3 Advantages Of Hybrid Cars Over Conventional Cars

Due to the rising cost of fuel and the environmental damage it causes to our planet, many car owners or buyers are looking for an alternative way to save money. Let's face it, fuel supply is finite and the prices of gas is only going to rise higher and higher. That is where a hybrid car has its advantages Hybrid cars have been gaining in popularity in recent years. With lower cost of production and new hybrid car technology being developed, owning a hybrid car is becoming affordable to everyone. Hybrid Cars Saves Gas The obvious advantage of using hybrid cars is that it saves gas. Combining the cleaner energy of an electric motor with the long range capacity of a gasoline engine allows a hybrid car to save as much as 30 miles a gallon. One feature of hybrid cars is that the gasoline engine is shut off automatically when the car stops. This also helps in saving fuel. That is also the reason why hybrid cars are so quiet why it is stationary. The gasoline engine is automatically turned on when you step on the accelerator pedal. Hybrid Cars Are Environment Friendly Hybrid cars emit lower toxic emissions compared to conventional gasoline-powered cars due to less gasoline being burned. It is environmentally friendly, causes less pollution and releases less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. If you do not know, carbon dioxide is one of the primary reasons for rising global warming. For example, the Toyota Prius can reduce tailpipe emissions by up to ninety percent and the greenhouse gas emissions by as much as fifty percent. Tax Incentives For Hybrid Cars Due to world political pressures around the world to reduce greenhouse emissions, President Bush signed an agreement in 2005 to provide huge tax relief to hybrid car buyers. The tax incentive varies by model and are based on two factors 1. How fuel efficient the hybrid car is compared to a conventional car in 2002 with the same weight class. 2. How much gasoline the hybrid car can save in its lifetime compared with an equivalent conventional car For example, a Honda Accord hybrid car have reduced tax credits of $600 while a Toyota Prius has a tax credit of $3150. Do note that the tax credits do expire after 2010 for most hybrid cars. Hybrid car manufacturers are continually researching for more ways to reduce fuel consumption and better fuel efficiency. Also as more hybrid cars are being adopted, the cost of hybrid cars will reduce making it more affordable for everyone.

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~~ 6 Steps To Making Your Own e85 Ethanol ~~

Step One: . . . The Conversion Process We have to break down carbohydrate sugars, such as the starch from corn. Create it into "Mash". Grind or crush the feedstock (corn, soybeans, wheat, etc...). Then dilute and add an enzyme (alpha amylase) to turn the mixture into a liquid. Once liquified a second enzyme is added(glucoamylase) to convert the starch into sugar. (If the source is mainly sugar, i.e...rotten fruit, molasses, etc..., the conversion step can be skipped. Step Two: . . . Fermentation Add yeast and make it into a beer (wine) type solution. Step Three: . . . Distillation The beer (wine) type solution needs to be run through a still to extract the alcohol from the solution. Step Four: . . . Filtration The ethanol now needs to be filtered to get rid of excess organic volatiles. Step Five: . . . Dehydration The ethanol needs to be "dried". After the distillation process there will be a certain amount of water in the ethanol you have just created - this can be dried running the ethanol through Zeolite a readily available product for drying ethanol. Step Six: . . . Ethanol Into e85 Now simply convert the pure ethanol into e85 by adding 15% unleaded gasoline to your ethanol. e85 is nothing more than 85% ethanol mixed with 15% gasoline. Making your own ethanol will require some initial investment, but the rewards will be very, very beneficial. You can make your own e85 for right around a $1.00 a gallon if you buy the corn and for about $.60 a gallon if you grow your own corn. e85 Flex Fuel Vehicles are becoming more and more popular as the gas prices continue to rise. e85 is defiantly going to be a major relief for the United States fuel problem. You may even be driving a flex fuel vehicle now. Many newer models are equipped to handle both gasoline as well as e85 ethanol. The best way to check is to look in your owners manuel, check in the fuel door for the e85 sticker or contact your dealer and have them run your vin number to see if you vehicle is compatable. I suggest that you do all three, to be on the safe side.Now simply convert the pure ethanol into e85 by adding 15% unleaded gasoline to your ethanol. e85 is nothing more than 85% ethanol mixed with 15% gasoline.

