Green Car Fans

Honda has announced that it plans on expanding the lineup of its best-selling car by adding a new gas/electric plug-in hybrid version of its Accord. The 2013 hybrid will not be the first hybrid Accord; however, the previous Accord hybrid was discontinued in 2007 due to sluggish sales and subpar MPG ratings.

The Japanese automaker also said that next year's Accord will be shorter and lighter than this year's model. Buyers will have two non-hybrid engines to choose from: a 181-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder with direct injection and a 3.5-liter V-6. Honda says that this second engine will have “more power than its predecessor.”

Meanwhile, it is believed that the hybrid, only available on the Accord sedan body, will sport an electric range from 10 to 15 miles and have a top electric speed of 62 miles per hour. For those in search of a car loan in Marysville, OH, this will actually be somewhat of a hometown car, largely assembled in the local Honda plant (currently Honda's only US-based factory).

Unbeknownst to most of the world until March 30, BYD and Daimler have teamed up to create a Denza, a brand that is beginning its life as a producer of electric vehicles for the Chinese market. Also, unknown to most of us until the end of March, this brand will unveil its first line of electric cars at the Beijing Motor Show just before the close of April.

However, unfortunately for BYD, Daimler and its baby, the new brand has of yet not impressed. In fact, auto-industry observers are calling this joint effort amateurish and, at least in appearance, hurried. These observers point to the Brand's drop-like logo, the “EV the Future” slogan and the website that looks, according to one critic, as if “it was put together with Microsoft Word at the last minute.”

Though the plastic-bodied electric car has been discontinued, there are still some 2011 Think City's to be found for sale. In fact, now that the two-seat minicars have proven to be not-so popular, the price of the Think City's have dropped drastically from their initial list price of $35,495 to a nearly reasonable price of $22,500.

Across the nation, there are approximately 150 of these still brand-new 2011 vehicles for sale. Moreover, the little cars are eligible for the $7,500 Federal income-tax credit and a $2,500 California purchase rebate. This translates into a $12,500 vehicle for buyers in the Golden State. That's way more than enough to cover the interest fees associated with your California auto loan!
   
The cars are going at this cut-rate price subsequent to Think Global's bankruptcy in June 2011. Buyers need to be aware that warranties provided by closed automakers might not be honored.

For five years running, the Alternative Monte Carlo has been bringing a green tint to one of the world's most fabled racing locales.

This year, the sixth annual, General Motors, Volkswagen and Tesla have entered the race that is open to electric and other alternative-fuel vehicles. GM is running half a dozen Opel Amperas, the European Chevy Volt, while Volkswagen is to field the Up!, its newest city car. In total, 145 teams will be trying to dethrone Tesla, the winner of last year's rally.

The alternative rally differs from the traditional rally in that times are not rewarded, but rather the amount of energy used during event. Only cars that emit fewer than 115 grams of C02 per kilometer are allowed to enter the four-day race that has teams crossing the French Alps to the principality Monaco.

The 2012 Tesla Model S electric luxury sport sedan is truly remarkable. Though, looks-wise, it's got the old-timey, streamlined styling that sedan owners love, it is its performance that is its true wheelhouse. 

According to test drives observed by the good folks at green car reports, the electric Tesla Model S easily reaches speeds of 95 mph while smoothly and silently holding to the track. However, therein lays the rub. Industry observers want to know how and why Tesla has released maximum range numbers based upon an average speed of 55 miles per hour. After all, when you're in a car that can easily top out at somewhere around 100 miles per hour, it is unlikely that you'll be satisfied with the double five.   

Evaluated through the 55-mph prism, the Tesla Model S does indeed tout impressive single-charge ranges. The $57,400 model is said to achieve 160 miles, the $67,400 version, 230 miles, and 300 miles for the $77,400 trim level.

As of the time of this writing, no one has released other figures based-upon different average speeds.

Speaking before Congress, Energy Secretary Steven Chu said that the goal of the nation’s energy policy is not about lowering gas prices. Answering a policy question asked by Rep. Alan Nunnelee (R-MS), Chu said, “The overall goal is to decrease our dependency on oil, to build and strengthen our economy. We think that if you consider all these energy policies, including energy efficiency, we think that we can go a long way to becoming less dependent on oil and [diversifying] our supply and we’ll help the American economy and the American consumers.”

Chu’s testimony confirms what both he and Obama have said in the past regarding the need for gas prices to be so painful in the U.S. that people are forced to move to other, greener forms of transportation (check out Forbes list of the best green cars of 2012). As of yet, there has not been any sign that the president will change his stance as the election nears.

