFS Trinity's Ultracapacitors for Better Acceleration / Regenerative Braking

Ovidiu Sandru — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:57:31 +0000

Hybrid and electric cars both have regenerative braking systems, which transfer the energy otherwise lost as heat back into electricity, by switching the motor's function from its normal one into an electricity generator when the driver pushes the brake pedal.

The post Chevy Volt to Use AFS Trinity's Ultracapacitors for Better Acceleration / Regenerative Braking appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

I Touched Porsche's First Electric Car Yesterday – The Carriage That Could Have Changed The World

Ovidiu Sandru — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 05:15:11 +0000

Well, I had read about it, seen it in pictures, been impressed moderately and intelectually, but never realized that the thing was real. It actually exists at the Technical Museum in Vienna, Austria, and I've just visited it. Yesterday. And only then I've realized that I was sitting near a car that made history. Built by the man himself...

The post I Touched Porsche's First Electric Car Yesterday – The Carriage That Could Have Changed The World appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Honda's New Hybrid Car to be the Cheapest in Japan

Mike Sandru — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 09:29:56 +0000

The Nikkei business daily said the car will cost about 200,000 yen more than Honda's popular gasoline-powered Fit compact car and about 400,000 yen less than the Insight. "Lower prices are good for consumers but not for shareholders," said Yoshihiko Tabei, an analyst at Kazaka Securities.

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Plug-in Electric Fiat 500 Displayed in Vienna by FEV

Ovidiu Sandru — Thu, 13 May 2010 20:05:02 +0000

FEV showed off their LiiOn-drive (modded) Fiat 500 at the Vienna Motor Symposium last week. It is a plug-in hybrid that was presented at the Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress in Detroit last year.

The post Plug-in Electric Fiat 500 Displayed in Vienna by FEV appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Small Hybrid and Electric Vehicles Show Potential in Central and Eastern Europe

Cristi — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:19:10 +0000

Nobody would have ever though that Central and Eastern Europe would have the technology or financial resources to build a super car or a zero emission vehicle. This is why we are now astonished as the Hungarian company called Antro developed a hybrid car that is also able to run on solar power.

The post Small Hybrid and Electric Vehicles Show Potential in Central and Eastern Europe appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid Using 160hp Flywheel for Its Electric Motors

Ovidiu Sandru — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 10:29:03 +0000

Porsche has already been recognized all over the world as building quality performance cars, despite their "heavy" price and big engines. It looks like now Porsche is trying to green itself out and use an innovative hybrid technology based on a flywheel, installed in a racing car.

The post Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid Using 160hp Flywheel for Its Electric Motors appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Toyota Preparing FT-CH, a Smaller and Sportier Prius Variant

Ovidiu Sandru — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:46:06 +0000

I've always wanted to have a Prius, but didn't have the "tim€" and "$pace" for one up to now. Good news are on the way, as Toyota is planning a smaller variation of the Prius - the FT-CH. Cheaper and smaller, the FT-CH is addressing the younger segment of the green-trendy population.

The post Toyota Preparing FT-CH, a Smaller and Sportier Prius Variant appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Protoscar Makes Waves Before Geneva Motor Show With Lampo II Electric Vehicle

Cristi — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:23:36 +0000

Switzerland can finally brag with their most expensive sports car: Protoscar has just finished the development and manufacturing of a 1 million Euro electric sports car prototype called Lampo.

The post Protoscar Makes Waves Before Geneva Motor Show With Lampo II Electric Vehicle appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

In My Prius: Funny Hip-Hop Video About Toyota's Car

Ovidiu Sandru — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:56:45 +0000

It's time for some fun once in a while on The Green Optimistic. I wish I could do that a habit and, once a week, present some funny environmentally-related video. If there are lots of them, I'll even make a category.

The post In My Prius: Funny Hip-Hop Video About Toyota's Car appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Cooperation in the Auto Industry: GM & Toyota, VW & BYD

Ovidiu Sandru — Tue, 26 May 2009 10:37:15 +0000

The economical crisis is the best moment for auto industry's ruling players to fuse their forces and/or technologies, for increasing profit on everyone's side.

The post Cooperation in the Auto Industry: GM & Toyota, VW & BYD appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Toyota MR2 Coming Back With Style and a Hybrid Engine

Cristi — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:40:51 +0000

For almost two years, Toyota went quiet about their FT-HS Concept car which was first presented at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. All actions were stopped until now, when the need of a new car on the market has increased. FT-HS has a 3.5 litre V6 hybrid engine, and is an environmentally-friendlier sports car.

