Sports utility vehicles (SUVs) aren’t the greenest options available on the market however many companies have seen the demand for hybrids rise but the desire for an SUV remains consistent. As a result, several hybrid SUVs have been developed over the past few years. In 2009 we will see new models as well as some upgraded older models.

2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
With an estimated price tag of right around $71k, the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid will afford its drivers every luxury that Cadillac offers but better gas mileage over the non-hybrid Escalade. The vehicle will use the two-mode hybrid system and has an estimated mpg rating of 20 in the city and 21 in the highway (in two-wheel drive mode). As is standard with a lot of car models, the 2009 Cadillac Escalade will actually be available from dealers across the United States in the fall of 2008.

2009 Mercedes-Benz ML 450 Hybrid
The first German-made hybrid SUV will hit the streets in 2009 in the Mercedes-Benz ML 450 Hybrid. The vehicle is expected to get a miles per gallon rating in the high 20s. The engine is expected to put out around 340 horsepower and will also utilize the two-mode hybrid system. Despite a delay with the battery supplier, Mercedes-Benz still has plans to release the ML450 Hybrid in the second half of 2009.

2009 GMC Yukon Hybrid
A sister of the Escalade and Chevrolet Tahoe, the 2009 GMC Yukon Hybrid qualifies under the LEV2 California emission rating and the Bin 5 Federal rating. The Vortec 6.0L engine will top out at 322 horsepower at 5100 rpm and 367 ft of torque at 4100 RPM. Not bad for an SUV that will get you right around 20 mpg.

2009 Chrysler Aspen/Dodge Durango Hybrid
Chrysler will jump into the hybrid SUV market with a hybrid version of the popular Aspen and Dodge Durango available. Like the other models included on this list, the engine will be based off of the two-mode hybrid system. However, this is a Mopar so yes you can have a Hemi hybrid.

In addition to these four models, 2009 will bring several hybrid crossover options to market for those who want a mix between an SUV and a car.�

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Filed Under: General, Green

We all have read about or seen hybrid cars by now. But some of you may have questions in reference to hybrid car basics. You maybe wondering the fuel efficiency of these types of cars, or perhaps how long one lasts while fully charged, etc.

Let’s answer some of these questions today, in the Hybrid Car Q&A article below.

Question - What makes a gas engine powered car different than one of these new hybrid cars?

Answer - A hybrid car (also known as an electric and gas powered car), allows you to operate the vehicle on two different fuel systems. With a hybrid, two engines power up the car, an electric motor and a gas powered motor. As you can see these two types of engines combined will generate greater fuel efficiency than if the car was run on purely a gas only engine. Hybrids generally speaking can have highway fuel ratings of up to 50 MPG, or greater. Case in point: The Toyota Hybrid.
Question - How long do hybrid cars generally last while fully charged?

Answer - Hybrid cars generally speaking can last up to 500 miles while on a full tank of gas, and fully charged up. As you can see considerable mileage can be logged on a gas and electric powered car. Also gas engines are smaller in hybrids, yet technically superior.

Question - How does a hybrid car get its power?

Answer - From batteries located in the vehicle itself, and an electric motor. In turn, the batteries juice up the electric engine.

Question - How do i Find The Greenest Vehicles in My State?

Answer - To find the greenest vehicles in your state, as determined by the EPA. Head on over to the Green Vehicle Guide. There input your name of your resident state, and a list of the most eco friendly vehicles again as determined by the good folks at the EPA, will be generated for your use.

Question - Which are the Top 3 Hybrid Vehicles From 2008?

Answer - In the state of Illinois the following Illinois green vehicles were listed:

As usual the Honda Civic Hybrid, Toyota Prius, and The Ford Escape Hybrid were the best rated. But this will soon change dramatically, as more hybrids are introduced later this year, and in 2009.

Feel free to ask your hybrid car questions below. I will write a follow up post and feature your questions on the blog. Thanxs!

Reference - Green Living at About.com

Photo Credit - Geek Habitat

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Filed Under: Eco Friendly, Ford Escape Hybrid, Fuel Efficient, Green, electric cars, electric vehicles, ev, honda, toyota

Have you heard of Jonathan Goodwin, the diesel hybrid conversions master. He specializes in taking gas powered vehicles and not only making them fuel efficient by up to 40%, but also giving them major torque-age.

[photo - flickr]

Jonathan was profiled back in the November 2007 issue of Fast Company, as the possible savior of the major car manufacturers, such as in Detroit. He can take a Hummer to 60 MPG, yes you read right, 60 MPG, all the while souping up performance on the Hummer (H3) from horsepower of 300 to 600.

How does Jonathan Goodwin perform such magical feats? Well, it is a combination of ingenuity, creativity, innovation, and good ole fashioned elbo grease. Goodwin has all this and more. He is quite the busy mechanice right now, with everyone from California Governator Arnold asking for his services for a Jeep Wagoneer, to Neil Young and his 1959 Lincoln Continental.
Johnathan is a big believer and promoter of diesel engines. He even has created a bolt-on kit, for those DIY guys (and gals) who also wish to convert their gas engines into Duramax diesel powered engines at home. Why wait for the big auto companies to go biodiesel or hybrid, when you can just do it yourself, he clamors. The fuel savings are impressive and the power ramping just plain fun. With his customizations and modifications, cars become more powerful, and much more planet friendly.

