Important Facts About Hybrid Cars

Hybrid cars are unique types of vehicles. This is not because their body structures, sizes, and designs are different from the conventional gas-powered cars since they actually look similar. This type of vehicle is unique because the components found under its hood are different from the ordinary expensive and cheap new car models that most car finders would purchase either on a cash basis or through auto financing.

Hybrid cars do not only rely on the gas engine as the power source, but they also have an alternative power source such as an electric motor. In fact, hybrids are currently using three major types of technologies to propel them. The first type is the so-called "parallel hybrid system" that uses electric motors, gas engines or the combination of these two as power source.

The second type is referred to as the "mild hybrid system" that uses an electric motor to support the gas engine in specific conditions. However, the electric motor in this system is not capable of propelling the vehicle all by itself.

The third type is commonly known as the "plug-in hybrid system" that makes use of electric motors to power the vehicle. This type of hybrid has battery packs that store electrical charges when the vehicle is charged. These batteries would then release the stored charges when the vehicle is driven. Most of the time, this type of hybrid has gasoline engines that propel the vehicle in the event that the batteries are drained along the way.

Although these are just the existing technologies found in almost all hybrid vehicles, car makers still continue to search and develop other technologies that could support the overall function of this type of vehicle. As a matter of fact, there are car makers who are now using the regenerative-braking systems that helps hybrids extra charges when the vehicle brakes.

Due to these technologies installed on hybrids, they become more fuel-efficient. The extra source of power such as the electric motors allows the hybrid to consume lesser fuel since the vehicle does not run on just gasoline alone. In short, the additional power source cuts the total fuel consumption down.

The size and the need for space is not an issue for hybrids. This is because hybrid cars are offered in different options. In fact, you can easily choose a hybrid car that suits your need for space. In case you need the space provided by an SUV or a sedan, you can easily look for hybrid versions of these vehicles since they usually have their own hybrid counterparts.

However, the only problem that you could possibly encounter when you look for a hybrid car is the price. Hybrids are currently sold at higher prices since their production costs are also high. But this would probably last for long since more and more car manufacturers are planning to mass produce more hybrid versions of their vehicles.

Marty Bay is an Automotive Journalist and publisher, widely known as a contributor writer, editor, and publisher for some well-known Automotive Properties in the US like Car Finder, Auto Financing, and AboutCar to name a few. His expertise is in writing news and publishing content that would help New Car Finders, and buyers seeking information about Auto Financing and other New Car related offers, deals, and changes in the industry. He also specialises in producing and publishing New Car Buying Guides for various automotive websites in the United States.

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Dreaming About CNG Kits

Dreaming about CNG Kits

"Can I get a CNG Kit for my car?"

"Do you have a CNG kit for my car?"

"I want to convert my car to CNG; how much will it cost?"

"I want to put a 30 gallon CNG tank in my truck; how much will that cost?"

These are the type of questions I get all the time concerning CNG Conversions. Let's look at a few facts concerning CNG Conversions in the United States, then we may be able to answer a few of these questions above intelligently.

Worldwide, there are more than 15,000,000 Natural Gas Vehicles. Pakistan is the leader in growth and numbers with 2,300,000 vehicles. Argentina is second with 1,807,186 as of 2009. (1) The United States only has a puny 110,000 natural gas vehicles. In fact, in recent years the growth of Natural Gas vehicles in the United States has been negative: -0.1%.

The United States is ranked 14th out of 84 countries in total number of natural gas vehicles with Bangladesh above us at 10th with 177,555 NG vehicles. The United States has approximately 254,400,000 vehicles on the road. That means that.000432% of the vehicles in the United States are Natural Gas. That is 432 ten thousandths of a percent.

Worldwide Regional growth of Natural Gas Vehicles is as follows:

Worldwide past 9 years 27.5% increase

Asia-Pacific past 9 years 51% increase

Europe past 9 years 15.8% increase

North America Past 9 years -0.1% decrease

Latin America Past 9 years 23.5% increase

Africa Past 9 years 19.2 increase

A Brief U.S. CNG Conversion History

Starting in 1994, CNG OEM vehicle manufacturers began to grow in the U.S.. This was due to the Clean Air Act (CAA) with its regulations, tax incentives and rebates. This growth peaked in 2002 with 19 U.S. OEM vehicle manufacturers participating in producing and retrofitting NG vehicles. This activity virtually died by late 2006, leaving only 1 OEM left: the Honda GX. This 'death' in NGV growth can be blamed on over regulation and the linkage between EPA Certified vehicles and tax incentives and rebates which stunted the aftermarket conversion industry.

This growth, then death, proves two things:

1.) When there is a need, there are CNG system and parts manufacturing companies that are willing to fill that need with products, and

2.) When an industry becomes unprofitable due to over-regulation - or the gasoline-natural gas price differential is insufficient to payback the conversion cost - those same manufacturing companies will take their products elsewhere.

