F1 Electric Formula Car: World's Fastest Electric Race Car

Formula 1 is changing quickly. Only a few months ago, F1′s governing body the FIA moved the sport in the direction of hybrid four-cylinder engines. A number of manufacturers are expressing interest in an all-electric F1 league. And now, the world’s fastest electric race car, the Electric Formula Car, is also purpose-built for Formula 1 motor racing.
French companies FCI and Formulec worked together to create the Electric Formula Car, which blasts to 60 mph in 3 seconds and has a top speed  of 155 miles per hour. FCI used its expertise in connectors to create an ultra-compact connector, the RCS800, which allows the car superb performance by transmitting power from the battery to the electric motor. It looks as though a new,eco green age of Formula 1 racing is nigh, which is great news for technical advances that will eventually hand  down to production cars.

Car Tax - Benefits of an Economical Car

Company Car Tax

So, you go to work. You work hard. You get a promotion.  you get a company car for your private use. Unfortunately, this also means that the government will require you to pay tax . Up until 2002, company car tax was calculated on business mileage, but now the key to calculating how much you pay is the effect that your car has on the environment.

Calculating Business Car Tax

Employees are liable to pay tax on any company car that is also available for private use, and if you are earning more than £8,500 per annum you will almost certainly be affected. If your employer pays for the fuel you use on business trips, you will also pay additional tax. To calculate the tax on the car you’re driving, there are a few steps to follow.

Work out the Value of Your Car

Work out the value of your car – Value in this instance is calculated by looking at the list price of the car, then taking into account any additions you have made to the vehicle that would increase its value. It’s also worth taking into account any lump payments you have made towards the purchase of the car, as this would reduce it’s value and therefore reduce the amount of tax you pay.

Calculate the Co2 Emissions

Find out the CO2 emissions of your car – Any car registered after 1st March 2001 will state the CO2 emissions on the vehicle registration certificate. Otherwise, check out http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/.

Examples of Savings

This is where it gets interesting. The more economical your car is, the lower the amount of tax you will pay. As the environment has become a more pressing political issue, the advantages of having an eco-vehicle have increased dramatically. For example, in 2008, if you bought a petrol-run Ford Mondeo estate, which belts out 170g/km in CO2, you would have paid a slightly painful 22% in tax benefit. However, by 2011, new government plans will mean that you will pay a massive 27% in tax on your vehicle. That’s a 5% increase in 4 years. Ouch.

Chose an Eco Car to Save Money

On the other hand, if you choose vehicles that are economical and environmentally friendly, you will save yourself a bundle, and the incentives to do so are only increasing. In 2008, a new lower 10% rate was introduced for cars with carbon emissions of 120g/km or less, so if you had bought a Peugeot 107 with 109g/km instead of the Mondeo, you would have saved yourself 12%. Nice.

Employers NI Contributions

Now, new changes to car tax are only making it more tempting for employees (and employers who pay Class 1A National Insurance Contributions (NIC), as they will pay more if employees drive vehicles with high CO2 emissions) to choose an eco-car.

Zero emission Cars pay no Tax for 5 Years

From this year, cars with zero emissions cars will have 0% tax for five years. Owners of cars that do not exceed 75g/km will pay just 5% for five years. That’s a whole lot of cash you could be keeping in the bank.

For a more detailed list of Green and Eco cars click here.

Peugeot 208 Review

Performance

Without the range-topping 156hp 1.6-litre THP turbo petrol available to try we figure you have two options: stump up the extra dosh you'll need for a diesel, or go for the new 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol.

That's not to say the other petrols are poor. We were only able to try the regular 1.6 and the 1.2, so can't comment on the 1.0 (also a three-pot) or the 1.4 (a more conventional four cylinder). But the 1.2 triple injects such verve into the driving experience you can't help but love it.

With 82hp it's hardly fast - 0-62mph takes 12.2 seconds, apparently - but a kerb weight of just 975kg 'topped up' means it's in keeping with the 208's whole lightness of being approach, it makes an amusing noise and loves to rev; wring out the 1.6, by contrast, and it resonates unpleasantly at around 5,500rpm.