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~~ 6 Steps To Making Your Own e85 Ethanol ~~

Step One: . . . The Conversion Process We have to break down carbohydrate sugars, such as the starch from corn. Create it into "Mash". Grind or crush the feedstock (corn, soybeans, wheat, etc...). Then dilute and add an enzyme (alpha amylase) to turn the mixture into a liquid. Once liquified a second enzyme is added(glucoamylase) to convert the starch into sugar. (If the source is mainly sugar, i.e...rotten fruit, molasses, etc..., the conversion step can be skipped. Step Two: . . . Fermentation Add yeast and make it into a beer (wine) type solution. Step Three: . . . Distillation The beer (wine) type solution needs to be run through a still to extract the alcohol from the solution. Step Four: . . . Filtration The ethanol now needs to be filtered to get rid of excess organic volatiles. Step Five: . . . Dehydration The ethanol needs to be "dried". After the distillation process there will be a certain amount of water in the ethanol you have just created - this can be dried running the ethanol through Zeolite a readily available product for drying ethanol. Step Six: . . . Ethanol Into e85 Now simply convert the pure ethanol into e85 by adding 15% unleaded gasoline to your ethanol. e85 is nothing more than 85% ethanol mixed with 15% gasoline. Making your own ethanol will require some initial investment, but the rewards will be very, very beneficial. You can make your own e85 for right around a $1.00 a gallon if you buy the corn and for about $.60 a gallon if you grow your own corn. e85 Flex Fuel Vehicles are becoming more and more popular as the gas prices continue to rise. e85 is defiantly going to be a major relief for the United States fuel problem. You may even be driving a flex fuel vehicle now. Many newer models are equipped to handle both gasoline as well as e85 ethanol. The best way to check is to look in your owners manuel, check in the fuel door for the e85 sticker or contact your dealer and have them run your vin number to see if you vehicle is compatable. I suggest that you do all three, to be on the safe side.Now simply convert the pure ethanol into e85 by adding 15% unleaded gasoline to your ethanol. e85 is nothing more than 85% ethanol mixed with 15% gasoline.

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Diesel and Hybrid Vehicles Gaining Market Share

According to the Specialty Equipment Market Association’s (SEMA) first quarter report for 2007, a recent J.D. Power and Associates report has concluded that while gas-powered engines remain dominant in the U.S. market, hybrids and diesels are steadily gaining market share. It is no secret that rising gas prices and environmental concerns are the two main catalysts pushing consumers toward alternative-fuel vehicles. As gas prices rise, diesels seem a natural solution for the United States, especially for manufacturers with large operations in Europe, where diesel cars are already in large demand, said J.D. Power and Associates Automotive Forecasting Manager Kevin Riddell. A vehicle with a modern diesel engine will have 30 percent better fuel economy than a comparable gasoline engine. Plus, advances have made modern diesel engines perform similar to gasoline engines in terms of noise, filtration systems and drive quality, said Riddell. While hybrids still only share a relatively small part of the market, they are enjoying phenomenal annual sales growth. Consumers are becoming more aware of the environmental benefits and fuel-savings recognized by driving a hybrid vehicle. Rental fleets, delivery fleets and taxi companies are adding thousands of hybrids to their vehicle pools. AMSOIL provides superior synthetic lubricants for nearly all applications, including hybrid and diesel-powered vehicles. Not only that, but AMSOIL synthetics improve fuel economy and reduce our impact on the environment by extending drain intervals.