Gasoline Prices as an incentive.

Between 2005 and 2007, the price of gasoline nationwide fluctuated between a low of $2.11 gallon to a high of $3.11 in May of 2007. It then went down to $2.70 by October of that year and then started its 8-month climb to a high of $4.19 by June of 2008. After this historical peak, it then dropped like a rock to $1.39 by December 2008. Since then, it has slowly climbed back up to $3.75 as of April 2011.

CNG fuel prices as an incentive

CNG fuel price histories are harder to find so I will rely on my own (faulty) memory. When I started looking into CNG conversions in 2008, the price of CNG here in Utah was $0.68 a GGE (gasoline gallon equivalent). It seems like at that same time Oklahoma also had low CNG prices also. In Utah, we had the advantage of having some CNG refueling infrastructure already in place. Those areas that had low CNG prices, along with the filling stations already in place, became hotbeds of conversion activity during the first part of 2008.

These conversion activities led to CNG conversion shops opening and CNG systems being imported. Just as a few systems started to become available the price of gasoline fell (as stated above) and the budding interest in CNG conversions dropped off.

The death knell for the after-market, Non-EPA, CNG installers in Utah was the ill-advised inclusion of the requirement that all CNG vehicles must have an EPA certified system in order to pass the yearly Utah Highway Patrol safety inspection. This rule presupposed 2 misconceptions, 1) an EPA certified CNG system would always conform to NFPA 52 safety standards, and 2) that any CNG conversion can be certified by the EPA, both of these statements are blatantly false.

If this rule stayed in place 1000?s of CNG vehicle owners in Utah would suddenly lose the privilege of driving their vehicles. UHP safety inspections are universal in Utah. This January 2009 law change was later challenged in court ruled invalid, but the damage to the interested-public's understanding was already done. It has been suggested that this ill-advised rule was due to over-zealous local news coverage and false rumors spread by certain Conversion shops threatened by their new aftermarket competition.

Misconceptions about CNG Conversions

Some of the biggest problems CNG Converters, and would-be CNG Conversion customers, face is a false conception that CNG Kits are readily available here in the United States and that there is already a kit available that is tailor made for their specific vehicle. There is also a false notion that installing a CNG kit is similar to bolting on a performance accessory.

These notions couldn't be farther from the truth: While a CNG Conversion is not an engine overhaul, in some ways it is more complicated. In the United States, today, there are no aftermarket CNG kits that are specific to one type of vehicle that are available to the general public. There are EPA-certified CNG systems that are designed for some specific New vehicles, but these systems are only sold to their installers.

All aftermarket CNG Conversions (other than EPA Certified) are 'universal', meaning they must be adapted to each specific vehicle. This takes time and money. Non EPA Certified CNG systems are not eligible for tax credits or incentives. What does happen is that each aftermarket CNG system is custom made to each vehicle and the knowledge of tuning and bracket configuration, tank placement and custom tuning stays in the mind of that installer.

New EPA AFV regulations and their effect on CNG Conversions

Many have touted the new EPA regulations as a boon in CNG converting. To some this may be the green light they need to move forward and convert but all of the problems stated above will still exist. It is not up to our government to move CNG conversions forward, on the other hand there are things they could do to help. I have read their new AFV regulations many times and I still have questions. (insert mechanical legalese here) For those looking to others to solve their problems, it will be a long time coming. For us who have already gone forward and started converting our customers are reaping the benefit of lower fuel and maintenance costs. For some there will always be roadblocks, for others there will always be CNG superhighways.

Jim Younkin is a mechanic with more than thirty years experience in automotive repair. His passions include car racing, mountain climbing, ice climbing, and CNG conversions. He enjoys sharing his passions and connecting with other of like mind. See more about Jim at http://www.younkincng.com/ email:younkin@gmail.com or 801-427-2284

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Questions And Answers About EV Charging Stations

With the price of gas hovering around the four dollar a gallon mark, consumer demand for electric vehicles is at an all time high. Manufactures are responding to this demand with a range of energy efficient, low emissions electric powered vehicles. Projections estimate that by 2012, twenty new models will be available to the public and that by the year 2015 there will be over three million electric vehicles on the road worldwide. Combine that with the do it yourselfers converting vehicles to electric and you have a huge demand for EV charging stations emerging. The questions that keep popping up are what are the different methods to charge my electric vehicle? and where can I recharge? After all what good is an electric vehicle if you have no place to charge it.

The infrastructure for EV charging is in its infancy but is starting to grow rapidly. This new wave of electric vehicles entering the market has created consumer demand for charging stations where consumers work, eat, shop and play. Municipalities are starting to add EV charging locations to their city owned buildings and parking garages. Retailers are starting to add EV charging stations to help draw and retain customers. Over time this supply should catch up to the demand.

