Environmentally Friendly Hybrid Green Cars

If you’re the regular American car owner, chances are you’ve been shocked many a times for the high price of gasoline. Once the pump reached past $30 dollars or $40 dollars, trading your gas hungry car becomes a sudden inspired idea. Yet, still you wish to be the proud driver of a technologically advanced car.

The hybrid car is sometimes called an electric-hybrid because it uses both an electric motor or generator, and a gas-burning engine. For hybrid cars, this is a development that it needed to prove its worth.

For hybrid cars, the work of flawlessly integrating a gas engine, a high-powered battery, and an electric motor, is nothing but ordinary. The high-powered battery provides power for the electric motor. This electric motor is continuously being recharged from recaptured energy that would normally be lost when the car is running.

This process, that is, recapturing of energy is what officially known as regenerative braking. Once needed, energy from the fuel engine is diverted to recharge the battery. In effect, a hybrid vehicle has no need for being plugged in. And this process seems to be fitted only for hybrid cars.

To understand the battery, the gas engine, and the electric motor work together, some sources of hybrid information divides the hybrid in two categories. One is considered as mild hybrids, and the other is a full hybrid. Each has its own way of incorporating the three components, but both are perfect for Urbanites.

Mild Hybrids
Mild hybrid vehicles have electric assisted engines which work with their gas engine, by forcing to serve as the main propulsion, while the electric motor assist when there is need for extra kick or power. With this arrangement, the electric motor is dependent on the gas engine.

The electric motor will generate electricity that is absorbed by the battery, and it can also consume electricity from the battery. But this process is done one at a time. The Honda employed this technology for hybrid cars from 2003 to 2005 edition. Honda Insight is a good example for this one.

Full Hybrids
In full hybrid cars with fuel assisted engines, the integration of the electric motor, gas engine, and the battery is complete. In this arrangement, the electric motor is able to operate on its own, provided that particular conditions while driving are met. Certain hybrids, for their electric motors to operate, need situations where low speed driving is possible.

For hybrid cars with this arrangement, gas engine starts to take over once the vehicle reaches higher speed level. During acceleration, the gas engine and the electric motor can work simultaneously to produce the needed power.

Triple Wins for Urbanites & City-Dwellers So Listen Up!
Heavy Urbanites would love the Full Hybrid Cars which help owners to save more
money from much greater fuel efficiency. This is especially so when caught in Traffic jams when your hybrid car is on a constantly “stop & move” scenario.

Urban living also gives the Hybrid Car owners greater mileage for light cruising around town. As long as you are an urbanite deep into city living and seldom takes on the highways, the Hybrid Cars is definitely your New endorsement of an environmentally friendly decision!

Intelligent Hybrid Cars give you a triple win scenario, namely great savings on fuel cost, giving you tax rebates and best of all, enabling you to be much more environmentally friendly too.

Needless to say, full hybrids, unlike their mild cousins, are able to produce and consume electricity simultaneously. Examples of hybrid cars using this technology are the Ford Escape Hybrid, Mercury Mariner Hybrid, Lexus RX 400h, Toyota Highlander, and the Toyota Prius,

But with all the information available regarding hybrid cars, it is important to do your own research to find the right one specifically tailored to your needs

Hybrid Cars – No Longer Fashion nor Fad, But for Real
And this need is particularly fitted with people living in cities, or urban areas. And since urbanization is unlikely to see any decline in the near future, you can be sure that hyrbrid Cars will be the order of future road warriors. And this is especially so when recession and inflation sets in to eat up your fuel budget overnight …

Find out the Top 10 Hybrids Hall of Fame Here and check out more on Environmentally Friendly Cars Here.

Did you know that you could have the cake and eat it too? Yes, Get that coveted Hybrid Car you’ve been wanting to own, then get that Tax Rebate as well! Read on for more.

Why Choose A Hybrid Car?
Hybrid cars are one of the latest innovations in the auto industry, thanks to the ever rising cost of fuel and worsening global economy, car manufacturers have integrated their car manufacturing technology into more fuel conscious, fuel efficient and environmentally friendly hybrid cars.

