Hybridfest 2008
Saturday, July 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, July 20 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Located at Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wisconsin

You’ll be able to catch plug-ins, electrics, biodiesel, hydrogen and other alternative autos, as well as listen to the experts speak on how to save gas with everyday vehicles. Then there’s the Hybridfest MPG Challenge where drivers do their best to stretch their mileage.

Speakers include:
Felix Kramer, Cal-Cars
Mike Granoff, Project Better Place
Jo-Ann Yantzis, Clean Energy
Francis Vogel, Wisconsin Clean Cities
Wayne Gerdes, CleanMPG
Peter Kozan, MPG Challenge Winner
Michael Sefton, Diesels 101

Hybridfest 2008 is presented as part of Dane County Fair. Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children 6 to 11, parking and admission for younger children is free. Visit the Hybridfest website for more information.

* Don’t forget to comment to win a free Rand McNally road atlas … now Earth-Friendlier!*

Post from: EveryJoe

Hybridfest 2008 – Madison, Wisc.

The Chevy Aveo is one of the least expensive mainstream cars currently on the market. The base model comes in just under $11,000 but comes without AC, and only with a manual transmission. That’s definitely “cheap” but going up a few models and adding some options, you can still get a inexpensive car that delivers comfort. Unfortunately, fuel efficiency is not the best. 24 mpg city driving, but 34 mpg on the highway.

Skip the Aveo entirely if you do mostly in-town driving OR you want a quiet ride on the open road. If you’re looking for better long distance fuel efficiency paired with a nice interior, the Aveo might be for you. MIGHT. Despite an impressive interior, the Aveo is quite noisy at high speeds and shakes over 85 mph. The trunk is plenty big, and the backseat folds down for even more room, but leg room is definitely at a premium (sorry Mamoru ;p ).

You’ll have nicer handling, and a more comfortable ride than other smaller cars, and this is one of few models where the automatic, according to Edmunds, offers better performance.

What about the bottom line?

The 5-dr LS 1LS starts at $12,680. Fit with the power package (power doors and windows, remote keyless entry, and theft-deterrent system) engine block heater, auto transmission, and cruise, the price goes up to $13,430. Add in the sunroof and spoiler, upgraded cd/mp3 and 15 inch wheels, and you’re looking at $15,180.

This is different with the 4-dr models. The LS 1LS starts at $12,830.00 and comes standard with AC, front bucket seats with driver armest and tilting headrests, manual transmission, AM/FM stero with 6 speakers and input jacks, and 14 inch steel wheels. You can upgrade to include many of the same features of the base LT 1LT, including cruise control and better stereo. The LT 1LT starts at $14,580 and comes with more amenities but is upgradable to other extras (including a sunroof). Tricked out you’re looking at $16,600. Even if the extra thrills aren’t interesting for you, pick up the automatic transmission and the engine block heater. Both will help with performance/fuel efficiency (particularly in cold weather.)

Personally, I don’t think I would recommend this with the other models on the market unless you are overwhelmingly driving on highways, and are Really concerned with the quality of your car’s interior.

Sources: Edmunds, Yahoo! Autos, Chevrolet

[Images: Chevrolet]

Post from: EveryJoe

Is the Chevy Aveo Efficient/Affordable?

It makes sense to me that they’d scrap their vehicles that aren’t selling, and redesign classics to meet modern needs … but Why close a hybrid truck plant when gas prices are driving sales down? I know GM has made the Volt their #1 priority, but trucks are functional vehicles people are going to need, and they’re going to buy, but they’re not going to have better options. (Especially while they’re making hybrid SUVs that aren’t selling.)

Source: Car and Driver

Don’t forget about our contests and upcoming interview this month.

Let’s hear your questions!

[Image: Newscom]

Post from: EveryJoe

GM to Stop Making Hummers??

Honda President, Takeo Fukui, said Honda’s new line up of hybrids will debut in 2009, with a five-seater hatchback similar to the FCX Clarity. Also in the works, a Honda Fit, and a sporty CR-Z.

All of that is great, of course, but when will we get a hybrid minivan? Come on, Fukui. I thought you might be the man to put the plan in motion. For a company seemingly in a race to catch up with Toyota, and having a very successful minivan currently in production, I think ignoring this market is a mistake.

