This week Scientific American reported that there is a sufficient amount of power to switch from gas to electric.

They said that “Rumors of the electric car’s demise appear to have been greatly exaggerated, with so-called plug-in hybrids making the rounds from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., along with the sporty, new all-electric Tesla Roadster on offer. Now a new analysis from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) offers more good news: existing electric power plants could fuel 84 percent of ‘light duty’ vehicles if all 220 million cars and trucks converted to electric power overnight. ‘We’re delighted to see solid third-party confirmation of what the people who know best–the utilities–have been saying for sometime,’ says Felix Kramer, plug-in hybrid owner/evangelist and founder of Calcars.org.”

So there’s really no excuse not to start making the switch – it’s just amazing that the American government is not promoting this more, especially since so much of our money goes to some of their biggest enemies.

So what can you do?  Write your representatives at congress.org.

The options you choose for your new vehicle could save you a bundle at the pumps. Although some of these options do add extra weight and use more power, they improve fuel efficiency considerably:. Aluminum wheels are lighter alternatives to steel and reduce the vehicle’s overall weight

. Block heaters in the winter when set on a timer 2 hours before you leave for work will enable you to start a semi-warm engine. The vehicle will be easier to start and using a block heater will help the vehicle reach normal operating temperatures quicker

. Cruise control helps drivers maintain a constant speed and avoid inadvertent speeding which guzzles fuel

. Navigation systems take the guesswork out of travelling and reduce driving distances, traffic congestion and fuel use

. Removable roof racks help reduce drag and fuel consumption by allowing drivers to pick and choose when to use them-you may find that you can get by with a smaller car

. Sunroofs in city driving improve air circulation and reduce the need for air conditioning. Tilting sunroofs are the best because they maintain the vehicle’s aerodynamic contour

. Tinted windows: help keep the vehicle cool by reducing the amount of sunlight that passes into the vehicle, and thus reduces the need for air conditioning.

By choosing these and other options for your car, you can save money at the pumps and help reduce harmful emissions which hurt the environment.

Natural Resources Canada is a trusted source of information on fuel efficiency and has produced all kinds of helpful tips and tools. Visit Natural Resources Canada’s website at vehicles.gc.ca or call 1-800-387-2000 to learn about the EnerGuide Label for Vehicles, the Fuel Consumption Guide and for other tips and tools to encourage fuel efficiency.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

Technology is making it so easy to do just about everything nowadays, including the way we drive and how fuel-efficient our vehicles are. Consider going high tech if you want to lower your consumption, reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and save fuel. Look for these high tech bells and whistles when you go to buy a new or used vehicle:. Variable valve timing and lift: improves the flow of fuel and air during the engine cycle by varying the opening and closing of the engine valves depending on need. The technology can result in both greater power and better fuel efficiency.

. Cylinder deactivation allows V-6 and V-8 engines to operate as though they had fewer cylinders. While cylinder deactivation cannot decrease the weight of engines, it does reduce fuel consumption under light-load cruising conditions by only delivering fuel to activated cylinders.

. Gasoline and Diesel direct injection uses sophisticated electronic fuel-flow and air-flow controls, and precision injectors which inject the fuel directly into the cylinder and optimize the ideal mixture of air and fuel during combustion.

. Continuously Variable Transmission: Or CVT’s don’t have a gearbox with a set number of gears, instead they typically operate on a pulley configuration that allows an infinite number of engine/wheel speed ratios. This technology results in better engine speed matching, ideal “gear” selection and improved fuel efficiency.

. Hybrid Technology: by combining an internal combustion engine with an electrical motor and battery pack, most hybrids today can achieve improvements in fuel efficiency by using the electric motor to supplement engine power. Some hybrids can also operate exclusively using the electric motor at low speeds. Batteries do not require plugging in and are recharged by harnessing the energy from braking and from the engine. Hybrids are ideal vehicles for individuals who travel predominantly in the city under stop and go conditions. Consumers can use this information to help them buy, drive and maintain their vehicles in ways that will conserve energy, preserve the environment, protect their health and save money. Visit Natural Resources Canada’s website at vehicles.gc.ca or call 1-800-387-2000 to learn about the EnerGuide Label for Vehicles, the Fuel Consumption Guide and for other tips and tools to encourage fuel efficiency.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

The amount of fuel your vehicle consumes can vary considerably from its published ratings. If you drive with fuel efficiency in mind, you can achieve those numbers, or even exceed them. Here are some tips for getting there:. Consult your owner’s manual for driving and maintenance advice for optimum performance and efficiency

. Follow the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance schedule

. Check fluid levels at least once a month

. Measure your tire pressure at least once a month

. Avoid speeding

. Use cruise control

. Use your air conditioning sparingly

. Remove unnecessary weight

. Take off the roof rack

. Leave the car at home or park partway to your destination

These are just some of the tools consumers can use to help drive and maintain their vehicles in ways that will conserve energy, preserve the environment, protect their health and save money.

Visit Natural Resources Canada’s website at vehicles.gc.ca or call 1-800-387-2000 to learn about the EnerGuide Label for Vehicles, the Fuel Consumption Guide and for other tips and tools to encourage fuel efficiency.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

Hybrid vehicles are a cross between traditional fuel-powered vehicles and electric vehicles. Combining an electric motor, a battery pack, as well as an internal combustion engine, these components work together to deliver power to a hybrids wheels. Common technologies include idle stop which allows the engine to automatically shut off and restart while the electric motor take’s over to prevent unnecessary idling and regenerative braking which harnesses the energy used while braking to recharge the batteries. In many hybrids, the electric motor also provides added power during acceleration and when added performance is needed. Some hybrids can also operate using only the electric motor and battery pack at low speeds. Because the electric motor replaces some of the work done by a traditional engine and some hybrids can run as electric vehicles at low speeds, hybrids are ideal vehicles for individuals who travel predominantly in the city under stop and go conditions.Anyone interested in reducing their fuel consumption, their emissions and impact on the environment and the price they pay at the pumps may find hybrids to be the answer. And the good news is hybrids are also making the grade with Natural Resources Canada in its annual rating of the most fuel-efficient vehicles in Canada. In fact, over the past several years, hybrids have been winning the annual EnerGuide Awards for a variety of different vehicle classes. Visit Natural Resources Canada’s website at vehicles.gc.ca or call 1-800-387-2000 to learn about the EnerGuide Label for Vehicles, the Fuel Consumption Guide and for other tips and tools to encourage fuel efficiency..

Credit: www.newscanada.com

Mercury joined the lineup of hybrid car dealers in 2005, and here’s what reviewers had to say about this year’s Mercury Mariner SUV…

Automotive.com said this year’s Mariner “continues unchanged on the outside, its slick and clean design accented by Mercury’s avant-garde styling cues. Inside is a pleasant and calming cabin with room enough for the kind of stuff people who are moving up from the Milan sedan or retreating from the more truck-like Mountaineer need to haul around.”

Consumer Guide said it “is a luxury-trimmed version of the Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute” whose “performance and accommodations mirror those of comparably equipped Escapes and Tributes.”

MSRP on models runs from $21,380 to $24,885 and mileage runs from 19/23 mpg to 22/26 mpg.