Automobile

Signs You Should Get a New Car

There may come a time during the life of your car when you think it should be replaced. There are several signs you should look for that indicate that it is time to buy a new car.

One of these is the cost of maintaining your car. You need to ask yourself, “what’s my car worth?” and if you find that it is costing you more on repairs and maintenance than it is worth, you should look into buying a new car.

Another cost that you should examine closely is the amount of money you are spending on gasoline. Fuel prices are rather high these days and newer cars use gas and oil more efficiently. In addition, there are hybrids or electric cars that can run on the power of electric motors at low speeds and get excellent gas mileage in city driving. If you find yourself frequently filling up at the gas station, you might want to consider buying a car with better gas mileage.

Another sign that it might be wise to buy a new car is if there is a cloud of thick black smoke coming from the rear of your car when you accelerate. This means that your car is burning gas and that other parts of the engine may be failing. This black smoke causes pollution of the air. It may also be dangerous for those driving behind you who could be blinded by that smoke coming from your exhaust pipe.

Continuing to fix and repair an old and damaged car may lead you to think about what car valuation is and if it is time to get a new car for both economic and safety reasons.

Filed Under: Auto Engine Technology Tagged With: Automobile, Electric car, Fuel efficiency

Popular Electric Car Models in 2011

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There has been a major shift in the world towards green living, and almost every aspect of life has been affected, including automobiles. Electric cars are a great investment for people who want to use more renewable sources of energy.

Before you buy an electric car, you are going to have to sell your old vehicle. If you are asking, “Can I value my car online?,” the answer is yes — you can determine how much your car is worth and what a good listing price would be. Once you’ve sold your old car, you’re ready to be an electric car owner.

The following is a list of the most popular electric car models for 2011.

Chevrolet Volt: This electric car is also a hybrid. It goes 25 to 50 miles in electric mode and then switches to gas for another 300. It has a top speed of 100 mph.
Nissan Leaf: This car will only be available in the test markets at first (California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, and Tennessee). It has a top speed of 110 mph.
Ford Focus EV: This electric car will run on lithium-ion batteries and be able to go 100 miles before needing a charge.
Coda Sedan: This four-door car can go 90 to 120 miles before needing a charge. It has quite a bit of power, but a max speed of 80 mph.

When you use the Internet, you have access to instant used car prices. This will help you decide how much to ask for your old car so that you can own a more energy-efficient model. Electric cars will be popular in the future because of how “green” they are, so invest in one in 2011.

Filed Under: Auto Technology and Performance Tagged With: Automobile, Electric car, Electric vehicle

Electric Cars may have the “Power”

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In the last decade, hybrid cars have become all the rage. They’re efficient, inexpensive to drive, and environmentally friendly, giving texas electricity providers and all the other ones something to think about. Opponents of hybrids cite their lack of power as their most notable drawback and, by and large, they are correct. The price paid for that efficiency comes out of their horsepower and speed. On the surface, this seems to be due to the car running less on a controlled explosion and more on an electric current. That reasoning could lead the average person to believe that as cars become more electric, power will only go down.

However, there is absolutely no reason why a car utilizing electric power should be slower or weaker. The low power is to maintain fuel efficiency and battery life, since more power necessarily requires, well, more power, which can cut down on how far a car can drive before it needs refueling or recharging. But pure electric cars, the ultimate goal of green transportation, could be just as powerful as older, gasoline-using automobiles.

Several such cars are in development or production already, through companies such as Toyota, Peugeot, and GM. One company, Tesla Motors, is marketing their Tesla Roadster as an electric supercar. While perhaps a bit of an exaggeration, the Roadster is very much a sports car. It has legions of optional features and it performs very well. The Roadster, on electricity alone, boasts 288 horsepower, a 0-60 time of less than four seconds, and a top speed of nearly 130 mph. Nor does it suffer as much from range problems. Most electric cars can go less than two hundred miles before needing to recharge, a process that can take several hours. The Roadster can travel two hundred and fifty before needing a recharge, and can plug into a wall outlet. It may be a little pricey at just over $100,000, but it never requires you to buy gasoline, so over time that price is somewhat mitigated. If the Roadster is an example of the future of cars, than even the staunchest opponents of electric vehicles may have very little to complain about.

Filed Under: Auto Technology and Performance Tagged With: Automobile, Electric car, Electric vehicle, Toyota

Comparing Savings – Financing a Used Car and Electric Cars

Think electric cars charging in Ærøskøbing

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Electric cars certainly grant a respectable amount of savings. The most obvious one is in regards to fuel costs, where electric cars shine. However, electric cars are not without their high costs, most commonly found in the initial new car price tag and in specific parts that must be replaced on their own, separate basis (as compared to “traditional cars”). What other options are there if you are looking to save money on a car purchase?

