Green Cars Outrun One Another In Australian Race

Green cars race

Today, as hybrid cars of other car manufacturers are still being envisioned, developed or improved, existing hybrid cars are being showcased, studied, tinkered with, sometimes dissected, tested, and pitted against other hybrid cars and "eco cars" so that people will know how they work, and how environment-friendly they really are. Motor shows and races about these hybrid cars make the motoring headlines these days. Green cars have somehow become the status symbols of today. Driving one does not just mean that you can afford it. But it also declares that the owner is a responsible earthling. But in the years to come, they will hopefully just be our everyday ordinary cars.

But living out today while hybrid cars are still a breakthrough in green innovation, we relish the designs, performances and capabilities of these hybrid and "eco cars." One way to take pleasure in these green cars is through a race among "eco cars" held in Australia, as reported by Phil Mercer of BBC News, Sydney.

'Eco cars' race across Australia

One of the world's toughest endurance races for solar and hybrid cars is underway in Australia.

The Global Green Challenge takes competitors over 3,000km (1,864 miles) of the country's harshest terrain from tropical Darwin to southern Adelaide.

The early front-runner after the first day is a team from Japan.

The race aims to highlight advances in hybrid, electric and low emission vehicles as well as those propelled by the sun.

Japan's Tokai University car is powered by some of the world's most innovative solar cells and leads other entrants from the United States, the Netherlands and Britain.

Copenhagen message

The sort of aerodynamic design and tyres that improve fuel efficiency, which the competition has showcased over the years, have increasingly been adopted by large car makers.

With the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Denmark just a few weeks away, Professor John Storey, an astrophysicist from the University of New South Wales, says the race shows that the motoring industry can adapt to environmental challenges.

"Going into Copenhagen I would see this event as being, if you like, the ray of sunshine on the horizon in the future to say that look if we have to cut our CO2 by 20%, 30%, 50% or more, it's not the end of the world."

This iconic and gruelling transcontinental race is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

It has attracted 35 teams from more than a dozen countries. The first cars are expected to cross the finish line in Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, on Wednesday or Thursday.

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Toyota Hybrid Car Drives Off With Car of the Year Award

Toyota Prius, Japan's Car of the Year

Being an environemntally conscious and friendly country, Japan's choice of Car of the Year is expected to be the environment's best buddy, like a hybrid car. And true enough, in the 41st Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota Prius drives away with the accolade. Below is the news from InsideJapan.

The Toyota Prius has been voted as Japan's Car of the Year at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show, beating fellow Japanese brand Honda to the top spot.

The hybrid car was voted top of the list by a panel of 61 motor journalists and people who work in the car industry.

Released in May of this year, the third generation Toyota Prius claims to have the best fuel efficiency of any car in the world.

In Japan, the Prius has topped the list of best-selling cars for the past three months and is also popular in the US, with high-profile eco-conscious Hollywood stars such as Cameron Diaz and Leonardo DiCaprio both owners.

As well as this recent award, the Prius won Japan's Car of the Year in 1997 and the North American Car of the Year in 2004.

Four years ago it also scooped the accolade of European Car of the Year.

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Honda's Hybrid Sports Car

Honda hybrid car with earth painting

A lot has been said about hybrid cars from Honda. A few weeks ago, we had reported that the Acura NSX hybrid could be on its way. And the Japanese company is betting big on such cars as their hybrid sales also went up in May this year. Now British Web site Autocar reports that Honda has spoken about their hybrid sports car plan.

Nobuki Ebisawa is the design boss at Honda. He revealed that they are considering working on a hybrid high performance sports car. According to Ebisawa, “This is something that we are considering, and the CR-Z is only one shape of Honda’s hybrid sports cars in the current age.”

Though he didn’t reveal much, the Honda designer did point out that the team is checking out weight saving techniques like active aerodynamics and even using more aluminium for the car, something similar to the first NSX. However, Ebisawa indicated that the Japanese carmaker has other priorities such as more conventional hybrid cars over the hybrid sports cars.

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Talking about some maturity of the toys for the big boys!

Mazda Hybrid Car With A "Third Wheel"

Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE hybrid car runs on a "third wheel"

Environment-friendly driving does not necessarily mean driving on petrol and electricty. The Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid car runs on a third power source - hydrogen.

With all the hype surrounding plug-in electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered cars have all but disappeared from the radar.

But Mazda, which was the first car maker in the world to lease a hydrogen car to a customer, is still pressing ahead with a trial of the technology in Tokyo.