MLive.com also has a list of “hybrid premiums” and how many years it typically takes to get your investment back (based on specific factors, including an average gas price that will soon be surpassed, shrinking these estimates some):

2008 Toyota Highlander
2008 Toyota Highlander hybrid $7,495 11.4
2008 Ford Escape
2008 Ford Escape hybrid $4,161 6.9
2008 Lexus RX350
2008 Lexus RX400h $4,407 6.1
2008 Mercury Mariner
2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid $4,904 6.0
2008 Honda Civic
2008 Honda Civic hybrid $2,803 4.6
2008 Chevrolet Malibu
2008 Chevrolet Malibu hybrid $438 2.6
2008 Toyota Camry
2008 Toyota Camry hybrid $889 1.5

Their Source: Edmunds.com
My Sources? MLive.com and Forbes.com

Photo: Honda.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Honda to Make Cheaper Hybrid by 2009

Fisker is forging ahead with development of their electric sports car despite recent legal troubles with Tesla Motors.  In Southern California, three prototypes of the Karma are currently being tested, with initial orders expected to deliver by the end of 2009.

Specs? Up to 125 mph in “sport” mode, in electric only (what the company is calling “stealth”) up to 95 mph. Initial battery testing gives hope of the lithium-ion battery packs lasting 10 years or longer.

According to Fisker, you should be able to fill your tank ONCE per year … if you recharge every night, and drive in stealth mode the rest of the time. The Karma purportedly can go 50 miles on electric power, only.

If you want one, you’ll have to get in line. Like the pricey Tesla Roadster, the $80,000 Karma has already received hundreds of advanced orders.

[Source: Fisker Automotive]

Post from: EveryJoe

Fisker Forges Ahead

This kind of reminds me of the City Car idea, with stackable, rentable autos you could drive from one place to another, but something more people could easily gravitate toward.

The State of Israel liked the idea so much that laws have already been put in place to support this kind of advancement, and plan on being oil free in the near future. (Well, oil free as far as passenger cars are concerned.)

Renault-Nissan is developing a car and battery pack to fill the role of the world’s first electric car fit with a battery meant to be changed regularly. A working prototype debuted Sunday in Tel Aviv, and are expected to hit Israeli roads sometime next year.

[Source:Autoblog Green, Project Better Place]

[Image Source: Project Better Place]

Post from: EveryJoe

Why Plug in When you can Swap out?

Larger than the Hyundai Accent, and not much more expensive, the Hyundai Elantra provides a good option for families who need a car that’s a little larger, or has more features (like cruise control) and it offers better safety ratings.

And it comes in “Purple Rain”. Okay, right now, I need this car. Which sucks because it only gets 25 mpg in the city/33 highway with an automatic transmission and 24 mpg city/33 mpg highway as a stick, but I can’t help being drawn to its Prince-like fervor. I don’t want to be your weekend… Ahem, moving on.

The GLS comes with ABS, tire pressure monitoring, front, front side and side-curtain airbags, 60/40 rear folding seat, power windows, locks and heated mirrors, keyless entry with alarm and trunk open … lotsa features, in other words. Add in A/C, an upgraded stereo system (6 speakers with AM/FM/XM/CD and MP3 capabilities) and sunroof, among other things, plus spoiler and mats, etc, and you’re looking to spend under $17,000. (Skipping the sunroof *sob* would save you roughly $1000.)

The SE is roughly $3000 more, and comes with Electronic Stability Control with Traction Control and Brake Assist, 16″ Alloy wheels, standard fog lights, standard AC, a telescoping steering wheel, leather and heated seats optional, audio controls on the steering wheel … basically a bunch of crap that is available through an aftermarket dealer for less should you decide you need it in the future.

And yes, I realize a sunroof falls under aftermarket crap you can add later … but it’s so much cooler a sunroof can contribute to better gas mileage, technically speaking. :p On either model, adding an automatic transmission costs roughly $1000.

For a look at more inexpensive cars with better-than-average green ratings, go here.

Source/Image Source: Hyundai USA

Post from: EveryJoe

Environmentally-friendly & Affordable: Hyundai Elantra @ $16,000

And Then … I found out she drives a Freakin’ Limo. HOW COOL IS THAT?! Not Even Cool Enough, because … seriously, how great is this lady … SHE USES IT FOR CHARITY.

Charity, people! And not just any charitable cause, but she donates rides to raise money for abuse shelters, and charters battered children and adults.

My sister is a survivor of a 13 year marriage that nearly killed her, and that need to feel supported and special is so pronounced, especially after that initial surge of “I did it! I left him, and I’m safe!” wears off and you’re worrying how to get your kids to the doctor on 0 gallons of gas.

My heart hurts just a little bit that she’s bothered by the fact she gets 15 mpg. She’s already doing so much good … it’s frustrating there’s anything she should be worry about falling short on. (But this is what women do, I suppose.) She has plans to green it up, but where do you begin? Well, how about with what you’re already doing?

I love Kristie’s blog, The Year of the Limo, because it showcases many ways you can be less destructive regardless of whether you drive an Insight or a … well … Limo (which gets better gas mileage than I would have garnered).