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Saving Big With Hybrid Cars

In America, a standard automobile gets an average of 20.4 miles per gallon. With the innovative hybrid technology, consumers can expect to get a lot more mileage for their dollar. According to researchers, the Honda Insight was designed specifically for the purpose of getting the best gas mileage and is said to be the current industry leader in this type of hybrid savings. Just how much of a difference will consumers see with the Honda Insight hybrid cars? Studies have shown that hybrid cars featuring a manual transmission will get approximately 60 miles per gallon in the city and 66 miles per gallon on the highway. Hybrid cars with an automatic transmission generally provide slightly less than 57 miles per gallon in the city and 56 miles per gallon on the highway. The brand new 2006 Honda Civic hybrid cars are only manufactured with an automatic transmission and provide an approximate 50 miles per gallon on the highway and/or the city. As expected, hybrid cars will get better mileage per gallon than that of a hybrid SUVs. The Ford Escape, for example, provides 36 miles per gallon in the city and 31 miles per gallon on the highway. Even with these numbers, the hybrid Escape is rated to provide better gas mileage than the non-hybrid Escape, which is only said to provide 22 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway. The most popular reason for consumers to purchase hybrid cars is because they are economical. With the recent rise in gasoline prices, consumers were left searching for an automobile that could provide better gas mileage and found just that in hybrid cars. In addition to their fuel friendly design, hybrid cars are no longer confined to one or two cookie cutter designs. In fact, today’s hybrid cars are available in a variety of sizes, colors and are manufactured by a several automobile makers. With all of the aforementioned benefits, many wonder just how much the convenience of saving money will cost. Surprisingly, hybrid cars are not drastically priced above other non-hybrid automobiles. In fact, hybrid cars & SUVs can be found in prices ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 for standard models, but may cost more depending on chosen upgrades. The new hybrid cars are available in the look of typical highway automobiles or those designed with a unique flair. Either way, the manufacturers of hybrid cars believe that while appearance is important, the most important thing about these new technologically advanced autos is the fact that they are both environmentally and wallet friendly.

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Hybrid Cars – Cheap Transportation?

Copyright 2006 Debt Management Credit Counseling Corp. Maybe you want to do your part for the environment. Perhaps, you want a more economical way to travel since gasoline prices are on the rise. Or, you may want to purchase a vehicle that rewards you with federal tax incentives. Regardless of your reason for purchasing a hybrid vehicle, you need to do research and make sure you get the most out of this financial investment. There are many websites which help consumers with the process of purchasing a hybrid vehicle. However, the research itself can still be overwhelming. Therefore, below are some important aspects you should consider. Review Review Review The cost to replace hybrid parts can be extremely expensive. Reviewing your options when considering these costs, can help you quickly eliminate some hybrids off your list. Check the Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) and recalls. Go to edmunds.com and search for the vehicle you have in mind for more information. Warranties If you are purchasing a used hybrid or plan on owning the vehicle longer than the standard warranty, really think about spending the extra bucks on an extended warranty. Because hybrid vehicles are loaded with new technology, the cost to repair them is going to be extremely high. Not to mention the cost of the knowledgeable mechanic working on these vehicles. So, between repair and labor, it may be a wise decision to purchase the extended warranty and have a little peace of mind. Be sure to look into what the manufacturer offers. If you cannot afford to buy the extended warranty at the time of purchase, consider buying it before the standard warranty expires. Compare a Hybrid to a Conventional Car Model: 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid | 2006 Honda Civic Sedan Base Price MSRP: $22,150 | $14,760 Fuel Economy (Average between city and highway) Hybrid: 50 miles per gallon | Sedan:34 miles per gallon If you drive 15k miles annually, how many gallons of gas will you use? Hybrid: 300 gallons | Sedan: 441 gallons If the cost of gas is $2.75 a gallon, how much will you spend annually on gas? Hybrid: $825 | Sedan: $1,212 If you save $387 yearly on gas by driving the hybrid, how long will it take you to make up the difference of the MSRP between the Hybrid (including the $2,000 Federal rebate) and the Sedan? 14 years Is there a tax break for Hybrid owners? How much will I save? Yes, if you are a Honda Civic Hybrid owner, you will receive a $2,100 tax credit from the IRS. Buy That New Car and Control Your Budget Do you still think you need that new car? The chart above is a perfect example where you can buy that new car, get great gas mileage and maintain a budget. The extra money you could save every month for purchasing a conventional car would look great in your savings account. How about?…. Buy That New Car and Control Your Budget Do you still think you need that new car? The chart above is a good illustration of how much one would spend on either a conventional car versus a hybrid, plus the difference in gas mileage. It also shows how a budget will be affected by the purchase of a hybrid. The extra money you could save every month for purchasing a conventional car would look great in your savings account.