It’s also about to expand the program to Norway. The company’s latest creation is the Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid, an unassuming people mover that has two fuel tanks and three power modes; hydrogen, petrol and an electric motor powered by lithium-ion batteries.

From the outside, the only clue to the car’s unique ability is the badging and signwriting on its flanks and rear.

But scratch the surface and you soon find out this is no ordinary form of soccer mum transport.

For a start the third row seat is gone, replaced by a sizeable 150 litre hydrogen fuel tank that takes up all but a foot of the rear cargo space.

There are also two fuel flaps on the outside; the one on the driver’s side is identical to a normal petrol cap, while on the passenger side, the refuelling nozzle looks similar to the connection on a domestic gas heater.

Step inside the Premacy and you’ll notice a “Biotechmaterial” logo on all the seats, the door inserts and large sections of the dash.

The logo refers to the use of plant-derived fabrics and plastics throughout the interior.

Mazda says it is looking to reduce its dependence on oil in two ways: by using less petrol for fuel and using fewer petroleum-based plastics and fabrics in its car interiors.

The material, which looks quite classy and feels high-tech, has already been incorporated into some regular Mazda passenger vehicles.

In the second row of the Premacy, you sit about 7cm higher than in the normal petrol version because the car has its stack of lithium ion batteries under the rear floor.

In the front, there is no change from the petrol version, except for the lack of a tacho in the instrument panel and a prominent colour screen on top of the dash with a readout that lets you know when you are driving on electric power, hydrogen power or petrol.

The flow-chart style readout also tells you when the car’s inverter is feeding stored energy back into the car’s lithium ion battery.

It is similar to the readout in the world’s top-selling hybrid, the Toyota Prius, although it doesn’t give you instant fuel readouts.

The cynical observer would say there’s a reason for that: in hydrogen-mode, the Premacy drinks like a sailor on shore leave.

Officially, the Premacy has a range of 200km on Japan’s government fuel cycle. But we drove the Premacy for roughly 22km – admittedly in city traffic – and used half a tank.

That equates to a range of just 44km and fuel usage that would make a V8 Supercar look like positively frugal.

The Premacy is easy to start. Turn the key to the right and a light comes up on the dash saying the car is ready to proceed.

As with a Prius, it will start off on electric power before the internal combustion engine kicks in to life.

The engine in the Premacy is a version of the same Rotary engine in the RX8, modified to run on both petrol and hydrogen, in much the same way dual-fuel LPG cars run on gas and petrol.

Mazda says the Rotary engine, which is traditionally thirsty in petrol form, is ideally suited to gas applications because it is better suited to the high combustion properties of hydrogen.

A light in the Premacy’s instrument panel lets you know whether you are using petrol or hydrogen and you can switch from hydrogen to petrol on the run.

The car will also automatically change over to petrol if you’re running low on hydrogen. You can’t, however switch to hydrogen from petrol without first turning the car off. On the road, the first thing you notice is the lack of gear changes.

The conventional transmission gives way to a single gear and car’s engine noise rises and falls with your application of the throttle.

The rest of the experience is pretty similar to driving a petrol-electric hybrid; the car is eerily quiet when stopped at intersections, except for the whirr of the inverter.

The internal combustion engine kicks in with a bit of a shudder when you take off and the acceleration is on par with a modestly-powered petrol engine.

The engine noise can get fairly raucous at higher speeds as well, but there’s a vaguely sporty sound to the exhaust note that sits well with Mazda’s “Zoom Zoom” catch-cry.

With many enthusiasts bemoaning the fact that electric cars won’t have an exhaust note or any feel through the accelerator pedal, a hydrogen car seems an appealing zero-emission alternative for the driving enthusiast.

Mazda also says its hydrogen solution, which uses a traditional internal combustion engine, is a more practical alternative than the fuel-cell vehicles being developed by some rivals. The company says fuel cells are more energy efficient, but very expensive and unreliable.

Hydrogen cars are also potentially cleaner than electric vehicles, as they do not rely on power from traditional sources, including coal-fired power stations.

But there are still big hurdles to clear before any form of hydrogen power becomes a serious alternative to the electric car. The main one is infrastructure.

In Japan, which has a relatively well-developed hydrogen infrastructure compared with the rest of the world, there are only 16 hydrogen fuelling stations and ten of those are in Tokyo.

Compare that to the convenience of plugging your car into a household power point and the odds stack up against hydrogen.

And when you talk to Mazda’s engineers, you get the distinct impression that even they are resigned to the fact that hydrogen powered cars may not see commercial production for decades, if at all.

