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Environmentally-friendly vehicles such as the Honda CR-Z Hybrid are being increasingly used in our towns and cities as motorists take greater efforts to reduce their carbon emissions.
Hybrid cars are especially useful in urban areas where pollution tends to be more of a problem, and fortunately for drivers they are able to bridge the gap between excellent fuel economy and low carbon emissions. Furthermore, there’s no need to plug a hybrid car into a mains electricity supply in order to recharge its batteries.
The CR-Z Hybrid is among the most innovative hybrid vehicles available. Not only does it prove that a sporty hybrid is possible and deliverable, it shows that green cars can be fun, quick and exciting to drive. It has made a big impression since being unveiled in 2007, and developers attribute the vehicle’s success to its sports car appeal combined with its environmentally-friendly credentials. But how exactly does a hybrid vehicle work?
Well, the clue is in the name – cars such as the CR-Z Hybrid are powered using a combination of a petrol or diesel engine and an electric motor. Combining these two power sources efficiently is beneficial for the driver and the environment in terms of fuel economy and the lack of harmful emissions. Such forward-thinking technology is changing the face of motoring the UK, and as one of only two vehicle manufacturers selling hybrid cars, Honda is at the forefront of its development.
A hybrid car really comes into its own in an urban environment. The constant slowing down, accelerating and stop-starting is not good for conventional vehicles’ fuel consumption, and this is where you really notice the fuel economy benefits that a hybrid vehicle can deliver. What’s more, you needn’t worry about the lack of a dedicated electric recharging network – cars such as the CR-Z has its battery charged using the engine, meaning you can concentrate on your driving.
While hybrid vehicles do emit some emissions, they emit significantly less pollutants than conventional petrol and diesel cars. They’re also far quieter, meaning Britain can look forward to more peaceful roads in the not-too-distant future. If travelling at particularly slow speeds, hybrid cars are almost completely silent – something that has been known to confuse drivers of conventional vehicles suspecting that the car may have broken down.
What if you’re a family and you want to make the switch to a hybrid vehicle? Many households do – according to the Energy Saving Trust, if Britain changes its car-buying habits then emissions can be reduced by 25 per cent, and this is something families are increasingly taking notice of. And with 26 million cars on the road, it’s important to choose the right one for you and your family’s needs.
Many smaller households have been swayed by the Honda Insight Hybrid, a five-door hatchback that allows motorists to know whether they’re driving efficiently thanks to the innovative Eco Assist system. At the end of each journey drivers are provided with an ‘ECO score’, which over time will show how much money you’ve saved on fuel in addition to the emissions you’ve prevented from entering the atmosphere.
As the UK moves towards a low carbon economy, more families are learning that a hybrid vehicle will produce 25 per cent to 35 per cent less carbon dioxide than a conventional one. This is thanks to the second, battery-powered engine, and could explain why the Insight Hybrid was the best-selling vehicle in Japan in April last year. The car is also especially popular in London, where it is exempt from the capital’s Congestion Charge.
Vehicles such as the Insight Hybrid and CR-Z Hybrid are welcome additions to Britain’s automobile market. Unlike the majority of consumer products, which have tended to get smaller and more efficient, cars have, until recently, done precisely the opposite. On average, a car nowadays is 30 per cent heavier than in the 1970s, and only in the last few years have manufacturers started investing heavily in hybrid technology.
With the government having recognised the environmental benefits of hybrid vehicles, motorists embracing in the technology can look forward to a range of financial incentives by choosing to drive a vehicle such as the Insight Hybrid and CR-Z Hybrid. Not only are the cars exempt from the London Congestion Charge, but drivers can also expect to have significantly lower annual car tax bills.
A number of motorists have questioned why the automotive industry isn’t moving towards purely electric vehicles and is instead concentrating on hybrid vehicles. The answer lies in the fact that, in addition to a drive towards more environmentally-friendly technology, motorists are largely keen on retaining the petrol or diesel engine that they feel comfortable with.
