Bush vs. Ford hybrid

A Tailpipe From Hell

Truck With 3 Jet Engines - Funny videos are here

Hybrid car vs. Dodge Viper

So Many Alternatives - Just Can’t Choose Anything

New ways of tackling the problem of greenhouse effect and energy resources exhaustion appear quiet regularly. And get as regularly criticized in all possible ways. Bio fuel is not enough to supply the entire nation’s demand, plug-in cars are too small and have odd design, electric and hybrid cars are not satisfactory speed-wise. Yeah, let’s guzzle gas until scientists and automakers won’t come up with a perfect solution. Or until oil will cost an arm and leg – literally.

Take E85. It has gotten many votes and has almost been recognized as a great alternative to oil fuel. As distinct from gasoline, ethanol is made from plants. 85% of ethanol and 15% of gasoline put together make E85 – an energy source for flexible-fuel vehicles. The problem is that unlike gas stations that you bump into on every corner E85 is not always easy to find. Never mind, you can always check the alternative fuel location beforehand. There is even a mobile phone service for finding the nearest station where E85 is available.

But if you have a look at some studies you’ll discover not so optimistic results and assumptions. Like Professor Mark Jacobson from Stanford University said that he couldn’t see where exactly it had been proved that ethanol was decreasing air pollution. More than that, the results of his study showed that use of E85 could cause respiratory problems (the ground-level ozone, increased by ethanol, aggravates our lungs). The figures he got weren’t very dramatic and required additional research, but were enough to make hypochondriacs worry. And drive attention away from the evils of excessive gas consumption and its consequences.

However, Professor Jacobson puts his trust in battery-electric technology. Electric and hybrid cars have gotten their bit of criticism too, but keep drawing more and more attention and approval. As Toyota hybrid cars are expected to appear in all possible models and hybrid car market is welcoming hybrid SUV models, there has to be the light at the end of the tunnel. Probably the main root of the problem is not in the imperfections of alternative technologies, but in the mass psychology. We do realize we’re going nowhere when consuming too much gasoline, but can’t change our habits. It’s much easier to find faults in everything that might force you to reconsider your routine.

Turning back to electric and hybrid cars. Fuel efficiency depends on your driving skills almost as much as on technology. Some especially gifted drivers can turn even Toyota hybrid cars, famous for their fuel-efficiency, into thirsty monsters. And there’s hardly anything carmakers can do about it. Dieter Zetsche, Daimler Chairman, suggested that special education should be given to teach low fuel consumption driving skills. In fact, Daimler already provides such program for truck drivers in Europe and apparently it pays off.

So maybe instead of knocking to pieces the introduced ideas of alternative technologies we should revise our habits and try to get the most of what is on offer now?

Are Hybrids Loosing It Or…?

Results of numerous studies and ratings published recently in different sources are bound to leave consumers slightly confused. What’s the real position of electric and hybrid cars on the market?

Not so long ago J.D. Powers investigated consumers’ attitude to electric and hybrid cars and came to the conclusion that they began to lose their popularity. To diesel vehicles in particular, for they are very likely to maintain gas mileage that meets federal standards and even exceed it, but are less expensive to buy than electric and hybrid cars.

In two different lists of Top 10 Most Popular Cars for the first half of 2007, ranked by CarGuru consumers and based on sales volume from Automotive News, there are no hybrids. You can see them in Top 20, but it’s not a very flattering position. Moreover, the list is full of vehicles that not even remotely meet the new CAFE standards. Although auto buyers are obviously concerned about the growth of gas prices, they are still unwilling to reconsider their addiction to big gas-guzzlers.

So, it looks like electric and hybrid cars are not winning the battle even despite the threat of oil crisis. Moot point! The fresh study by J.D. Powers predicts an increase of over 30% in electric and hybrid cars sales. Not too bad for vehicles that have been reportedly loosing popularity.

Well, maybe this all makes sense at the end of the day, as hybrid car market is welcoming new SUV models that should draw the attention of SUV lovers.

Hybrid Trains: Welcome Aboard!

