eAssist: GM's base powertrain of the future? Hybrid payback in less than 4 years at $3.71 per gallon Yesterday, GM announced that the new Buick Regal eAssist will cost $28,670 + an $860 destination fee, or about $2000 more than the non-hybrid 2012 Regal. While the Regal eAssist doesn’t serve up terribly exciting fuel economy numbers — 25/36 mpg, city/hwy — in terms of hybrid cars , …

Every gas-guzzler sold today will be on the road for another 10 – 20 years The energy conversation is as dishonest as was the debt ceiling debate Will America be energy independent in 2025 thanks to new CAFE regulations? Heck no. Not even close. Even if automakers built nothing but pure battery-powered electric cars beginning…

Prius pushes Toyota's hybrid sales forward in July. Hybrid sales still down 32 percent compared to last year If there was one vehicle hit particularly hard by the Japanese earthquake/tsunami disaster, it was the Toyota Prius . In the last month, however, the situation has improved significantly, although Prius supplies are still not yet back to normal. Thanks to this improving …

Self-driving Prius competing in DARPA challenge The he said, she said of new CAFE rules Lots of interesting news out there regarding the new CAFE rules. However, if one thing is clear, it’s that what the impact of these new CAFE rules will be is almost anyone’s best guess. Nevertheless, the most interesting idea I’ve seen so far …

An upcoming Mitsubishi plug-in hybrid The plug-in world according to Harvard In Will Electric Cars Transform the U.S. Vehicle Market? , Harvard finds that mainstream consumers will not embrace plug-in vehicles until they match conventional vehicle range, fueling convenience and cost. While it could take 10 – 20 years to improve batteries enough to entice mainstream consumers, $4.50+ gasoline prices could help increase plug-in sales in the interim, especially …

Plug-ins are safe. Period. Safety not a reason to avoid plug-in vehicles Today, the Nissan Leaf joined the Chevy Volt as NHTSA 5-star cars. Likewise, both plug-in vehicles have earned Top Safety Picks by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Complain about costs or range, but safety certainly isn’t a reason not to buy a plug-in…

Chevy Volt at its concept debut. An electric Corvette? In the chase for the halo effect, automakers might have stunted plug-in growth Like it or not, but a key role of hybrid and plug-in vehicles is marketing. Today, few things can drive new sales and conquest new buyers like advanced technology. In the past this halo effect was driven by the likes of Corvettes and Mustangs, then it switched to the Toyota …

When will Honda bring its best hybrids to the US? Shuttle another Fit hybrid not coming to America, at least for now The Honda Fit hybrid might be Honda’s best hybrid according to many in the automotive press. Unfortunately, the Fit hybrid isn’t available in America. And now Honda has raised its hybrid bar with the larger Fit Shuttle hybrid, but it’s not coming to …

Hybrids now offer the same fuel efficiency as some of the first eco-friendly cars but are now paired with performance, style and even cutting edge safety features. Among the safest green cars is the Chevrolet Volt which recently earned …

Even more auto finance plans for eco-friendly autos for example hybrids and electric autos are for sale. Fully grasp what these loan programs are and what they are able to do to your finances and habitat in the long term. … New styles in chip, cell, biofuel , and other relevant technologies have encouraged the production of the latest …

Just don't use the AC Is China really ready to lead the battery revolution? A few years ago, particularly just after Warren Buffett bought a huge stake in BYD, I believed that China was on the verge of battery-powered domination. Since China already mined lithium and rare earths, built lithium-ion battery packs, and had access to hordes of…

Invariably this includes a number of eco friendly cars , such as hybrids. Up until April 2011, these ' green cars ' would also receive a £10 discount on their tax; however, this particular rebate has now been discontinued …