It may be a pipe dream, but there’s no doubting the appeal of driving a vehicle that drives like a petrol car but emits just steam from its tailpipe.

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Hybrid Cars Judged

Honda Insight - "best hybrid car in terms of daily performance"

"I want a hybrid."
I've heard that from more than one reader, and I have come to realize that most people don't really know a thing about hybrids. Not all hybrids are created equal and not every hybrid will fit into every garage the same.
First, let's define "hybrid." These are cars that run on gas and electric drivetrains. Some carmakers don't like the idea of hybrids because they have to create two powertrains for a single vehicle. Consumers, however, don't seem to mind.
These cars are not the final answer in mankind's quest for high-mileage, environmentally friendly machines, but they are part of the solution. A hundred years from now, when all of the vehicles are fueled by carbon neutral dilithium crystals and historians look back to trace the powertrain's lineage, hybrids will be a distant relative; the cars and trucks that started the world down a different road.

There are a dozen gas-electric hybrid cars sold in the United States, but that number will continue to grow in the coming years. They range in size, price and drivability. The $100,000 Lexus 600h was not included in this showdown. Neither was the Lexus GS 450h, a 340-horsepower thrill machine that manages 22 miles per gallon in city driving. Both vehicles miss the general idea of economical driving. The Mercedes-Benz S400 hybrid also was not included for the same reasons.
Finally, there is also a group of vehicles known as mild hybrids not in this showdown. They use engine shut-off systems but do not use electric motors to help propel them. Calling them a hybrid is insulting to consumers and the equivalent to buying a refrigerator magnet that says hybrid and putting it on your Hummer.
So what's the best of the best when it comes to a hybrid car? Depends on the driver.
Of the eight in our comparison, three models, the 2010 Toyota Prius, the 2010 Honda Insight and the 2010 Lexus are hybrid-only models, meaning there are no gas-only versions of these cars. The remainder come in hybrid versions of regular models: 2010 Ford Fusion, 2010 Honda Civic, 2009 Nissan Altima (which is only sold in the nine most pretentious states in the U.S.), 2010 Toyota Camry and the 2010 Mercury Milan.

Daily performance
Gas mileage is not the only thing to measure when weighing a car's performance, and never, I mean never, take hybrid owners' mileage figures too seriously. Yes, it is possible to get 90 miles per gallon in a Prius, but you can also get 100 mpg in a semi truck if the 100 miles are downhill. Exuberant hybrid owners' mileage figures tend to fudge to the high side. For people not posting to CleanMPG.com, I have found EPA estimates to be pretty accurate. During a recent weeklong test of the Mercury Milan hybrid, I averaged 39 mpg, dead on with the EPA's combined mileage numbers.
Performance-wise, the least expensive hybrid, the Honda Insight, has the sportiest ride. It turns on a dime and feels most connected to the road. The Ford Fusion was a very close second, with only its size cutting into its agility. The Fusion and the Altima certainly felt the most "normal," which may deter some hybrid buyers and encourage others. The Toyota Camry's ride and handling are too spongy, with too much body roll through corners, whereas the other two Toyota Motor Corp. entries, the Prius and HS 250h, provided much better rides.
The new Prius holds to the road much better than its previous two generations did. The HS 250h feels stable, and when running under electric-only power, is insanely silent.
Winner: Honda Insight

Best exterior
A car's exterior was made for the rest of the world to see. So if you need strangers to know you're driving a hybrid, get the Prius or Insight. It's a design that takes the most advantage of aerodynamics and has become synonymous with the word hybrid.
But they both have the profiles of a door stop and looked like they were carved out of cheese. Iconic does not mean pretty; Robert Zimmerman may be iconic, but even if you rename him Bob Dylan, he's still just as homely.
The downside to many of the other hybrids is they have gasoline-only counterparts, so they may not provide the eco-credibility some crave. Most have green jewelry sprinkled across their sheet metal but it's hardly noticeable, so strangers will need you to tell them you own a hybrid, and, trust me, you will. The Fusion looks sporty, the Civic looks smart and the Milan looks like the Fusion. The Camry hybrid is just as boring as the regular Camry. The HS 250h is more nondescript than attractive, leaving only the Nissan Altima as the most beautiful in the bunch. It impresses with its aggressive front end, slung-back headlights and crisp lines across its body.
Default winner: Nissan Altima