The long-awaited environmentally-friendly train has hit the railroad in Japan. The two-car Kiha E200 currently circulates on a mountain area line which is about 80 km long. The distance is rather short, yet officials believe that it’s the beginning of a long journey.

Although trains are not the prime contributors to air pollution and global warming process, as “a part of efforts to be green” as Yasuaki Kikuchi, a spokesman for East Japan Railway Company, has defined it, introduction of a hybrid train is another step in the right direction. It is due to the success of electric and hybrid cars that interest in hybrid trains grows. American and German railway companies are also working on implementing the green technology.

The train works similar to its predecessors – Toyota hybrid cars. It has 4 electric motors (2 under each car) and a diesel engine which kicks in when the train is climbing a hill or when batteries are getting low. Lithium ion batteries are located on the roof and get recharged from braking. The train looks just like normal ones, but runs more quietly – another resemblance to electric and hybrid cars. Emission reduction provided by this technology is about 60%, fuel consumption is cut by 20%.

Cost is the weak point though. Kiha E200 runs about $1.7 million – twice as much as a normal train. It is necessary to gather data on fuel consumption in correlation with various passenger loads and different climate conditions. The company engineer said that to be really effective, this technology has to become more widespread. Hopefully, hybrid train cars will pass all tests and come into mass production.

What’s Inside The New Camaro?

Transformers blockbuster was a great success. So was Camaro 2008 starring as Bumblebee. With transformer toys selling as hot pies and the new video game to come out soon, any the GM got publicity any automaker could only wish for. While some go out of their ways to see their cars in films, the stunning Chevy was spotted by the film director and invited immediately.

There was one little problem though: the cars weren’t being made. Curiously enough, it takes more effort from an automaker to build just a couple of vehicles of a certain type, than building thousands of them a day. Because the filming took place long before the production of the vehicle, appearance of the new Camaro in Transformers could be possible only due to close cooperation between Hollywood and Detroit. Luckily, GM wasn’t put off by a challenge and the movie version of Camaro 2008 was born. Apparently, the design staff used whatever they could to create this hero and the effort wasn’t wasted: fibreglass body and full functionality of the vehicle made it one of the finest movie props ever.

But there are also invisible heroes in this blockbuster. Under the layers of plastic there’s an Australian built Pontiac GTO. Its wheelbase was about the same size as Camaro’s, so could have been used easily. But it took a lot of engineering work to put a new fiberglass body, delivered by GM, on the chassis, because the GTO was originally built around a unitized structure. The result of 45 (!) days work was 2 props, stunningly gorgeous and able to do their own stunts! What a thrill it will be for those who used to play with Hasbro toys back in 80’s when the real toy – the new Camro – will actually come out. But I imagine, not only Transformers lifetime fans will be keen on getting it.

Portrait of A Hybrid Driver

If you were at school Arts lesson and your teacher asked to portrait a typical hybrid driver. What would he look like? A hippie-gig who hardly ever walks so that he wouldn’t squash a couple of ants? Or someone stunningly beautiful, who is always in the flashlights of cameras? (This gaudy blur could be anyone from Salma Hayek to Clint Eastwood. You could never draw well). Or maybe it’s a trendy teenager who likes to invest his dad’s money into new gadgets?

Ok, enough of Arts. Some people can’t even tell yet what electric and hybrid cars are. But meticulous scientists have already calculated everything. So, tell me what your car is and I will tell you who you are. When the first hybrid vehicles came to the mass market in late 1999, they looked radically different from conventional gas-powered ones. That’s when you would expect, let’s say, extravagant people to drive them. Among the earliest adopts of hybrid technology were celebrities of different kind, primarily motivated by ecological reasons. Or lack of publicity. Whatever. They still do own their electric and hybrid cars, but the focus of market research is on common people.

