Introduction
Those who depend on foreign oil for transportation fuel have seen prices roller-coaster between $5/gallon and $1.75/gallon and back up again. The economic impact of our dependence on foreign oil could not be clearer. To get off the roller-coaster, smart consumers are looking at the expanding availability of advanced, efficient vehicles, including hybrids and all-electrics [...]
When energy prices soared during the 1970s, most Americans recognized the inherent danger in the U.S.’s dependence on imported petroleum. Despite current complacency, the potential economic and national security threats have not diminished. In 1995 the United States exceeded the level of imported petroleum it reached during the 1970s. Today, in fact, more than half [...]
If you drive a FlexFuel vehicle, you are one of the millions of Americans who are already driving cars that can run on something other than gasoline. More than 2 million of today’s private and corporate-owned vehicles are flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs), which can run on ethanol, gasoline, or a mixture of the two. You may [...]
This article is part 5 of Healthy Sleep Guide.
Most people are aware of the hazards of drunk driving. But driving while sleepy can be just as dangerous. Indeed, crashes due to sleepy drivers are as deadly as those due to drivers impaired by alcohol. And you don’t have to be asleep at the wheel [...]
What can I do to save gas?
Walk, bike, take a bus, or carpool when possible. Use your car only when necessary. Public transportation authorities often have carpooling information as well as transit services. If you own more than one vehicle, drive the one that gets the best gas mileage whenever possible. [...]
Advanced vehicles of the future will provide much better fuel economy and emissions savings than today’s conventional vehicles. However, there are only a few alternative fuel vehicles available for sale today. Until you are able and ready to buy a clean and efficient alternative fuel vehicle, here are some things you can [...]
This article is part 15 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home.
One of the more challenging ways to use clean energy is in fueling our cars. Advanced transportation technologies—including fuel cells, electric motors, advanced engines, improved materials, and other technologies—aim to reduce pollution and minimize petroleum fuel use in cars, trucks, buses, fleet [...]
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that emergency room-treated injuries related to popular lightweight scooters have increased sixteen-fold from May to September 2000. CPSC data show that there were more than 8,000 scooter-related injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms in September alone. There have been 40,500 emergency room-treated injuries reported for 2000, and 5 [...]
This article is part 14 of Advanced Technology and Alternative Fuel Vehicles.
Automakers and researchers will continue to develop and improve on the transportation technologies we’ve discussed. They’re exploring better ways to use fuel cells, alternative fuels, and EV and HEV systems. They are also working on new ways to store energy, and creating lightweight [...]
This article is part 13 of Advanced Technology and Alternative Fuel Vehicles.
No matter what the fuel, the higher the fuel economy of a car or truck, the less it pollutes.
Fuel economy becomes even more important when you consider the growing popularity of sport utility vehicles (SUVs). According to Automotive News, General Motors expects SUVs [...]