A simple explanation of the concept of the hybrid engine technology is that the hybrid technology combines the electric motor technology with the gasoline engine and can hence can effectively save fuel as this intelligent car of the future uses it only on a need-to-use basis.

Optimizing Fuel Efficiency – Your Ultimate Aim
With the hybrid technology, it allows consumers to save as much as 30 miles a gallon on fuel. The main advantage of hybrid cars is when the car stops or when it is running on idle mode, it automatically shuts off the gasoline engine. However, the car will continue running but it will run on the electric motor. This is the electric assist engine version fo Hybrid cars. Another type of Hybrid Cars, namely the Petroleum assist engine version work vice versa.

Either versions of Hybrid Car technology helps a great amount of fuel for the hybrid owner. Imagine being stuck on traffic, and with the hybrid technology, you will no longer waste expensive fuel when the car is running idle. This is also the reason why electric assist hybrid cars are so quiet when it is stationary. When you step on the accelerator, the gasoline engine automatically turns on again.

Lower Toxic Emissions – Be Environmentally Friendly
Another reason why hybrid cars are now preferred by most people is that it emits lower levels of toxic emissions. This means that hybrid cars are environmentally friendly. If more car owners switch to Hybrid Cars, there will be less carbon dioxide emission and other toxic chemicals which ultimately slow down global warming.

Get Tax Rebates for Owning that Hybrid Car!
Because hybrid cars can both help in saving precious fuel and reduce the emission of toxic fumes, the government is now taking all the necessary steps to promote the hybrid technology. The consumer who owns a hybrid car can enjoy great benefits, saving a good amount of money on fuel, and help produce a cleaner environment, and best of all, enjoy Tax Rebates.

How Hybrid Cars Tax Rebates Work
Back in 2005, the President of the United States signed an agreement back then that says that hybrid car buyers will be able to enjoy large amounts of tax relief. However, the amount of money you will save on the tax incentives will also vary on the hybrid car you purchase.

Comparison – Hybrid Car vs Conventional Car
The first one you have to consider when getting a tax break is that it will depend on the fuel efficiency of the hybrid car you purchased when you compare it to a conventional car in the same weight class manufactured way back in the year 2002. The more it saves fuel, the bigger the tax break will be.

How Much Fuel Did You Save?
The tax break imposed on a hybrid car will also vary on the amount of gasoline that the hybrid car can save in its total years of operation when it is compared to a conventional car in the same weight class. The more gasoline it saves, the bigger your tax relief will be.

In Conclusion… Can You Afford That Hybrid Car?
It is a fact that hybrid cars can be expensive. But I advise you to take a long term perspective on the benefits derived from your hybrid car.

If you calculate overall total expenses of a hybrid car and compare it to the total expenses of a conventional car during its lifetime, you will see that you can save more money on fuel and enjoy extensive tax rebates. In addition, you also contribute in producing a cleaner and greener environment our next generation.

A Hybrid Car is definitely the order of the day!

Check out the Top 10 List of Green Car Hall of Fame Here and Read on for more information on Environmentally Friendly Hybrid Cars Here.

Hybrid cars are the in thing these days. A hybrid car operates with 2 engines – one using traditional fuel, and the other energy from a rechargeable battery. With the influx of hybrid cars in the market, one cannot simply take advertisement and supplier claims for their word.

You can research using Consumer Reports on hybrid cars in order to have a clearer idea of what is current in the market at the point in time.

The range of information available to the potential buyer about hybrid cars is abundant. Data from the manufacturer’s website are good sources of needed preliminary knowledge on hybrid cars. And if we understand the fact that it is every hybrid car manufacturer’s duty to sell, we may be able to glean a much more honest report on the ins and outs of this new revolutionary vehicle by consulting consumer reports.

Independent Parties Give More Impartial Testimonials Of Hybrid Cars
“These hybrid systems have been very reliable,” according to Consumer Reports’ senior director for auto test centers David Champion who proceeded to comment that that around 94% of Toyota Prius owners would buy another Prius and are very happy and satisfied.