There are three types of charging methods available. Below is an outline of what they are and how they work.

Level 1 Charging

-This is the most basic EV charging station and is done with the use of a regular household electrical socket with 120 volts at 15 or 20 amps. This is the slowest charging method providing about 4 miles of charge per hour. Typically this would be used for an overnight charge or in the case of an emergency. Using this method to recharge a full size electric vehicle like the Nissan Leaf would take about 16 to 20 hours.

Level 2 Charging

-Level 2 charging stations recharge faster than level 1 charging stations because they use a 240 volt circuit at 16 to 70 amps, similar to that used to power an electric stove or dryer. This charging station would typically be used at home and at public ev charging locations. Level 2 chargers can recharge a full size electric vehicle in 3 to 8 hours.

Level 3 Charging

-Level 3 charging stations, sometimes referred to as DC fast charge, or DC quick charge operate at 480 voltsDC and 125 amps. This is the fastest method available to date and will charge a full size electric vehicle to 80% in 28 minutes, with a full charge taking slightly longer. Public level 3 charging stations are rare, in part because of their huge cost; a level 3 charger can cost over $100,000 compared to a $3000.00 level 2 charger. Level 3 chargers will recharge a vehicles battery quickly, however repeated use will degrade the batteries and so it is not intended to replace overnight charging at home. It should be used to supplement level 2 charging for longer trips.

If you are looking to locate ev charging locations or ev charging stations please visit http://www.evcharginglocations.com/ Interactive maps show you where they are located. If you want to save money on gas by converting your car to electricity we also offer an easy do it yourself guide. Thanks

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The 3 Biggest Myths About Electric Cars

If you are thinking about buying an electric car, then you may have been put off by some of the myths and rumours which surround these green vehicles. While they were originally seen as something that only the rich or totally dedicated to green issues (e.g. treehuggers) would use, the modern green vehicle is being designed by some of the biggest car makers in the world, including General Motors, Toyota and Citroen.

The manufacturers and the governments are pumping crazy amounts of money into both technology and infrastructure. Some of these new cars are designed to be more pleasing to the eye of the buyer, but they are still suffering from many of the myths which grew up during the long period when electric cars were an unfamiliar sight.

Myth 1: The Electric Car Can't go Far

The biggest myth grew up in the 1990s, when all the electric cars were either DIY projects or experimental models running on heavy and inefficient led-acid batteries. The technology was in its infancy, so it shouldn't be very surprising that the early years of the electric car were ones of small gains.

In the past, the electric car could only go about 10 miles before the battery was exhausted, leaving very little room to move. Now, there are modern green vehicles that can go between 65 and 100 miles on a full charge. Some experimental models have even covered 200 miles and more on a single charge. While this is still not as much as the gas vehicle, it is a big improvement.

Myth 2: They can Still Damage the Environment

Arguments about the relative 'green' credentials of different electric cars will go on for years. The biggest slander against the e-car is that it uses electricity, which is produced by burning gas or oil. It is partially true, however, with more power being produced by renewable resources, electricity is becoming greener. In some areas, it is also possible to use a combination of solar panels to provide the electrical power.

What electric vehicles can say is that they will not pollute the surrounding environment with greenhouse gasses, lead emissions, and other pollution which gas cars do produce. And electric motors are more efficient than internal combustion engines, so electric vehicles will consume less energy and contribute to less CO2 emissions.

Myth 3: Hybrids Offer a Better Alternative to the Electric Car

A common misconception is that the same advantages are also shared by the hybrid, which is a combination of gas and electric drive. These are seen as the best of both worlds, and in a family with more than one car, an electric car and a normal car could be the best way to manage your transport problems. The hybrid in a single car, however, can only get larger as it grows popular, and this will mean that it will need to either have a larger battery source, or more gas-power in the engine.

This will ultimately lead to one of the fuel sources becoming obsolete, and the hybrid might then become a traditional gas or electric one-note car. It is only a theory, though, and the most likely scenario is that electric cars and hybrids will develop and exist simultaneously over the next couple of decades.

Are you ready to accept electric cars as part of your daily life? Maybe even drive one? Sooner or later the internal combustion vehicles will become too expensive to maintain because of the high fuel prices. What alternatives are we left with at the moment...?

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Think About Some Things Before Buying an Electric Car - Part I

Keeping up the Electric Car costs less.

In the opinion of some people, keeping up the electric car is enormous task to do. But, their opinions have no weight at all.

The structure and components of a gasoline engine consist of several hundred parts and each and every part is vulnerable to be damaged at any time. But, this is not the case with the electric cars. These cars possess merely single progressive part. You don't have to sustain and concentrate on electric motor, nothing to change as filters, oil changing or cooling; in short, no fuss at all.

