Chief-executive-officer Stephan Winkelmann said, speaking to Automobilwoche, said that Lamborghini is seeking to find electric motors to help reduce fuel consumption in urban and low-speed driving. However, for high performance driving, gasoline is the best solution. So this would mean that mild hybrids are probably on the way.

Back in March at the Geneva Motor Show, the company claimed it would spend $50 million over the next five years to reduce emissions.

Don’t expect an announcement soon, but it’s definitely coming.

via Leftlane

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Demand for the Toyota Prius and the new Cash for Clunkers program drove hybrid sales high for the month of July, as indicated by revenue reports by Green Car Advisor.

Hybrid sales went up to a total of 35 percent for the month, compared to a year ago. Non-hybrids fell 13 percent. The Toyota Prius had its best month since April 2008, selling 19,193 units. Many other hybrids such as the Escape, Altima, and Camry, all saw double-digit increase in sales.

via Autoblog Green

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The New York Police Department will be modifying 58 of their 35 mpg Nissan Altima hybrid vehicles. The reason behind this is because officers are complaining that when they get out of their seat, their gun handles press “painfully into their hips”.

The move will be costing around $1,100 USD of tax payer’s money per vehicle to make the change, according to Albert Becker, a deputy inspector and executive officer of the department’s support services,bringing the total to a whopping $63,800 USD.

“There have been no documented instances, no emergency situations, in which they [officers] got stuck,” said Inspector Becker.

via New York Times

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Toyota Motors Europe plans to start manufacturing its first European built hybrid Auris in the United Kingdom by the middle of this year. This further solidifies Toyota’s continued commitment to low-emission hybrid vehicles following their success with the famed Toyota Prius.

The Toyota Auris actually came out to the European Market in 2007 and has been decently selling to the market. However under the new plan, the new Toyota Auris will now come equipped with a 1.33-litre dual VVT-i engine and Toyota’s Start&Stop technology, reducing CO2 emissions by 17% (135 g/km) and improving fuel consumption by 19%.

‘With today’s announcement, Toyota has taken a significant step forward in ensuring that full hybrids become more accessible to a wider range of customers. Such efforts are crucial if we are to see more low-carbon vehicles on European roads,’ said Tadashi Arashima, CEO and President, TME.

(Source) Press

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At least for one year, new Hyundai car owners can worry less about the fluctuating prices of fuel thanks to this partnership between Hyundai and Pricelock. Pricelock and Hyundai have joined together to implement a new program which will lock the price of fuel to $1.49 per gallon for a year on select new car models under the Hyundai brand.

This event promises to help spur car sales in the midst of a faltering market that is being affected by the governing fuel prices which have made motorists ponder about alternatives (such as hybrids and electric cars). But with a year of no worries in price fuel, the program may just work. Also, who knows what would happen after a year’s time on the fuel issues plaguing the world today?

For the Hyundai program, Pricelock will issue car buyers fuel cards, similar to credit cards, which drivers will use to purchase gasoline at any of the 165,000 participating gas stations, approximately 93% of all service stations in the U.S. Using the Pricelock card, the car buyer will be charged $1.49 per gallon for fuel, regardless of the price on the pump. Of course, if the pump price is below $1.49 per gallon, the cardholder will not use the fuel card, but instead will pay the lower pump price using cash or a credit or debit card and still be able to participate in the upside.

(Source) Press

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Daimler finally launched its own hybrid car version, the Mercedes Benz S Class which will come either in electric or petrol. The new hybrid Mercedes is now available in Europe, options that should give aspiring car owners of choosing between fuel consumption or electric power, the latter of which has been which many are talking about as of late.

The “CO2 champion of luxury cars,” as Mercedes bills it, nonetheless cranks out 186 to 189 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer, remaining one of the biggest polluters on the road, well above the European average of around 160 grams.

“For years, the German automobile sector did not believe hybrids had a chance…..but at a certain point, under market pressure, the industry changed its mind,” said Stefan Bratzel, professor at a specialized auto center in the western city of Bergisch Gladbach.

Despite being branded as anti-environment for its continued production of fuel-powered cars, the new Mercedes Benz S Class electric version should somehow even the odds. At least this time, car buyers can be given the choice, something that is obviously a business prerogative when it comes to choosing which car is wise to buy considering the current world economic situation.

