If you’re looking for a green car that can torch the road at the same time, then the Scorpion Roadster is clearly the runaway winner. With an MPG rating of 40 and with a capacity to generate as much as 450-horsepower, it’s definitely something that mother Earth and the Lewis Hamiltons would smile at. The great thing about this car is that it is powered by hydrogen, which makes it a real toast for those rabid environmentalists out there. According to its manufacturer called Ronn Motor Company, they expect that it’s the second coming of the Tesla Roadster. Instead of using batteries, their car uses Hydrogen to go around the place.

Meanwhile, The Scorpion Roadster uses electrolysis in order to convert water to hydrogen. After that, it is mixed with 91-octane gasoline for better fuel economy and reduction of fuel emission. Basically, the whole idea is to sell the electrolysis technology and prove to everyone that it works. That means that if the electrolysis system works with the Scorpion Roadster, there’s no way that you can’t use it for your Chevrolet or a Ford.

The company guarantees that you’ll get at least 15 to 33 percent of increase in gas mileage. That’s a lot of fuel, considering how much you have to pay for gas these days. On the other hand, unlike BMW’s Hydrogen 7, the Scorpion Roadster does not have any 30-gallonn tanks full of liquid hydrogen. That’s good news, especially if you don’t want to bother dealing with it all the time.

When it comes to the car’s performance, it is expected to reach 200 mph in open speedway. If that’s not enough, it also boasts of a 3.5-liter V6 engine, while all in all, the whole car weighs only an astonishing 2,200 lbs. Overall, you can call the Scorpion Roadster your own if you have at least 150,000 USD.

The Toyota Yaris has always been a slick car, which you can bring anywhere you want especially if you’re simply traversing city streets. However, Toyota has just recently upgraded this vehicle when they released the Yaris running on Compressed Natural Gas or CNG. The Yaris has now become green and that means it allows you to switch from gasoline to CNG any time that you want. Basically, the CNG tank is positioned in the rear, which you can easily access when you open the rear tailgate. That means you won’t have any problems refilling the tank when the need arises.

Since it has become green, this Toyota Yaris also added a touch of green paint to emphasize its CNG-inspired orientation. Basically, this car is all about functionality and city styling with an edge. When it comes to the exterior, this car offers rear suicide doors that are automatic and a rear split tailgate, which lets you put some stuff behind. Moreover, with a switch of the button, you can transform this car from a gas-guzzler to a unique hybrid car that feed on CNG. Meanwhile, the interior is equally impressive because it features a slick audio/visual system that can keep you entertained all throughout the journey. Performance wise, the Toyota Yaris tailback is far from being mediocre, that’s because it can cruise to 100 km/h and generate as much as 130-horsepower. In addition, reaching 60 miles isn’t a problem because this car can get to it in less than 10 seconds.

This car is definitely your best bet if you want to stop using traditional fuel and start caring more for the environment. What’s more is that you’re not going to sacrifice a lot when it comes to style. In fact the Toyota Yaris tailback gives you a preppy look on the road.

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.

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.

The Lincoln "C" Concept

It must have been quite the surprise to auto enthusiasts when Lincoln presented the Lincoln C Concept car. While most people are hesitant to make the shift from their gas-guzzling rides to the smaller and greener vehicles on the market, it should come as a comfort to luxury-loving folks that they won’t have to give up the comfort provided by their luxury rides–not once the Lincoln “C” Concept hits the market.

What’s so lovable about the concept car called the “C” Concept is that it helps make green cars look cooler. Sure, for green car lovers like us (hopefully you included), green cars are the cat’s pajamas, but some people tend to see green cars as slower and less-powerful (and by default, less cool) cars compared to large vehicles that guzzle down gas like there’s no tomorrow.

But then, here comes the “C” Concept to shatter these types of pre-conceived notions. What’s so surprising about the unveiling of the “C” Concept is how the automaker Lincoln has always been associated with creating large and bulky vehicles that look and feel nothing like what people expect a green car to. Sure, Lincoln had to make their concept green car more compact, but the car looks amazing! Kinda like what you would expect a high-performance and powerful sedan would look like.

"C" Savvy Interior

Of course, Lincoln seemed to have gotten its inspiration from the typical box car design, but the brand has noticeably made the car curvier. Smoother. Sleeker. In an article from Ezinearticles.com written by Matthew B. Bailey, the writer describes the Lincoln concept to look like a cross between a Lincoln Navigator, a Chrysler PT Cruiser, and a VW New Beetle. And based solely on the looks of the car, I think I’d have to agree with Mr. Bailey on that one.

As for the interior, well, let’s just say the seats are so comfortable, it makes you want to just lie back and have a few minutes of snooze time. But what really gets me going is the car’s instrument panel, that’s panoramic, mind you. It’s so futuristic, it even has an avatar (customizable, of course) that welcomes you back and tells you if you’ve got new text messages or emails.

Also, according to “The Green Luxury Car - The Lincoln C Concept” by Mr. Bailey, the car also has fingertip controls that allow you to operate GPS Navigation, MP3 Players, and a Satellite Radio. It’s every environment-friendly technophile’s dream car.

