Greenpeace

Honestly, I am just not in love with the Toyota Prius. It doesn't do it for me. Another hybrid model that has caught my eye is the new 2011 Honda Insight. Although the Prius does have higher fuel efficiency (51/48) and the Insight has 40/43, I do like the prices of the Insight a lot more (its around 3K less than the hybrid). The 2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid seems to be doing pretty well as well, but it's fuel economy is not as impressive as the Insight (it has 35/33).I honestly feel more comfortable purchasing a Honda anyway, as my family has owned them for many years and they have a great reputation. You can't go wrong with Honda. Unfortunately, some issues have come up and I don't have the best credit in the world, but with the economy the way it is, I feel that most dealers will be offering the "best auto approval" for those of us who don't have the best credit. Here's hoping.

Mitsubishi seems to think so. Mitsubishi has recently announced that they will be releasing their new i-MiEV in the fall of 2011. Like the much anticipated Nissan Leaf , the i-MiEV will run 100% on an electric powered, lithium ion battery. On a single charge, the i-MiEV will get up to an impressive 50-80 miles. One of the biggest things people tend to worry about regarding electric vehicles is the process of charging your battery. They fear that since there are less charging stations then gas stations, then that could inconvenience them greatly (especially on longer trips). However, since electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, there is no doubt that many more charging stations will be built. At the charging station, you can get up to 80% recharge of your battery in 20 minutes. At home, you can charge your EV overnight through your own electrical outlet that runs your entire house.

 

Does the speed and acceleration match that of other small compact cars of its class? Yes. Although you won’t be winning any NASCAR races any time soon, you can still get up to 80 miles an hour. The price range of the i-MiEV will be similar to that of the Nissan Leaf—around $25,000 after government rebates. With the release of so many new electric vehicles coming in 2011, will the American public be tempted to try out the vehicle that promises no gas station trips, no exhaust fumes and no oil spills? Only time will tell how popular these vehicles will be, but one thing is for sure. The automotive industry is taking the right steps in giving this country a cleaner environment. For more information regarding the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, visit Phoenix Mitsubishi

What do actors Penelope Cruz, Tom Hanks, Orlando Bloom and model Petra Nemcova have in common? Other than the obvious fact that they are all beautiful and rich celebrities, they all own an electric vehicle. Cruz, Bloom, and Nemcova made it known at the 2007 Oscars that they would rather arrive to the red carpet in their electric cars rather than a gold and shiny gas powered limo. Cruz said in an interview about her chosen vehicle, “It’s something that everyone can contribute to.” Orlando Bloom believes that electric vehicles are a “legacy that will be left behind to our children.”

 

Perhaps one of the biggest fans of electric vehicles is Tom Hanks, who was the first customer to have his Scion XB converted from gas to electric from AC Propulsion. Said Hank at the time, “There are three electric cars sitting on the moon, and now another one in my garage. I can drive all weekend, hauling dogs and helping my friends move, and the only reason I’ll need to stop at a gas station is for beef jerky and lottery tickets.” Why Tom Hanks feels he has the need to buy lottery tickets is beyond me.

 

So why such a huge craze on electric vehicles? Unlike Hybrid vehicles, electric cars run solely on electricity. With the improvement of the longevity of battery life in electric vehicles, major automakers are expected to begin introducing a new generation of cars. One such automaker is Nissan, who plans to release its new 2011 Nissan Leaf by the end of 2010. The Nissan Leaf will have no emissions and run on a rechargeable battery. This means no dangerous exhaust fumes blowing into our environment. Imagine clean, fresh air on our roads. The Nissan Leaf and other electric vehicles can make the world a more economical and clean place. Add to the fact that the Leaf will be offered in the very affordable $25,000 range and comes with government tax breaks and incentives will make it that much harder to resist purchasing something as revolutionizing as the Nissan Leaf.  For more information on the Nissan Leaf, visit http://www.nissanleafinfo.com/.