The rest of the line-up - bar that elusive 156hp THP, which also enjoys six gears - make do with a five-speed arrangement. Regardless of ratio count, Peugeot has given the gear selection a positive, well oiled, mechanical feel; the 'boxes don't like to be rushed, but they don't need to be. Fingertips are all you need.Based on exposure to both 92hp and 115hp power output variants of the 1.6-litre HDi, the turbodiesels are also noisy affairs. However, a big slug of extra torque makes for more effortless progress in general - especially in the case of the 115hp version, which gets a sixth cog in its gearbox.

A final word on that 1.6 THP turbo petrol, even if we weren't able to drive it; weighing only 1,090kg it claims 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 133mph. It sounds like a riot - yet is considerably less powerful than the likely 208 GTI, which just debuted in concept form at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.

Ride and handling

That 173kg headline weight reduction is certainly an attention grabber (it comes on the 975kg entry level 1.0-litre petrol model, incidentally, helped by the significantly downsized engine), but an average cut of 114kg is arguably even more so.

Some rivals - notably the Ford Fiesta / Mazda2 twins - are almost as light, but Peugeot has really made it count when it comes to the 208's ride and handling. This is a very driveable little car, comfortable over rough surfaces but grips in the corners and keen to please. It instantly had us grinning.

Peugeot has fitted an unusually small steering wheel, which pokes out of the dashboard at you and dispatches most bends with a mere flick of the wrists. The diesels are particularly pointy, and you can trim the line quite predictably with the accelerator. It reminded us of a more compliant Renaultsport Twingo. Brilliant.

The steering assistance is slightly odd, however. It takes a while to get your inputs exactly right, and the numb centre point combined with the 208's eagerness to change direction makes motorway driving less relaxed than it could be. But this is a price we'd gladly to pay for such enjoyable additional agility.

Interior

The 208 is slightly smaller than the 207 - but the smart design makes it seem even more compact
on road while actually increasing the amount of interior space. Slimmer front seats free up an
additional 5cm of rear knee room for example, and an enormous optional glass roof lets in loads of light.

But the biggest changes are up front. Peugeot has placed the gauge pod right on top of the
dashboard, closer to the driver's line of sight - meaning you look above the steering wheel rather
than through it to see how fast you're going. Right next to that, also high in the dash, is a slick
 new touchscreen interface.

Fitted as standard on all but the entry-level Access trim, this not only looks ace but works extremely
well. Moving around within its many functions - including the £400 satellite navigation option - is
intuitive, the touch control speedy and responsive, and the graphic interface pleasingly modern
without being derivative.

There's Bluetooth connectivity for smartphones and iPads, and all the test cars had dual USB
sockets and a 12v power connector. Neat flippy air con controls, beautifully detailed seats
and other accessories, such as handbrake levers and pedals, mean we can easily forgive the
 208's occasionally cheap feeling plastics.

Safety and economy

In addition to the performance and the handling, the 208's low weight is great for economy and
efficiency. The worst polluter will be the 156 THP and that emits just 135g/km CO2, with
claimed fuel economy of 48.7mpg.

Greenest of all is the 1.4 eHDi - fitted with an eco-centric automatic gearbox this is said to achieve 
83.0mpg and 87g/km CO2 - but no diesel variant emits more than 99g/km or returns less than 
74.3mpg, according to the official calculations. In the real world it won't be quite that good, but 
the 208 is still hugely green.
The 1.0-litre petrol is a zero road tax 99g/km CO2 car - 65.6mpg - while the 1.2 will drop from 
104g/km to just 95g/km when a stop-start system is added in 2013. Even as it is it returns a
claimed 62.7mpg. Stop-start is mostly standard on the rest of the range already.

All that said, don't let the lightweight engineering worry you on the safety front. The 208 is yet
to be Euro NCAP crash-tested, but it's built with a large amount of Very High Strength Steel
and Ultra High Strength Steel. Peugeot also fits six airbags and ESP as standard.

