Tesla and Toyota Working Together!

In case you have never heard of Tesla, they are a California based company that is famous for producing incredibly expensive electric roadsters.  While these vehicles are more performance oriented than most of the line up at San Jose Honda, the Japanese based auto brand has higher sales profits because of name association and familiarity that Tesla has not established for themselves yet.  The latest news in the green auto world is the plan for Toyota and Tesla to team up and make an electric version of their RAV4; you can probably find a used one over at Birmingham Honda.  We are already seeing the mainstream release of electric vehicles from brands like Chevrolet and New York Nissan, but the RAV4 will be the first viable electric SUV in mass production.

The current RAV4 offers drivers some of the best gas mileage in the small SUV class, but the electric version will be expected to travel up to 100 miles of real-world driving in between charges.  Tesla and Toyota are engaging in a trade of sorts to help make an electric RAV4 a reality.  The goal for mass production is 2012, and that will also be the same time that the Toyota RAV4 receives a makeover and enters its next generation design.  First off, though, Tesla has to produce a fleet of prototypes so that Toyota can make suggestions for improvement to their concept design. 

Toyota has taken a $50 million equity stake in Tesla and Tesla will in turn gain control of the NUMMI plant that Toyota had built in Fremont, California.  The plant currently is not being used, so Tesla will have no problem beginning production there.  We first saw an attempt at an electric RAV4 back in 1997, but it only lasted until 2003 with very limited sales and production.  At the 2010 L.A. Auto Show, Toyota brought a version of their electric RAV4 but the stylistic design changes were minimal.  Hopefully the design that Toyota and Tesla can agree upon features some modern improvements to the outdated interior of the current RAV4. 

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NEVs Taking Over?

If you are tired of waiting for your Volt to arrive at Chevrolet Rome, then perhaps you should consider buying one of the new NEV (neighborhood electric vehicles) that are currently available.  There are five that are being mass produced already and they are meant to drive less than 50 miles between charges.  You will not find one at Pinconning Chevrolet but their own electric vehicle should arrive on dealer lots very soon.  Not all five of the NEVs can be purchased in the United States, but they can all be repaired at Rick Ball Auto Mall Service if needed.

1.    GEM (Global Electric Motorscars) is affiliated with Chrysler and you have probably seen these vehicles around large shopping complexes or college campuses.  In addition to making passenger only models, GEM also makes three models with a truck bed that is great for landscaping companies or other utility needs.  The price is right for fleet ownership with a base price of $6,795 up to $12,495.

2.    Dynasty iT is found in British Columbia and the price is quite a bit higher, starting out at $14,000 and going up to $25,000.  Drivers have the option of a sedan, truck, convertible, or a combination of those.  The body is made from fiberglass and can obtain a full charge in only 12 hours.

3.    Miles ZX40: This line is slightly larger than most NEVs and has the ability to seat four passengers as well as 41 cubic feet of cargo room when the back seats are folded down.  The price ranges from $14,900 up to $18,900 and there is the option of upgrading to a CD player!

4.    ZENN: An abbreviation for Zero Emissions No Noise, ZENN is quite affordable with a price range of $14,700 up to $15,575.  The advanced technology uses regenerative braking to help increase the amount of charge from the simple act of braking, and this little hatchback can carry two passengers plus 13 cubic feet of cargo.

5.    Columbia ParCar: This open air vehicle can seat either two or four passengers and has the main purpose of local utility jobs.  The price ranges from $9,497 up to $23,770 but these little cars are durable and come in a variety of styles for different needs.

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EPA Raises Ethanol to 15%

Right now, any of the cars at Fredericksburg Toyota Dealer can go to the gas station and use any of the fuel types available.  But, if the EPA has their way, then only new vehicles could use the E15, or 15% ethanol gas mixture.  Currently there is only 10% ethanol in our gasoline, and that is satisfactory for the car engineers at Alexandria Mercedes-Benz Videos.  Ethanol is a fuel additive that is derived from corn, and its main claim to fame is that it is a renewable resource, so we have hopes of becoming less reliant on fossil fuels that have a limited quantity. 

