A couple of decades ago, electric cars were not taken seriously. That’s because the whole idea of driving a vehicle using only a battery wasn’t yet too developed back then. It’s just like driving a toy car that would run out of gas right in the middle of the race.

However, the dwindling gas reserves have made alternative energy to become a hotly-pursued commodity. When electric cars entered the picture several years later, they were no longer ridiculed. Instead, they were welcomed with open arms because of the potential that they laid on the table.

Meanwhile, a Norwegian automaker called Think Global has been tinkering on electric cars for a few years now. After a few failed attempts in making a prototype, the company finally launched the impressive Th!nk City. Basically, the Th!nk City is the only crash-tested and highway-certified electric car in the world. That alone speaks volumes about how well this car was designed and built. When it comes to performance, the Th!nk City can go as fast as 65 mph and a range of about 126 miles. Aside from that, you can drag in four people inside, because it has enough space for that.

The Th!nk City is not a microcar unlike other electric vehicles out there. In fact, it can even be classified as a sub-compact because of its size and design. On the other hand, the Th!nk City costs around 32,500 USD. Although that may be a bit too pricey, just think of how much you’ll save with your gas bills. Since it’s an electric car, it does not emit any noxious gases that can harm the environment. Apart from that, it’s ideal for your city-driving needs anytime of the day or week.

1. Step 1

   Make sure that your your vehicle has a cabin air filter.

2. Step 2

   Locate the filter. Most of the time, it’s located under the hood or beneath the dashboard. Check behind the glovebox for a rectangular plastic cover. Look under the dash for a removable plastic filter cover in the HVAC case.

3. Step 3

   After that, remove your stock cabin filter. Under-dash filters can often be removed without any tools by simply opening a small access door.
   

4. Step 4

   Take the old filter with you to the parts store when purchasing a new one. This way, you can be certain that you’re getting the correct replacment. However, if you can’t find the filter or replacement instructions, buy the filter first since it may include step-by-step instructions. Aftermarket replacements are more likely to include this information. A dealer’s parts department should have a diagram showing these details if you buy an original equipment filter.Step 5

5. Vacuum the filter chamber before installing the new filter. Wipe with a damp cloth. Check the condition of gaskets and seals and replace if needed.

Ever since the Toyota Prius was introduced, people have followed its heels endlessly. After being a success all around the world, there’ s a new Toyota Prius in the street right now and it’s called the Toyota Prius Aerius.

Basically, Aerius is Latin that stands for “belonging in the air”. With its rather grounded and more defined exterior, the Toyota Prius Aerius is the green car for the rugged guys. One thing that should know about this vehicle is that it has excellent aerodynamics. That’s because it’s crafted from polyurethane materials that make it lightweight and durable at the same time.

When it comes to exterior, it has been sprayed with a water-based paint. Aside from that, its windows have been designed to block 99 percent of UV light. In short, you and your passengers are protected once you get inside.

When it comes to performance, the Toyota Prius Aerius is pretty much its older cousin. In short, it’ll give you superb efficiency and mileage day in, day out.

I have seen so many reports in the past about guys discovering that water can be used for fuel. Well most people still think that vehicles can operate on fuel. On second thought though, countries would have never spent billions just to buy something called black gold, if they can simply turn on their faucet. The answer? No, they don’t.

Since water can’t be used for fuel you stick to your old guns and that’s gasoline. Sure it comes more and more expensive as the years go by. However, if you really want to make the most out of every gallon that you buy, you can use MPG enhancers that improve fuel efficiency and mileage.

One way of doing it is by adding fuel additives that can increase the power output of your engine. On the other hand, other MPG enhancers are actually magnets that are attached to the fuel lines that alter the structure of the gasoline for a more efficient combustion. If you look even further, some are have metals that ionize the fuel.

If you’re not content with these things for your vehicle, then you can still use products to the air-fuel system. Others are not content with simply pouring something to the engine. That’s because they’ll take it by another notch by modifying their engines. That means equipping the engine with a fan or turbine to add more air. Without going any further, more air means better combustion and a better performance as well.

Meanwhile, you should be careful of what you are going to use for your ride. That’s because some of these products can actually do more harm than good. There had been reports that some products increase emissions instead of decreasing them. Worse, other products need you to modify not only the engine, but other parts of your ride as well. As a result, you’d end up spending more money than you expected. If that’s not enough to dissuade you, other MPG enhancers contain acetone that is considered to be a corrosive agent that destroys your engine’s sensitive parts.