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How To Buy A Car (Trust Me - I Used To Sell Them)

We Americans like to buy a car at the dealership in one afternoon, and the dealerships try very hard to make us think that is possible and even smart. But it’s not. Realize how big a purchase a car is. And it is complicated. Buying a car is the second-largest purchase most people make after buying a home. When you buy a home, think about all the help you have: you have a broker to help you find the best home for you, and a mortgage broker to help you find the best financing. And an inspector to make sure the house is safe. Sometimes you also have an attorney to make sure the contract is fair, and a title company makes sure the title is clear before you pay for the home. But when you buy a car, there is not one person there to help you. And the dealers want you to THINK you can waltz in to the dealership and buy a car from start to finish in an afternoon… and sure, you can, but you will pay much much more if you do it that way. Here are four tips to give you an advantage: 1. Make at least one trip to the dealership JUST to look around and drive the cars. Promise yourself you will not buy that first time, no matter what. Why? So that you can go home and look up information on the internet, including dealer cost, safety ratings, option prices, and any manufacturer to dealer incentives that the dealer has certainly not told you about! 2. Know what you can afford before you visit the dealership to buy! This means talk to your personal banker or credit union officer before going to the dealership. Why? Some dealerships might actually WANT you to sign on for a more expensive car than you can afford so that you will then default on your loan and they will repossess the car. 3. Whenever the finance manager calculates something, insist that he show you the calculation. Why? The easiest place for dealerships to take more money from you is in the monthly payment. It is VERY common for dealers to increase monthly payments by just a few dollars, even $20 per month, over about a five year period is like giving the dealership $500 extra on the spot. E.G. If you tell the salesman you can afford a payment of $500 per month, he might find a deal for you in which the payment works out to $460 per month. But instead of telling you that, he might tell you that he has “great news”!! - - that your payment is down to $480. What happens to the $20 difference between the lender'’ $460 per month and the $480 the dealer is charging you? It goes right into the dealer’s pocket, and you will never know it unless you Len how to run the calculation yourself, or at least run it by your banker. How much would a dealership make, taking in an extra $20 per month for five years, on a loan with an interest rate of 3.9%? About $500. It is next to impossible to figure this kind of thing out without a financial calculator, or a friend with a financial calculator. But it’s worth the trouble! 4. Write down everything you learn about the car, from the internet, magazines, and especially from the salesman. Why? Doing this keeps everybody honest, and literally “on the same page”—YOUR page! Your salesman will see that you are writing down everything he says, and he will be less inclined to lie, or to try to change information on you later on. This tip is all about staying in control.

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Ethanol and E85 - Fuels Of The Future?

Copyright 2006 Donovan Baldwin

Pure ethanol or E100 is also known as ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol. It is made when corn, grain, or other agricultural products are fermented, distilled, and denatured and because of this, it is a continually renewable resource, a true benefit in the world of alternative fuels. Another benefit is the fact that, unlike many other, mainly petroleum based, fuels, it contributes nothing to the build-up of greenhouse gases. Because of its renewable nature, it is possible to extensively reduce a nation's dependence on foreign oil products.

