Hybrid Cars

Lexus HS 250h – Test Driving a Hybrid Car

by

Since Toyota and Lexus have been getting some bad press for acceleration and braking problems, I had to discover the truth. I put on my helmut and accelerated the Lexus HS 250h on to the track at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The Lexus hybrid has four modes – Eco, Normal, EV, and Power. If you are into Eco or if you’re Normal, don’t get on a racetrack with thirty other auto journalists loaded with caffeine and pumped with adrenaline. Being not quite normal, I touched the Power button.

Ford’s U.S. Market Share Now Bigger than Toyota

by

Ford outsold Toyota in February in the United States. Ford’s monthly sales were up 43 percent over February 2009, while Toyota sales dropped 9 percent. Ford’s growing success comes at a time when Toyota is recalling millions of vehicles, and suspending sales of key models, due to accelerator pedal problems. More customers now feel safer in a Ford, Mercury, or Lincoln than in a Toyota or Lexus. Toyota commands four of the top 10 positions of Clean Fleet’s 2010 Hybrids with Best Mileage, but Ford plans on changing that with new hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric cars.

2010 Cars with the Lowest Carbon Footprint

by

The cars with the lowest carbon footprint all save by using half the fuel of most cars. The Toyota Prius continues to the United States in fuel economy and lowest lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. This perennial favorite midsize 4-door hatchback delivers 50 miles per gallon (mpg) and is lowest on the list with 3.7 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent for the EPA annual driving cycle. The 2010 Clean Fleet Report of Lowest GHG includes many hybrids, one SUV, and one car that runs on CNG.

Ford’s Clean Sweep with Ford Fusion Hybrid and Transit Connect

by

Ford Motor Company made a clean sweep by capturing both the North American Car of the Year and North American Truck of the Year awards for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and 2010 Ford Transit Connect, respectively, at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). It is only the third time in 17 years that one manufacturer has won both titles. The awards demonstrate Ford’s leadership in hybrid cars and in fuel economy.

2010 Honda Civic Hybrid

by

Honda Civic Hybrid is a good alternative for those who want a traditional looking sedan that seats 5. This front-wheel drive compact saves fuel at 42 mpg. At 4.4 annual tons of CO2e, this hybrid emits actually emits less greenhouse gases than its CNG cousin. After driving our 2002 Toyota Prius for six years, my 85-year old mother gave us her 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid. The Honda has been a trouble-free pleasure to drive. Lacking the Toyota Synergy hybrid drive, the Honda does not deliver the fuel economy of our 2002 Prius and delivers 20 percent less miles per gallon than the 2010 Prius.

Fuel Economy Increases 9 Percent in United States

by

For the fifth consecutive year, EPA is reporting an increase in fuel efficiency with a corresponding decrease in average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for new cars and light duty trucks. Average CO2 emissions have decreased by 39 grams per mile, or 8 percent, and average fuel economy has increased by 1.8 mpg, or 9 percent, since 2004. While the Senate debates if it is possible to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. by 17 percent by 2020 from the 2005 level, Americans already have us half the way there. Americans are cutting car use with flexwork, car pooling, and transit. Gas guzzlers are being replaced with fuel misers and even electric cars.

Toyota Expands Hybrid Car Models

by

Toyota is the only car maker to have sold over one million hybrid cars in the United States. Hybrid sales are pushing 10 percent in Japan and even higher in some U.S. cities. Toyota will start volume manufacturing of the Plug-in Prius in 2012. Toyota will also start selling the less expensive 2-door FT-EV, a pure battery electric car. In the U.S. in 2012 Toyota will face intense EV competition with Nissan, Ford, and dozens of innovative younger companies such as Tesla.

2010 Honda Insight Test Drive

by

Driving the Honda Insight was smooth and quiet even when I went up a sustained 16 percent grade, demonstrating that its electric motor is quite effective in blending power with the 98 hp engine. The new 2010 Honda Insight EX demonstrated plenty of performance and hill climbing when I drove it in Monterey, California. It is rated 43 mpg highway and 40 mpg city.

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Test Drive

by

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid easily seats five, has plenty of trunk storage, and delivers better mileage than 80 percent of hybrids due to Ford’s impressive hybrid drive system. Driving along the ocean and through windy forest roads in Monterey, California, the car delivered a smooth and solid ride. The Fusion Hybrid invites you to efficiently drive from point A to point B while consuming as little gasoline as possible.

+ More