Findings like this one can prove valuable to a consumer, because aside from taking individual consumer reports on certain hybrid car models, it also provides comparison on certain features.

However, this doesn’t really show that consumer reports agree with other opinions, as some automobile experts and analysts have criticized the hybrid car as flamboyant because of the fact that two engines are being used for one purpose. Several consumer reports argue explaining that the electric motor adds power to the engine.

What Consumer Reports Say About Hybrid Cars
Consumer reports often say that they are for the protection of environment, asserting that they are supportive in the burning of less fossil fuel. This is in lieu of opinion from experts that hybrid drivers are paying too high for an automobile that offers only marginally better fuel efficiency than the other economy cars already on the road.

Some consumer reports compared the same brand Hybrid Car with the same brand conventional version and by comparing miles per gallon, calculated the fuel savings, not inclusive of tax breaks to be more than 15 years of monetary savings.

Use Consumer Reports Only As A Guide
Consumer reports should only serve as a guide for potential buyers of hybrid cars. Combine you findings with rigorous tests on your chosen hybrid cars, fully tapping on the expertise of its staff. But nothing beats checking out the truth with existing hybrid car users to get a direct feedback on the performance.

You will find a lot of “noise” throughout your research and eventually, it is still you, the buyer’s decision that will prevail.

Hop over to the Top List of Environmentally Friendly Cars Here and other Green Car articles Here.

Are the ever increasing and fluctuating Gasoline prices hurting your pocket? Could Hybrid Cars be the answer to the issue to rid us of gasoline concerns, and also help us become more environmentally friendly?

Car manufacturers think so, and so do a growing number of car owners. Major automobile manufacturers have come up with their respective versions of hybrid vehicles, and obviously price ranks among the most important of those concerns.

Below, you will find a list of the hottest Hybrid Cars in the market (albeit not an exhaustive list) to help you decide which Hybrid car suits you best. Bear in mind that your needs are paramount in your eventual decision, be it fuel efficiency, size, comfort, look and feel…

Toyota Prius – Petroleum Fuel Assist Engine System
Considered by many as the top-rated hybrid among them all, because of the presence of a gasoline engine that provides assistance to the electric motor when operating. For slower speeds, it is the electric motor that runs the car, and when the speed acts up, the gas engine takes over the reins.

The mileage for the Toyota Prius 2008 model is estimated at an average of 46 mpg mile per gallon, 48 mpg for city driving and 45 mpg for the highway by KBB.

It is also important to note that this bestseller from Toyota comes with a distinctive exterior that sets it apart from its fellow hybrids belonging to the economy-class. Reportedly, the Prius has more spacious interiors compared to its closest competitor, the Honda Civic hybrid, and it is claimed that the Toyota Prius is also a winner mileage-wise.

Honda Civic Hybrid – Electric Assist Engine System
This hybrid vehicle does not look different from its past models, and it does not stand apart from its competitors. Even though it is always the bridesmaid compared to the illustrious Prius, it has a reputation for higher speed operation, especially on highways.

The Civic also maintains the runner-up status with the Prius when it comes to fuel efficiency, with the Civic achieving an average of 42 mpg, 40 mpg in the city and 45 mpg along the highway

Ford Escape Hybrid – Petroleum Fuel Assist Engine System
The first Hybrid SUV in the market, this hybrid vehicle produces 32 mpg on average with 34 mpg within the city and 30 mpg along the highway. This gem from Ford is known for its spacious cargo room, its easy maneuverability and its visibility. The Escape Hybrid still reigns supreme above its closest SUV rivals, such as Lexus.

Honda Insight – Electric Assist Engine System
This hybrid from Honda may not be as award-winning as its competitors, but the Insight is proving itself as the best one when it comes to fuel economy. It’s 2009 model promises to give the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid good competition and it’s probably worth a second look. Pricing wise, it is also listed to be a few thousand dollars lower than its top competition.

Although the Insight is not as comfortable and impressive as the popular sister Civic or the famed Toyota Prius, it will do best as a second-car, or a commuter vehicle.