(Source) Auto India

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The potential ownership of the 2009 Toyota Prius just got sweeter for Utah county locals as Brent Brown announces a $2,000 Customer Cash rebate and will pay the sales tax for purchases of the new Toyota hybrid vehicle. Touted to be the solution for the continuing oil price crisis, the timing of this deal couldn’t have been better.

Many people are waiting for the new 2010 Prius which will be arriving at Brent Brown Toyota soon. The supply of new cars will be limited at first but will pick up as the model year progresses.

“We have new ‘09 and several used Prius’ on the lot and 2010’s are coming soon. You can special order a 2010 Prius now and be one of the first to have the new 2010 Prius you want in time for summer,” said Brent Brown, owner of Brent Brown Toyota, a Utah dealership that sells the Toyota Prius.

Brent Brown Toyota has carried the best selling, best built hybrid for years. New ‘09 Prius’ are available now at Brent Brown Toyota. Demand for hybrids is building as the summer months approach and gas prices rise.

(Source) Press

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As far as new cars are concerned, it is not surprising that most motorists are turning towards hybrid technology to curb down carbon emissions and better fuel efficient vehicles. This seems to be the trend these days as we see most car manufacturers unveiling their own version of hybrids, potentially to lure a curious market on the ideal car to have today.

The new 2010 automobiles will soon change the future in transportation as conventional vehicles make the switch to hybrid cars. The new cars also qualify for government incentives to use as a 2009 hybrid car tax credit. Hybrid cars can achieve better fuel efficiency and are led by car manufacturers including Ford Motor Company, Toyota, Honda, and General Motors.

The big switch is indeed apparent. We have been seeing various advertisements and promotions for the new breed of hybrids. And this time, it is not just a marketing gimmick. These car giants are really gearing towards the market demand. With due consideration to the two factors, carbon emissions and fuel efficiency, the product is that of having a hybrid or electric car in your lineup, something that we can see in most vehicle showrooms for customers looking for a new vehicle to own.

(Source) News Oxy

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It looks like the Mercury Milan from Ford Motors Corp. is here to stay despite the issues surrounding the cost of owning one. Critics have been harsh on Ford for the actual price of this vehicle although one thing they have failed to do is provide support in justifying their complaints. That has made all the difference since consumers who want improved technology know for a fact that the price to pay is no walk in the park.

The Mercury Milan aims to help in providing fuel-efficient cars which is pretty much important as far as motorists are concerned today. This and of course the smooth ride more than helps as a convincing factor that this car really lives up to its billing as a car that holds true to its cost.

As far as speed and design, take note that hybrids manufacturers did not focus on this as the primary aspect of the car. The Mercury Milan still carries the same external and internal quality expected with some adjustments. However, it still remains that the real intention of this car is really on the fuel-savings technology to which is really the rant of the vehicle industry today.

Though a bit pricey at $33,735, you just have to consider that there is a price to pay for innovation and also the standard cost of getting quality vehicles from Ford Motors Corp. But you can bet you are getting your money’s worth!

(Source) Asia One

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Toyota unveils its answer to the Honda Insight, a cheaper and improved version of its originally dispatched Toyota Prius. Toyota has set the new price to be at $21,600 and has made a yearly sales quota milestone between 300,000 to 400,000 for the new version. For the still available previous versions, Toyota will reported slash the prices despite the new batch’s arrival.

Toyota seems to be preparing for the Honda Insight’s rampage as it not only offers an affordable but sensible car in the making. The market that Toyota is aiming to penetrate are the car rentals and corporate customers aside from the usual private sector car buyers.

Toyota – which also makes the Camry sedan and Lexus luxury models – has long been the leader in the hybrid market, having sold a cumulative 1.256 million Prius cars in more than 40 countries and regions, making the model the top-seller among hybrids.

(Source) Press

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Going small is the solution that many deem to resolve the whole fuel efficiency issue but how small is small? Well for this native British guy, it measures an absurd 39 inches tall, 26 inches wide and 51 inches long! 47 year old Terry Watkins has built one of the possibly smallest cars we have seen today which makes use of a motor that is similar to the home-based lawn mowers.

