It does not seem possible a couple of years ago, but an air-powered vehicle has already been launched. Using air-compressed technology, an air-powered vehicle can cover a few miles without having to spill a drop of gasoline. So how does this work? The mechanics is not that complicated. If you know how to use pneumatic tools, then you definitely know how air-powered vehicles are driven. Truth is, compressed air is strong enough to propel an object as heavy as your car.

The idea for launching an air-powered vehicle came from a former Renault mechanic named Guy Negre, who happens to specialize on compressed air propulsion. He thought that compressed air is a force to be reckoned with and using it to propel cars isn’t a bad idea at all. The best part is, you don’t have to worry about exhaust emission, because there’s nothing to worry about at all.

The Motor Development International or MDI designs air-driven pistons so that crankshafts can be turned. When this happens, rotational force is created forcing a vehicle’s wheels to move against the ground. Truth is, there is no friction made when al the gears start running. Because of that, it’s possible that the entire engine is made from lightweight aluminum.

Basically, most air cars are designed using minimalist ideas. Meaning, they don’t really stand out that much, but they look appealing overall. They are built to have a top speed of around 70 mph. Aside from that, its 125-mile range is good enough for loads of city driving before requiring a refill. Its compressed air on the other hand is stored at 300 bar pressure inside a tank that is reinforced with carbon fiber. The best part is, refilling takes only a couple of minutes, which is done using a high-pressure pump.

Back in 2007, Tata Motors was responsible for getting the rights from MDI, in order to build air-powered cars in India. However, there is still no confirmation as to when it will be launched out in the public. Tata announced that once fully finished, its air-powered car will cost only 2,500 dollars.

In the US, air-powered cars are already being closely looked at by mainstream automaker Ford. Although not fully dependent on air alone, the idea is to build a hybrid that uses conventional fuel and compressed air at the same time.

At last, the Volvo has come up with its very own Hybrid car. Although still at its conceptual stage, the ReCharge concept is unique because it has individual electric motors attached to its wheels. When it comes to performance, the ReCharge can run as fast as 100 km/h using a 1.6-liter engine. To further increase its MPG, it has a lithium-polymer battery pack that is meant to last for years. Just like most vehicles that rely on electric power, you can easily recharge it any time in any standard outlets.

If you think that reaching an MPG rating of 235 is impossible, think again. That’s because right now, Volkswagen is working on a vehicle that delivers that number. Known as the VW 1-liter, this vehicle looks like it just came from a sci-fi movie. Basically, the VW 1-liter has a narrow body and nearly flat body. With its design, the vehicle has an amazing drag coefficient of just 0.159 and with its 235 MPG, it can travel for 400 miles using only its 1.7-gallon fuel tank. Its speed is also decent because latest measurements have shown that it can go as fast as 75 mph.

1. BMW Hydrogen 7

2. CHEVY EQUINOX FUEL CELL

3. HONDA FCX CLARITY

4. PHOENIX SUT

5. TOYOTA PLUG-IN HV

So you don’t own a hybrid, an electric car, or even a solar vehicle and you still want to get the most out of your fuel. Truth is, before someone starts buying his or her first green vehicle, it all comes down to one thing first and that’s MPG. These three letters stand for one of the most important aspects in auto driving today and that’s miles per gallon. For starters, MPG is a crucial indicator whether you’re ride is really efficient when it comes to using your precious fuel. The rule of thumb is that the higher the MPG, the more fuel efficient your vehicle is. If you want to jack up your MPG numbers, then better check out my post below.

1. Keep It Slow and Steady

If you want outstanding gas mileage, pushing the accelerator pedal really hard isn’t a very good idea. If you want to get a high MPG number, just keep your ride’s speed within the limits. Instead of abrupt acceleration, step on the gas slowly to lessen the tension on your vehicle.

2. Travel Light

When I’m driving, I have this sudden urge to tell people to remove the unnecessary accessories that are stuck to their automobiles. Truth is, the heavier your vehicle is, the harder your engine has to work. What does that mean? That means your vehicle will eat up more fuel than usual because the heavy load demands it. With that being said, it’s important that you only bring the necessary things when you travel.

3.Learn How to Cruise

Not a lot of drivers know how much cruising can save you from all the gas bills that you have to pay. Basically, if your ride has an overdrive gear then use it to decrease the speed of your engine. This allows the engine gears to take less punishment, while increasing fuel economy drastically. Although you can can’t cruise during stop-and-go traffic, use it as much as you can when traveling on highways.

4.Say No to Aggressive Driving

While it may seem logical to fight for every inch of space on the road, studies show that little is achieved by doing so. Truth is, simply enjoy your ride by driving efficiently. That means you should minimize sudden breaks and acceleration that can wear out your engine. In short, drive smart by doing it calmly and slowly.