Since the first hybrid car arrived in Europe ten years ago, the vehicles have gone to become extremely popular, despite some early scepticism. The future of the technology looks bright, so can we all expect to be behind the wheel of a hybrid vehicle in the near future? Well, this is looking increasingly likely. If you prefer a diesel engine, you’ll be pleased to know that the first diesel hybrid cars are in development, while hybrid vehicles are also getting faster – banishing any worries that they are slower and less fun to drive than conventional vehicles.
By utilising two different energy sources, hybrid cars have given themselves room for an improved driving performance. Some models are capable of going from zero to 60mph in seven seconds, while a greater torque can be produced compared to that of a petrol engine running in isolation.
While hybrid vehicles vary in terms of performance, sophistication, price and emissions, one thing can be sure: that all are more environmentally-friendly than their petrol equivalents and that the greatest environmental benefits can be found while driving in town and city centres.
What’s more, purchasing a hybrid car is an investment – not only can you look forward to reducing your carbon footprint, but you can look ahead to owning an eco-friendly vehicle that will have a much lower depreciation rate than a standard petrol car. If you’re part of a family looking to lower its carbon emissions or a motorist in the city, then the Insight Hybrid and CR-Z Hybrid may be right up your street.
Innovation, sleek designs, comfort, advanced technical solutions, and efficiency are what make Honda Hybrid cars like the Honda Insight Hybrid stand out. Honda is known for the world’s first hydrogen/fuel-cell powered car, and is still the leading manufacturer. Honda’s authority on engineering supersedes so many others, so why would their authority on efficiency, innovation, brilliance and Hybrid technology be any different?
When thinking of a hybrid car, it’s not just great fuel efficiency, but more importantly, the low emissions hybrids are known for. Hybrid cars do have petrol engines, but the tank is much smaller and uses Honda’s innovative genius to reduce emissions and the use of fuel. The fuel tank is simply a energy storage device. The electric motor on a hybrid acts as a generator, drawing energy from the battery when it needs to. The generator is used to produce electrical power, which comes from the battery. This technology is standard for all of Honda’s Hybrids, from the Insight Hybrid to the Honda CR-Z Hybrid.
The Honda Insight, which was introduced in 1999, is one of the top-selling hybrid vehicles, and when you see the features it offers—on top of being a hybrid—you will understand why. The Econ Mode button controls the air conditioning unit, extends idle stop time, and increases regenerative recharging when you brake, making every drop of fuel count.
The Scoring function lets you know how you are driving. When you reach your destination, the scoring function will let you know your score, which is then added to your lifetime score. The higher the score, the more money you are saving. There is also a Guidance function that will change colors if you accelerate, letting you know you are using more fuel.
The Insight also has received five stars for their safety rating, which Honda always does, sets the benchmark for all hybrid cars.
The summer of 2010 will be the year the Honda hybrid takes on a new dimension with the new Honda CR-Z Hybrid Concept. Honda engineers have blended efficiency and sleek curves to seamlessly produce one of the world’s most desirable automobiles. Available in the UK from summer 2010, it’ll be the first hybrid to boast a 6-speed transmission.
So how much can be saved by driving a hybrid? Some consumers might be strapped for cash due to recent economic issues. But this shouldn’t stand in between them and a Honda hybrid. Consumers will be happy to know that the price of a hybrid vehicle can be offset by a tax credit. Some studies show that hybrid owners are less likely to be in an accident. Some think repairs are more expensive. This is a myth. Hybrids have been out long enough that the kinks have been figured out. Don’t forget about fuel efficiency, which is the cornerstone of hybrid cars.
With so much focus on what we can do for the environment and how we can change the world for future generations, simply driving a car to do that doesn’t seem like much of a challenge. With Honda’s technology and innovation, being a part of the future and making it better for future generations is a lot easier.
Increasing numbers of companies are saving money by adopting an environmental approach to managing their vehicles, according to Malcolm Noyle, environmental fleet consultant at Cardinus Risk Management.
“There’s nothing like a financial crisis to focus the mind on the bottom line and vehicle operators are now reducing costs by cutting fuel use, improving the way vehicles are driven, preventing unnecessary mileage and considering their duty of care,” said Mr Noyle. “As a result, we are starting to see the green shoots of recovery. Companies have started to invest in activities that will demonstrate a clear return on investment.”