You may not know this but adding a fuel-saving device may actually make your ride’s warranty null and void. Your auto dealer may even prevent you from availing of the warranty once he or she finds out that the damage to your vehicle is caused by a device that shouldn’t have been there in the first place.

The fact of the matter is, never waste your time and effort putting these unproven devices or products to your automobile. If your vehicle is already close to the EPA mileage ratings, any additional device will never help to increase your overall MPG rating. On the other hand, if you are getting less fuel economy than what you paid for, go to the dealer or mechanic ASAP.

The Tesla Roadster certainly made huge waves when it was first launched and rightly so. That’s because there was nothing comparable to it during that time and for an electric car, it certainly looked very good. When it came down to performance, the Tesla Roadster is the hands down the best of the electric car class.

However, there’s a new kid on the block that uses natural gas to claim its fame and that happens to be the PGO Cévennes Turbo-CNG roadster. This car looked every bit like a roadster although its main difference is the thing that makes it work: its energy source. That’s because this car uses natural gas or biogas to go from one place to another. Because of this, you can get more mileage and less emission from this car, compared to other roadsters that use gasoline.

Meanwhile,the PGO Cévennes Turbo-CNG roadster is developed by PGO roadster to be a greener version of the Porsche 365 roadster. Just like its twin, the PGO Cévennes Turbo-CNG roadster uses reinforced fiberglass for its body that is placed on a steel frame. Aside from that, it flaunts a sleek interior and instrument panel that makes it really good. With that being said, the PGO Cévennes Turbo-CNG roadster is a tough car that you can use in whatever kind of road or weather conditions. You can bet that it can withstand minor collisions and daily wear no matter what.

On a different note, the PGO Cévennes Turbo-CNG roadster boasts of a four-cylinder engine that is located in its rear portion. As mentioned earlier, it uses natural gas to propel its massive engine. Just like most roadsters, the PGO Cévennes Turbo-CNG roadster can generate as much as 150 horsepower at 5600 RPM. Its torque capacity meanwhile is measured at 155 lbs-ft at 2300 rpm. Because of these numbers, the PGO Cévennes Turbo-CNG roadster is a force to reckon with on the road. It’s fast, strong, and certainly a looker that can turn heads anytime.

The PGO Cévennes Turbo-CNG roadster can really scorch the pavement because it can go as fast as 130 mph, while being able to accelerate to 60 mph in only 6.5 seconds. In addition to that, it is driven by a 6-speed manual transmission for easy drivability and four-wheel disc brakes for a better stopping power.

The PGO Cévennes Turbo-CNG roadster is no doubt a beast on the road and it’s also a solid green car. Basically, this car has a 56 MPG rating both in the city and the highway, making it really efficient when using its fuel. Aside from that, its storage tank has the capacity to carry 22 kilograms of natural gas, which can last for 280 kilometers.

You also don’t have to worry about refilling the PGO Cévennes Turbo-CNG roadster if you’re in Europe, because there are hundreds of natural gas stations that can be found in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and Austria. Biogas is getting a lot of attention these days in different parts of the world. Because of that, it’s not surprising if more and more cars will use this source of energy in the coming years.

So how much does the PGO Cévennes Turbo-CNG roadster cost? Right now, its manufacturers say that each unit is about 70,000 USD. Realistically, it’s even more expensive that its twin Porsche Boxster, then again, you’ll eventually save more because it uses natural gas.

Overall, the PGO Cévennes Turbo-CNG roadster is a solid choice if you want to get into green cars, without compromising the looks and performance. You only have to make sure that there are enough biogas stations in your place so you won’t have any trouble when refueling.

Everybody knows that Volvo has been quiet busy the past few years. Right now, the company is working on introducing its very own line of plug-in hybrids and even battery electric cars. Right now, Volvo is test driving the newest member of its family and it’s none other than the Volvo C30.

Basically, the Volvo C30 is powered by a pair of EnerDel lithium-ion batteries, which are located under the hood and the other inside the trunk. Basically, this model is the very first Volvo vehicle that runs purely on electric power. Just like most electric cars, the Volvo C30 is best for city driving and for daily commuting.