Lexus RX 400h leveraging on the Petroleum Fuel Assist Engine System, it is the first SUV in the luxury level. It is known for its indefatigable power, its cool technology and its fuel efficiency. Now who says the rich don’t need to fuel efficiency!

Toyota Highlander Hybrid, uses the Petroleum Fuel Assist Engine System and is said to drive better than the common SUV, and gives off great power, but the downside is its lack of gadgets on the dashboard. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2008 produces a very decent average 26 mpg, 27 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway.

Check out the Top 10 List of Environmentally Friendly Cars here and more on Eco Friendly Cars here.

Gasoline prices are every rising with lesser respite than 10 years ago, thanks to the volatile oil commodity pricing in the world market. Consumers around the globe badly feel the domino effect of the phenomenon of rising oil prices. Amidst this backdrop, it is about time to find ways to cut our reliance on gasoline and oil.

Hybrid Cars The Solution to Ever-escalating Fuel cost?
Thus, hybrid cars, as manufacturers claim, are the cars of the future. That is, those cars are considered the answers to people’s prayers over the past years for vehicles that would not necessarily run on gasoline.

No wonder, the launch of hybrid vehicles not so long ago was bombarded by promising and higher than expected sales of the cars. It is understandable that people have long awaited and anticipated the market launch of hybrid cars.

Hybrid Car Models – Which Fits You Best?
There are a number of hybrid car models available in the market today. The major companies are almost all claiming that their hybrid cars are the best hybrid cars ever produced in the market.

The Japanese car makers have started the race for the best and most-patronized hybrid car models of today and the future. They are in the front running positions at this early phase of Hybrid car production and we shall concentrate on them in this article.

Toyota Motors, in particular, has seen comparatively robust sales and increasing demand for hybrid car models include the Camry hybrid and Toyota Prius hyrid.

The Camry Hybrid is termed the best hybrid car in terms of exterior features, designs and overall functionality. The claim is supported by the hybrid car model’s robust sales figures in the past couple of years.

The Toyota Prius hybrid car is tagged the best in terms of environmentalism and performance. Toyota said this hybrid car is designed with zero-emission features, that bids goodbye totally or significantly to gasoline combustion processes in engines, which constitute a large portion of pollutants in the air.

Honda Motors is not losing in the race in the competition for hybrid cars though and has its famous Accord and Civic models spun-off in hybrids. The hybrid models for the Honda hybrid cars are as efficient and as esthetically beautiful as the company’s traditional car models.

Honda claims that its hybrid cars are the best in the market today because the feel of driving them would be no different from driving their best traditional car models, namely the gas-powered Accord and Civic.

How to Pick the Best , or is it still too early to have the Best… ?
So how do you pick the best? All of them are the best in their own respective rights. The best is a relative term. What can be the best for one person might not be the best for you.

Before you pick that best hybrid car model for yourself, you will have to know your own needs, be it esthetic look and feel, fuel efficiency, or comfort…

Hop over to the Top List of Environmentally Friendly Cars Here and other Green Car articles here.

Did you know that the First Hybrid Car was patented in as early as 1905 by a certain American engineer, H. Piper? He was exploring the potential of constructing a vehicle with multiple sources of power and chance upon a strange concept vehicle powered by both a gas and electric engine.

The Rise of the Gasoline Guzzlers
A decade after the electric starter and cheap oil made gasoline cars much more accessible, production increased exponentially. Hybrid cars and other vehicles utilizing alternatives fuel were almost wiped from the market. These factors discouraged auto engineers to continue developing alternative cars.

Return of the Hybrid Car Concept
The oil price hikes of 1970s, coupled with growing awareness of environmental concerns, drove engineers back to their drawing boards for new designs. Extensive and experimentation 1980s produced the hybrids in the US in 2000. The earlier experience of the market on mass-produced hybrid vehicles has given engineers the encouragement to come up with complex systems, making multiple sources of power in a car possible.