The chassis started out as a children’s toy car, and after Watkins bolted on working headlights and tail lights, windshield wipers, turn signals and a horn, he was allowed to tack on a license plate and make it fully street legal. Now, you might see him scooting around the streets of Staffordshire in this little crazy car at speeds of up to 40mph.

Crazy as the idea may seem, it is something that can possibly kick off. Cute but certainly something that may not be fitted for the roads along with the other hybrids and still existent modern day cars we see.

(Source) DVice

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Better Texas moves forward by announcing the addition of two new new hybrid-powered bucket trucks to its fleet. Oncor’s decision to add the hybrid-powered bucket trucks comes as a result of its participation in a 2006 trial of the hybrid trucks in the field, organized by the non-profit organization CALSTART (www.calstart.org).

Oncor was one of 14 utilities included in the trial, the results of which were very positive. The trial proved that the hybrid-powered bucket trucks, which alternate between diesel fuel and battery power to operate, get up to 60 percent in fuel savings, of which one-third comes from driving with the rest of the savings occurring at the job site as the hybrid system works the bucket or aerial device of the truck. The fuel savings Oncor receives from these hybrids help save the environment by using less fuel, a non-renewable resource.

On Friday, May 1, the trucks will hit the field, with one heading to work in Waco and the other to Fort Worth. Both are wrapped in Texas flag-inspired artwork, with “Hybrid Truck” and “Small Changes. Better Texas.” marked on both sides of each truck.

(Source) Press

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A comparison test was recently made by Edmunds.com to which the 2010 Toyota Prius and 2010 Honda Insight were compared. After the comparisons, the 2010 Toyota Prius stood out due to quickness and smoother ride quality and quieter cabin.

In the comparison test, the 2010 Honda Insight was praised for its steering and for the responsiveness of its continuously variable transmission.

“Consumers who cross-shop the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius will find two rather different vehicles,” said John O’Dell, Senior Editor of Edmunds’ GreenCarAdvisor.com. “And the selection of compelling hybrids in the marketplace will continue to grow over the months and years to come.”

To view the comparison test, you can access it here.

(Source) Press

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Ford gets the nod of Kelly Blue Book as two of its vehicles have been included in the Top 10 Green Cars list. Today, editors of Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com named the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid to its 2009 list of “Top 10 Green Cars.”

“This recognition says strong things about Ford as a hybrid manufacturer,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. “What we really like about both the Fusion and Escape Hybrids is that they do everything great hybrids should do – in terms of providing excellent fuel economy – but at the same time, they drive like conventional vehicles.”

Nerad says fuel economy was just one of the factors editors of Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com took into consideration when selecting this year’s list of “Top 10 Green Cars.”

“We go beyond fuel economy and powertrain, and we look at things that people generally look at when buying any car, such as comfort, convenience, safety and value for the money,” he said.

Ford Hybrid Marketing Manager David Finnegan says winning two of the 10 spots on kbb.com’s “Top 10 Green Cars” list for 2009 demonstrates Ford’s versatility as a hybrid manufacturer.

“We are continuing to expand our portfolio to offer consumers a wider range of alternatives,” said Finnegan. “Not only do we have the most fuel-efficient SUV on the planet with the Ford Escape Hybrid but we also are committed to being a leader in the car segment. The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid provides 41 mpg in city driving and 36 mpg on the highway, making it North America’s most fuel-efficient midsize sedan.”

(Source) Press

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Maruti has revealed that in 3 to 5 years time, they will be launching their own line of hybrid cars and compressed natural gas (CNG) variants for three or four models in the domestic market. The plan is part of the company’s broad strategy to develop small cars that run on alternative fuel technology.

“We are developing electric car technology for India. But it might take us up to the next five years or more to manufacture and sell electric cars in the domestic market,” said Maruti Suzuki Managing Director Shinzo Nakanishi.

Maruti Suzuki Chairman R C Bhargava, added, “We are working on multi-fuel variants and some models have been identified for CNG. A CNG kit currently costs over Rs 40,000 and that is expensive. Also, these cars can only be launched in 2010 or 2011, when there is a pan-India CNG filling system from companies like Reliance.”

Bhargava pointed out that even Delhi lacked sufficient CNG filling systems for commercial vehicles. The company has already launched LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) variants of the Maruti 800 and Wagon R.

(Source) Business Standard

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