I had to laugh at this quote though…

 “Make no mistake – we are not a niche player with a car only for the rich and famous. As our agreement with the state so clearly demonstrates, we are building a high volume ZERO EMISSION VEHICLE, manufactured in California for mid-range family use. And we aren’t going to stop there. We will continue on and build even more affordable cars. You are witnessing the debut of a new car company, a company unlike all others, a company with a disruptive technology, a company dedicated for the exclusive production of Zero Emission Vehicles,” said Ze’ev Drori.

Can middle America really afford a $60,000.00 car?? Eh, I’m cheap. Maybe it’s just me.

At the very least, it’s nice to see Tesla continuing to develop autos that are bringing attention to the electric/zero emissions market, and spurring interest (and action) from larger companies. Well, except Ford. You know how they are.

Source: Gizmag.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Introducing the Tesla Model S

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

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

Hyundai’s Elantra will come in two varieties. One version will run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) … propane. The other version will be a “traditional” gas-electric hybrid.

Following will be a hybrid version of the Hyundai Sonata in 2010, along with a Kia Optima hybrid and an SUV hybrid called the Borrego. Their existing hydrogen fuel-cell program also has plans for expansion, with the first cars for sale hitting lots in 2012.

I was surprised to learn that propane is actually 3rd, after diesel, in the world’s choice for car fuels. It lasts longer, and cars using propane tend to last longer too. It also kicks out 60% fewer emissions than gasoline. Sounds like a great choice for a hybrid.

Post from: EveryJoe

Electric-Propane hybrid? Hyundai’s Elantra in 2009, Kia hybrid 2010

Let’s subtitle this one, “What they’re bitching about now…”

* Heat and AC, which according to GM can only function when a car burns gasoline.

* The radio apparently can’t function because it bleeds too much energy from the battery.

What really kills me is this bit of wisdom:

Toyota, which also has set a 2010 goal for producing a plug-in version of its Prius sedan, has the same issue. But the Japanese automaker also has the advantage of having pioneered gas-electric hybrid technology and being the world’s leading seller of hybrids.

URG.

Just make the car already. You don’t see Toyota, Nissan, Tesla, ZAP, Miles Automotive, or any of the other electric developers pissing and moaning like this. It’s like someone’s holding a gun to GM’s head. If they don’t want to be an innovator in this field, that’s perfectly fine. They can step aside. No doubt the void will quickly be filled by their competition.

Post from: EveryJoe

More Explanations for Pushing Back Production on Volt

Kia hopes to open up the market by providing consumers with a more affordable hybrid. The electric motor works as a helper to the gas engine during start-up and acceleration. It turns off while cruising, and recharges during deceleration. It also is the first Kia to feature CVT and computerized start-stop, which personally, sounds a little wonky.

From Kia’s Press release:

computer-controlled stop/start motoring which switches both engine and motor off whenever the car comes to a standstill for more than a few seconds.

Does that mean it shuts off whenever you’re idling? I would think that would cause a lot of unnecessary wear and tear on the car. I’m tired though, and dealing with two sick kids :( so I might not be getting the point right now. lol Funny how my brain doesn’t function how it used to, when I only had myself to worry about.

The company is claiming a 44% increase in fuel efficiency (to 53 mpg) and a 37% decrease in emissions. I’ll be happy to see how affordable they can offer this technology to people.

*photos from KiaMotors.com

Sources:

NZHerald

Post from: EveryJoe

Kia to release Hybrid Rio in 2009

You can see my previous post on the Current Offers and Rebates tool to find deals in your area.
If you’re in the market for a new 2007 or 2008 model, these are the most fuel efficient cars currently for sale:

2007/2008 Subcompact, compact cars

2007/2008 Family sedans

2007/2008 Wagons & Crossovers

2007/2008 SUVs

2007/2008 Minivans

2007/2008 Trucks

I apologize in advance, because the following may be a flood of related posts. I hope no one will be too aggravated. :)

Post from: EveryJoe

Best Fuel Efficiency 2007 & 2008

Prius in Spectra Blue Mica -
with a redesigned Prius hitting markets next year, consumers may save a bundle by waiting to purchase 2008s until then.

Top Five Family Sedans for 2007 & 2008

There’s a little more variation between 2007 and 2008 family sedans. We see the addition of a new hybrid (the Malibu, now in limited availability) and better mileage by the Kia Spectra.

2007 Models

Toyota Prius
4 cylinder, 1.5 L engine, Automatic
48 mpg city/ 45 mpg hwy

Nissan Altima Hybrid
4 cylinder, 2.5 L engine, Automatic
35 mpg city/ 33 mpg hwy

Toyota Camry Hybrid
4 cylinder, 2.4 L engine, Automatic
33 mpg city/ 34 mpg hwy

Hyundai Elantra
4 cylinder, 2 L engine, Automatic 4-speed
25 mpg city/ 33 mpg hwy

Honda Accord Hybrid**
6 cylinder, 3 L engine, Automatic 5-speed
24 mpg city/ 32 mpg hwy

Saturn Aura Hybrid**
4 cylinder, 2.4 L engine, Automatic 4-speed
24 mpg city/ 32 mpg hwy

2008 Models

Toyota Prius
4 cylinder, 1.5 L engine, Automatic
48 mpg city/ 45 mpg hwy

Nissan Altima Hybrid
4 cylinder, 2.5 L engine, Automatic
35 mpg city/ 33 mpg hwy

Toyota Camry Hybrid
4 cylinder, 2.4 L engine, Automatic
33 mpg city/ 34 mpg hwy

Hyundai Elantra
4 cylinder, 2 L engine, Automatic 4-speed
25 mpg city/ 33 mpg hwy

Chevy Malibu Hybrid**
4 cylinder, 2 L engine, Automatic 4-speed
24 mpg city/ 32 mpg hwy

Kia Spectra**
4 cylinder, 2 L engine, Automatic 4-speed
24 mpg city/ 32 mpg hwy

Saturn Aura Hybrid**
4 cylinder, 2.4 L engine, Automatic 4-speed
24 mpg city/ 32 mpg hwy

* All figures taken from FuelEconomy.gov and focus on models with automatic transmissions, although sometimes, manuals can get better gas mileage

** Share gas mileage statistics

Post from: EveryJoe

Best Family Sedans for 2007 & 2008: Prius, Altima & Camry hybrids, Elantra