The people who work at Ford Repair Service in San Diego caution people against using E15, and many auto makers agree that the higher percentages could damage your vehicle’s engine.  There are already warnings in place about the 10% ethanol gasoline, so we can only imagine that 15% would be even worse.  There are studies that show that the ethanol in the gas increases fuel lines to rot, and that over time, engine damage is definite.  Older vehicles can’t use the low-grade 10% ethanol fuel, and they have to pay more for the premium levels.  The same is true if you are buying gas for a lawn mower, your motorcycle, a chain saw, or any type of recreational vehicle like a boat or ATV.

This new endeavor by the Environmental Protection Agency again raises the question of whether or not using ethanol in our gasoline is even a green practice?  The amount of water, land, and resources used to produce all the corn is likely to outweigh the reduced amount of emissions that it eventually creates.  Plus, farmers are having a hard time keeping up with the demand and consumers are seeing higher prices on other items like meat that require corn to feed the livestock.

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Obama Challenges Auto Industry: 62 mpg Standard

President Obama and his administration have recently announced their challenge to the auto industry: raise your fuel average to 62 mpg by the end of 2025.  Seems simple enough, right?  Hopefully the luxury line up from Manchester Mercedes-Benz will be able to comply with such high standards.  Remember that this change won't happen over night and the increase in technology to make that goal attainable will happen over time.  Before that happens, keep your current vehicle running as long as possible by visiting places like Richmond Body Shop Dealers.  The motto in America is leaning towards "reduce, reuse, recycle," so do your part and keep your car running and out of junk yards.

Even Portland Volvo Coupons are in effect right now to encourage the purchase of their new fuel efficient vehicles.  If the average fuel economy of vehicles is in the 47-62 mpg range by 2025, then we will have seen a 3-6% increase in fuel efficiency annually over that length of time.  When you break it down that way, the growth sure does seem completely possible.  Auto makers are excited for the challenge, but the fuel bill hasn't been made final yet.  Given the overwhelming positive response it would be unlikely that the bill wouldn't pass.

For people still in doubt that all the cars on the road will have that kind of fuel economy by 2025, remember that it is an average among the fleet.  CAFE is the acronym standing for Corporate Average Fuel Economy.  All vehicle's within an auto maker's brand that weigh less than 8,500 pounds are taken into consideration.  The fuel economy among the entire fleet must meet the current CAFE goal.  Right now, the current CAFE goal is 27.5 mpg, which it has been since 1989; before that it was 18 mpg.  By 2016 the fuel economy ratings must be up to 35.5, and with the introduction of more electric vehicles and hybrids, that should be readily attainable. 

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Tennessee: The "Green" Place To Be!

You can find plenty of hybrid cars at Johnston Used Cars, but you definitely aren't going to find the brand new Nissan Leaf sitting there.  This electric vehicle is only being released in a few choice markets to start out with, but many of the debut states are offering some kind of kickback to its residents to help the electric car idea take hold and gain popularity.  The way things are going with Americans becoming more eco-conscious, we are bound to see an efficient model from Pittsburgh Mercedes-Benz sooner than later.

Some states are offering great incentives to people who purchase an electric vehicle.  California still has the best deal for now; you get $5,000 cash back, a free EV charger worth $2,000, and you get to drive solo in the HOV lanes during traffic.  The green news is focusing on Tennessee right now because there will be the new Nissan Leaf factory there in 2012.  Another EV competitor is the Chevy Volt, which you might be able to find from Detroit Chevrolet.  The Nissan Leaf is priced far more competitively at $32,780 compared to the $41,000 price tag on the Chevy Volt. 

To make themselves a little more green, Tennessee is offering a $2,500 cash rebate to the buyers of the first 1,000 Nissan Leaf vehicles.  Remember, there is also a federal tax credit in place for electronic vehicles in the amount of $7,500.  Tennessee is also home to the Volkswagen auto plant and boasts some of the highest internet speeds in the world!  Many Americans have heard about The EV Project, which is getting vehicle chargers out on the roads to help drivers.  Another company, ECOtality has teamed up with The EV Project and is busy setting up plans for EV freeways all across the country.  Their most recent news includes 425 miles of EV freeway in Tennessee.

