In recent years, there has been an increase in the amount of electric cars being sold in the US and abroad that coincide with a movement against global warming. With this new trend come new gadgets and gizmos that will make driving one of these fuel efficient cars more enjoyable and practical. One of the most important aspects of the electric car that has been improved upon is the method and the time it takes to charge an electric car.

One technology for charging electric car batteries is known as plug in technology. This allows you to recharge the battery of your car from a socket within your house. A cell is removed from the battery of the car, recharged in a home, and then replaced fully charged.

Also, the use of nickel metal hydride for batteries has also been successful in lowering car recharge times. This type of battery will last for approximately 300 miles before needing a recharge compared to previous versions that lasted for 150 and died. In addition, these batteries last about 5 times longer than other batteries, up to 10 years. Finally, you will only need to charge this battery for 20 minutes to ensure full power if you could find a power supply that can send a current that powerful into it. For ordinary users, 8 hours will suffice leaving an entire day of vehicle enjoyment.

Cutting the charge time of batteries in electric cars will definitely increase demand for the product. In the future, when cars are able to charge in a matter of minutes, the sale of electric cars will increase. Until then, anyone who cares for the environment and wants to lower their gasoline bill will be able to so reasonably for now.

The XR-3 Hybrid 3 wheeled hybrid car can take you wherever you want to go without totally destroying the planet. Imagine paying $20 to fill up your tank every month. With this proposed car, you will be able to do just that and more! If you would rather not run this car on electricity, it still gets 125 miles per gallon and that’s not a horrible figure.

The XR-3focuses on stylish design, aerodynamic body shape, speed, and gas mileage. In addition, this vehicle will reach top speeds of 80 miles an hour; combined with 225 miles per gallon, you can go far. The canopy resembling a clam and the 3 wheele and 3 wheels make this different from any other car on the market.

You are probably asking, “How can the XR-3 get so many miles to the gallon?” right? This cars low weight, revolutionary diesel Engine and, electric power system are the 3 ingredients that boosts it’s fuel economy rating through the roof. You are looking at a 1300 pound car here not a conventional 3 ton monster screeching and guzzling down fuel today. The inner mechanics also allow for very quick acceleration and its top speed of 80 miles an hour. You can ride the XR-3 on regular city streets or the fast paced highways.

So what are consumers saying anyway about this vehicle. Many believe that it is a welcomed change from the large cars people find so popular today. A small car is more fuel efficient which makes it good for the environment. In addition, the United States can stop being so reliant of foreign oil which is a very important aspect of life today. Also, with global warming sneaking about, many are making the switch to fuel efficiency anyway.

If you would like to find yourself driving in one of these, you can opt to have the plans for one sent to you. You can buy the parts and have a mechanic put them together to create one. The exact price depends on how much you spend ont he parts and the mechanic. Many say that you can assemble one of these cars yourself if you have a little bit of mechanical skill.

What do you think of the XR-3? Please leave a comment below and make sure you tell everyone what you think about it. I like the idea but I think the design will take time for people to get used to. I know how to get people to like it though. Just have a celebrity drive around in one of them and BAM, instant design acceptance. I would reccommend a young actor so the car appeals to the newest driving generation so they buy them for the rest of their lives. My ideas come from the reason why monster trucks are popular today which is because celebrities drive in huge cars too! Oh well, it’s just a theory… Now it’s your turn.

If you think commercials can help you make a decision on which electric car to buy, here are the top —Toyota Prius Commercials. Some are goofy, some are really powerful and artistic, and others are just regular ol’ commercials. Enjoy!

 1 —This is one of my favorites; the art and the fancy elegant speaker do nothing for marketing but still apeal to an artistic taste.

2 —This one I find a little trivial. It doesn’t do anything for me. It is really one of those commercials that fade into the background with the other junk. It doesn’t even have any information about the car!

3 —This commercial is all about information. The basic scheme behind it is to educate the consumer with strange facts like how it saves you money. How can a car save money if its value decreases as soon as you drive off? I also like the compliment it gives me….thanks, I am smart.

4 —Short and sweet; a little strange, but I still like it.

5 —Canada! Wow, they make great commercials…almost fell asleep. Luckily, It was only 30 seconds. The in was still in the commercial; Prius HAS hybrid synergy drive. I still don’t know what that is from these commercials just that it sounds sophisticated. If it was called, crap that makes the car run a long time on a little gas, I would still think it was cool. “The Power To Move Forward”, thats clever.

6 —This one is a parody commercial for the Toyota Prius. Ummm…that’s about it…

7 —How do you like a guy reading from a script about a car? What if there were some mistakes in his speach? (funny, I know)

8 —Arthur and Abdul Create a Toyota Hybrid Prius Commercial. Kind of awkward but still gets the job done.