The post Toyota MR2 Coming Back With Style and a Hybrid Engine appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

First American GM Hybrid Sold in the US Cheaper than Prius

Florin — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 18:24:20 +0000

Saturn Aura is going to be the first hybrid GM is launching on the US market, as a direct competitor for Toyota Prius. Only in 2006, Toyota sold 107,000 Prius units, creating a big popularity of the hybrid.

The post First American GM Hybrid Sold in the US Cheaper than Prius appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Hydraulic Regenerative Braking Saving 52.7% Fuel in BMW 530i

Ovidiu Sandru — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 06:35:27 +0000

Who said a car has to be electric to be called a "hybrid"? Artemis Intelligent Power has converted a BMW 530i to mechanically capture the energy resulted from braking (aka "regenerative braking"), and use it in an electrically-hybridized car fashion.

The post Hydraulic Regenerative Braking Saving 52.7% Fuel in BMW 530i appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Save Fuel With the New Electricity-Producing Shock Absorbers

Ovidiu Sandru — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:01:14 +0000

While some study ways of electronically controlling the shock absorbers and giving you a smooth and steady ride, and others are seeking ways to convert the heat generated by the engine into electricity, a team of undergraduate MIT students invented a shock absorber that harnesses the energy from the very bumps it hits. Several truck manufacturers and the U.S. military have given them attention, and planned to use their technology in their cars.

The post Save Fuel With the New Electricity-Producing Shock Absorbers appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

First Volt Hybrid in Europe – Opel Ampera at Geneva Motor Show

Florin — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 11:13:27 +0000

Remember the article about the GM's Chevrolet Volt? Not much time has passed and now Opel is talking about their hybrid car, Opel Ampera, created on the same technology as Volt.

The new car will be released at 2009's..

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StARS: Start-Stop Hybrid System Reducing Fuel Consumption Up to 25%

Florin — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 21:45:16 +0000

In the battle to have the most efficient engines, one of the biggest allies is the European Union and the laws they make to force the car companies to lower the harmful emissions. By 2012 they set a maximum of 130 g/km carbon-dioxide (CO2) emission.

The post StARS: Start-Stop Hybrid System Reducing Fuel Consumption Up to 25% appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Ford hybrid and electric cars vs GM Volt electric car

Florin — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:52:56 +0000

Nowadays, the Japanese constructors are well ahead others in having electric cars. Honda and Toyota have the dominating positions in our top and they are announcing more to come in the following year. US manufacturers are late, one probable reason was that in the US the fuel price is not as high as in other parts of the globe.

The post Ford hybrid and electric cars vs GM Volt electric car appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

New Power Diode Could Improve Hybrid Cars Technology

Cristi — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 08:50:28 +0000

The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) has developed these days a new power diode that can withstand temperatures above 400 degrees Celsius.

The post New Power Diode Could Improve Hybrid Cars Technology appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Mercedes Benz BlueZERO – A Trio of Green Concepts

Mike Sandru — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:47:01 +0000

Mercedes-Benz announced the BlueZERO concept which will be presented at the Detroit Auto Show, in January. Three different models will be available, all based on the Class B model, including the fully electric BlueZERO E-Cell featuring a lithium-ion battery that offers it an autonomy of up to 200 km, a 100 kW electric engine (equivalent to 136 horsepower) and a maximum torque of 320 Nm.

The post Mercedes Benz BlueZERO – A Trio of Green Concepts appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

BYD F3DM: Chevy Volt Technology, Cheaper, Chinese, Available Today

Ovidiu Sandru — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 07:45:58 +0000

Its name sounds like it's taken out of Star Trek. Still, this is Chinese technology kicking some much bigger butts all over the world. BYD, the Chinese cell phone battery maker unveils today the F3DM, an all-electric sedan designed to show some more capitalist, more prudent, oil-led giant companies like Chevrolet, GM or Toyota, that you can do a decent electric car with a low price and high expectations.

The post BYD F3DM: Chevy Volt Technology, Cheaper, Chinese, Available Today appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Converted Prius to Get Over 100 MPG or Over 40 Miles of Full Electric

Ovidiu Sandru — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 07:29:48 +0000

Here's some good news for DIYers. If it ever passed through your head to convert your actual car to an electric one, here are some Orange County guys that already did that and sell Prius conversion kits so you can do it at home, too.

The post Converted Prius to Get Over 100 MPG or Over 40 Miles of Full Electric appeared first on The Green Optimistic.