Posts Tagged ‘cars’
Toyota, as reported by Jamie Lendino of ExtremeTech, has the most fuel efficient line of cars in the US, with an average of 29.7 mpg for actual vehicles sold. Results are based on the 2007 model year. Discussion in the forum goes into upcoming offerings from Honda and VW, but they have to be taken with a grain of salt until we can buy them! Kudos to Toyota for delivering on the showroom floor.
Honda and Hyundai were next on the list with 29.47 and 29.39, respectively. Domestic brands were much further down the list, with GM, Ford, and Chrysler scoring 25.16, 25.15 and 23.97—evidence of product line-ups that are more heavily weighted on the truck and SUV side of the equation.
In case the first title was too long for the amazing gas mileage to be obvious, I want to call further attention to this recent article on the new VW TurboDiesel Jetta, coming to the US in 2009, and capable of meeting all of the toughest state emissions tests. I’m not a great fan of carbon-based fuels these days, but 60 Miles per Gallon merits mentioning and praise in any context.
I’m delighted to report that, according the Edmunds.com car site:
“Volkswagen of America spokesman Keith Price is now able to ballpark U.S. volume allotments on the ’09 Jetta SportWagen. “We expect to sell 14,000-15,000 Jetta SportWagens in the U.S.,” he said. “About half will be diesel.” He said the gas-powered Jetta SportWagen will go on sale at the end of July, starting at approximately $19,000.
The clean diesel-powered Jetta SportWagen is slated to hit showrooms here at the end of August, starting at approximately $22,000. Price said formal pricing on the SportWagen will be announced later this summer.”
The bold emphasis is mine. So, you can have your car and a full tank, too!
James K. Bashkin © 2008
Technorati Tags:oil crisis, cleantech, green tech, conservation, cost of living, oil price, gas price, turbodiesel, tdi, jetta, volkswagen, 60 mpg, low emissions, strict emission standards
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This interesting article from Popular Mechanics examines one possible route the auto industry could take in developing greener transportation options.
Mike Allen’s article says, “With few exceptions, these PHEV engineers and product planners seem to insist on one thing: The prime mover, the onboard engine (or fuel cell, or whatever), has to be powerful enough to move the car whether the batteries are charged or not. That means an engine—gasoline, diesel or E85—of 100 hp or more. That’s not only enough oomph to get to work, but enough power to really drive, chirping the tires at traffic lights, zooming onto freeway entrances and passing lollygaggers on two-lane country roads.
You know what? I think it’s time we re-examined that paradigm.”
Good thought, Mike! I heartily approve of the sentiment.
Original text © James K. Bashkin, 2008
Technorati Tags:plug-in hybris vehicles, electric cars, electric vehicles, phevs, micro-generators, popular mechanics, alternative energy, transportation, news, cars
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Michael Rose reports via BusinessWire (London) and http://www.greatcarstv.com/news/: “Plug in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are set to bust out of their niche role and become mainstream. Experts believe the global market for PHEVs is poised for expansion, with major vehicle manufacturers pronouncing plans for their production. As issues related to the cost and safety of lithium ion batteries, used in PHEVs, are resolved there are simultaneous efforts underway to boost production volumes and achieve related decrease in costs.”
Technorati Tags:alternative energy, alternative fuel, lithium ion batteries, plug-in hybrid cars, hybrid cars, electric cars, green, news, transportation, environment, environmental, eco-friendly, sustainability,
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