So, here is a fact. Hybrid buyer is wrinklier than the average car buyer. The gasoline vehicle purchaser is about 40 years old. In the hybrid section the age will be 50. Who would have thought! But if we dig deeper, it makes sense. Today there are hybrid versions of many of the most popular makes and models, including coupe, sedan, SUV and pickup body style. They are all available at different prices, all a bit more expensive than their non-hybrid equivalents. That’s when we turn to another criterion – level of income. According to J.D. Power report in 2004 hybrid owner incomes were as high as $100,000. Compare this to $ 85,000 per annum for gasoline car drivers. Still not bad, but that’s where a couple of thousand dollars make difference. In a 2007 survey of Toyota Prius drivers by Topline Strategy Group, 71 percent of respondents earned more than $100,000 per year. So looks like things haven’t changed dramatically.

The next fact is a pure flattery for each and every hybrid owner. According to Walter McManus, of the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute, hybrid car drivers are more educated. “Hybrid car drivers have a level of education higher than any group of car drivers that I’ve ever seen,” that’s what he said. Oh, how sweet of him! It’s just nice to think that as a hybrid SUV driver you are automatically labelled more intelligent. At the same time there are more pessimistic tendencies among the hybrid-equipped intellectuals. They are more worried about the growth of fuel prices. Well, their behaviour is very logical then. Hybrid vehicle is one of the surest ways to save petrol and to save on petrol.

A portrait of a hybrid driver could be very feminine. Even in 2002 they showed a very high interest in eco-friendly cars. But the lack of information on the topic deterred the purchase. There is an old myth that electric and hybrid cars are small and underpowered. That was one of the factors that put the male population off hybrids. Who wants to drive a girly car! This question is not of major importance any more. Any male who claims to understand something in automotive technology world, knows that these days electric and hybrid cars are a lot faster than bicycles.

We can mention environmental concern factor, but in that case there will be no British flag on the background of this portrait. The research shows, British driver would consider buying a hybrid if “he was sure running costs would be lower” or “if petrol became too expensive”. Very honest. I just wonder, what they would say if the survey wasn’t anonymous.

So what do we have here? 50-year olds, rich, very well-educated… Apparently these factors correlate and prove this statistics to be right. But does it mean, that if you are in your twenties you would mind having a hybrid? Not at all! Statistics speaks for hybrid-owners, but keeps quiet about hybrid-dreamers. So it must be just a matter of time that data will change. Buying hybrids, older generation pave the way for youngsters, as prices become more affordable. Who knows what the next hybrid portrait will look like.

Toyota Hybrid Cars Approved By Clergy

Isn’t it nice of Bishop Nigel McCulloch to go green with his new Toyota Prius? Just like Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt and Leo DiCaprio were the early adopters of hybrid technology in Hollywood, he seems to be the first cleric of a high rank in the history of electric and hybrid cars.

The Right Rev Nigel McCulloch is in the middle of his 3-year pilgrimage along the diocese of Manchester. So, better mileage and eco-friendliness of a car are good for both bishop and his bishopric. He says that it takes some time to get used to driving Prius, but is very impressed by its performance and the economy it provides. Unlike some other hybrid-owners he is satisfied with its fuel-efficiency and encourages other drivers of Manchester to opt for green technology. It just proves once again that electric and hybrid cars do give a good mileage when driven skilfully.

Hopefully, he set a good example for his congregation. And gave a distinct hint to the Manchester transport chiefs, that it would be a righteous deed to do something about the congestion charge for those who drive eco-friendly vehicles.

Size Of The Car Matters. Government And Females Set Their Standards

Size criteria related to any item will always be of great importance. Size of a car is not an exception. Probably, in this case it matters more than in any other.

As the government have introduced new standards of fuel-efficiency to be met by 2020, automakers have something to think over. Over and over again. It is going to be a serious challenge for all of them, for an average of 35 mpg is not so easy to achieve. Producing vehicles that are fuel-efficient and appealing to consumers at the same time is a tough job. Engineers and designers are working on light-weight materials and improvements in aerodynamics. Better power trains, solenoid valve actuation, electric power steering and other things of this kind also help. Many of these changes won’t be cheap, so consumers will probably have to pay more. What can really give a better mileage is limitation of huge SUV models. But this idea may be hard to embrace for many Americans with their affection for big vehicles.

