In order to meet the increasingly stringent demands of fuel efficiency regulations, Mazda is rolling out some new green technologies that will be featured in future cars.  Car and Driver's article is here.  A short summary: We like Mazda’s strategy for the simple reason that stuff like stop/start, energy regen, and diesel engines can be added without greatly affecting the fun-to-drive appeal of the company’s cars, nor will they add huge levels of cost.  Sounds good to me.  

Yes there are 100 different cars out there that can be considered "green."  This is evidence that fuel efficiency has passed way beyond fad stage.  See Yahoo!'s list here, where cars are ranked according to their green rating. 

Honda has a new concept to be shown at the 2010 Geneva International Motor Show.  The 3R-C3, not to be confused with this, is described as a "revolutionary three wheeled battery electric vehicle concept shows what a future minimal urban transport vehicle for one person might look like. The battery electric drivetrain is mounted low in the three wheeled chassis, therefore keeping the centre of gravity low and thus improving stability."  I think it looks like one of the motorcycles from Tron, which at the end of the day, is pretty cool.  It will be featured alongside the FCX Clarity.  See the press release here.  

Flip through this 32 page online document to learn about which cars are fuel efficient and which ones are not.   Learn more about fuel economy at the US Department of Energy (DOE) website. 

 

One would think that this list would be chock full of SUVs.  However, "in 2009, only two SUVs made it onto the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy's annual list of the least fuel-efficient automobiles." 

Another SUV Hybrid from our video department.  Features power and acceleration, controlled ride, interior space (ESV), and increased efficiency safety. 

This USA Today article gives us some good information about the upcoming FT-CH concept, as it was recently unveiled at the Detroit Auto show. 

Did you know that when electric cars become available to the public, that you will only own the car, and not the battery?  Read about it here.  What do you think about not owning your ENTIRE vehicle?  

Here is a good article on Emission Control Systems, which are designed to monitor, well, emissions.  In laymans terms, these are the things that are responsible for the check engine light coming on and costing you a hundred bones to get turned off.  Anyways, the article is helpful in understanding the different types of Emission Control Systems, and what each one does.  Its always nice to get to know ones car, right?