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Nissan and Hawaii Partnership.

While it may have a starting price of $32,780, the Nissan Leaf is still one of the most affordable green cars that will be available.  Sure, the cars from Chrysler Dodge Dealer Reading are attractive and powerful, but none of them can compare with the zero emission fully electric Nissan Leaf.  Plus, for those people who live in Hawaii, they can own one of these highly innovative vehicles for around $20,000!  Due to a partnership established between North American Nissan and the State of Hawaii, there are some great incentives being offered to residents of one of the first launch markets for the green car.  Hyundai Dealer Reading can't compete with that, no matter how much their reputation for quality has improved lately. 

Currently, there is a $7,500 federal tax credit in place for people who purchase the 2011 Nissan Leaf.  Hawaii has agreed to offer a $4,500 state level tax credit as well as $500 off the price if buyers get the at home charging station.  Hawaii has been a leader when it comes to being energy efficient and creating affordable and renewable forms of energy for their citizens.  Nissan vehicles have been successful in the predominantly Asian market of Hawaii, and it only made sense for Nissan to partner up with this innovative state to help launch their new car and make it a success.  The cars at Acura Dealer Pittsburgh might be really attractive, but they can't compare to the low cost of ownership for the Leaf!

When you break down the cost of how much it costs to charge the Nissan Leaf, it averages a mere five cents per mile.  It is hard to put that into perspective, but it would add up to a dollar for twenty miles and three dollars for sixty miles!  If we are currently paying about $3.00 per gallon of gas right now, imagine getting 60 mpg! 

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Hand Crank Hybrid!

Did you know that there is a hybrid model of the Chevy Silverado Bradenton available for purchase now?  It is the third most fuel efficient truck on the market today, or the most fuel efficient full size truck.  American engineers are coming up with great things on a daily basis.  There is a man by the name of Charles Samuel Greenwood and he has developed a car that is powered by electricity and human power.  While you won't find this car at your local Honda Pittsburgh dealership, the entrepreneur is taking $50 deposits and he will make you one of these nifty little inventions for a low price tag of $15,500.  This zero emissions vehicle is completely street legal, but its speeds are limited, as one might guess seeing that the car is powered by a hand crank!

While we aren't sure how practical this idea is or if it will even catch on in our American society today, but the fact that someone has created something so ingenious is worth reporting on.  Regular, everyday consumers can still buy a great hybrid or clean burning diesel engine vehicle from your local VW Dealer.  Or, you can be patient and get yourself what Greenwood is calling the HumanCar Imagine PS.  His hopes is that this car will be available for purchase towards the end of 2011. 

So what was Greenwood's inspiration for creating something you might see in a Flintstone's movie?  It came many years ago when he was a young engineer in his first laboratory job in what we now regard as Silicon Valley.  Greenwood saw how overweight people were becoming and how much time they spent in their cars for their daily commute.  Not to mention that it is a commute that is continually increasing in time!  So, he put his thinking cap on and created a vehicle that requires human power to power the car!  At the same time you are helping improve the environment by reducing your carbon foot print, you are also improving your health. 

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Green Technologies.

Drivers who are trying to be more green can take advantage of current Ford Incentives going on and pick up a new Hybrid Fusion or Hybrid Escape if you need more room and off road capability.  Both get you fantastic gas mileage and have fewer emissions!  Of course the line up at your local AZ Volkswagen Dealer has some great fuel savers to offer and they have won more than few safety awards this year.  But other companies besides auto makers are doing their part to make the overall driving experience more green for all drivers, sometimes without them even realizing it!  So next time you drive your new Nissan Philadelphia vehicle, look around you and see if you can spot some of the following technologies in action!  As more and more people jump on the green band wagon, it will be interesting to see how our future unfolds.