The Neil Young diesel hybrid Lincoln Continental dubbed LincVolt, is still under modification, just this morning an update was provided by ABG. Looks like Goodwin is still working on this one.

Goodwin an ardent fan of electric plugin cars, in the Fast Company article, mentions that by now all Americans should have access to one. Why we don’t, he doesn’t understand. He states he gets all his parts from the big three car manufacturers. The infrastructure is already there, why are they so slow with the new fuel technologies.

Good questions, all of them. I believe that American car manufacturers slowly but surely will get on the ball with fuel efficient vehicles, and transform what will be available to all of us. I hope. We all hope!

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Filed Under: Biodiesel Hybrid, Diesel Electric Conversions, Duramax Engines, Eco Friendly, Fuel Efficient, Green, Johnathan Goodwin, Kansas, LincVolt, hydrogen

Going green in Hollywood means sporting a HOT eco friendly ride, among other goodies. Which celebs are driving around Tinseltown in electric, hydrogen, and/ or hybrid powered vehicles? See some below.

Gorgeous George Clooney - Drives a Tango 600 (a one seater electric vehicle)

Some of the cars are highly fuel efficient such as the Toyota Prius, while others just barely pass eco labeling. Then there is Cameron Diaz who not only has an eco friendly ride, but she goes one step further, she bought it used. (actually a few celebs have bought their green rides used)

[via - Forbes]

Some celebrities considerably boost their eco cred with the cars they choose to drive, driving around in an electric car is a trend right now, but one that will continue for the foreseeable future. They have all given up the big gas-guzzling SUV’s of yesteryear, and are embracing the planet-friendly autos of today.

Below are some hot celebrities who all drive green. Click the boxes to make bigger.

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Filed Under: Autos, Celebrities, Eco Friendly, Green, electric cars

AskPatty is a car blog written, run, and dedicated to women. They recently had a blog carnival up, and our green car blog, TGM, was nicely mentioned in it.

Blogger Brandy takes note of the post Amy wrote on the NEW! Mercedes BlueTech Hybrid due out (maybe) next year 2009. The BlueTech Hybrid by Mercedes is a first, as it combines two technologies with vision not yet available, both combined are innovative and yet to be seen in any vehicles let alone an SUV. Mercedes claims that the SUV Hybrid will make it to showrooms by 2009, but as of right now it is labeled a concept car.

Talk about fuel efficiency in an SUV, this baby if it comes to fruition, will blow the competition away, as it is expected to top 40 MPG. In comparison, eco friendly SUV’s in a similar class are only averaging about 25 MPG. The Mercedes GLK will be a sweet and fuel efficient ride!

The focus of the blog carnival at AskPatty was on gas prices, green cars, and fuel saving tips from the blog-o-sphere. Thanxs go to Brandy, for the mention.

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Filed Under: Autos, Eco Friendly, Fuel Efficient, Green, Mercedes

I have just come across a directory of golf electric vehicles called NEVPortal. Essentially this NEV (neighborhood electric vehicle) directory has a pretty decent sized list of dealers that sell a variety of electric golf cars, parts, and accessories.

Here is an electric golf cart dealer in Illinois, ExtremeKor Motorsports, that specializes in custom electric golf carts. Check out 3 hot NEV’s below.

The specs below are for the California Roadster Electric Golf Car. (the first one pictured above)

If you’re looking for a NEV, give the NEVPortal a try. They have been around since 2002, carry thousands of listings, you can search by state or country. They even have some international listings. Good luck in your search, do let us know if you come across your dream NEV.

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Filed Under: Eco Friendly, Green, NEV, electric cars, electric vehicles, golf carts

Looking for an electric vehicle now? There is one currently available in California, the Triac EV. This three -wheeled electric ride as you can see below, is not super roomy, in fact, it is being marketed as a commuter only car.

Although the Triac is not big in size, it is big in fuel savings, as it is an electric plug-in. In all it takes about 6 hours to fully charge it. The EV averages top speeds of up to 80 MPH, and has a range of up to 100 miles charged up. The green Triac is made by the folks at Green Vehicles, and will definitely make a statement on the road. This eco friendly vehicle is available in two towns in California, including Mill Valley and San Jose.

Is this an affordable EV? Yes and No! The price tag on the zero-emissions Triac as of this writing is $20,000, but it is rather small and has no airbags. Not to mention there are no incentives from the state/federal government. The value is debatable and will vary by consumer need.

Can you see yourself in the Triac? How does the idea of a three-wheeled vehicle strike you? Share your opinion below.

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Filed Under: Eco Friendly, Green, Li Ion, Zero Emissions, electric cars, electric vehicles, ev

Nissan is serious about taking the lead in next gen green vehicles. They have recently begun talk and negotiations with tech corp NEC, to mass produce and market LI-ON batteries.

This NEW partnership will allow Nissan to get closer to what it wants the most right now, which is to be the leader in the electric vehicles market. Nissan would like to make it to market first, over Honda and over irking eco minded competitor Toyota.