Verdict

Beyond telling us that it will start at just £9,995, Peugeot isn't yet revealing the 208's pricing
structure; we suspect that once you load it up with some of the tastier personalisation options
it will get quite expensive quite quickly - but even this presently unknown factor doesn't stop it
becoming a five-star car for us.

The 208 is stylish, compact yet spacious, and engages the driver with a sense of fun, expressed
with a quality and maturity in defiance of any use of that supermini catchall "cheap and cheerful".
Solid build quality, impressive attention to detail in most areas and a wide-ranging engine line-up
complete the picture.

With innovative finance packages like 'Just Add Fuel", it's surely going to attract a whole spectrum
of buyers in the UK, while in Europe Peugeot is ambitiously targeting a full return to the very top
of the supermini sales charts. And you know what? We think the 208 might just do it.

Eco Car Tyres - save fuel costs

03 April 2012

With fuel prices at a record high,  choosing more fuel-efficient tyres to help you car achieve better fuel economy (mpg).

Keep tyre pressures up

Maintaining the correct tyre pressures is always sensible

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One way drivers can make sure their car isn't costing more than it should to fill up is by keeping tyre pressures at the recommended levels. Tyre manufacturer GT-Radial  claimed under-inflated tyres could be costing drivers 10% more in fuel. 

 Motorists should keep tyre pressures topped up (to ensure safe handling and braking as well as to save fuel), research suggests that buying more fuel-efficient tyres is likely to save more money at the pumps.

Choose the right tyres

Testing some popular tyres on a Peugeot 308, we measured an increase in fuel consumption of around 3% when we dropped tyre pressures by a substantial 15PSI (one Bar). The same exercise showed drastic changes to handling and braking, making running with the correct pressures  a must for a safe journey.

But your choice of tyre can actually make a bigger difference to fuel economy - so it's important to choose thebest tyres from the outset and then maintain them properly.

'Eco' tyres can save 6% on fuel

In our latest tyre tests, one of  the sizes we assessed was 205/55 R16V - one of the UK's most widely fitted tyre sizes. The tyres which came top for fuel economy were the Pirelli Cinturato P7s and the Hankook Kinergy Eco K425, which both beat big names like the Continental PremiumContact 5, Goodyear OptiGrip and Bridgestone Turanza T001 for rolling resistance. 

In fact, fitted to a car returning 40mpg, either the Pirelli or the Hankook would give you an extra 2.4mpg (around 6%) compared with the worst tyre in our test for rolling resistance, the Nexen N8000. That equates to around £50 a year at today's record fuel prices. 

And given that the Pirelli was among the lowest priced tyres in our test batch (at £68 each), you'll be saving money from the moment you visit the tyre retailer.

Celebrities Eco Smart Cars

The Smart set

Tiny eco car is must-have accessory for stars

Rock's car ... Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl behind the wheel

SMART cars are cool – just ask Simon Cowell. He was pictured driving the dinky two-seater out of his LA mansion this week.

Even tough Aussie Mel Gibson has swapped his Mad Max motors for an economical Smart. It has been a motoring trendsetter ever since owners Mercedes shocked the automotive world when they brought it out in 1998.

Peace ... Simon Cowell's navy Smart car

Looking Smart ... Justin Bieber

NATIONAL PHOTO GROUP

The revolutionary 8ft 10in-long motor made small cars cool for the first time since the British Mini.

Simon was driving his in Los Angeles but the pop mogul missed a trick, driving the ultimate Smart which debuted at the LA Motor Show.

Shades ... Britney Spears

X17Online.com

Forjeremy ... designer Jeremy Scott's special edition

Jeremy Williams Photographer

The electric version with wings was designed by Jeremy Scott, who usually makes outfits for stars including pop’s Lady Gaga. Smart bosses say they will be bringing out a special edition Forjeremy in the UK next year.

The company have been one of the leaders in the race to get electric cars to become part of mainstream motoring. In London, they are launching a groundbreaking car-sharing scheme.

The story is set to continue with an all-new model due in 2013 and a four seater version in the future. So the Smart money will keep rolling in.