Some specialists think there’s still enough time to make such changes that will allow both meeting the new mileage standards and keeping trucks on the market. Switching to diesel versions or extending the range of electric and hybrid cars is an option.

To develop a subject of fuel-efficiency and car-sizing – just a few days ago one auto-dedicated website carried out a little research. They sent 2 interviewers on the streets of Chicago to find out how people would react to the car model of their potential date. Along with almost unanimous disapproval of small car owners, male and female respondents had different opinions about truck-driving dates. The image of a girl steering the SUV wheel was found rather appealing. While male Hummer-drivers didn’t score many points. “Hummers are not very…erm… environmentally friendly…” and “Trying to compensate for something…” really match the size-reduction tendency that may take place in the years to come. So those guys, who relied on massive trucks in boosting their ego can relax and get something smaller. And more fuel-efficient.

Curiously, most female responders gave the green light to a Prius driver. Not sure if they know much about the hybrid car concept, but still… Although there was one particularly fussy lady who found hybrid owner cheap and therefore not a good match for her. What would she say if that “cheap” chap was Brad Pitt or Leo DiCaprio, who actually drive Toyota hybrid cars?

The Difference Between A Bad Car And A Bad Driver

Two electric and hybrid cars made it into the last week’s news top-list: Honda Civic and Toyota Prius. For rather contradictory reasons. Despite publicity electric and hybrid cars get, there’s still a lot to learn about them.

Toyota hybrid cars, Prius in particular, have gotten an unexpected promo campaign with Albert Gore’s son starring in it. Apparently, Gore’s kid had been pulled over doing about 100 mph. In his Prius. Normally companies tend to attract more or less positive characters to promote their products, and in case with GoreIII, drugs were found in the car. But who cares now that we know for sure that hybrid cars can do 100 mph! Toyota spokesman, Mike Michels, confirmed that Prius is even capable of breaking this speed. You can accelerate up to 103 mph without being worried about battery depletion. That was probably the most unbiased and resulting test-drive ever: the myth about electric and hybrid cars being underpowered was debunked.

The other hybrid-related issue was the story of a guy, who sued American Honda Motor Company over the mileage claims for Civic Honda hybrid. Mr.John True wasn’t satisfied with the mileage he was getting. Driving his Civic hybrid he averaged just 32 mpg (city/highway combined), instead of 49-51 advertised. Most hybrid and non-hybrid owners would agree that mileage of any car depends a lot on your driving habits.

There’s not much to add, for the case looks ridiculous. It’s just amazing how much is being told about electric and hybrid cars and how little people learn. Nevertheless, hybrid technology is gaining popularity. Managers of Toyota branches report the growth of sales of hybrid models. And even if customers don’t end up buying straight away they are willing to learn more about how Toyota hybrid cars work. The technology is quite easy to understand and average drivers don’t need to know a lot to get the most of their green-vehicles. All you need is just consult a few useful hybrid car articles before you're off to enjoy the ride.

The Secret of Hybrid Owners

By 2010 GM promise to come up with a plug-in electric car that will be available to the mass market. At the moment success depends on whether GM can develop a lithium ion battery durable and affordable enough to attract average consumers. But while crowds of engineers are sweating over the battery issue, GM top designers are digging in as well!

It turns out that to be a success this new auto has to have rather distinctive looks. Well, there’s no doubt, the exterior is important, but when it comes to environmentally friendly cars the issue takes a slightly different turn. Apparently, electric and hybrid car owners want their car to make a clearer statement about how green they are. Statistics shows, that among Toyota hybrid cars Prius has become a best-seller due to its peculiar design. Prius owners admit that their choice was determined by their desire to show that they care about the green issues. By contrast, you could distinguish Toyota Camry hybrid, Honda or Ford hybrid only by a small badge on the trunk or side panel.