2009 was an important year for environmental initiatives. The Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) was set up by the government. Headed by Michael Hurwitz, the OLEV is dedicated to the introduction and promotion of low carbon vehicle solutions.
The DTi and the LowCVP invested in the establishment of the Low Carbon Van programme, designed to encourage the use of innovative hybrid, electric and low carbon light commercial vehicles. The government’s recent pre-budget report and the Copenhagen climate change summit also gave clear direction for environmental vehicle management and duty of care.
There are many vehicles producing less than 120g of CO2 per km, making choosing a low carbon car even easier than ever. The Mitsubishi i MEiV, a four-seat, four-door electric car that can do over 80mph and has a range of over 160km, goes on sale in 2010.
Mr Noyle said Cardinus Risk Management has invested in a range of products that reduce costs as well as risk and impact on the environment, citing a government agency commission as an example.
“Cardinus commissioned an intensive review of a fleet run by a government agency. It reviewed operations, policies, risk and environment,” said Mr Noyle. “The recommendations made by this review will save significant amounts of money for the agency, reduce risk and improve its carbon emissions. This report and its outcomes are the result of Cardinus adding value for its clients.”
Marcus Noble, managing director of Cardinus Fleet, agreed that this is a time of great opportunity. “Directors are looking for cost-savings from the fleet operation,” he said. “By managing mileage, company cars, the ‘grey fleet’ and drivers effectively, there are significant savings to be made. Risk profiling your drivers and vehicles will reduce your costs and CO2 emissions. Make the case for a professional assessment of your fleet today and you’re far more likely to get sign-off.”
Find out more about Cardinus environmental and risk management products at: http://www.cardinus.com/products/products.aspx?pc=sdr.
Top tips for fuel efficient driving:
1. Planning: plan your journey to avoid traffic congestion and getting lost. Try to take the most direct route and travel outside peak times when possible.
2. Weight: remove unnecessary weight such as clutter, bike racks and roof boxes which will reduce the fuel use.
3. Petrol: fill the petrol tank up to the first click; don’t overfill as fuel can be wasted through spillage and evaporation and make sure the petrol cap is tightly screwed on. Also petrol pumps are calibrated by volume so fill up at night when it’s cold.
4. Speed: observing the speed limit is not only safer but also helps to reduce fuel consumption. Fuel consumption increases the faster you drive.
5. Air Conditioning: using the air conditioner can increase fuel consumption by up to 10% so use it sparingly. However, at higher speeds (+60 mph) using the air conditioner will be more efficient than the wind resistance from open windows.
6. Tyre Pressure: check the tyre pressure regularly as under-inflated tyres can increase fuel consumption by up to 3%.
7. Driving: avoid hard braking and sharp acceleration, accelerate smoothly and slowly. Sudden changes in speed can cause excessive fuel consumption.
8. Revving: monitor the amount of revs, changing up before 2,500rpm in petrol cars and 2,000rpm in diesel cars.
9. Traffic Jams: restarting the engine uses less fuel than idling so switch the engine off if stuck in traffic for more than one or two minutes.
10. Service: regularly service the car, checking the air filters, oil and water levels.
There is no questioning Toyota iQ’s status as one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the market, but a new hypermiling challenge has seen the tiny Toyota perform way beyond its official mpg figures.
Piloted by two of the team from the iQ blog, a standard iQ2 with a 1.0-litre VVT-i petrol engine, broke through 500 miles on a single tank of fuel. What makes the achievement all the more remarkable is that this was no finely tuned marathon attempt, but a gruelling drive through some of the most congested town centres in the south and midlands of England and Wales.
Setting out from Brighton on 25 January, the team tagged 18 cities in two days on a route that took them as far west as Cardiff and as far north as Wolverhampton. With atrocious weather conditions and rush hour traffic to contend with, there was pessimism about reaching the target, given that the theoretical range from a full 32-litre tank in an iQ is 462 miles. But in spite of wind, rain, congestion and the need to run the heater, headlights and wipers – all a drain on fuel consumption – the car managed 504.2 miles before ending its journey in central Oxford. That works out at 71.6mpg, compared to an official combined cycle figure of 65.7mpg.