5.Never Idle

When we’re in a hurry and we have to grab something out of a fast food restaurant, the first thing that we’ll do is to idle. Idling eats up fuel without even moving from a few inches. Aside from that, it also puts pressure on your engine to run. In the end you accomplished nothing, while burning precious fuel at the same time. So what are you supposed to do? Turn off the keys when you’re going away. Believe, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out.

General Motors recently stepped up its hydrogen fuel cell plan by introducing the Cadillac Provoq. Now only in its concept stage, the model is already receiving rave reviews everywhere. The best thing about the Cadillac Provoq is that it mixes high-performance fuel cells with the great styling and topnotch engine qualities that it has. Some of the great features that it has are roof-integrated solar panel and power on-board electronics.

Cadillac Provoq

When it comes to acceleration, the Cadillac Provoq can blast from 0-60 mph in just under nine seconds. Another impressive thing is that its maximum range can go as far as 300 miles and that’s higher than any other fuel-cell powered vehicle out there.

The power of the Cadillac Provoq comes from hydrogen pack and lithium-ion batteries that can be found underneath it. Meanwhile, it will take a few years before General Motors finally unleashes this monster to the public.

Back in the 90s, not many people cared about hybrid vehicles that can run using gasoline and another alternative fuel. Of course time flies and because of that, it brings so many changes that were unthinkable more than a decade ago. Volvo was already developing hybrid vehicles during that time and in 1997, the company launched the Volvo 850.

Basically, this wagon runs using both gasoline and compressed natural gas. This kind of concept is now being used by virtually every hybrid vehicle today. Basically, the car provides superior comfort, handling, and tremendous acceleration. The best part though is its fuel efficiency and during the time that it was launched, it can churn up as much as 70 MPG in any given day.

Although the vehicle looks pretty conventional, it offers sleek interior comforts that were quite advanced during its time.

Tom Hanks

There’s a positive trend sweeping Hollywood A-listers, and it has little to do with fashion or vegetarian living. It’s showing love for green cars. These days, more and more Hollywood stars and starlets are showing their support for Mother Nature by driving environmentally-friendly rides. Some A-listers are even writing about their commitment to turning this “trend” into something more lasting–the norms, perhaps?

The latest green car enthusiast to show his support for electrics and hybrids is none other than the great Tom Hanks. According to TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk, Mr. Hanks has recently written a letter to the New Yorker. It’s his way of setting things straight with regards to the electric cars he’s been using in the last few years.

Peter J. Boyer’s original article made the assumption that the 52-year old Academy Award-winning actor had an EV1, which was briefly produced by GM. Hanks, however, was quick to say that this certainly wasn’t the case. According to the letter from Hanks:

The Improved EV? The Newly-Launched Toyota FT-EV

“By the time I began shopping for an all-electric car, in 2003, the EV1 had already been yanked from showrooms as if the car had never existed. Instead, I found what was purported to be the very last electric car available for sale in the state of California–a Toyota EV. It had four doors, a rear hatch, room for my family, including a dog in the back, power windows, A/C, a great sound system, and the fastest, most effective windshield defroster known to mankind.”

“When the car companies collectively, and, to some, diabolically decided to take these cars back, the electric vehicles disappeared. But not mine. I have the pink slip. I own that car, and it is still driven everyday, albeit by one of my crack staff of employees. My electric car recently crossed fifty thousand miles on odometer with its original battery but without so much as a splash of gasoline,” Hanks added.

Talk about an excellent green commitment! Now if only we had more people showing the same commitment as Mr. Hanks and his staff, then we can help reduce the amount of pollution produced daily worldwide.

Years ago, I would not even dare say that Americans will appreciate green vehicles or alternative fuel autos. With our love for gas-guzzling and powerful cars, I really doubted whether Americans will ever give these vehicles a chance.

Then again, recent studies show that from 2007-2008, more than two million green vehicles were bought by Americans. This rising trend is brought by an increased awareness in the advantages that these automobiles bring. Aside from that, ever increasing prices of fuel have led many Americans to buy the often slower, yet more economical green cars.

At first glance, the Toyota Hi-CT Plug-in Hybrid looks like it’s ready for a new sequel of the Back to the Future movie series. It’s small, it looks like a box, and it’s one hell of an eco-friendly vehicle as well. Boasting of a 1.5-liter engine and powered by a lithium-ion battery, the Toyota Hi-CT Plug-in Hybrid does not emit a single exhaust gas.

Apart from that, this vehicle has a special floor arrangement that maximizes its interior space. Aside from that, its low center of gravity minimizes the weight that its battery pack puts on it.

If you’re the kind of guy who likes putting stuff inside your auto, then the Toyota Hi-CT Plug-in Hybrid is perfect for you. Its detachable trunk and deck can offer more than enough space for equipment that has varying sizes.