Smiles ... Joanna Lumley

The Picture Library Ltd

Reem motor ... TOWIE star Joey Essex's convertible

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Eco Friendly Public Transport

Denmark and Japan lead the way

Denmark is one of the leading countries to effectively introduce environmentally sustainable transport. The sustainable transport policy of the Danish government aims to promote an efficient transport system for the benefit of the general public and for its industry. The policy ensures that pollution and accidents are minimized in accordance to specific goals.

Radical changes occurred after the implementation of national transport policies in the1990s against the backdrop of growing concern over global warming. The policy was inspired by the Brundtland report in 1987. Sustainable transport maximizes transport efficiency and enhances the social well-being by providing greater mobility for people. It contributes significantly to reduce environmental impacts of transport infrastructure.

When it comes to cycling Denmark is way ahead of Germany and Austria, the other two European countries with significant achievements in eco-friendly transportation. The emergence of Denmark as one of Europe's foremost cycling countries is significant, as cycling is widely regarded as a key mode of sustainable transport.

Japan doesn't lag far behind the European countries when it comes to environmentally friendly transport. A staggering 70% of people in Tokyo metropolitan area depend on public transportation. Japan is making giant strides to incorporate sustainable transportation to minimize carbon emission. It has already decided to develop hydrogen fuel as an alternative to oil dependence. The country plans to invest $11 billion for hydrogen development efforts in a project spanning 28 years.

Japan's motor vehicle emissions and fuel quality standards are some of the strictest in the world (e.g. benzene in gasoline, under 1% and sulphur in diesel, under 0.05%). Though there has been an increase in the volume of traffic it has been offset by an increase in fuel efficiency.

Japan already had a 1992 law in place on automobile NOx emissions which calls for special measures for sensitive metropolitan areas. This law was amended in 2001 to cover particulate emissions from diesel automobiles. There has been a considerable increase in the number of in-use low-emission vehicles. Though LEVs still account for a very small share of the total fleet they total more than 2400 electric vehicles, 5300 natural gas vehicles, 200 methanol vehicles and 37700 hybrid vehicles.

The Japanese government recognized the advantages of bike travel some time ago and provided necessary urban design changes and 37,000 miles of additional bike/ pedestrian pathways during 1970s. Such policies have reaped rich dividends with Japan's cycling modal share reaching a noteworthy 14%.

The bicycle intensive transportation system in Japan has its own merits. With over 80% of Japanese households owning at least one bike the national average is 1.42 bikes per household. The high non-motorized mode share has lowered the Japanese per capita fuel consumption to 10% of Americans.

The high ownership costs for automobiles in Tokyo which include automobile registration charges averaging $1,000 a year and exorbitant gasoline costs which is nearly 3.1 times the U.S. rate, have led to Japanese aversion to pollution-emitting vehicles.

Better Fuel Economy

We love our cars, no matter what style or how battered they might be, we love them. Apart from a house, we tend to spend more money and time on our vehicles than any other of our possessions. The cost of fuel has also started to spiral out of control, and these two factors seem to be begging us for a solution. If we start to drive more economically we can kill two birds with one stone. By producing less greenhouse gases we can also spend less on  fuel. This article looks at some simple ways to continue enjoying our beasts without adding to that guilt trip.

Maintain Your Vehicle

Before we even depress that accelerator, we can begin to take that first step to reducing our motorised carbon footprint. If your car is set up to run correctly, it will use less fuel and produce less  emissions. Most cars have electronic ignition systems, but we still need to show a little technical love nonetheless. Even though the manufacturers may recommend a 30k service, there is nothing to say that you can’t check your car every 3 or 6 months instead. If you are handy around a car, you can do most of the servicing yourself, but if you are not so sure, you should leave it to the professionals. Just ensure you change the filters and oil and fluids on a regular basis. Arrange for a tune up to get the best out of your car’s engine, even if it is a 1 litre mini marvel!

 Less Drag Equals More Bucks!