Environmentally conscious folks may all know about the Toyota Prius, but it's far from the only choice when it comes to "green" automobiles.  Just about every major carmaker has got at least one fuel-efficient or hybrid model, and most have two or three.  Interestingly, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) gave its top bill to the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, while Forbes gave their #1 green spot to the Smart ForTwo minicar. 

And with gas prices predicted to top $4 a gallon this summer, there are some powerful market forces shifting consumers toward the small, fuel-efficient niche.  But with typical hybrids costing between $5,000 and $10,000 more than comparable gas-only models, it can be difficult to determine which ones will actually save you money.  Forbes' list of the best "green" cars contains mostly compacts or smaller vehicles, but is definitely a good starting place for young singles on the lookout for a car that'll save them money in the long run.

The full Forbes list is as follows:
1. Smart ForTwo
2. Hyundai Accent
3. Ford Fiesta
4. Toyota Yaris
5. Chevrolet Sonic
6. Toyota Scion iQ
7. Kia Soul
8. Mazda2
9. Ford Focus
10.  Hyundai Elantra
 
Click here for the latest Hyundai Accent lease deals and Ford Fiesta finance offers in your area.

Four years ago, before the Bavarian Gnomes mined the metals that would form the ActiveHybrid 5, a pair of BMW executives were listened in on as they discussed their vision of the German automaker’s hybrid future. The first is quoted as having said, "Toyota has achieved cult status with the Prius by combining an electric motor with a gasoline engine. We could team a four-cylinder turbo with our own motor and build the world's most efficient executive sedan."

The second is quoted as having replied, "That is true or we could pair an electric motor with a 300-horsepower, six-cylinder turbo and make it bloody fast. We'll call it Efficient Dynamics, but with the focus on the Dynamics."

And, four years later, those words are the 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5.

The continuation of the BMW 5 series carries forward much of that which won over lovers of past models. It is speedy, fast, beautiful and powerful in both performance and appearance. However, since it does have to make room for the electric motor of the hybrid, the ActiveHybrid 5 had to give something up in return. From road tests, it appears that its steering and cornering prowess is not quite up to the level of what drivers of past 5s have come to expect.

However, for green-minded lovers of the luxury, power and all-around quality, for which BMW is rightfully well-known, this newest road emerald may be just what they’ve been waiting.   

Thanks to our friends at Car Loans Maryland for this guest post.

Heather Peters was awarded $9,867 in damages by the Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Douglas Carnahan due to the plaintiff’s Honda hybrid’s inability to meet the stated fuel economy claims of 50 mph.

Choosing not to be part of a class-action lawsuit against the Japanese automaker, Peters went the small claims route in order to maximize how much she could win along with the fact that lawyers are not permitted to argue cases in small claims courts in the Golden State.

Carnahan wrote in his finding, "At a bare minimum Honda was aware ... that by the time Peters bought her car there were problems with its living up to its advertised mileage.”

Peters, nearly all petered out with joy over her victory, said, “Wow! Fantastic. I am absolutely thrilled. Sometimes big justice comes in small packages. This is a victory for Honda Civic owners everywhere."

Peters is correct. This small claims court judgment will have a rippling effect across an industry as few other small claims findings ever have. Actually, Peters, a former lawyer, hoped that the ripples she started turn into stormy waves. Barely succeeding in concealing her litigious fangs, she said she hopes that all 200,000 owners of 2006 Hybrid Honda Civic likewise sue so that Honda will be forced to pay out $2 billion. 

For those in the market for the newest 2012 evolution of this sedan, this lawsuit should not affect current Honda Civic incentives.

Observers of the automobile industry are warning that proposed fuel rules will make new cars and trucks too expensive for a large segment of American society in 2025. The National Automobile Dealers Association says that rules that have been proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency will move new vehicles out of the reach of up to seven million Americans.

Forrest McConnell, NADA director, says that the association estimates that the rule to increase fuel economy MPG to 54 mpg by 2025 will increase vehicle prices by $3,200 and remove new vehicles costing $15,000 or less from the market entirely.  And keep in mind, these prices increases come with greater financing fees.  For instance, the interest paid on a 72 month auto loan at 7% APR would add another $728 to the vehicle's total price!

McConnell added, “America’s auto dealers support continuous improvements in fuel economy. Instead of fighting the consumer, NADA urges the administration to act in a manner that will leverage consumer demand, thereby maximizing fleet turnover and ensuring maximum feasible fuel economy increases.”