9 —This is a great commercial with children and things growing as the car drives by. I can’t translate what’s going on so if you can, please leave a comment at the bottom.

10 — I call this one, “The Silent Bob Commercial”. Don’t ask why because I don’t know. It does have some good information about the car though with a nice quiet background for you to read.

Ever watch this movie; “Who Killed the Electric Car?” starring Ed Begley Jr. and Phyllis Diller; directed by Chris Paine. It’s an awful site for anyone who loves the environment. We hate to see the smog when we look out over a cities horizon, but we do. Cars are known to cause the most pollution out of any culprit. After learning this why are we still driving in those gas guzzling polluting machines? Well, this movie sheds a little bit of light on that.

The movie’s underlying message is all about the death and return of the electric car. It goes into the history of on particular electric car the Prius; where it began, how it sold at first, how it’s doing now, and how it will do in the future.

The film talks about why we have entered an age where we are almost completely dependent on foreign oil. Instead of buying cars that are energy efficient, people are more likely to buy huge SUV’s that suck down more gas than necessary. Obviously, if you walk around and look at the cars driving, you can see this in action. People are driving huge cars; why? Commercials will say that they are safe and insurance companies lower your premiums. If you are in the business world, you know that large cars sell for higher prices even if there is only a little more production cost. Companies have to stay competitive in the market. GM, in recent years, has had problems and need to make more money; thus, they need to sell the high marked items, not electric vehicles.

Although, the movie does shoe the bad side of the car companies and how they destroy the image of the electric car, there are others who see that the movie is not truthful. Like any documentary of this sort ( Like “Supersizeme”) some of the facts are very one sided. For example, one fact not mentioned is;10 years ago, electric cars were less effective because the batteries they ran on held less power. In addition, the price of the cars were about, $299 to over $574 per month which is pretty steep compared to other cars leaving it only to a small minority of car purchasers. Also, there are no numbers shown in the movie that coheres with there accusations. Finally, they never mention the fact that electric cars are powered by power plants which cause harm to the environment in the end anyway (the only difference is this is easier to control rather than 100k cars)

If you are interested in electric power and electric cars, I assume you will go off and watch this film. It is one side of the story that should be supplemented by other research. There are two sides to this conspiracy so you do need to see both sides. Read all the information including specifications of all the vehicles on the market today as well as in the past. Some of the information might get confusing like the drag coefficients and all of that but you can still learn a lot.

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I tried to look for “American Hybrid cars” because I have been getting some interest from visitors about that but I really don’t know what that means because with all the outsourcing and all that, what your left with is a bunch of companies originating in one place, manufacturing in another, creating headquarters in another and selling the product everywhere. So, after I figured that out, I decided that I am going to just talk about different hybrid vehicles. They will not be in any order in terms of companies because that’s just an endless circle.

The 2007 Honda civic Hybrid will run you approximately $22,000 without any of the special add-on features. If you’re going to buy a hybrid with features such as the Satellite-Linked Navigation Systemâ„¢ and fog lights and all of that, you’re looking at a $30,000 vehicle. All prices aside, I will take you into this vehicle and show you what it’s all about.

Honda Civic Hybrid Standard Features

The first standard feature on the list is Multipoint fuel injection. Multipoint fuel injection is a system that injects the fuel into each cylinder as opposed to a carburetor or throttle body injections that injects fuel at one point in the intake system.

Next we have the, Drive-by-Wire Throttle System which improves engine efficiency while reducing vehicle emissions. The way this is done is it replaces the old throttle control system with an electronic system that is more accurate, requires no oil or service, and does not get affected by outside forces such as hot or cold weather.

Following that we have front-wheel drive. This feature obviously means the front, rather than that rear wheels move the car. There are many reasons for this that has to do with control and handling.

Direct Ignition System with Immobilizer is the next feature. Theoretically, the advantage of this system rather than traditional ignition systems is that it doesn’t have parts that can wear out and cause you problems in the future when you try to start your car.

Next on the list we have unit-body construction. This is a system that just tries to lower the weight of the car so it’s fuel efficient.

This vehicle also comes with, MacPherson strut front suspension which is not better than double wishbone suspension but it’s still better than most. Only problem with this is that the wheel actually will bend in which effects the sharpness of the turn. Well, at least you get to save a few bucks here because of this feature.

Lastly, this vehicle comes with a spare tire like many other cars do just to add that extra feature on the list.

( silvcer opal blue honda civic hybrid)

Honda Civic Hybrid Specifications

The Honda Civic Hybrid runs on an In-Line 4-Cylinder aluminum-alloy engine. It has a 1339 cc. displacement, 110 @ 6000 horsepower, 123 @ 1000-2500 toque, and 10:8:1 compression ratio. It received an AT-PZEV fuel rating (best) which determines how well it runs on the same amount of fuel compared to other cars.

