Advantages and Challenges of Converting Your Vehicle to Electric

(Photo by kokeshi on Flickr)

The Electric Vehicle Association of Greater Washington D.C. (EVA-DC) projects the costs of an electric-vehicle conversion at $7,926 based on a limited budget. While these costs and the weeks spent converting a vehicle to electric may seem excessive, the advantages are clear to anyone familiar with electric vehicles. Instead of running to the gas station to pay for overpriced fuel, an EV driver can simply plug his car into a household outlet ...

Finding Hybrid Conversion Kits for Trucks

(Photo by Curtis Perry on Flickr)

Raser Technologies came out in August 2008 with a plan to create a plug-in electric drive system capable of reaching 100 MPG when installed in a light-duty truck. The company’s designers determined that a 200 kW electric motor, a 100kW generator and lithium ion batteries could be used to turn a Ford F-150 or Chevy Silverado into a green machine. If you cannot wait for Raser Technologies to come out with its conversion ...

Blade Electric Vehicles Reaches Agreement to Sell Electric Vehicles to New Zealand

The wave of the future in alternative vehicles may rest in hybrid conversions and all-electric DIY kits. Victoria-based Blade Electric Vehicles is leading the way in this market niche by converting the Hyundai Getz into an all-electric vehicle called the Electron. The growing company has announced that the New Zealand national government is purchasing 200 Electrons beginning in spring 2009. New Zealand is following the example of Australian cities like Melbourne, which began rolling out Electrons earlier this year.

The ...

Fuel to Hybrid Conversion Kits

While hybrid cars have gotten a lot of press in recent months, hybrid conversion kits are growing in popularity among thrifty consumers. Conversion kits allow drivers to switch between gasoline and another fuel source with options ranging from electricity to water. These kits have gained some attention on local news shows and blogs because they allow average drivers to make their vehicles eco-friendly. Drivers who choose hybrid conversion kits can avoid paying high prices for hybrids, keep their fuel costs low and conserve resources by keeping their cars away from the scrap heap. ...

Researchers Test New Spoiler for Increased Fuel Efficiency, Improved Vehicle Handling

(Photo by Redteam on Flickr)

Findings in the latest International Journal of Vehicle Design by researcher Inchul Kim will point out the importance of a well-designed spoiler for reduced fuel use. Kim, a researcher from Metacomp Technologies, worked with researchers from the University of Michigan-Dearborn to test out a prototype spoiler designed to reduce drag and lift on vehicles with flat backs. The minivan used in Kim’s tests showed a 5% reduction in drag and an incredible reduction of 100% in lift when the spoiler was attached. ...

Fiat EcoDrive Software Presented at Paris Motor Show

Every driver interested in cutting back on fuel consumption, saving their brakes and learning to be a better motorist should be interested in Fiat’s EcoDrive software. This software was announced at the 2008 Paris Motor Show as a product that Fiat will begin to offer on a large scale by the end of this year. The EcoDrive software package is capable of analyzing a driver’s average speed, braking, gear efficiency and fuel use over thousands of miles.

Fiat’s new software requires drivers to purchase a Microsoft Blue & Me system before analyzing driving ...

Look at Alternative Fuel Conversion Kits for Your Family Car

While automakers are slowly coming around to alternative fuels, hundreds of companies are jumping into the alternative fuel niche with conversion kits. These kits allow consumers to turn their gas-guzzling vehicles into testaments to sustainable fuels. You should examine alternative fuels like ethanol, propane and vegetable oil carefully before pursuing conversion kits.

Flex Fuel US and other innovative businesses have created conversion kits to take advantage of America’s ethanol craze. Flex Fuel’s conversion kit ...

Clean Your Car to Increase Fuel Mileage

We have been focusing largely on driving behavior and technology when giving our Tuesday fuel saving tips at HybridMile. While a hybrid car or a truck with a continuously variable transmission may cut your gas usage, you may be losing mileage as rainwater and debris collects on your hood. You can make up some of this gas mileage by washing and waxing your car regularly.

This tip may not seem as important as oil changes and using cruise control but it has been proven to cut down on gas mileage. Engineer Tom Wagner Jr. has found that a simple car wash and wax at a local gas station ...

Auto or Manual? Expand Your Transmission Choices for Better Gas Mileage

The age-old question for young drivers throughout North America is whether they want cars with automatic or manual transmissions. Many drivers on the continent opt for automatic transmissions because they are simpler to use than manuals. Some drivers are diehards about their stick shifts because they want ultimate control over their engines. This black or white situation is an issue of the 20th century as automakers move to the next generation of transmissions.

Auto industry experts and drivers have become familiar with continuously variable transmissions (CVT) in recent model ...

Taking Advantage of Advancements in Engine Technology

We are hardwired to look at MPG figures and horsepower when we look at new vehicles. Our desire for a powerful but fuel-efficient vehicles has been difficult to fulfill in past model years. The gap between a stylish car with a gas-guzzling engine and a sensible car with good mileage was significant until recently. Automakers are turning to technologies like cylinder deactivation, direct fuel injection and turbo-charged engines to appease their customers. You can decrease your fuel use while finding the right vehicle for your needs by hunting for these engine technologies.

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