Third generation electric smart car and first generation smart electric bike set to debut

Posted on January 3, 2012 by admin

Smart's new electric range

Two new electric smart vehicles will debut in showrooms next year. The third generation smart fortwo electric car will be available within twelve months in more than 30 markets. Driven by a 55 kW electric motor it will have a top speed of more than 120 km/h and a range of around 140 kilometers, with the ability to be fully recharged, in the right circumstances, in less than an hour.

Equally as significant as the smart electric fortwo is the smart pedelec power-assist electric bike which will also be available in dealerships during 2012.

A 250 watt electric motor will support the rider’s pedaling for up to 100 km, with a three-speed gear hub and LED lighting both front and rear. Significantly, the smart fortwo will come with a special carrier for the bike.

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What Are a Hybrid Car Environment Benefits?

Posted on May 4, 2011 by admin


There are many positive effects of using a hybrid car on the environment, and this is one of the main reasons why many people have chosen to buy a hybrid over a conventional gas-powered automobile. Here are some of the ways that buying a hybrid can help save the environment:

1. A hybrid car burns less gasoline and thus, emits fewer toxic emissions. Although the amount of the reduction varies depending on the car model as well as the user’s driving style, in general it is estimated that hybrids can reduce emissions by as much as 90% (under ideal conditions) compared with regular cars. And the adoption of future hybrid technology such as plug-in hybrids, diesel hybrids and fuel cell-powered hybrids are expected to lower emissions even further and bring hybrids closer to the eventual goal of zero-emission automobiles.

2. It also emits less greenhouse gases. Studies have shown that hybrid cars emit substantially less carbon dioxide, one of the main greenhouse gases, compared with conventional automobiles. And the recent emergence of clean diesel technology promises to reduce emissions even further as car manufacturers work to bring diesel-powered hybrids to the market that also promise even greater fuel efficiency as well as more powerful hybrid cars.

3. Less noise pollution is one of the least discussed hybrid car environment benefits. In general produce less noise than conventional automobiles, particularly when they are using the electric battery. And plug-ins can lower noise levels even further, as larger battery packs allow driving for lengthier distances using just electric power.

4. These cars have improved fuel efficiency, resulting in less gas used and cutting overall demand for fossil fuels. This means that there is less pressure to drill in environmentally-sensitive areas such as Alaska, in which oil exploration activities are currently proscribed by the government. These areas contain some of the planet’s most fragile ecosystems, which would surely be disrupted by the presence of oil drillers.

Unfortunately, one of the main factors against wider adoption of these cars among consumers remains price, as a hybrid car can cost thousands of dollars more compared with a conventional automobile. However, prices are expected to go down in the future as the technology becomes more widespread and older models begin entering the secondary market. Tax incentives for plug-in hybrids at the Federal and state level also help make the cost of shifting to a hybrid more affordable. Ultimately, however, as the effects of global warming worsen, the bottom line for most buyers may be that a hybrid car is more environment friendly.

By: Abbey Joyce

About the Author:
Are you looking for more information regarding hybrid car environment? Visit www.hybridcarsinfo.org today!



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What Is A Hybrid Car? An Overview Of The Hybrid

Posted on May 3, 2011 by admin


What’s Going On In There?

There are many ways hybrid cars are different from standard vehicles. There’s emissions, fuel consumption, cost and, of course, the mechanics of it all. The main difference between the two is that a hybrid car uses electricity combined with gasoline and a standard vehicle uses only gasoline.

In a gas-powered car, fuel runs the engine, which turns the transmission, which then rotates the wheels and propels the car forward. These standard cars create more pollution and further our dependence on oil. With prices at the pump rising every week, these cars represent not only a less than eco-friendly mode of transport, but also a big bite out of your wallet.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, are electric cars which use batteries to power the engine and turn the transmission and wheels. Electric cars have not been seen as feasible for the mainstream market because of two main factors: cost and performance. Existing batteries can not run for very long before they exhaust themselves and must be replaced. Additionally, the cost of production on these batteries is very high.

In the middle, are hybrid cars. They use a combination of fuel and batteries to run the vehicle. A gas-fueled engine powers a generator that is used to either charge electric batteries or power an electric motor that then spins the transmission and wheels. When possible, the batteries are used to charge the electric motor, instead of the generator. These power sources switch as a car faces different driving conditions and you, the driver, get the best of both worlds.

For the true nuts and bolts (along with a diagram or a hybrid car/system), howstuffworks.com is always a great place to start! Other resources include What Is A Hybrid Car, How Hybrid Cars Work, and the History of Hybrids.

So what makes a hybrid so efficient?

The fact that gas is not directly powering the car. Since a gas-fueled engine is powering a generator (and not turning the transmission – a much larger job), it can be much smaller and lighter, which results in less of a load for the car to work to carry. Having the flexibility to run the motor on batteries or generator power also cuts down on the total amount of fuel used.

What’s next?

The future of hybrid cars has endless possibilities. One trend would be to create a car that ran on electric batteries (charged by plugging the car in, hence the name “plug-in hybrids”) until they were exhausted and then move to fuel. This would use less fuel because some of the battery power would come from the grid, as opposed to a gas powered generator.