When you look at those racing cars on television, you may tend to notice that they are pretty streamlined in comparison with a typical street car. The sleeker the car is, the less fuel it will use as a result.  If you use a roof rack on a regular basis, it may seem a pain to remove the darn thing. But on a long run you will be forking out extra cash for no reason. If you have a sports car with a fancy rear spoiler, you should think about your wallet first. The spoiler is great for adding more down force in order to grip that road. But the side effect of this activity is the increased use of fuel.

A Weighty Issue

We are all guilty of occasionally carrying too much gear in our cars, but you may be surprised to learn how much more fuel we use as a result. If you are too lazy to unload that set of golf clubs after a round with the boys, maybe you should take up poker instead! For every 40 kg’s of extra weight in your car, you can reduce your fuel economy by 5 percent!

Driving Cheaply

If you are waiting for some buddies to get their stuff together while you are in the car, turn off your gas and ring on the doorbell. As well as using fuel for no good reason, you can damage your own engine by idling in park for too long!

Think Green!

We can’t all afford to drive around in a hybrid car, nor would we all want to, but you can keep your old beast and still help the environment – Just Be Smart!

Citroen Airdream Eco car

Citroens micro-hybrid' C3 will save drivers from road tax and the London congestion charge, if applicable, but the lowest CO2 emitting model uses an electronic manual gearbox.

Providing you can cope with the engine noise when accelerating it's agood town car with a light and airy cabin and a good sized, well shaped boot. Wallowy cornering means won’t appeal to more dynamic drivers. General build quality and cabin quality particularly has improved enormously since the last C3. VTR+ trim means going green isn't cheap with a list price of £15,290.

Review by Russell Bray for nextgreencar.com

PERFORMANCE

The 1398cc Euro 5 four-cylinder diesel engine produces 68bhp at 4,000rpm and maximum torque of 118 lbs ft from 1750 rpm. To achieve exhaust emissions of only 87 g/km CO2 this Airdream model is fitted with an electronic gearbox system  effectively an automated manual gearbox. It's not a pleasant system, delivering lurching, elastic acceleration. Whether you leave it in auto or over-ride the five-speed gearbox it is not easy to drive smoothly and avoid nodding dog syndrome. Engine noise is intrusive except when cruising. Top speed is 103 mph with acceleration to 62 mph in a sluggish 16.2 seconds.

HANDLING

The steering is pretty good and the brakes felt consistent and dependable but with its soft suspension the C3 is happier in a straight line than tackling those bends. Potholes can shake the car sideways and are definitely best avoided. A VW Polo or a Ford Fiesta does a better job overall. General manoeuvring is easy thanks to the big windows. Parking sensors aren't really needed thanks to the car's shape and dimensions and aren't available as an option on this particular version though you can get them for £270 on other ones.

BODY STYLE

Despite a strong family resemblance to its predecessor, the latest Citroen C3, launched just over two years ago, has a smarter, more sophisticated appearance which is enhanced on VTR+ and Exclusive models with an extended windscreen which reaches back over the front seats. Quality has been improved and the car feels more solid though it lost 50 kg in weight compared to the previous version. The styling is still rather like a shrunken VW Beetle, especially in some colours, and it's a surprise to find the C3 is almost exactly the same size as Ford's classic leading Fiesta. Luggage capacity is a useful 300 litres – it is 3941 mm long and 1728 mm wide.

COMFORT & CONTROLS

Despite being tall I found the C3's driving seat comfortable, but I needed it so far back that no-one would have been able to sit in the rear seat You can change gear using a sequential shift lever, or fixed paddles on the steering column but the computer system then seems to delay for a while before carrying out your instruction.

Minor controls were fine but I find flat-bottomed steering wheels irritating in Lamborghinis so you can imagine what I thought of one in a Citroen. Why, for starters. Satellite navigation, a good stereo and digital climate control are standard on this model and were easy to operate

MPG & RUNNING COSTS

Against the always optimistic in my experience lab test figures of 78 mpg round town and 83 mpg on the combined cycle, the test car in mixed conditions managed 53 to 60 mpg despite a very aggressive stop-start system which would cut out the engine and restart even as you were backing to and fro parking or making a slow turn. The 87 g/km CO2 emissions mean you don't pay road tax, but that is also the case with the manual gearbox version at 98 g/km. Insurance is group 15 for the manual compared to only nine for the EGS gearbox car which implies something, perhaps about driver patience. Citroen backs the C3 with a three year/60,000 milewarranty.