In time to come, most cars will probably become hybrids, albeit eventually. It will either be a gas hybrid, a diesel hybrid, or a fuel-cell hybrid. It is obvious that people buying hybrid cars would be buying into the future of environmentally friendly vehicles.

Optimistic Survey Tells of Success of the Hybrid Car
In a recent online survey conducted by a US research center, 90% of the respondents surveyed indicated a willingness to buy hybrid cars the next time they need one, provided of course that the hybrid cars are comparable in look with what they currently own.

In this marketing study, about 46% of male respondents and 36% of female respondents strongly believed that these hybrid vehicles will perform comparably to all-gasoline vehicles. For these respondents, this is the most important factor. The concern for model, style, and features in these hybrid versions are important to respondents 49%, and 35% important to male respondents.

Only a handful of respondents, about 10% of those surveyed said they would buy hybrid cars with different style, while only 16% are willing to compromise on performance features, like horsepower and acceleration.

For price, surprisingly, the respondents are willing to compromise. When asked the additional amount they would be willing to pay for added fuel efficiency for the environment, a common characteristics of hybrids, 45% of the respondents indicated willingness to pay $1,000 to $2,000 or higher for their new hybrid cars.

So, would you be one of the early adopters of Hybrid cars to embrace an Environmentally Friendly Lifestyle ahead of others?

Check out other articles on Hybrid and Environmentally Friendly Cars Here.

But of course! There are compelling reasons why you should take into consideration getting that Hybrid car which you have been researching for the past year.

Check out some of the key factors which could affect your considerations on buying hybrid cars below:

Less Resistance To Air Drag
This is also known as the concept of aerodynamics. A vehicle with designs that allows moving through air effortlessly is easily the least expensive in terms of fuel consumption. Studies had shown that about half of the energy needed to move a car traveling in a highway is used up by aerodynamic drag.

Car designers have a plethora of techniques for making vehicles glide more easily down a windy highway. Today’s more efficient hybrid cars use some of these strategies. Hence, the next time you visit your friendly neighborhood car dealer, do keep a look out for these characteristics.

Low Emission Level
Your decision to buy hybrid cars shows your contribution to the environment. That hybrid vehicles have low emission levels and are much higher in fuel efficiency management is a given. These key characteristics are in existence due to the very nature of how the hybrid car engine functions. The reason this is so is simply that a hybrid car recharges its battery while running. This removes the need for regularly plugging the car for an electricity outlet.

Super Ultra Low-Emission Vehicles emit 90 – 95% of cleaner emission with the Ultra Low-Emission Vehicles emitting 50 percent cleaner emission. Zero-emission cars however, belong only to the family of pure electric vehicles. But they have been proven much more expensive to produce, and impractical as drivers needed to plug these cars regularly.

A Hybrid Car Eats Up Less Air Conditioning Fuel
Considerations of buying hybrid cars also include ensuring more efficient air condition. The latest results from valuations of hybrid cars show a dramatically lower fuel consumption while the car air conditioning is switched on. “Hybrids got 15 to 27 percent lower fuel economy with the air conditioning on,” according the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls, under the U.S. Department of Energy.

Tax Implications
Currently, buying hybrid cars is encouraged because of the long term benefits of minimized fuel usage. Other tax deductions for hybrid car are also available. Some cities several free parking areas for low-emissions vehicles owners.

In fact, the headline question will soon no longer stand… The president of Toyota Motor Sales USA, Mr. Jim Press has stressed that everything will be a hybrid eventually. It is said that there will soon be gas hybrids, diesel hybrids, or fuel-cell hybrids.

So, what is your new toy gonna be? An interesting Hybrid car or a boring conventional one for you this Christmas?

A simplified explanation of a Hybrid car is as follows – A hybrid car is a car with two or more energy storage systems, both of which must provide propulsion power. Some times, there are deviations to the above definition, an example is the two-mode hybrid car which is build with twin electric motor systems.

It is understandable that this is an extreme task to have you, the car shopper, decide in the midst of rising gasoline prices and the maze of varied and confusing car models. This article intends to help your narrow the scope of the search of your hybrid car by giving you an overview of the types of hybrid cars in the market and the types suited for your kind of lifestyle and commute.