The Nissan-NEC venture, to be called Automotive Energy Supply Corp, is supplying the batteries Renault will use in the electric cars it’s building for Israel and Denmark. The governments of those two nations have rallied behind Silicon Valley startup Project Better Place and its plan to bring affordable EVs to the masses. Nissan is looking at a similar arrangement with the government of Japan’s Kanagawa Prefecture, which wants to develop an electric vehicle fleet and charging infrastructure. Getting a few thousand electric cars on the road before its rivals will give the joint venture a solid lead in the market.

This will certainly give Nissan a leg up in the electric vehicles sector. The Li-ION batteries will be mass produced, power up the next generation of plug-in hybrids and electric cars, PLUS they have been proven to out perform the current crop of Prius, nickel-metal hydride batteries. On average lasting more than 60,000 miles. In fact, Nissan and NEC are so confident in their new EV batteries, they plan to sell them to other manufacturers, as well. Production is ready to start at 13,000 batteries for next year, rising to 65,000 a year by end of 2011.

Toyota and Honda, no doubt, are not resting on their laurels. Let’s see how they compete.

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Filed Under: Autos, Eco Friendly, Green, Li Ion, electric cars, electric vehicles, ev, honda, nec, nissan, toyota, transportation

The once uber popular sports coupe, the Nissan 200 SX, is going green. Maybe! The concept is on the table, and studies are in the works to find out whether it is possible to make a powerful all electric sports coupe.

If there is one thing you can count on in the EV market is concept cars and all the green vehicle “maybes”. It is quite an undertaking to transform a fleet of vehicles and take it from one source of power (gas) to a completely different one, such as electricity, water or a hybrid of sorts. Not too mention making something powerful and turbo charged, all the while keeping it fuel efficient and environmentally-friendly.

The Nissan 200 SX, known to many as the Silvia, is in the works to come back and be reincarnated as either a hybrid or as an EV, electric vehicle.

VP of Global Marketing for Nissan, Junichi Endo, states there is a 50/50 chance of an EV version of the Nissan 200 SX making it to market. Endo goes on to state that a hybrid is much more likely to make it to market, than an electric version of a (sports coupe).

Toyota also has plans to create eco friendly performance roadsters, but nothing is set yet for production. And Honda has set in motion plans for a revamped and earth friendly Honda CRX, which will be known as the Honda CR-Z.

So, sexy meets green! Maybe.

via - [Auto Blog Green]

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Filed Under: Eco Friendly, General, Green, electric cars, electric vehicles, ev, transportation

In a world where SUVs are seen as the villain fighting against a greener environment, Mercedes has jumped into the ring to change consumers’ way of thinking. Instead of marketing yet another SUV that does more harm than good, Mercedes has changed the mold to wonderful results.

In its first step to change the perception of SUVs, Mercedes came out with BlueTEC technology. BlueTEC is a technology for diesel fueled vehicles that not only cleans the diesel exhaust, but also improves vehicle mileage. As the exhaust makes its way through a vehicle, it passes through a filtering system. Then, it is mixed with AdBlue additives, which turn the exhaust into Nitrogen and water. The end result is a safer, cleaner operating system for motorists.

When Mercedes unveiled BlueTEC technology, environmentalists were excited. However, while the public was still taking in all of the information that BlueTEC had to offer, Mercedes was quietly working on yet another way to help the environment. Much to the surprise of consumers and environmentalists alike, they managed to outdo themselves by combing both BlueTEC technology and a hybrid system to give consumers the best of both worlds.

Mercedes showed its new model at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show. With its new product, Mercedes proved that it had managed to once again up the ante in the market of SUVs. With the Vision GLK BlueTEC Hybrid, Mercedes threw the gauntlet down with such force that SUV manufacturers across the board are going to have to scramble to catch up.

The Vision GLK BlueTEC Hybrid is a new breed of SUVs. While most hybrid SUVs are doing well to offer 25 miles per gallon, the GLK announced that drivers will enjoy 40 miles per gallon. Up until that point, hybrid SUVs were expected to get an average of 25% better fuel economy. Mercedes turned 25% into a joke.

Mercedes found that by mixing both a hybrid system and BlueTEC technology, fuel economy is greatly improved. Even though the Vision GLK BlueTEC Hybrid is the first in its class, consumers can expect to see more vehicles taking advantage of the dual technology in the future. The GLK has proven to be an astounding vehicle, and it should pave the way for SUVs and other vehicles in the future.

Not only is the Vision GLK BlueTEC Hybrid a great model regarding fuel economy, but it also looks good. It does not have the feel of hybrids of the past. Instead, it would blend in nicely with other vehicles on the road.

Currently, the GLK BlueTEC Hybrid is being labeled as a concept vehicle. That should not give consumers reason for concern, though. The GLK BlueTEC Hybrid is expected to be available to consumers as early as 2009. Mercedes feels confident that the model is ready for the public. As the technology is implemented into more vehicles, it should also become more and more affordable. It could end up being the ride of the future, but right now it is in a class all of its own.

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Filed Under: Green