GREEN CREDENTIALS

Citroen has four sub 100 g/km e-HDi Airdream models. They are dubbed micro-hybrids but rather than using electricity to drive an electric motor, like a Toyota Prius, they have a very quickly responding alternator to restart the car's stop-start system as they provides more kick than a normal or even beefed-up starter motor. Extra energy is stored in two ultra-capacitors. All manual transmission models have a Gear Efficiency Indicator (GEI), to enable the driver to optimise gear changes to improve fuel efficiency. Citroen says 'intelligent' engine ancillaries only consume power when needed, low viscosity oils reduce friction and low rolling resistance tyres reduce drag. Gear ratios are also taller. With this generation, Citroen reduced the weight of the C3 by about 50 kg per model and also improved its aerodynamics.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Standard equipment includes a four-speaker RDS stereo radio with MP3 player compatibility and CD player with steering column controls, rear split/folding/reclining seats, electric front windows and door mirrors, variable power assisted steering, remote control central locking, height and reach adjustable steering wheel and height-adjustable driver's seat. Safety equipment includes anti lock brakes with electronic brake distribution to the wheel with the best grip. The VTR+ test car also has a speed limiter and cruise control. Electronic stability control (ESP) is standard on this model but a £330 option on some other models. After a puncture recently I was delighted to see a full size spare wheel even though I didn't need it thankfully. The standard Zenith windscreen includes a sliding sunblind with sun visors attached. Metallic paint is a £440 option but Bluetooth phone connection and MP3 player link are standard.

MODEL SUMMARY

Model tested: Citroen C3 VTR+ e-HDi Airdream 70 EGS
Body-style: Supermini
Engine/CO2: 68bhp 1398cc four-cylinder direct-injection diesel / 87 g/km
Trim grades: VT, White, Black, VTR+, Exclusive

On-road price: Range from £11,390 Test car £15,290
Warranty: Three years/ 60,000 miles
In the showroom: Available now
Review rating: 3.0 STARS

General Motors recalls eAssist models

Certain automobiles fitted with the General Motors eAssist light electrification system are to be recalled.

According to GM, some of the vehicles may have a condition that means the Generator Control Module does not operaten properly: potentially causing a gradual loss of charge and prompting the malfunction indicator light to come on.

The models in question are 2012 and 2013 Buick LaCrosse and Regal vehicles; as well as the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco (pictured).

GM suggests that if the warnings are not adhered to, engines could stall or the vehicle may not start. There could also be a risk of fire with a burning or melting odour.

The eAssist system is actually standard in the Buick Regal starting with the 2013 model. It also became standard in the Buick LaCrosse luxury saloon car from the 2012 model year onwards.

The latest models include a 32-cell, 115V lithium-ion battery pack; as well as an electric motor-generator that can provide 115kW of maximum generating power. It is matched with a 2.4litre engine and provides an electrical boost that can help the engine at low speeds or on inclines when fuel consumption is usually at its highest.

82 mpg car wins GM/U.S.EcoCAR challenge

How possible is it to engineer a car that gets the equivalent of nearly 82 miles per gallon? Quite, for a team of students from Virginia Tech University who won first place in a U.S. car contest

The team beat 15 other North American universities in the three-year "EcoCAR Challenge", co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and General Motors. It started with a GM-donated engine from a 2009 Chevy HHR and added a battery and electric motor. It made other tweaks, too, such as eliminating engine idle with stop/start.

CAPTION

Courtesy of the Department of Energy

"I definitely did not plan on first place.  says Lynn Gantt, Virginia Tech's team leader who just finished his master's degree in mechanical engineering. He says the car can go 50 miles on its battery and another 155 on gasoline, including a 15% ethanol blend or E85. The redesigned car boosted the fuel achieving of the stock engine by 70%.