A company located in Burtonsville, MD called New Energy Technologies is hoping to create systems that will harvest energy as vehicles are slowing down.  The systems are currently being tested at a fast-food drive thru and a hotel on the east coast, but if these speed bump like pads were at locations like stop lights and toll booths, they would help slow cars down, saving the drivers brake pads, and producing energy at the same time!  Sounds like a win-win situation for everybody. 

There is a grocery store chain in the United Kingdom that has installed specialized plates in their parking lots so that as cars are driving over them, kinetic energy is produced and stored.  The amounts are not incredibly high, but at the end of the day, this system supplies enough power to supply the check out counters!  Critics suggest that really these plates are making cars work harder to produce the energy, so it isn't the best option.  Let's just call it a work in progress! 

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Ford's Fuel Efficient Trucks

VW Arizona Dealers may feel a bit of sales competition from Ford, but not from their cute little cars like you would expect.  Ford has recently announced that they are putting four new engines in their F-150 full size pick up trucks, and that will result in increased fuel economy around 20%!  Pittsburgh Used Cars might have a harder time selling their truck inventory, especially when consumers know they can go get a full size brand new truck from Ford that will give them the best fuel economy in the class.  But if after reading this you still don't want a truck, then at least go see St. Petersburg Mazda Dealer for some of their sporty models. 

Ford is going to put six speed automatic transmissions on their entire F-150 line up!  That higher speed will give all the trucks better fuel economy when traveling at higher speeds, say on the highway.  That should make green consumers happy.  Plus, the trucks are all going to come with SelectShift, which allows drivers to switch to something similar to manual mode.  This will be especially helpful when towing so that drivers will have the option to manually switch between high and low gears so that they get the best power and fuel efficiency combination.  Ford continues to set standards; they are the only truck company so far to offer six speed transmissions as a standard feature.

Ford will be offering a 5.0 liter V8, giving drivers 360 horsepower and 380 pound feet of torque, plus the ability to tow 9,800 pounds!  The other V8 engine will be a 6.2 liter with 411 horsepower and 434 pound feet of torque and the capability of towing 11,300 pounds.  Both of these will be class leaders in fuel economy when compared to comparable engines in other truck brands.

The real fuel efficient truck to watch for is the 3.5 liter V6 with EcoBoost.  While the horsepower and torque specifications haven't been established yet, this truck will get the best fuel economy in the entire F-150 line up.  It will be available in early 2011.

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Will Americans Adopt the Diesel Motor?

The diesel motor is a popular alternative fuel engine in Europe that has shown to be substantially more efficient than traditional gasoline engines. Ford has offered a new diesel Fiesta that will be found later on this year at Denver Ford Dealers. The American consumer has historically resisted diesel engines on sedans, trucks, and other models. However, there are automakers in Europe such as Volkswagen that have been very successful at selling diesel compact or sedan models to European markets, and some of these models may be found at a local Volkswagen AZ Dealer.

U.S. automakers like GM are more hesitant to embrace diesel fuel in their new models, although GM is releasing the Volt which will be an excellent form of alternative fuel transportation and found at a Sarasota Chevrolet Dealer. Smart offered the ForTwo model which was run on diesel fuel and got 80 miles to the gallon. However, American models of the ForTwo featured traditional gasoline and thus less fuel efficiency.

Chrysler's Fiat brand has some of the best diesel technology available, but they too are afraid to bring their diesel models to the United States. Perhaps American consumers have not yet appreciated the benefit of diesel models, however the benefit is certain there. Although diesel fuel might be slightly higher priced than regular fuel, it is still much more efficient and the best diesel motors are far better in efficiency than traditional gasoline models without question.

Perhaps diesel models are worth more than just a look as the fight against fossil fuels is moving more towards electric models. At least for those who are dead-set on using gasoline models, diesel can offer a higher mile per gallon rating on almost every model that uses diesel fuel compared to gasoline. Europe caught onto the benefit before the United States, but Europe is often ahead of the United States in some regards.