You can read more about the hypermiling challenge at the iQ blog at
www.toyota.co.uk/iqblog.
Many people believe that if you want a fast car then unfortunately you’re going to have to go for a pretty uneconomic and environmentally unfriendly car, or the fabled gas guzzlers. As of late there has been a lot of pressure on the motor industry to “get green” and many cars now run on electricity or a newer hydrogen based fuel it means that many of us are soon going to have more options when we pull up to the pumps on the petrol station forecourt.
Those who choose to drive a cleaner vehicle were originally thought of as not wanting a fast car, certainly not a sports car but with new developments there are a growing number of high performance cars running on electricity rather than petrol. One such car is the Tesla Roadster, it looks like a sporty two seater like the Mazda RX-8 but runs on electricity, no need for petrol pumps, just plug it in to a dedicated socket and let it charge, your car is then refuelling in a similar way you would with your mobile phone!
The safety worry with electric cars though is that there is an astounding lack of moving parts compared to the traditional car design and so generates hardly any noise at all. This is likely to be a problem as some motoring authorities say that a car should be loud enough to make pedestrians aware of their approach and so many of these electric cars are being fitted with loudspeaker systems that imitate a loud car engine sound. One manufacturer even allows you to select the “voice” of your car, whether it’s the guttural roar of a Ford Mustang or the harsh scream of a Ferrari!
The benefits of driving a cleaner car though seem to be a lower road tax for one as well as better fuel economy and cheap car insurance, it’s been touted that these new cars can go hundreds of miles between filling up a full tank of fuel and obviously if you are driving economically.
One more extreme of going green is the car that Honda has made, the FCX Clarity. One of the biggest complaints about motoring is the harsh fumes being pumped out by cars, the Clarity however runs on the fuel of Hydrogen and Oxygen, the only thing being expelled by the Clarity is H2O, or water.
The energy created from the two elements powers an electric engine and is a great step forward in the field of fuel-cell technology, the only concern is the lack of hydrogen filling stations but should the technology become more popular over time there could be hydrogen pumps along side unleaded and diesel some day soon.
With global warming and carbon footprints becoming a major issue the world of motoring is often being ushered to being greener and with revolutionary thinking like this there is a chance that the wider population will consider a more economic vehicle for their next purchase rather than the gas guzzler we drive at the moment.
GreenRoad, an innovative world leader in driver safety technologies, today announced that it has won the Energy Saving Trust Fleet Heroes Innovation Award funded by the Department for Transport and organised in partnership with The Guardian and Fleet News.
The Fleet Heroes awards highlights best practice in fleet management and recognise those organisations that are addressing climate change by reducing carbon emissions from business travel. The award was presented to GreenRoad by the Secretary of State for Transport Geoff Hoon on October 14th 2008 at the London Transport Museum. The full list of winners is at http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/business/Business/Transp….
“This award acknowledges the success our customers have had cutting fuel consumption and associated CO2 emissions by up to 10 percent,” said Aidan Rowsome, Vice President of GreenRoad EMEA. “Safety Center is an easy, cost-effective way for fleet managers to improve their carbon footprint while keeping their employees safer.”
Philip Sellwood, Chief Executive of the Energy Saving Trust commented: “The winners and runners up in the Fleet Hero Awards have taken simple, practical steps which not only help the environment but also help to save money and resources. My congratulations go to them all. They provide an example to any business or organisation that operates a fleet – no matter what size.”
GreenRoad Safety Center uses innovative technology to help improve driving skills and thereby reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Safety Center empowers drivers to manage their own safety and improve their driving techniques. With GreenRoad Safety Center, drivers can improve their performance and reduce their fuel consumption by up to 10 percent.
GreenRoad provides Safety Center as a complete service package to ensure optimal results. Safety Center is an individualised professional coach for drivers and a comprehensive automated solution for company managers. GreenRoad’s in-vehicle sensors collect information on up to 120 different driving manoeuvres. Each manoeuvre is evaluated in five categories: acceleration; braking, lane changing, cornering and speed handling. Using proprietary algorithms, manoeuvres are analysed to give drivers continuous in-vehicle feedback about areas that require improvement, and build their driver profile. Driver safety and economy levels are displayed using a colour classification system: green light indicates safe driving, yellow needs attention and red is high risk.