"The focus shown by the students of Virginia Tech in building this next-generation vehicle will help them launch careers as leaders in the eco field," Energy Secretary Steven Chu said in a statement Friday that announced the winners. DOE has sponsored university car challenges for 23 years, with a different theme and name every three or so years.

Hybrid Cars Release Dates 2011 - 2013

Automakers are now developing new hybrid car models at a rapid pace. Here's a look at hybrid cars under development, and 'best estimate' dates for availablity to the consumer market:
2011 releases:
	Nissan Infiniti M35 - hybrid version of the luxury performance brand; Nissan's first hybrid model Kia Optima Hybrid - a first hybrid from Kia, this is a mid-size saloon similar to the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.Hyundai Sonata - first Korean hybrid into the US. Uses lithium-ion batteries. Buick Regal - features the drive train developed for the Saturn Vue Toyota Prius V - this crossover has 60% more luggage space than the standard Prius sedan
2012 releases:
	Ford C-Max Hybrid and Energi - the C-Max is a hybrid minivan and the Energi is a plug-in hybrid minivan Toyota Prius Plug-in - a new plug-in version of the Prius Toyota Prius C - a smaller Prius, a four-seater that looks a bit like Honda's CR-Z two-seater hybrid Lincoln MKZ Hybrid - Ford's entry into the more expensive end of the hybrid market, competing with Lexus. Toyota Avalon Hybrid - a hybrid version of Toyota's largest sedan
2013 scheduled releases:
	Chrysler 300 Hybrid - upscale full size town car with 8-speed automatic Acura TLX Hybrid - compact sports car expected to be priced under $30,000 V60 Volvo Plug-in Hybrid - luxury crossover 'Eurowagon', world's first diesel-hybrid plug-in BMW Active Hybrids 3 and 5 - midsize performance cars priced at about $50K and $60K respectively VW Golf Hybrid and Passat Hybrid - compact and midsize hybrid versions of these popular VW models

Lexus CT200h S – 87g/km Eco Car

Bringing hybrid power to the premium compact sector is the petrol-electric Lexus CT200h’s raison d’etre. The appeal of this car lies in the marriage of smooth hybrid drive powertrain and the lure of fantastic Lexus customer service.not to mention the outstanding economy.

With smaller wheels and  larger spoiler than the standard CT200h, the S model emits just 87g/km of CO2 and manages a pretty startling 76.3mpg. Low benefit-in-kind company car tax liability and road tax exemption, are the icing on the cake for this premium eco choice.

Driving Eco-Friendly Cars: Good for Your Wallet and the Environment

Car owners choose eco-friendly cars for both environmental, political and money-saving reasons. Eco-friendly cars are relatively new to the market, but drivers are quickly picking up on the many benefits that eco-friendly cars offer.

Probably the most common reasons why drivers choose eco-friendly cars is to save money on fuel. Hybrid car owners visit gas stations a lot less than drivers with standard engines because hybrid cars have much better fuel mileage.

Let’s compare two mid-size cars, the 2012 Toyota Prius and the 2012 Nissan Sentra. The Prius is a hybrid car, and the Sentra is a relatively efficient standard petrol car. The 2012 Toyota Prius uses about 50 miles per gallon, and the 2012 Nissan Sentra uses about 30 miles per gallon. The annual fuel cost for the Prius is estimated to be $1,116, while the annual fuel cost for the Sentra is $1,858. By driving an eco-friendly car a driver can save about 40 percent each year on gasoline costs. By using less gas or no gas eco-friendly cars also help countries become more self-sustaining by relying less on foreign oil.

An electric vehicle is unique because drivers never have to visit gas stations. They can charge their vehicles at home, which takes several hours or more, or they can stop by quick-charge stations. Drivers can charge their electric vehicles to full power in about 30 minutes when they use quick-charge stations. Drivers who opt to charge at home may even choose to utilize solar power or other renewable energy technologies to charge their vehicles in the greenest way possible.