I imagine, marketing departments should be pretty puzzled. On one hand we have genuine tree-huggers, who really care. On the other hand we’ve got a decent size of the market, represented by those who purchase electric and hybrid cars to reduce gas expenses. And now we seem to have a third segment! Those, who want to save on fuel, but make it look as if they are saving the planet. Don’t take me wrong, it is great that the market of electric and hybrid cars is expanding. By any means :) It’s just funny to observe how hybrids are finding their ways into our lives

How 2 Live Without a Car

Deciding to give up a car is like going vegetarian: too many misleading pros and cons, too many subjective factors. Your mind induces you to resist the temptation and be strong, but all the rest of you just screams: let’s go for a ride! (have a juicy steak!). Anyway, if the idea of going car-less crossed your mind, something should have encouraged you to do so, for most motorists are almost auto-addicts. So take your time and carefully weigh all the aspects of this step.

Let’s start with the reasons that made you think you’re better off car-less. However it’s hard to dispute the advantage of being on the wheels any time you want, there are quite a few annoying factors. All the car maintenance fuss, regular expenses and incidental splash-outs it inevitably requires, lack of movement that many drivers suffer or an environmental concern. Any of these factors can take its toll on you one day. Or maybe even hit all at once.

The prior advice will be – don’t make haste! Check out first how to rearrange the motorized routine by another means. You have quite many options for commuting. Bikes are very cheap, environmentally friendly and irreplaceable when it comes to traffic jams. You also get a regular free workout. If you are not too keen on sweating before work day even starts, you can get an electric bike. Still eco-friendly and money-efficient, but physically less demanding. The reverse side of the coin is the distance you have to ride and climate peculiarities. You wouldn’t want to perform a feat each time you travel. Bikes are not very handy either when it comes to weekly shopping. If you live within walking distance from a supermarket a foldable wheeled tot can solve the problem, but if you are not, then it’s time to turn to other options.

The good old public transport can work wonders. There’s nothing like an empty bus lane on a rainy congested morning when you are late for work. It’s a fact that more and more commuters admit: public transport is the surest way to get to work on time. No parking problems either. The only thing is that you may live outside the bus route area. Or sometimes need to deliver the unreasonable amounts of shopping that you don’t want to advertise (or fear being not allowed on board with your cargo). That’s when we turn to friends and that’s where it’s so easy to lose both friendship and free car renting. You have to pay back one way or another and swallow your pride sometimes. At the end of the day a favour is a favour and when you ask for it regularly people tend to get annoyed. So unless they owe you a life, you can’t expect them handing out a car key with a cheerful smile any time. Car-pooling is a healthy option, but it also leaves you dependent on others and their circumstances. You can also order a taxi or rent a car. You do save heaps of money by giving up your own auto, so you definitely can afford hired vehicles once in a while.

Apparently, going car-less can be sensible and almost painless if taken up wisely. You don’t have to stick to just one option – mix and match them according to your lifestyle and circumstances. Keep your auto as a back-up plan and see if you can do without it for a month or so. If it doesn’t make you stressed, then maybe the time has come to sell your 4-wheeled buddy and start a new life.

All this is almost perfect when you are flexible and energetic. But what about those who live far outside the bus routes, have some physical disabilities or can’t move closer to the infrastructure. Or let’s say a family with a couple of kids can hardly do without a car. Environmental issues as well as rocketing gas prices still exist, but they have weighty reasons to have something in their garage. They are not car-addicts, they simply can’t adjust their lifestyle to a car-less position. (“Honey, let’s not have kids and ride bicycle to work!”) The good news is there’s another option! Electric and hybrid cars have already won the popularity for being eco-harmless and fuel-efficient. You get serious money savings on gas without restraining yourself. Hybrids drive just like conventional autos and you can get a regularly shaped one if you don’t want to stand out with its looks.

I guess, vegetarians are far less lucky, for there’s nothing that tastes like freshly grilled steak, not being a piece of meat with all the trouble it brings.

It’s just nice to have one.

Toyota Prius Sneaks into US Best Selling Cars List

Monitoring pros at J.D. Power report that the most famous Toyota hybrid car - Prius - has sneaked into the US best selling vehicles top10!

Vivat, hybird cars!