But the best part about this concept is not its good looks or technophile-friendly accessories, it’s what drives the car that makes it so irresistible.

The Lincoln "C" Concept's Futuristic Look

AutomobileMag.com included the Lincoln C Concept Car in their Detroit 2009: Five Most Significant Green Cars due to the concept’s incredible, direct-injection, EcoBoost engine. This type of engine comes with a dual-clutch transmission, stop/start technology, and a “focus on weight-savings.”

Created based on the same ideas used on the European Focus, the pint-size “C” is a truly awesome ride that retains the typical Lincoln style we see from the brand’s luxury line.

If there’s one green car that could appeal to the cool kids (regardless of age), this one has got to be it. Here’s to hoping we’ll be seeing more of the “C” sometime soon.

Brusa Elektronik is really on a roll these days. Last time out, I posted about its new electric car called the Brusa Spyder. Sure, I was really impressed with that car could offer on the table. Little do I know that the company still had something more to offer other than the Brusa Spyder. Actually Brusa Elektronik still had one more trick up its sleeve and it’s the supremely-looking and opulent Protoscar LAMPO Electric.

At first, there’s no way to tell that this car is electric powered until someone told me that it is.Just like the Brusa Spyder, it’s also an electric car that is styled like a roadster. Unlike some small and compact electric vehicles though, this one boasts of serious power. In fact, it can produce as much as 268 horsepower using only its lithium-ion batteries. What’s even more impressive is that it’s a four-wheel drive car and each set of wheels can muster 134 horsepower instantly. It also has serious torque because last time I checked, it’s capable of generating 324.5 lb.-ft. of torque.

So what powers the Protoscar LAMPO Electric? Basically, there’s a lightweight lithium-ion battery that can provide it by as much as 200 kilometers in range. Just like most electric-powered vehicles, it can be charged using any public or home charging public outlet.

When I checked out the instrument panel of the Protoscar LAMPO Electric, what caught my attention was how it displays the amount of power is uses in real time. Seriously now, I can’t recall any kind of electric vehicle that had that kind of feature. Basically, it shows positive when you’re accelerating, while showing negative when you start to decelerate. Aside from that, there’s also a touch screen module that shows the current battery charge and the current driving conditions. I also found the GPS tool is very useful because it allows you to plan your routes. That means you become an efficient driver and you save your battery power as well.

Meanwhile, getting inside the Protoscar LAMPO Electric is a totally different experience as well. That’s because you can set the parameters of the on-board battery charger. Aside from that, the interior is stylish as well. There’s also ample legroom so you can put in some extra cargo when you’re planning for a longer trip.

Despite the design, looks, and energy efficiency of the Protoscar LAMPO Electric, it’s one car that is all about zero emission. It’s one efficient running machine that is fun to drive in city-driving conditions. Meanwhile, the Protoscar LAMPO Electric is not yet on sale but it will certainly change how we see electric cars in the near future.

Switzerland. The land of the Alps, great people, and home of topnotch European travel destinations. It’s no secret that Switzerland is one of the most picturesque countries in Europe. However, the country has more to offer and one of them is top-of-the-line automotive engineering. Just like its neighbor Germany, Switzerland is a force to reckon with in this field. If you ask me, I have been there several times in the past and I wouldn’t mind staying there for as long as I can. Aside from what I jut mentioned, Switzerland is also home to Brusa Elektronik AG.

Sure, the company isn’t even Honda but just recently when I had the opportunity to visit a car exhibit in Norway, it just unveiled its latest car model called the Brusa Spyder. Basically, it’s the Swiss answer to the Tesla roadster. Why did I say that? It’s because it’s an electric sports car that has several astounding features just like the Tesla Roadster. Although it doesn’t roar like a Bugatti or a Lamborghini, it performs very much like the legendary Porsche 550 Spyder.

Powered by a Hybrid-Synchron electric motor that can generate as much as 134 horsepower, it’s more than enough for your city-driving needs. Aside from that, this two-seater, 2000-pound car can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just under five seconds. Of course, that kind of performance is far from being the best. However, the Brusa Spyder is an electric car and it should merit respect just by achieving that. The speed of the Brusa Spyder is no joke either and that’s because it can go as fast as 124 mph when you want to.

Of course, having the Brusa Spyder is driving a sports car without worrying about emissions. Aside from that, there’s no need to worry about gas bills because all you need is a reliable outlet where you’ll plug it for charging.

Just like all electric cars, the Brusa Spyder relies on heavy-duty batteries made of lithium-polymer. Truth is, it’s strong enough to last for 77 miles without needing to stop. When it comes to fully charging it, all you need is just a little under four hours.

Overall, I can say that the Brusa Spyder is a solid choice if you want speed and power without using oil. Although it lacks a bit in space and legroom, it’s still one heck of an electric car nonetheless.

Ford Fiesta Van

There’s a new, super-stylish, small, green van in town, and it’s out to conquer Britain. Giant automaker Ford has recently revealed the new Fiesta Van ECOnetic. The super fuel saver that’s going to be released on the market later this year.