As far as performance is concerned, this vehicle can accelerate from 0-60 mph in under 60 seconds. When it comes to top speed, it can go as fast as 80 mph. Compared to other electric vehicles, it can cover at least 93 miles before being charged again. Right now, the batteries need to be charged for 8 hours in order to refill them. Volvo engineers are trying to work on that number so that it can be cut in half.

Unlike other electric cars that look like golf carts, the Volvo C30 looks like a regular sedan on the road. With decent handling power and exceptional trim lines, Volvo plans to make it an attractive and fuel-efficient car at the same time.

Fact is, the Volvo C30’s use of electricity doesn’t affect its performance at all. It gives virtually zero motor whine and that’s because it doesn’t need fuel to run in the first place.

People suddenly shifted from power to fuel economy when it comes to cars for the last couple of years. That’s because the constant rise in fuel prices has started to affect everyone’s budget all over the world. Because of that, almost all big-named players out there have created their own version of electric or hybrid cars that stretch a gallon of fuel to several miles. It’s no longer new when you see these extremely cars roaming around the city streets these days.

Meanwhile, Mitsubishi just released a rather cute-looking car that can save you thousands of money when it comes to gas. In fact, you don’t need gas at all to operate it, because it’s an electric car. The ImiEV may look like a toy, but it’s a serious player when you talk about its MPG rating. The ImiEV is an electric car that may be the answer to your gas woes that have been plaguing for forever. The ImiEV may look like some mini-cars out there, although its decisive advantage is its plug-in electric power that very few out there can match.

Though the ImiEV may look small for American standards, most owners these days prefer these road Lilliputians, instead of their more traditional, Goliath counterparts. The ImiEV is an impressive ride that is fast, nimble, and surprisingly spacious. In fact, four adults can fit inside it without feeling claustrophobic at all. It may seem pretty awkward driving it as fast but make no mistake about it, because it’s made with the best technology out there.

Power-wise, there’s not much you can get from this car, which can only generate 64-horsepower. However, the ImiEV isn’t built to compete against the Ford 250, so there’s no point in expecting it to jack up on torque power at all. The good news is, the ImiEV is small enough to weave through traffic that the city throws at you everyday. Why need so much power when all you want to do is get to the office on time, right?

Basically, the ImiEV has a 16-kwh lithium-ion battery that can bring you to as far as 70 miles. That maybe not much, but remember it’s a battery-powered car that does not release any kind of emission, which is hazardous to the environment. On the other hand, all you need to do to get the ImiEV going is to plug it in any 110-volt outlet and recharge it for 12 hours. If you don’t have a 110-volt, then plugging it in a 220-volt outlet will cut your time in six hours.

The ImiEV will be out next year and a lot of people are raving about its efficiency when it comes to fuel and price. That’s because the ImiEV costs only 30,000 USD and its battery can last for 10 years with very little maintenance required. Although the electric car is still far from attaining the status of the hybrid, it’s a solid alternative when oil becomes really scarce in the coming years.

Three-wheeled vehicles are seldom respected. That’s because you can’t use them on rough terrain, not unless you don’t mind tipping over. However, with the economy spiraling downward and the gas prices being very volatile, there’s one car with three wheels that you can actually like─ The Zap Xebra.

Manufactured by Zap Corporation, the Zap Xebra is an electric vehicle that can surely curt down your gas bills in half or maybe even more. Basically, the Zap Xebra can go as fast as 40 mph with a range of about 60 miles. Although that may be too low for your tastes, it’s perfect for short city-driving and street cruising for a few hours.

Aside from that, the Zap Xebra can carry as much as four people and the pickup version can even haul some cargo. If you think that the range is limited, the Zap Xebra has a solar panel mounted on top of it, for extra energy when your battery runs out. The fact is, the Zap Xebra is a good choice if you’re not going to some tough interstate driving. It isn’t that expensive either, which means you can easily replace it without any worries.

When it comes to dimensions, the Zap Xebra is about 10-feet long and five-feet high. Aside from that, it only weighs less than 2000 lbs. and even though its range is rather limited, you can easily plug it on any electric outlets for recharging.

These days, the most pressing issue is whether a vehicle can maximize its fuel without emitting noxious gases. The Zap Xebra can address that issue without the accompanying price tag of other electric vehicles.