Although the limo uses more gas than my old car, I am finding that I actually use less gas than I used to. Ironically, owning a less efficient car has made me more environmentally aware…

now that I have a car that gets only 15 mpg I often ponder…is it really worth going across town to shop? Why don’t we just walk instead of driving to the store? I don’t really need to go to the grocery store more than once a week…sometimes the car will sit in the driveway for days!

I experience this with my minivan. It sat in our driveway so long, in fact, that I had to get it towed somewhere and worked on to get up and running again! Maybe, instead of encouraging people to get more efficient cars, I should encourage them to get gas-guzzlers? lol

OR NOT.

I’m really interested in helping Kristie come up with ideas for greening her limo, and if any of you have money to donate to a cause … this seems like a wonderful service to support.

[Photo credit: Year of the Limo]

Post from: EveryJoe

Limo-green: Modding a stretch for eco’s sake

Cost to the Environment

Sometimes it’s hard to tell what the “good” cars really are. Dealerships certainly don’t know. I had a salesman point me to the HHR as the best car on their lot (even though it’s so cute … it certainly isn’t better for the planet than the Vibe or Aveo).

You can visit a number of sites and try to figure the numbers out on your own, or you can head to (yeh, I know, I was surprised too) Yahoo! Autos, where their Green Rating takes fuel efficiency, a variety of emissions and air pollutants and waste from manufacturing into consideration.

The Cost to Own

I would encourage people to look at the total cost of the car and not just the monthly payment. Insurance premiums. Replacement parts. As this article from MSNMoney points out, a good deal on the lot can still attack your pocketbook.

Also, cheap autos can wind up being more expensive than models you feel you’re shelling out for. The 2008 Toyota Prius has an estimated 5 year expense of $35,493. A 2008 Chevy Aveo, with only an initial cost of $15,447, has a 5 year cost of $33,320.

Edmund’s Cost to Own calculator looks at the cost of ownership over 5 years. Loss data by make and model (a bit outdated)

Inexpensive Cars and Safety Concerns

Sometimes people try to skimp on the cost by skimping on options, but those options can wind up preventing severe damage or injury.

In the case of the 2007-08 Yaris, a very fuel-friendly and inexpensive model, forgoing side airbags left potential for serious head, neck, chest, leg … basically, severe all over body damage. With side airbags? They received the highest rating. (Which is “Good” … seems a little anti-climatic, doesn’t it?) Those options might add a few hundred dollars onto your cost, but save you tremendously in the long run.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ratings can be found here

and National Highway Traffic Safety Admin results found here

ALL THAT SAID, I’m not living in a dreamworld where everyone has the $98,000.00 they need to pick up a Tesla Roadster. (Don’t I wish!) I can’t buy the car I really want, and sooner or later, I’ll have to look for one that they’ll let me drive away with.

Thankfully, there are some really inexpensive autos on the market that don’t pose major safety concerns and have comparable fuel efficiency, air pollution and carbon footprint measurements as higher cost, higher tech hybrids.

I’ll be updating this page from time to time with my current favorites, so you may want to bookmark it, or subscribe to the RSS Feed. Ooo, you could Stumble it too, if you like. ;)

Have fun shopping!

Hyundai Accent – $12,000

Hyundai Elantra – $16,000

Post from: EveryJoe

Most efficient & Most affordable

I really prefer the SE with the sunroof package. Um, all because of the potential impact on gas … and emissions … and not even a little because it’s “the cool one”. Honestly. Even with the fun stuff added, you come away with a car that has a lot to offer and with the rebate going right now, it’ll cost you under $15,000.

If that’s more than you want to spend though, the GS can be scored – with upgraded audio, etc -for under $12,000. The GLS 4-door is also under $15,000.

Fuel-efficiency is best (27 mpg city/32 mpg highway) with a stick, but automatic (24 mpg city/ 33 mpg highway) for roughly $1000 more per model. Like many of the smaller cars, there are problems when it comes to taking a hit. Rear passenger tests only scored 3 starts for side collisions in the Accent. The rest were pretty good however, at 5s and 4s. Safety ratings can be seen here.

Standard features on all 3:
Dual front advanced airbags with OCS
Driver and Front Passenger Side-impact airbags
Side Air Curtains (front and rear passengers)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Child seat LATCH system
Front seatbelt pretensioners

Not (factory) available? Cruise control. I don’t get this, particularly with the other options they carry. Also not available? A rear wiper. (I have these on two cars and honestly use them maybe once a year, so I was very surprised to see people complaining about them.)

Each model has its own list of upgradeable options, even colors. If you like the Accent, but want more room, the Hyundai Elantra is also an inexpensive option.

[image source: Hyundai USA]

Post from: EveryJoe

The Environmentally-friendly & Affordable: Hyundai Accent @ $12,000