Feedback is also available using SMS, email, and Safety Center’s password-protected website. Drivers and managers are able to review detailed reports by fleet, driver, department, manoeuvre type, trip, etc., to easily and accurately identify their high-risk drivers and problem areas.
For more information about GreenRoad, visit http://www.greenroad.com.
Global vehicle fleets have seen their fuel bills rise by as much as a third in the last year according to research by international leasing company Masterlease.
With vehicle manufacturers’ continuous improvements in fuel efficiency now being swamped by escalating fuel prices, global businesses have to face the reality of increasing costs to their fleet management.
While average diesel prices have soared by a third in the last year, the story is not quite as grim for unleaded petrol – although globally it has still increased on average by 18% since 2007.
Despite the overall increase in fuel prices, the latest research by Masterlease shows some interesting differences between the countries. The most expensive countries to purchase fuel from are the UK, Norway and Sweden, although the price increases over the last year have not been as dramatic as in others.
At the other end of the spectrum, Australia remains the cheapest place to purchase fuel – although over the last twelve months the price of diesel has increased by 33%. However, the country that has endured the biggest price hike is Austria, with diesel prices rising a staggering 42%.
Masterlease carried out the survey in all 17 countries in which it operates to get a true picture of how much fuel is really costing global customers. The research was conducted in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK.
As well as the global price hikes on fuel, one factor that has a big impact on global fleet fuel bills is the provision of free private fuel to company car drivers. In nine out of the 17 countries, this is a taxed benefit, while in five of the countries surveyed (Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and Australia), free private fuel is not taxed.
Nowhere is this more apparent than in Australia, where as one of the highest emitters of carbon in the world, contributing on average 27.54 tonnes to the atmosphere every year per person, many businesses are looking at measures to compensate by investing in formal carbon offsetting activities.
Nick Brownrigg, CEO of Masterlease Group, commented: “While the fuel issue may not be particularly new, the relative cost of fuel has been the biggest recent talking point in fleet management and it would come top, or close to the top, with every fleet decision maker, wherever they are in the world. As a result, the continuing volatility in fuel prices has emphasised the importance to the fleet industry of effective fuel management and accessibility of information to help control costs at every stage.
“It is important for global businesses to understand exactly how much they are spending on fuel across all of their country operations, so that they can look for cost saving opportunities.
For a ten tips on how to driver ‘greener’ and also to save money, have a look at this site courtesy of The National Automobile Dealers Association.
http://www.greendrivingusa.com/greencheckup.html
Ford have just begun today began production of the all-new Ford Fiesta, the first in a portfolio of global small cars, at their Cologne plant in Germany.
The new small car represents the blueprint for future global product development efforts at Ford and will be tailored to meet customer preferences for interior features, exterior colors, body styles and other options in each region of the world. It will go on sale progressively between now and 2010, starting in Europe.
The Cologne plant is the first Ford assembly facility in the world to build the new global car. Production will start at Valencia Assembly Plant in Spain in January 2009.
In North America, the models will be produced at the company’s Cuautitlan Assembly Plant in Mexico in 2010. Retooling the plant from its current production of F-Series trucks to small car production will begin in December.
Fiesta production for the Asian market begins later this year in Nanjing, China and Rayong, Thailand.
Within five years, Ford expects to build about 1 million vehicles worldwide off the new global B-car platform along with nearly 2 million vehicles off the global C-car unit.
“The Fiesta is special to us in Ford of Europe and to our customers,” said John Fleming, President and CEO, Ford of Europe. “Over the past 32 years it has consistently been at the top of the list of Europe’s best-selling cars.”
Since the first Fiesta was launched in 1976, more 12 million have been sold, with over 400,000 customers in 2007 proving the enduring popularity of the model.
Earlier this year, the Cologne plant began using renewable electricity generated by three hydro-power plants in Norway and Sweden, reducing the plant’s CO2 emissions by 190,000 tons a year. This initiative is part of the company’s overall commitment to further reduce the environmental footprint of its vehicles through their life cycle.
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