(honda electric hybrid engine)

Honda Civic Hybrid Mileage

This hybrid vehicle gets approximately 49 miles per gallon (51 highway) meaning you will get more for the money. If you want to see how much you can save, head over to the Hybrid Honda Civil official site (http://automobiles.honda.com) and use there savings calculator. The hybrid only requires unleaded gasoline in case you were wondering.

Honda Civic Hybrid Measurements

The following are measurements that depict the volume inside the vehicle. If you’re a big person, you will need to look for these to make sure you’re comfortable. In any case, the only reason why I condone the use of a large car is 1) camping equipment, 2) big people. You have to be comfortable and if your not, you have my blessing to pollute. The head room for a Honda Civic is approximately 39 inches in the front and 37 inches in the back. The leg room is approximately 42 inches in the front and 34 inches in the back. The shoulder room in the front is approximately 54 inches in the front and 52 inches in the back.

Honda Civic Hybrid Awards for 2007

This vehicle has won the 2007 car of the year because it is a useful vehicle, it’s affordable, and practical for all drivers today. It was also chosen because it is a good choice for first time drivers. This is important because the car people drive when there young is the brand they like to stick with later on.

Consumer guide named the Honda Civil Hybrid the best buy for compact cars. Out of 80 or so cars, this vehicle one based on, such as price, features, performance, accommodations, fuel economy, reliability records and resale value.

Finally, the Honda received the CarDomain People’s Choice Award for “Most Mod-Friendly Car.” This award is given to the car voted on by more than 1 million visitors of cardomain.com.

This is the gist of the Honda Civic Hybrid. If you would like more information to purchase one of these vehicles today, please visit the official site for more information.

Many environmental enthusiasts are stuck with their gas guzzlers because they do not have the funds required to by a new electric car or a hybrid. Sadly, these cars are the ones that usually cost more than others on the lot. For such people there is still hope. Some companies offer to convert cars from gas to electric. Before I get deep into the topic of converting a gas car to electric, I wanted to share photos of projects so you can get an idea of what can be expected.

The photo above is of a car that is ready for the transformation. As you can see this car is not a beauty, a classic, or anything of the sort. This car is basically junk ready to be thrown away. This is good news because you can salvage just the frame for a brand new environmentally safe car.

Here we see a mixture between the electric car and the gas car. You can see the Atom’s 36-48volt Curtis controller as well as the rectifier fuses, heat-sinks, and other parts that I can’t recognize. As you can see there is a lot of work to be done and a lot of it gets confusing when the switch is being made.

This is an a picture of a work in progress where a person is trying to change their gas powered motorcycle into an electric one. You can see the Lemco 200 AXE4844 Controller, the MaguraThrottle Magura 0-5k Twist Grip, Curtis LED 48 Volt State of Charge Meter, 200 Amp Circuit Breaker, Manual Reset, and the 13 26Ah powersonic batteries. A lot of work went into th is project already. Also, you can admire the placing of the battery and other parts because it is difficult with the limited space of a bike like this.

Here we see the wires being the motors connection to the rest of the car. Also, you can see an aluminum heat sink in there. That is the thing with the big red cable going to it. You can see the hunormous fuse on the left look like stud-mount diodes or other semiconductors. Finally, you can see a relay or two on the right.

Also on the right, you can see the adapter plate, flywheel, and old starter gear. If your lost, I wont get into any more detail with this because it just gets more complicated then that.

This is a photo of the main power electronics of an electric car. You can see the diodes, relays, cables, resistors, and all the other fun toys found in electronics.

The electric bike is an amazing vehicle for any environmentally conscious person who feels they need a mode of transportation that is also fast and efficient. The bicycle is made not to leave the rider completely idle but to assist in the movement over hills as well as flat ground. Basically, these bikes are for people who want an alternative to a car, get exercise, go fast without increased effort, and get you where you want to be.

Amazingly, the price of a bike is the same as a standard one. So, you get the regular bike functions plus the additional power from the battery to propel you faster than you could yourself for a longer period of time. Remeber, the electricity of the bike is not to increase your speed or move without your effort, it is to assist you to ride at a regular safe speed on or off road.

You might be thinking that electric bikes require some kind of licence like motor bikes or other gas powered vehicles. Although these vehicles are similar, the law regards the electric bike the same as a traditional bicycle. As long as the bike stays at ir below 20 miles per hour, the law has no problem with allowing all willing drivers to do as they please.

There are a few different types of electric bicycles on the market including the ezeE, suadeE, and the original. The difference in the bikes are only in the way they are shaped. They allow for usability in different terrains. Certain bikes are better for rougher terrain wile others excel on flatter terrain.

