Auto Industry News » Green Cars

A Little Insight into Honda

Heather — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:55:16 +0000

A lot of drivers prefer Honda vehicles due to their affordability, which is especially important in this day and age. The new 2010 Honda Insight seems to not disappoint in terms of price either, with an MSRP price range that starts at $19,800 and goes to $21,300. The invoice price range is even less; it starts at $18,688 and goes to $20,098, while the market price begins at $19,561 and goes to $21,038.

But what are you getting for those prices? Well, a lot of changes for one, especially in terms of the Insight which first premiered in 2006. Now the Insight is much more practical. It is a four door hatchback which can fit up to five passengers — much roomier than the original, which was a mere two seater.

The car uses the Integrated Motor Assist system favored by Honda. It combines a thirteen horsepower electric motor with a 1.3 liter gas engine. A continual variable transmission is attached to all of it. The combination of the motor and the engine generates ninety height horsepower for 123 pounds per feet of torque; the fuel economy is more than forty miles per gallon.

2012 Riversimple Hydrogen Car: What Is It?

Heather — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 20:06:31 +0000

I love British cars. Well, actually, I love everything about British anything, however, that is another story, we are talking about cars here. There is this British car company called Riversimple and they have actually come up with a hydrogen engine and while they have not started mass production just yet, the 2012 Riversimple Hydrogen Car is going to make an appearance in 2012! This car is honestly going to be one of the smallest and coolest cars in the world and while the US might never see it, people in Britain will be able to drive around in it!

According to our friends at Cool Cars: This will be a four-seats city car that can travel at a gas station 320 km at a maximum speed of 120 km / h. At this time, Riversimple testing 2-seat prototype models, equipped with 6-kilowatt electric motor and hydrogen cells. Car weights just 650kg, and the dimensions of the Smart vehicle. So as you can see, there are a lot of things that this car has to offer really anyone looking for a good car.

Keep checking back for updates, I’ll absolutely keep you updated on what Riversimple is doing!

US Fuel Cell Council Sought for $1.17 Billion Funding

Scott — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 22:33:32 +0000

The United States Fuel Cell Council seeks the government to give them a dedicated funding of $1.17 billion to kick off the improvement of the hydrogen fuel cell infrastructure in the country.

The funding has long been approved with the enactment of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. They are hoping that the funding will form part of the budget for the fiscal year 2010. The council also recommends strategic areas to spend the funding. These includes an awareness campaign for people to know more about alternative fuels, refueling facilities, local production plants, research and development, and fuel transit system.

The council hopes to allocate around $375 million worth of fuel cell cars so the private and public sector can have a real time evaluation of how these alternative car fuel vehicles can also help them with their everyday lives.

Another big chunk of the budget will be devoted to research partnership which eyes to cut costs and improve performance in the long run.

Deployment structures and manufacturing backbone may each get around $100 million each. Around $65 million will be devoted for the refueling infrastructure.

Following up with the Congress and the incoming US President, the US Fuel Cell Council sees the development of the fuel cell technology, infrastructure, and distribution in the US may lead to the creation of around 675000 jobs in the next 25 years.

The council presents different pictures of how the fuel cell industry affect the US. So far, the fuel cell efforts are foreseen to put the US government, people, and economy in a win-win situation.