Everything but Honda: top 25 cars that made a difference

It’s quite a surprise that picking 25 autos that made names for themselves — good or bad — during the last 25 years the USA TODAY auto team overlooked Honda! There is an opinion that before Honda US manufacturers had a tendency to build cars that consumers didn't really want - too big and low quality. Honda was like a gulp of fresh air, I am sure, few people would dispute on that.
And take Civic Honda hybrid with its almost 50 mpg! Doesn’t it make any difference at all? Really sorry for Honda :-(

Bush can bring out the Veto Pen to Strike 35 mpg

No, the fight for 35 mpg CAFE standards has not been won yet. The House of Representatives has pushed discussion back and that support for the higher mileage law is not clear now. US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman mentioned today that Bush likely would veto an energy bill because of the mpg requirement. He also criticized the passed-by-Senate bill for providing penalties for oil companies that commit price gouging.

That’s it.

Microsoft vs. Google!

It’s like a competition for the Mr. Good award. To win you not only need to be good, but also show that rivals are not.
Yahoo Inc. last month said it would donate 10 hybrid taxicabs to NY. Google have already shelled out $1 million to companies and people who can encourage the adoption of hybrid cars and is ready to grant another $10 million to improve hybrid car problem. Now isn’t that sweet! Plug-in hybrids have batteries that need to be recharged when the car's not in use, get about 74 miles per gallon in tests (compare this to an average hybrid car mileage of 41).
In the meantime Microsoft is going to create another big hole. To be precise – 4 stories deep and 4 football fields long – Microsoft Live Parking 1.0 will be able to hold 5,000 cars, making it the "second largest underground lot in the western hemisphere" according to one hyperbolic report. Rumour has it, Microsoft employees will be able to choose from six different types of parking spaces, depending on the size of their car's engine and how much they're willing to pay. Kind of nice, but Google has already filed a complaint with the American Automobile Association, claiming the lot is not compatible with its new hybrid cars that return energy to the grid. And the final blow: Google unveiled a new employee parking garage in which drivers can charge their plug-in cars, powering up their batteries using solar energy. Just too many bugs for Microsoft to deal with…

Amsterdam driving style: 67 years without a driver’s license

An 84-y.o. Dutch man admitted to police that he had been driving for the past 67 (!) years without a driver's license. The Amsterdam driver was stopped this week by police for the 1st time in his life (!) during a simple random check. He escaped detection for 2/3rds of a century because he was never stopped for speeding or involved in a car accident.

The driver was released without charges after promising to stop driving :-)

501 People Want It!

This is what they say:

"It feels nice to be green i suppose."
"Love it. Not as much as they say, but I’ll take 45. And it’s kinda cute."
"I’d rather convert an engine to veggie oil or drive biodiesel."
"I bought it on ebay and I’ve never regretted it."

and much much more happy posts

The World’s Weirdest Motorbike

The new SunRed-designed motorbike got a prize for BIT (Best Innovative Technology) during the Barcelona Auto Show.


Well, it’s not only about the shape. It is solar-powered! Capturing sunlight, it stores electrical power and moves in the most environmentally respectful way :-) When the bike stops (somewhere in sunny Barcelona, for example), the solar panels surface tops up to 25 sq. feet, so it can store energy for up to 13 miles at 30 mph.

Although this is just a concept, I'll surely keep an eye on it. SunRed guys are very enthusiastic and purposeful.

Toyota Launches a New Hybrid Car Brand in 2009

Following up on Prius, Toyota Motor Corp. (Japan) plans to start selling a 2nd dedicated brand of hybrid cars in 2009. These guys are going to sell ~ 100,000 of new-but-still-unnamed hybrid cars annually. This new automobile is expected to play a key role in Company’s plans to increase hybrid cars sales to 1 million vehicles a year after 2010.

Waiting for a test drive …

Gasoline Prices Around The Globe

I'd rather move to Caracas and buy a tank! Or a hybrid car.
(click the picture for a larger image)

Smth old, smth new, smth borrowed, smth …GREEN

~ 20 US brides blogged recently about using hybrid cars instead of sparkling limos and roaring Hummers. Some couples ask retailers not to wrap gifts of paper and ribbons. The truly committed-to-environmental-issues are free to choose wooden wedding rings, hemp dresses (instead of silk gowns) and bio-confetti (Ecofetti).