By: Jeff Carey

About the Author:
Jeff Carey is a green vehicle enthusiast who manages a portfolio of more than 60 hybrid and electric blogs. Learn more and subscribe to his monthly newsletter at http://www.hybridkingdom.com.



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How The New Hybrid Electric Car Works

Posted on May 2, 2011 by admin


The new hybrid-electric cars are becoming a more common site in Britain’s garages and service centres. Some cars are now coming up to their first MOT test.

Servicing on these cars is pretty much standard and much the same as any petrol driven car. I thought it may be a good idea to do a short article on the way that these vehicles work and differ from regular petrol or diesel operated cars.

These new vehicles contain two ways of generating power, they have a conventional engine that uses petrol and an electric motor that runs off a sealed Nickel-Metal Hydride battery, storing 201.6 volts giving 28 horsepower of drive.

There is also a smaller 12 volt battery for operating accessories.

These hybrid-electric vehicles can offer improved fuel efficiency and economy as well as increased power.

The electric motor can also act as a” braking system aid “, by applying resistance to the drive making the wheels slow down.

Also when the wheels turn, then the electric motor acts as a generator, which is then stored in the battery until the power is needed to drive the electric motor.

In the hybrid cars the electric motor provides extra power, this gives the petrol engine added strength, which helps in overtaking, hill climbs and if you want the car to go faster say when overtaking. When the car is just doing low speed driving the power from the electric motor does all the work, thus allowing for a smaller more efficient petrol engine to be used in the combination.

This combination of battery power and combustion engine power, makes for a very efficient unit and is also very economical giving many miles to the gallon and giving off less CO2 emissions. These vehicles also have a stop-start facility.

When the car comes to a halt the engine stops and re-starts when the accelerator is pressed, this prevents the waste of fuel while the car is idling. The new type of battery is guaranteed by the car manufacturer, but if they have to be replaced out of the warranty will cost about £2000.00 to replace, perhaps this is the only downside to what appears to be be a very good idea.

Things in the automotive market have now started to move faster, mainly because of the price of fuel reaching all time highs. Only time will tell if the technical progress can be sustained.

By: Eric Kris Roberts

About the Author:
Eric K Roberts is the proud owner of Pellon Tyre and Autocentre in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England, UK. He is married to his wife Michelle for 31 years, and they 8 children and 3 grand children. Eric and Michelle both work for the family business.and trade online He offers tyres and car batteries online.



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Honda Insight Hybrid – Insight Passenger Vehicles

Posted on May 1, 2011 by admin


In 1999, the 2000 Honda Insight became the first hybrid car available in the U.S. Prior to its release, attempts at mass-producing environmentally friendly cars had focused on creating electric cars, as the hybrid technology of dual power systems was thought to be impractical. However, electric cars failed to meet the high expectations of consumers and so never made a break into the market.

Considered the most fuel efficient vehicle ever sold in America, this little two-seater gets nearly 70 miles per gallon.

Interest in the Insight was high in the first few years. As Honda and other manufacturers began to produce hybrid vehicles that looked more like standard vehicles (the Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Prius), the popularity of the Insight fell and in 2006, production was stopped completely.

What made the Insight different?

Being the first hybrid car on the American market made the Insight a novel product. It won many awards, ranging from the Sierra Club’s Excellence in Environmental Engineering Award to International Engine of the Year. The Insight combined hybrid technology with a design that was based on being as fuel efficient as possible.

The breakthrough teardrop design of the Insight’s body kept wind resistance to a minimum and the undercarriage was laid out in a way to keep the area as smooth as possible, further increasing the car’s aerodynamic properties.

The body was made of aluminum alloy, making it much 47% lighter than a standard vehicle. Despite aluminum’s light weight, this car was still extremely safe. In a crash, the front and back ends of the car were designed to absorb the impact and crumple, while the passenger area stayed rigid. The 2006 Insight received a four-star safety rating in front, side and roll-over crashes.

Unique tires were also created for the Insight to keep resistance to a minimum. However, since the car is no longer in production, some Insight owners are finding these tires and other replacement parts more difficult to come by.

Being one of the first hybrids in the U.S., educating drivers on how the technology worked was key. One of the ways the Insight did this was with digital dashboard displays that showed the driver how their MPG fluctuated as driving conditions changed. This was meant to keep the driver involved and engaged with how their car was performing.

Buying a used Honda Insight.

You can find a used Insight ranging in price from $14,000-$20,000. Honda also has a certified selection of pre-owned hybrid vehicle Insights on their website. Another great source to start searching for used Insights is automotive.com. If you own one of these small, green two-door hatchbacks and you’re searching for Honda Insight parts or accessories, I would recommend you try eBay Motors. Since this model is now discontinued, if you’re thinking about buying a used Insight, especially one with high miles, make sure you do your homework to avoid any problems you might have finding parts and/or local service. I don’t expect that you will have any issues with either one.

By: Jeff Carey

About the Author:
Jeff Carey is a green vehicle enthusiast who manages a portfolio of more than 60 hybrid and electric blogs. Learn more and subscribe to his monthly newsletter at http://www.hybridkingdom.com.



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