According to the above definition of Hybrid cars, there are a few types, with 3 key types of hybrid engines, namely the Petroleum Fuel Assist, Electric Assist as well as the Twin Electric Motor system.

Petroleum Fuel Assist Engine
This type of engine propels the vehicle using only the electric motor at very low speeds. When more power is required, the gasoline motor will kick in to assist the electric engine.

The petroleum fuel assist engine picks up for a standstill with the electric motor at work, until around a certain mph or miles per hour and the gasoline engine automatically takes over. When in a hard acceleration situation, the gasoline engine automatically and immediately takes on the task of starting up to ensure maximum power. The beauty of this petroleum fuel assist system is that both the electric and petroleum engines work in tandem when additional power is required depending on road conditions.

This Hybrid Car mode is adopted for instance by the Toyota Prius as well as the Ford Escape Hybrid. A little research revealed that such type of hybrid cars are most suited to an urban lifestyle, giving better mileage for your dollar when driving around the city rather than along the highway.

Electric Assist Engine
The alternative hybrid car system is the electric assist engine, which works conversely to that of the petroleum fuel assist system. The electric motor only kicks in when the gasoline engine requires additional boost, or during abrupt acceleration or uphill driving.

This is hence obvious that the Electric Assist engine powered hybrid car is more suited for highway driving. The Honda Insight and Civic Hybrid are modeled after the electric assist engine system.

Two Mode Hybrid System
The ‘two-mode’ hybrid system mainly utilizes twin electric motors used for both low speed and high-speed driving, with the low speed mode for slow urban driving to help drivers cope with traffic jams. The high-speed mode, on the other hand, operates at highways speeds which enables full power to kick in when you are driving uphill and heavy duty towing. The Chevrolet Tahoe is designed with this technology.

For a benchmark reference of the miles per gallon achieved by the above mentioned cars, visit the Top 10 Green Cars 2008 for more details.

Your List continues from Part 1 of Environmentally Friendly & Green Driving Tips – Endless Easy Ways to Save Car Fuel and Money

Check out the following simple yet proven effective ways on achieving fuel efficiency, conserving gasoline and attaining cost savings the easy way:

• Get a car with high MPG, miles per gallon. Or better still, check out the GPM, gallons per mile the lower the better. After all, that’s really what we are discussing here, the lesser the gasoline usage, the more miles coverage and the more goes back into the pocket!
• Always keep your car in good tuned up condition. Smooth running cars utilize much less fuel. A good mechanic is worth a million dollars, or the value of your car really.
• Did you know that most cars are made to run on regular unleaded? Check out your owners manual or ask your friendly neighborhood mechanic; most will tell you that getting premium unleaded is merely paying for cleaning agents that is probably not required and a waste of time.
• Be a “greenie” and love your environment. Ride the bicycle for short distance travel and whenever weather permit. Better still, walk, the exercise could do you a whole lot of good!
• If you own a vehicle with heated seats, Do Not Touch that button. The energy consumption is exceptionally high. If your human counterparts have all survived the harsh winter without heated car seats, you could too.
• Eco friendly car washing is another money saving idea. But, let me qualify that if you have to do it at home, you need to use biodegradable soap specifically formulated for automotive parts. Do it on your lawn instead of your driveway, so that the dirt and toxic waste water are absorbed and neutralized in soil. Otherwise, just patronize your local car wash. Their toxic waste water is drained into proper sewer systems and treated before being discharged.
• In summer, run your air conditioner sparingly at a low setting. When the car is sufficiently cool, switch to fan mode instead. Ensure that windows are tightly shut and not rolled down when the air conditioning is running
• When traveling at high speed eg along highways, keep windows tightly closed. Open windows cause additional drag, making your engine work harder, and consuming more fuel.
• Plan trips well ahead before you set off to reduce unnecessary driving. Remember to check out the road conditions especially when driving in hash winter weather.
• Did you know that over-inflated tires reduce your fuel efficiency? Remember to check your tire pressure and never overfill them. This is because you need to leave space air expansion when the tires get hot when driving.
• Conversely, you should avoid driving with soft tires. When soft and not at the correct PSI or pounds per square inch, your car requires more energy to move and maintain speed as well as increase fuel emissions. According to a Carnegie Mellon University informal study, majority of cars on the roads are only 80% inflated to capacity and inflating tires to the proper pressure improves mileage by about 3.3%. And the best part is that it is definitely safer too.
• Rotate your tires to ensure even tire threading. This causes less strain to the engine and enhance safety.
• In all weather all season, use windshield shades to cut down the summer heat and reduce frost in winter.
• Keep good driving habits. Do not reeve your engine before switching off the vehicle engine.
• Rise early and get to work early whenever possible. Avoid traffic congestion as traveling in jam condition could consume more fuel.