Best interior
Some cars can't be judged by their cover: The Altima proves that part with a less-than-spectacular cabin that feels cheap.
The Fusion and Milan have upped the ante for many carmakers with well-crafted interiors and quality materials. The SmartGauge creates a beautiful instrument panel that displays a virtual vine, which grows the better you drive. My favorite feature is the trip summary. It will tell you your fuel economy, the distance traveled and the amount of fuel used. It reminds you every time you turn the key that you've helped save the world.
The Prius also has upgraded its interior for 2010, losing its spaceship feel and adopting a more car-friendly interior. Materials and fit and finish have been improved, and the Prius offers enough technology to choke someone at NASA. Its hatchback configuration also makes the Prius feel very roomy and comfortable for five people. The compact Honda, which is significantly smaller than the Prius, shies away from Neiman Marcus and more toward Wal-Mart. In fairness to Honda, the car starts right at $20,000 and undercuts all of the hybrid competition. A lower price comes with sacrifices and plastic.
Winner: Ford Fusion

Best car
As more carmakers enter the fray and introduce the next greatest hybrid, there will be something for everyone. Even now, all of these hybrids are fine choices that will provide good, economical rides. But showdowns don't work if everyone wins.
The Ford Fusion, with its high mileage, top-notch interior and spacious cabin, is the best car in the group. It may get you more than 40 mpg and ride around over 40 mph in electric-only mode, but you will quickly forget you're in a hybrid. And that's when you know a hybrid has made it -- when the results are more important than the badge.
But America has not gotten to that point yet and hybrids remain a niche status vehicle, edging into the mainstream. Hitting a combined 50 mpg, the Toyota Prius still rules. Add to that a spacious interior, unique technologies and iconic look, the Prius remains the hybrid to beat. It feels and sounds and runs like the future.

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While some people are still realizing the exigency to live amiably with the environment, and carmakers are still designing and manufacturing their hybrid and other green automobiles, the earth continues to suffer the price of some technology, like a passive smoker getting cancer. When buying hybrid cars, I hope the top-of-mind buying consideration for a consumer is the environment.

How Do Hybrid Cars Work?

Here is a video explaining how hybrid cars work?

Why Not All Hybrid Cars Are Green

Plug-in car

Establishing a green lifestyle does not stop short with just using hybrid cars or electric cars. It takes a community, a country, or even the entire world, to really attain the positive environmental impact we want from green technology such as the hybrid cars, specifically the electric cars. The following article from Timothy Gardner explains why electric cars are not necessarily the environment's bestfriend.

Electric cars don't deserve halo yet: study

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Electric cars will not be dramatically cleaner than autos powered by fossil fuels until they rely less on electricity produced from conventional coal-fired power plants, scientists said on Monday.

"For electric vehicles to become a major green alternative, the power fuel mix has to move away from coal, or cleaner coal technologies have to be developed," said Jared Cohon, the chair of a National Research Council report released on Monday called "Hidden Costs of Energy: Unpriced Consequences of Energy Production and Use."

About half of U.S. power is generated by burning coal, which emits many times more of traditional pollutants, such as particulates and smog components, than natural gas, and about twice as much of the main greenhouse gas carbon dioxide.

Nuclear and renewable power would have to generate a larger portion of U.S. power for electric cars to become much greener compared to gasoline-powered cars, Cohan, who is also president of Carnegie Mellon University, said in an interview.

Advances in coal burning, like capturing carbon at power plants for permanent burial underground, could also help electric cars become a cleaner alternative to vehicles powered by fossil fuels, he said.

Pollution from energy sources did $120 billion worth of damage to human health, agriculture and recreation in 2005, said the NRC report, which was requested by the U.S. Congress in 2005 and sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Electricity was responsible for more than half of the damage, the report said.

Electric cars have other benefits such as reducing imports of foreign oil. But they can also have hidden costs

Materials in electric car batteries are hard to produce, which adds to the energy it takes to make them. In fact, the health and environmental costs of making electric cars can be 20 percent greater than conventional cars, and manufacturing efficiencies will have to be achieved in order for the cars to become greener, the report said.

Emissions from operating and building electric cars in 2005 cost about 0.20 cents to 15 cents per vehicle mile traveled, it said. In comparison, gasoline-powered cars cost about 0.34 cents to 5.04 cents per vehicle mile traveled.

The report estimated that electric cars could still cost more than gasoline-powered cars to operate and manufacture in 2030 unless U.S. power production becomes cleaner.

Hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles with batteries that are charged by the driver hitting the brakes scored slightly better than both gasoline-powered cars and plug-in hybrid cars, which have batteries that are charged by the power grid.

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