Pure ethanol is never used as an alternative fuel, but ethanol blends are. For example, E10 is a fuel made of 10 percent ethanol and blended with 90 percent gasoline. The most common blend is E85, a fuel made of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. E85 is officially classified by the U.S. Department of Energy as an alternative energy fuel. It could be used in most cars today that are run on gasoline with some modification, and new, flexible fuel vehicles, are being developed that could use E85. Recently, lobbyists have been pushing for its use in FFVs or flexible fuel vehicles, alternative vehicles that have a lesser impact on the environment than today's gas guzzling cars.

E85 Properties

Why is E85 gaining in popularity to the point that lines of vehicles are being developed that will run on it alone? Compare it to the properties of gasoline, and see for yourself:

* 96 octane to 86-94 octane in gasoline

* 12,500 lower heating value to 18,000-19,000 lower heating value of gasoline

* 1.4 gallons of E85 is equal to 1 gallon gasoline

* Per gallon, E85 gets 72% of the miles that gasoline gets

* Holding tank is 1.4 times larger than a gasoline holding tank

* In cold weather, E85 starts the car as well as gasoline

* Vehicle power is increased 3-5% with E85

Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV)

A flexible fuel vehicle is a car that runs on any ethanol blend, E85 or less, and can also run on regular unleaded gas. They have been in production for almost a decade and continue to be built by some major car manufacturers including Ford, GM, Mercury, Isuzu, and more. Over 2 million of today’s vehicles are flexible fuel vehicles, which can run on ethanol, gasoline, or a mixture of the two. You may own one of these FFV's without even being aware of it. Some of the benefits of flexible fuel vehicles include:

* Emissions that create smog are reduced 25 percent

* Cost effectiveness is equal to that of cars run on gasoline

* Similar warranties and original equipment are manufactured as they are for gasoline run vehicles

* Emissions that create greenhouse gases are reduced 35 to 40 percent

* Vehicle horsepower increased up to 5 percent

* Fuel is renewable

* New vehicles can be ordered with a flexible fuel engine option

* More and more E85 pumps are springing up all over the country

* Gasoline can be mixed with any amount of E85 if E85 is not available

Hybrid Vehicles And Ethanol

Most cars, including hybrid cars have no problems with a 10 percent ethanol blend. However, at this time, the combination of E85 and the hybrid car is only slowly making its way from the drawing board to the highway. Some instances have occurred where the two have been combined, but these are primarily in fleet situations and concept cars so far. However, it shouldn't be too long before you can buy a hybrid car that will run on E85.

Drawbacks of E85

There are a few disadvantages to E85 at this point in the game, though they hardly outweigh the benefits. Some of these include:

* The cost of E85 is formidable due to the cost of the fermentation process but research has already begun to develop a new and cheaper fermentation process that utilizes lower-grade feed stocks.

* Ethanol is quite a bit more corrosive than gasoline, which could lead to engine problems.

* Issues of things like vapor lock, flame visibility, and cold starts have experts concerned.

* The miles per gallon of E85 is less efficient than the miles per gallons of gasoline.

* It's not easy to find E85 gasoline tanks because distribution is difficult.

One present disadvantage that DOES outweigh the ecological value for the consumer is the scarcity of locations selling E85. This will probably continue to change over time however. For those in the military, there are some military bases where E85 can be found

Despite the limitations, ethanol based alternative fuels like E85 are an incredible improvement over the use of gasoline. Some car manufacturers are offering to upgrade regular engines to E85 capability for no cost, and the fact that flexible fuel vehicles are not reliant upon E85 but can use gasoline in any combination with the ethanol blend makes it a simple choice. Scientists and researchers are working on ways to fix the remaining issues. This new technology is more than a trend but the direction in which the future is taking drivers.

You can learn more about alternative fuels and flexible fuel vehicles, including what vehicles are flexible fuel vehicles, and where to find E85, at the United States Government's Alternative Fuel Data Center at http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/infrastructure/fuel_inf.html .

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