By using less gas or no gas at all eco-friendly cars are also helping the environment by reducing the pollutants entering the atmosphere. Drivers who purchase new eco-friendly vehicles can receive tax breaks because of the environmental benefits of these cars. Some locations even offer special parking spots for eco-friendly cars because they want to reward environmentally-friendly drivers. Some areas also allow eco-friendly vehicles to drive in carpool lanes even if there is only one person in the vehicle. This can reduce a driver’s commute time, reducing the vehicle’s gas usage even more.

Build an Electric Eco Car

Build an Electric Car Engineers, car lovers and amateurs around the world build electric cars to improve driving distance and durability. A combination of the right parts and plenty of patience can help you build an electric car. Secure yourself from harm while building an electric car with safety gear. Choose a traditional vehicle body to convert into an electric machine. Select an electric motor all for your motor that’s easy to assemble in need professional assistance. You’ll need a force wrench and an engine author to remove old car parts before installing electrical components. Purchase a primary and backup battery before you build your electric car. Hunt down a VRLA or gel-cell battery with the aid of associate electric vehicle retailer like EV Environs . Install passive-energy tools, as arsenic star panels, as you build your electric car. Place a motor controller between your motor and artillery to control electrical flow. Connect a contactor to your ignition to start your newly built electric vehicle. The contactor activates the motor as you turn the key within the same way as an ignition control starts a gas-powered engine. 

Eco Fuel in London England

Hyundai Motor Company has strengthened its commitment to a cleaner, low-carbon future by joining the Mayor's London Hydrogen Partnership (LHP).

Hyundai and LHP representatives, including Deputy Mayor, Kit Malthouse, signed the agreement at the Greater London Authority headquarters in London last week.

The LHP has initiated over £50 million worth of hydrogen projects, attracting hydrogen buses, taxis, scooters, refuelling stations and fuel cell Combined Heat and Power units to London. Hyundai Motor Company will provide its expertise in fuel cell electric vehicles to LHP, helping to drive development of the infrastructure needed for a hydrogen economy.

Deputy Mayor and Chair of the London Hydrogen Partnership, Kit Malthouse, said: "Hyundai and members of the London Hydrogen Partnership will develop a plan for fuel cell vehicles, and will plan the hydrogen refuelling station rollout across London. Hyundai will provide invaluable insights and bring global experience to the Mayor's innovative 'smart' low carbon,low emission transport activities. This partnership will help to continue placing London's economy at the forefront of science and innovation."

As the first and currently only manufacturer in the world to series-produce a hydrogen fuel cellvehicle, Hyundai will be able to play an important role in demonstrating the benefits of this technology. The Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell car shows that hydrogen is a practical source of clean and sustainable energy, and the fact that they are currently being leased to public and private fleets shows that hydrogen fuel cell technology is a practical solution to clean transport.

Earlier this year Hyundai became the world's first vehicle manufacturer to begin assembly-line production of the zero-emission, hydrogen-powered Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell. As well as being delivered to public and private fleets around the world, the car is being used by the European Commission-backed Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) to demonstrate the real-world benefits of hydrogen fuel cell technology to members of the European Parliament, European Commission officials and other policy makers.

Hyundai plans to build 1,000 examples of the ix35 Fuel Cell by 2015 for lease to public and private fleets, primarily in Europe, where the European Commission has established a road map for construction of a pan-European hydrogen fuelling station network. Leading automakers, including Hyundai, have declared support for more refuelling stations to prepare the market for mass production of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

Using Hyundai's proprietary technology, the ix35 Fuel Cell's fuel cell stack converts hydrogen into electricity, which turns the vehicle's motor. The only emission generated is water. The ix35 Fuel Cell can be refuelled with hydrogen in only a few minutes, and accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 12.5 seconds, has a top speed of 100mph and can travel 369 miles on a single tank.

The ix35 Fuel Cell is the result of 14 years and several hundred million euros of research by hundreds of engineers at Hyundai Eco Technology Research Institutein Mabuk, Korea. The car has logged more than two million miles of road tests in real-world conditions in Europe, Korea and the U.S.