We can find electric motors almost everywhere, starting from our houses and every room might have different kind of electric motors, from washing machines to blenders, fridge and freezers to can openers. These items do get damaged but the question is, how many times these electric motors cause the problems and are responsible for no work? As the matter of fact, nothing else in the world of technology is more reliable and lasting than an electric motor. That is why the motors in the electric cars work and run for longer time, and the resale percentage is higher in the market.

You must know that the batteries don't long forever and need the change after certain period. Lead-acid batteries are old and a pack of batteries might last for 20 thousand miles and replacing a pack of 16 batteries would take just $800 for the replacement. Thinking about the saving from the fuel point of view, this all costs about 1.5 cents and the overall workable cost is merely 5.5 cents/mile. New batteries with new technology being introduced such as Lithium-ion and nanotechnology in batteries make it a stunning and more effective device with 250,000 miles or maybe till the vehicle itself runs out.

The other repairing works in an electric car are not needed for years. The controller can be reliable as well as other parts connected to it. Same as you work once in a while on brakes and other suspension work, you would need the same with the electric car. And if you got advanced braking system, it would last longer.

Electric Automobiles Help Against Contamination

Process in power plants won't affect much

A general critique would criticize electric automobiles for spreading contamination and pollution through tailpipes to energy stations. In simple words, power plants burn the contaminated material, so the risk of polluting the environment is higher. But this criticism doesn't have weight.

Most of the electric cars are charged at night time and at that time, the energy stations work which means the risk of pollution is lower when the waste processing takes place. The estimations show that there is plenty of waste power and abundance of volume for millions of cars. No new plants would be set up as there is much energy left, so it won't cause spreading pollution by making new power stations.

Even when we may see a boom in electric car industry, it is hoped that they would build some environment-friendly stations to provide fuel. The coal plants which generate energy, are more efficient with 80% than the gasoline engine efficiency of tradition-25%. Higher in efficiency makes electric car helping in reducing pollution.

Let us imagine that the above figures and statistics are not factual, but this is still goes in favor of electric vehicles as electric cars are much more efficient than the typical gasoline cars and waste less energy and doesn't pollute environment as much as gasoline does. To prove this, we can look at the energy or fuel prices for the two kinds. Gasoline makes it 14 cents per mile and can reach to 30 cents which depends on the car quality and gas charges. On the other hand, electric vehicles only take one or two pennies/ mile.

Gasoline process in the firms uses electricity. So, gasoline is responsible for pollution, in the factory, transportation and while you use it. Another benefit of electric cars compared to hydrogen fuel-cells is that the latter is less efficient and produces much pollution and they are comparatively costly than the electric cars.

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What You Should Know About Brown Gas

Oxyhydrogen or HHO gas is popularly known as Brown gas. Well, it is basically an amalgamation of oxygen and hydrogen in a ratio of 1:2. It is used worldwide to increase a vehicle's performance and fuel efficiency. You would be quite amazed to know that it is one of the most amazing sources of energies ever used. Further in this article, we are going to offer you some information about Brown gas. You need to pay proper attention here.

I would like to tell you that this gas is produced by a process called electrolysis. This process takes place in an HHO gas generator. The gas is then combined with gasoline or diesel for combustion in the engine.

Brown gas is extremely non-polluting and economical source of energy. Preparing this gas is not only easy but quite economical as well. This is mainly due to the reason that it's a by-product is water. Both hydrogen and oxygen are quite essential in this regard. You need to gather all the items carefully.

You should invest your money in a sound way so that you don't end up losing it unnecessarily. Brown gas or HHO generator is a great device that you need to set up in your car. Crafting it yourself is pretty simple. Now, given below are a few instructions that would help you in doing just about this.

First of all, you need to purchase a water tank.You also need to make sure that a trained professional is there for your help.Hydrogen and oxygen should be in the ratio of 2:1.

Make sure you follow all these crucial tips on the go. Brown gas is quite popular around the world due to its effective features. You need to be very specific and clear while choosing the right options for your car. Otherwise you might end up losing your money. If you face any difficulty then you can read some online reviews or even go through the user manual. I am sure it would become pretty easy for you to handle this process.

This entire kit comes for about 200 dollars. You must acquire it after considering your budget carefully. Storing this energy in gaseous form is pretty easy as compared to storing the liquid one. So, you need to consider the above mentioned guideline carefully.

If you want to increase your vehicle's mileage then this is the right option for you to pursue. Purchasing a gas generator for your car is a tricky thing to do. You need to look for branded and good quality items. One should never compromise on the quality of such conversion systems. Check out this topic carefully before using brown gas for your car. I am sure this article would be of great help to you.

Save 40-60% on gas with HHO gas conversion or water for gas kits. For expert reviews on the top kits in the market visit water for gas kits reviews and gas conversion kits blog

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