For more information,  check out Environmentally Friendly Cars category.

Car fuel prices are on a constant hike for a good part of 2008H1. You are on a constant quest to enhance your fuel efficiency and car fuel savings . Regardless of whether you are driving a hybrid, compact, lpg, green or cng car, you would be looking to more cost saving ways of managing your transport expenses.

Check out the following simple yet proven effective ways on achieving fuel efficiency, conserving gasoline and attaining cost savings the easy way. This is part 1 of a series of Environmentally Friendly & Green Driving Tips:

• Keep good car habits . Before you switch off your car ignition, remember to switch off all electrical units like the car hifi sound system, air conditioning, heating gadgets, compartment lights as well as head lights. This avoids drain on your car battery, reduces maintenance costs.
• I am not selling for The Greyhound here, but if you have to travel across states or provinces, consider taking the coach. The scenery could do you some good, not to mention the stress of driving across unfamiliar towns and provinces.
• Communal car pooling is definitely a viable solution to if you could find like minded colleagues who are neighbors living within your vicinity willing to pool resources.
• Avoid Rush Hour – And yes, that is the very famous but always ignored suggestion. As much as procrastination gets you, try harder. In countries where they install electronic road pricing measurement ERP gadgets, you could find yourself doubling your fuel consumption, doubling your fuel costs and your travel time. Worst of all, the electronic road pricing slaps an additional toll charge whenever you pass a particular gantry at rush hour!
• Unless you are in the habit of stress testing your engine and gearbox, do not travel in low gears at high speed conditions .
• Accelerate slowly when picking up at the stop light. Never do a jack rabbit start , as it not only consumes much more fuel, it leads to greater carbon monoxide emission and air pollution. Also, you tend to wear the tires out too.
• Always keep your car in good tuned up condition . Smooth running cars utilize much less fuel. A good mechanic is worth a million dollars, or the value of your car really..
• When driving a stretch of long freeway (or highway) set cruise control at a fix level for consistent fuel usage. This helps to reduce the inconsistent fuel injection by human manual driving.
• Combine several short trips into one . Once your engine is warmed up they generate less air pollution, so keep it running over a few so combining several short trips into one can make a big difference.
• You can save fuel and energy simply by parking your car in a covered garage whenever possible, especially in winter and summer. You would then avoid exposing your car to harsh winter snow and ice as well as the torturing summer sun. This helps you warm up the car faster in winter and cool it better in summer.
• Remove excess baggage . Get rid of items not required on a daily basis. The most common are golf sets, snow chains etc. Reload on a need to use basis.
• Avoid keeping car engine in idle mode for long periods . If you are stuck in traffic and you don’t think you are going to go anywhere in the next five minutes, you may want to turn your car off.
• Do regular tune-ups . Check for worn spark plugs, brake pads, low transmission fluid; re-align your wheels, rotate your tires, replace the air filter whenever required.
• Do regular oil check and replace the oil and filter regularly to ensure fuel economy as well as engine longevity. You can also use recycled oil as replacement but ensure that you get them at specialist workshops that does them.
• New cars do not need to be warmed up for long period of time. So as much as your pocket can help it, change to a new environmentally friendly green car .

Read more about Environmentally Friendly Car topics Here.