High gas prices, the war in Iraq and concerns about global warming are fueling interest in cars and trucks with alternative powertrains, like gasoline-electric hybrids, clean diesels, ethanol and farther in the future, fuel cells that run on hydrogen.
But if you’re a lover of luxury, don’t expect too much choice when visiting the showroom. There are relatively few truly eco-friendly options for luxury-brand car and truck shoppers.
Or, rather, “there aren’t any,” says Jim Motovalli, the editor of E/The Environmental Magazine, and the author of Forward Drive: The Race to Build the Car of the Future. “Luxury cars are too big to be eco-friendly.” more on hybrid cars
If American motorists would use rechargeable “plug-in” hybrid-electric vehicles in large numbers, the United States could see a significant drop in greenhouse gas emissions by the middle of the century, says a study.
Researchers estimated that with a market share of about 60 per cent or more plug-ins, the vehicles could help reduce approximately 450 million metric tons in greenhouse gas emissions a year by 2050. The reductions would be the equivalent of removing 82 million passenger cars, or about one-third of the cars currently on US highways. The study was conducted by the Electric Power Research Institute, a not-for-profit research group, and the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental group. more on hybrid cars
With the ever-increasing cost of fuel, many American drivers are starting to see green.
Although much of the technology is still new, hybrid cars have proven themselves on the roads and have begun to give SUVs and Hummers a run for their money.
‘‘There’s no question that a lot of heavy cars are now being traded in for more fuel-efficient ones,’’ said Meb Dennis, Honda manager at the Hartly Buick Honda Pontiac GMC dealership in Jamestown. ‘‘Our No. 1 selling car is still the Honda CRV, but that gets 22 to 28 miles per gallon of gas, so it’s a bit of a compromise.
‘‘It gives four-wheel drive, but it is still reasonably economically,’’ Dennis said.
According to a news release from the AAA Fuel Gauge, the fuel prices for Chautauqua County currently remain unchanged at $3.094, but ‘‘will be tested in the weeks ahead.’’
These prices lead many to wonder if there are better alternatives of travel.
‘‘We have seen a dramatic increase in the number of hybrids being sold — we are selling all we can get,’’ said Al Attard, general manager of Stateside Toyota. ‘‘When the cars first came out, we were selling them before we could get them on the lots. Now that gas prices are spiking again, we’re seeing that trend return.’’ more on hybrid cars