Here’s the new slogan for Toyota: “Prius. Just married”

:-)

Hybrid cars will represent 2% by 2008

According to J.D. Power and Associates, we are all expected to buy ~ 350,000 hybrid cars annually by the year 2008. Over ½ will be trucks. However, hybrid vehicles will represent only about 2% of all amount of US vehicles by 2008.



Farewell, green future... :-(

Hybrid Taxi Debut in Chicago

A new Ford Escape Hybrid makes environmental history being formally unveiled as Chicago's first fleet based taxi. The lucky cab driver chosen to drive the hybrid car, is expected to save $6,000 annually on fuel costs.

Google guys know how to get 73.6 miles per gallon!

Google modified some of its cars to plug into any 120-volt power outlet. The new Google-tuned Prius plug-in now gets 73.6 mpg of gasoline, while the original Prius gets 40.9!

These guys have focused on promoting plug-in hybrid electric vehicles – electric and hybrid gas cars that can be plugged into a wall socket to charge the battery.

Google's major drivers are:
- Cut oil and gasoline use
- Reduce CO2 emissions
- Gather research data to help promote this industry
- Accelerate the development and adoption of hybrid cars

Actually Google's fleet vehicles have been previously modified with additional batteries and adapters to let them charge / discharge electricity via plug-in cords. Some companies and amateurs have been able to modify existing hybrid cars to work this way, but they are few.

The major benefit for consumers of plug-in hybrid cars is the ability to run (almost) entirely on electricity with the option of extended-mode gasoline-powered ride.

Are you a hybrid car owner?

If yes, then why?

Hyberbrities

They get lots of love and hatred. Their every step is scrutinized. They have to starve and torture themselves in a gym to tackle their wobbly bits. Because every time celebrities take their pants off there might be someone behind the decorative plant taking photo of them. But what they get in return is probably worth loosing some privacy. Best hotels, exquisite food, designer clothes, sparkling limousines… Hang on! Gas-guzzling limos are not on the celebrities’ list anymore! Now stars are going hybrid.

It’s not even a trend already. It’s a normal thing for A-list celebrities to transport their heavenly bodies in electric and hybrid cars.

Brad Pitt, one of the most wanted and photographed celebrities, owns H7 and some other “green” autos that rest in his garage. Well, Brad has a big family now, he is ought to be concerned about the future of his kids.


(Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images for BMW)

Julia Roberts – a woman who always gets everything (what she thinks) she deserves. Her choice is Toyota Prius. Apparently her eco-concerned part in Erin Brokovich movie wasn’t just acting and she does care about what’s happening to the environment.

The curvy beauty Salma Hayek is another electric hybrid owner. That’s what she says about it: "With global warming threatening us all, driving a fuel efficient car like a hybrid is something that everybody can do to protect our planet. I am proud to do my part. I personally own and drive a hybrid car - and I love it!"

Another Toyota hybrid has been sold to ex-Titanic-corpse Leonardo DiCaprio. Being a very naughty boy, sorry, a man, Leo is very sensitive to eco-related issues. He was among the pioneer hybrid drivers and had been zipping around in eco-friendly automobiles ever since.

Matt Damon decided to buy a hybrid car following the advice of his family. Although Damon has joined a list of those who have made “green choice”, he says that he just wanted to save money. Nice one, Matt! The star sees no reason to drive a regular car when hybrids are just as good and fast, but consume less gas. “I don’t understand why everyone isn’t driving one”, he says.

Not only mature Hollywood stars go green these days. Fall Out Boy, the alternative rock/pop-punk band, turn out to be tree-huggers with their 2007 Honda Civic Tour. They are even going to give away their own Honda Hybrid in the interests of green promotion. (Of course they will buy another one later).

Among the other adopters of hybrid technology are Cameron Diaz, Larry David, Scarlett Johansson, Charliz Theron, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tim Robbins, Orlando Bloom, Robin Williams and Penelope Cruz, Natalie Portman, Morgan Freeman and Tom Hanks.