Most motorists are familiar with the standard 3,000-mile oil change and checkup at their local lube shops and dealerships. These motorists entrust mechanics to drain out old oil and insert new blends that will help their vehicles run efficiently. It is critical for every driver to know that oil added to a vehicle matches the recommended oil by the vehicle’s manufacturer.

We have posted several stories on HybridMile about all-electric vehicles that are emerging in markets around the world. Each story has noted that one of the problems with all-electric cars and trucks is the strain placed on existing utility grids. Electronic Transportation Engineering Corporation (eTec) has received funding from the Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory to take a step toward solving the electric grid issue.

The upcoming release of the Typ-1 electric vehicle by California-based Aptera Motors has been buoyed by recent investments from companies like Google.com. Aptera Motors has received nearly $24 million in venture funding from Google.com, Esenjay Investments, Actacell and Idealab to advance development of the next generation of electric vehicles. The executives at Aptera Motors have stated that they want to use most of the funding to improve its production facility in Vista, California.

The designers and presenters from the NICE (No Internal Combustion Engine) Car Company may have made the greatest strides toward commercial success in the recent British International Motor Show. This London-based car company unveiled five vehicles in total that run entirely on electricity and function well in city environments. NICE has expanded its inventory to address the needs of families, commuters and vacationers looking to drive into the country.

Every driver knows the feeling of dread when dealing with fellow motorists operating at different speeds. The flow of traffic depends on the slowest and fastest vehicles on the road, which can lead to frustration for drivers in the middle. It is important for every motorist who is abiding by the speed limit to know that this adherence to state and federal law can relieve stress at the gas pump.

The recent announcement that General Motors is partnering with 30 utilities throughout the United States to develop stations for electric vehicles may seem self-serving at first. Readers of HybridMile are likely aware that General Motors has plans to unveil its all-electric Chevy Volt in 2010. The initial reaction that GM is looking at its bottom line as it works with utilities in 37 states on an electrical infrastructure overlooks the overwhelming challenges to this project.

The designers at Ford Europe have created a third generation of the ECOnetic vehicle line based on the Ford Fiesta coupe. This fuel-efficient coupe was shown to auto enthusiasts, reporters and executives in London at the recent British International Motor Show. Ford Europe’s release of the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic follows on the heels of the company’s Ford Mondeo and Focus versions in recent years.

The lofty promises and early returns on hybrid vehicles in the United States show a slow but steady move toward fuel-efficient vehicles. Poulsen Hybrid is hoping to accelerate the market for hybrid vehicles while dealing with the issue of vehicle obsolescence with its hybrid conversion kit. Most kits that have been tried in recent years have required professional assistance and adjustments to a vehicle’s vital systems. The manufacturer’s kit promises to help drivers perform their own conversions with its unique rear-wheel attachments.