Alternative, Eco Friendly And High Efficiency Cars Resource

Guide to Buying an Efficient Car: Alternative Fuel Vehicles and High Efficiency Vehicles

Alternative fuel vehicles and high efficiency vehicles have many benefits which make them a viable transportation option worth exploring. Some of the main benefits of these vehicles are the fuel conservation, the reduction of fuel costs, and the protection of the environment. An alternative fuel vehicle is defined as a vehicle that operates on a fuel source other than the traditional petroleum fuels or a vehicle where the powering of an engine does not solely involve the use of petroleum. This includes complete alternative fuel vehicles and hybrid alternative fuel vehicles. However, a high efficiency vehicle is a vehicle that runs on the traditional petroleum fuels but is designed to transfer energy more productively. These vehicles transfer one form of energy to another form with very little energy loss and they perform with the use of less fuel.

More recently, hybrid and other high efficiency vehicles have been growing in popularity. The 2009 hybrid car statistics show that more than 200,000 hybrid cars were sold in the United States, with the Toyota Prius holdings its spot as the top selling vehicle. New sources of alternative fuel is always being researched, tested, and developed in order to find cheaper and more efficient ways to run our vehicles safely. The U.S. Energy Policy Act of 1992 identified a total of eight types of alternative fuel. Some are widely used while others are still undergoing experimental observations and testing. These alternatives to diesel and gasoline include ethanol, natural gas, electricity, hydrogen, propane, bio diesel, methanol, and P-series fuels. Below you will find more information about alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and high efficiency vehicles.

Alternative Fuel Vehicles and High Efficiency Vehicles

• U.S. Department of Energy: Learn about the promotion of Federal tax incentives offered to customers with qualified alternative fuel vehicles.
• Alternative & Advanced Vehicles: Information on alternative fuel vehicles, including all-electric, flexible fuel, natural gas, propane, and bio diesel cars.
• Transportation Energy: Here you will find a student’s guide to learning about alternative fuel vehicles and how they work.
• Consumer Energy Center: Find out about the high demand for transpiration fuels, as well as sources of alternative fuel.
• Facts for Consumers: The Federal Trade Commission presents facts about the alternatives to gasoline and diesel.
• U.S. Department of State: Information and fleet alternative fuel vehicle program reports from 2003 to 2010 fiscal years.
• Alternative Fuel Conversion: Resources to information about alternative fuel conversions and how vehicles are modified to run on alternative fuels.
• Qualified Alternative Fuel Motor Vehicles: The IRS provides customers who own alternative fuel vehicles information on the credits that they may be entitled to.
• High-Efficiency Cars: Here you will find some descriptions and photographs of some of the best high-efficiency cars on the market today.
• Fuel Efficient Vehicles Guide: Learn how to increase vehicle efficiency and reduce the number of miles traveled.
• Hybrid Vehicle: Learn about a hybrid vehicle that uses hydrogen as its main source of fuel.
• Hybrids under the Hood: Here you will find information on how hybrid cars work and combine gasoline and electric power for top efficiency.
• What is a Hybrid and How Does It Work: Learn about the top choices of high efficiency vehicles and how they are able to run.
• Hybrid Cars: Pros and Cons: Diagram of the various parts of a hybrid car and the pros and cons of this type of vehicle.
• Air Quality and Hybrid Vehicles: Benefits of the hybrid, how a hybrid works, and additional information for car owners.

Incentives and Programs

• NYSERDA: This alternative fuel vehicle programs provides technical information and financial assistance to encourage consumers to purchase alternative-fuel vehicles.
• Air Resources Board: This agency offers an incentive program to those who help the air quality be switching to alternative fuels.
• Clean Vehicle Rebate Project: The CVRP promotes zero-emission vehicles, such as plug-in hybrids, electric, and fuel cell vehicles.
• Grants and Incentive Programs: The Emission Reduction Incentive Program Group offers grants and incentives to those interested in purchasing lower-emission vehicles.
• Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program: The AFIG offers two programs that stimulate the use of bio diesel and ethanol use in cars.
• Biofuel Incentives: Certain high efficiency vehicles may qualify for certain tax credits and incentives.
• Ethanol Incentives: The Energy Policy Act of 2005 grants incentives to those with qualified alternative fueled vehicles.

Fueling Facilities for AFV’s

• Canada’s Alternative Fuel Sites: Find alternative fuel sites throughout Canada in nearly 6000 stations.
• Alternative Fueling Station: Here you will find information on alternative fuels and alternative fueling stations.
• TransAtlas: Here you will find a mapping tool to find alternative fuel sites all over the U.S.
• Alternative Fuel Filling Stations: Information on how to find an alternative fuel station anywhere in the United States.

Submitted by Sidney Lee