WhatGreenCar.com reports that the new and improved Fiesta Van ECOnetic comes with the same style as the old Fiesta, but with a few tweaks here and there and a greener overall design. This model has low-rolling resistance tires, a lowered suspension, and a specialized Duratorq 1.6-liter TDCi for super-low exhaust emissions of just 98g/km CO2.

The latest green car from Ford was created at the automaker’s wind-powered engine plant that’s found at Dagenham, Essex. Its 90PS Duratorq 1.6-Liter engine was combined with a Diesel Particulate Filter that’s designed to produce 10% less carbon dioxide (CO2) compared to the already-impressive mainstream TDCi. This car also has a unique aerodynamic profile that allows it to run at a very fuel-efficient 76.4 mpg (miles per gallon)!

Ford’s director of commercial vehicles in Britain, Steve Kimber, talks about the perks of this new “green van”.

Ford Fiesta Econetic 2008 Model

“Many operators are prepared to be green - but still want comfort, performance, and an affordable price. The low-running costs of this ECOnetic van are bound to make more people consider the ‘green’ option. It’s a great package…We are also announcing a Transit ECOnetic today for opeators to see that Ford is serious about sustainability and developing their favorite van range in a way that supports their business.”

When placed beside previous-generation Fiestas, this model is designed to use up to 35 gallons less fuel over a course of 12,428 miles. That’s definitely going to save you a lot of gas money in the long run. When driven in the extra-urban highway, the fuel efficiency of the Fiesta Van ECOnetic improves even further. This van is capable of achieving 88.3 mpg! While your regular gas-powered car runs at 23mpg, this van will run much, much further with much less gas—and that’s a Ford guarantee.

If you would talk to a GM fan years ago and tell him that the automaker would make small cars 20 years later, he would have surely laughed at you. Then again, the emergence of hybrid cars from Honda, Toyota, and even Mazda left automakers such as General Motors outside the winning circle. With that being said, GM needs to play the rules of the new game and that means it needs to build more fuel efficient, compact, and eco-friendly cars already. General Motors deemed that launching the Chevy Beat is its first step to success.

The Chevy Beat is essentially designed for young people with its solid lines and sharp edges. With its look, it’s definitely meant to torch roads and streets, rather than rugged and rough terrain. Basically, the Chevy Beat is a sporty car that is powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged engine. Aside from that, it can travel as fast as 175 mph, while having an MPG rating of 30.

Truth is, the Chevy Beat is what General Motors needs in order to reintroduce its new plan for the next coming years. The company has vowed to produce more fuel efficient and eco-friendly cars in the future. Because of that, the Chevy Beat is a perfect product that would driver more customers to it.

A couple of years ago, it’s unimaginable a fuel-cell car and a sports sedan being combined. The technology simply isn’t there and it takes so much money to do it in an efficient manner. However, the rapid advancement in technology and the need for an environment-friendly sport car made this possible and one good example is the Wild Pininfarina Fuel Cell Sports Sedan.

This car uses the Sintesi fuel cell concept that was unveiled in the 2008 Geneva Motor Show. Basically, the Wild Pininfarina Fuel Cell Sports Sedan uses an integrated fuel cell, battery pack, and wheel generator. In short, its sport car that can go as fast as all its gasoline contemporaries, while also having an extremely high MPG rating. In short, it’s a sport car that does not use gasoline at all.

The Wild Pininfarina Fuel Cell Sports Sedan uses fuel cells that have a 20-kilowatt capacity. Aside from that, it comes with a 100-kilowatt lithium-battery pack that provides just enough power that you need when you accelerate. Basically, the Wild Pininfarina Fuel Cell Sports Sedan’s wheel motors are air-cooled, while using a regenerative braking power system. You’ll definitely feel like inside the car of the future once you sit beghind its steering wheel. Overall, this car can muster as much as 91.2 horsepower and 671 lbs.-ft of torque to each wheel. Without a doubt, these are impressive numbers coming from a green car.

The Wild Pininfarina Fuel Cell Sports Sedan has been designed in order to make its passengers comfortable all the time. You’ll feel like you’re pampered once you sit inside this vehicle. Aside from that, it has been engineered to have a sleek, aerodynamic, and tapered shape in order for it to have better handling. To top it off, it only has a drag coefficient that is pegged at 0.27. This makes the almost seem like its flying without having to leave the ground.

Another great feature of the Wild Pininfarina Fuel Cell Sports Sedan is the Substrate Transportation Autothermal Reformer. Basically, it is a system that can create hydrogen out of several fuel sources such as gasoline, ethanol, pertrodiesel, and biodiesel. Because it derives hydrogen from its fuel sources, it does not emit harmful exhaust gases that can damage the environment.

Despite of the road-torching look and highly-sophisticated engine, the Wild Pininfarina Fuel Cell Sports Sedan is also excellent in fuel economy because it has an MPG rating pegged at 47. When it comes to fuel range, it can go as far as 500 miles using only its 10.7-gallon fuel tank. It also has a very small CO2 emission rate because it only releases 78g/km.

Despite being only at the concept stage, the Wild Pininfarina Fuel Cell Sports Sedan may well be mass produced in the next couple of years. The manufacturer admits that it still needs to develop its power source and stability on the road, before finally being launched on the market.