In addition, there are foldable electric bikes that can be folded for easy storage and carrying. If you are a subway rider, you can appreciate the feature that can allow you to stop annoying the other passangers by taking up half the car.

Finally, the final bike type, is a smaller than average bike. The wheels on these bikes are no larger than 20′. They are easy to get off and on, they are quick and very easy to ride, and they are easy to lift and stow away. Whether your tall or short, any rider can use one of these types because it is also fully adjustable. Especially if you can’t find your self pedaling all the way to your destination, the electric motor will assist you.

Those are the basics on electric bikes. You now have a choice to make: do you want a compact bike, an eZee,or a suedeE. The choice is yours. Please make sure to look at the facts about electric bikes and make sure the one you purchase or plan on purchasing is right for you, your situation, and your environment.

Unfortunately there are no other electric meter maid cars on the market found on the Internet. I really don’t have the time to search the world for such cars so I will move onto the next topic on the top of my head. For anyone with a car dealership - you could really clean up by setting up a contract with local city government. That’s for another day though…

I searched the web and I found an interesting little area I’m interested in - Electric Pedal Vehicles. These little things are goofier looking than meter maid vehicles but much more interesting. You will see that some of these vehicles are pretty amazing since they run on nothing but human power. The first of these Vehicles I want to discuss is one created by the HHEV ( Human Hybrid Electric Vehicle) design team called The Pedal Electric Tricycle (PET). It was created to try an lower pollution, congestion, travel times, and travel costs. It was created for small town people with the idea to make it better than biking. The idea behind this project is to create a medium between bikes and cars that will be clean, comfortable, and with cargo space convenience.

The mission of this group is to basically create a vehicle made for the road that is not a car. They believe that cars are overused and people can use a new mode of transportation that is safer for people and the environment. They are not looking to create anything that can compete with cars, just something that can be considered as a change of pace from what’s out there today.

The major players behind this 25 mile per hour machine are Matt Seitzler, Dan Golden, Chris Congleton, Eric Van Gelder, Dr. Paul Erickson, Justin Regnier. Other people also involved include Dr. Andy Burke, Professor Andy Frank, Professor Karnopp, Kurt Kornbluth, Pat Fyhrie. They are on the mission to create this perfect mixture of car and bike.

These people are doing great work for man kind. Imagine driving around in one of these things, you should be proud that you were one of the first to hear of such a vehicle. Reading some of the research on their main website, it seems that this project costs quite a bit of money so if you are interested in becoming a part of history please go over to their main site and join the cause at: http://qru.ucdavis.edu/PET.htm

I thought today I would start a series of different electric meter maid vehicles available on the market today. Basically, these are little electric cars that meter maids use when they drag around giving people like you a ticket. They are ridiculous and they make me laugh every time I see them so I thought it would be interested to have a showcase of as many as I could find on the net. I was actually very amazed to learn there were so many models of meter made cars.

The GO-4 Interceptor

(sorry about the tiny picture - only one available)

This is the GO-4 Interceptor. It is produced by westward industries to be used by meter maids making their rounds. It features high visibility from the rear as well as the front making it very safe to drive. It has all the latest safety features such as brake lights and signaling capabilities. On top of all of that, the Interceptor also has reflective tape for safe night time driving so the driver can easily transition from day to night work.

The inside of this amazing machine features great comfort and easy use. All instruments are easy to use and understand making it a very good vehicle for someone who has trouble with learning new things.

One of the most amazing features is one taken from the aerospace industry is called, “LTI”. This feature is a state of the art sophisticated system that detects G force and notifies the driver if he/she is going to fast when coming to a turn. So, if the meter maid is going to fast, he/she has to make sure this feature is on to make sure the electric cart doesn’t flip over.

Westward industries also offers “extras”. These are optional little gadgets you can add to your meter-maid-mobile to make it more comfortable and user friendly. Some of these features include, padded armrests, storage boxes for Luch and other things meter maids need. In addition, you can add an AM/FM radio so you can listen to your favorite music as you gladly ticket people. My favorite of course is the rotating strobe light attachment. It’s not a cop car, but the meter maid must be feared.

All in all, this electric meter maid vehicle is not too bad. Actually it is one of the best I have seen.

This is the first post of the blog at the moment. Look forward to news, reviews, fun, information, and more about electric cars. If you are looking to purchase a car, we will have the scoop on which ones are the best, which ones to steer clear from, and whatever else you need to know.

If you are a researcher doing a report for a company or for school, please bookmark this site because it is updated often. You can look forward to fresh exciting content appearing here.

For everyone else, just enjoy what we have to offer.

Thanks for visiting.

George Christodoulou (admin)