As electric car technology is becoming more standard, a smart financial decision is found in purchasing a used car. The significant disparity in the cost of a new car (electric or otherwise) is meaningful, and one that should be considered carefully. An efficient option is purchasing a used car that will last and do some good for your financial situation.

As quality is a forefront thought when you are looking to purchase a used car, consider a used Audi on finance. One of the most respected brands in the car world can be found in Audi. With their long-lasting cars, you can have choices between some of the most well made automobiles. There are also plenty of choices, with Audi’s lineup of different-sized vehicles, including fun and useful features.

Financing a used car can be very flexible. Depending on the terms of the deal, you can have a quality vehicle with payments that are right for your situation. This makes buying a used car incredibly smart should you need some versatility and breathing room in your finances.

Consider one of the most trusted car manufacturers if you are looking at a car purchase. While electric cars offer savings, there are downfalls to them as well. In the current state of the market, a fuel-efficient, used Audi on finance may be the best option. Think about whether it makes sense for your needs.

Filed Under: Careers in Auto Technology Tagged With: Audi, Automobile, Electric car

Going the Extra Mile: Combining Electric Cars With Electronic Insurance

Electric cars are the newest eco-friendly trend. Thousands of people all over the world are making the switch from gas powered cars to electric cars in an effort to save the environment and keep the world a clean place to live in. While many people think about going green is just about their physical car, what if you were able to go green on your car insurance too? Many electric car owners are making the decision to switch to electronic car insurance companies in an effort to further their green movement.

Every car, regardless of if it is an electric car or a gas powered car, needs to have insurance. You need to be able to be covered should you cause an accident and, in some cases, you have to have damage coverage on your car. This type of insurance not only protects yourself should you get in an accident, but it protects the other drivers around you and even protects yourself from other drivers who are uninsured.

While there are thousands of car insurance companies that offer physical business locations, there is a growing trend of online insurance companies. Many insurance companies are making the switch to functioning 100% online. You are able to get your bills sent to your email, pay your bills online and even print out your insurance card all from the computer. This cuts back on the amount of paper that is wasted, which is why those that are going green with an electric car are also going green by switching to online insurance companies.

However, before you decide to sign up with an online insurance company, you should get a couple of different insurance quotes. Almost every online insurance company offers an online quote that allows you to compare coverage and costs which allows you to make the best decision on which car insurance company is right for you.

Filed Under: Auto Technology and Performance Tagged With: Automobile, Business, Business and Economy, Electric car, Financial Services, Insurance, Online insurance, Vehicle insurance

Electric Cars Make a Comeback

Due to an ever-increasing need to use clean-energy resources, electric cars have a growing popularity. The public is becoming more aware of the importance environmental factors play in automobiles. Despite initial high expenses, more and more customers are drawn to electric cars. Whether this is due to the governmentâ€™s financial incentives or a desire to keep the air clean, more Americans are catching the vision of electric cars over those utilizing internal-combustion or gasoline-powered cars.

This recent trend though is not new. Rather the electric cars presence on the street is really a comeback from the past in the United States. From the late 1800â€™s to the early 1900â€™s, the electric car was preferred for the same reasons that attract customers today. It was clean, efficient to use, and quiet. These were strong advantages over the gasoline-powered cars of the time which were noisy, smelly, shook, and needed to be hand-cranked. As the gasoline-powered car improved though in efficiency and speed, it started taking precedence over the electric car. Also as prices dropped on the gasoline-powered car,
its popularity soared. This soon eliminated the competition between the two types of vehicles.

The first practical electric car model to be successfully built was made in 1891 by William Davenport of Des Moines, Iowa. In 1897, the Electric Carriage and Wagon Company of Philadelphia made a fleet of electric cars to serve as taxis in New York City. In the year 1900, the electric car was at its prime and accounted for one-third of the cars on the streets of New york City, Boston, and Chicago. In 1908 the introduction of Henry Ford’s, Model T, which was the first of its kind, changed the course of the automobile industry. It was the first mass-produced, gasoline-powered car of its kind. From this point, as the need to travel longer distances and the increased accessibility of gasoline came into play, the electric car’s popularity decreased significantly.

Filed Under: Auto Technology and Performance Tagged With: Automobile, Chicago, Electric car, Electric vehicle, Energy, History of the electric vehicle, Technology, United States

“Improving” Electric Cars–is it Fair?

Do you think it is fair? The government feels that requiring a minimum standard of noise on electric hybrid automobiles is essential to ensure the safety of all pedestrians where pedestrians and vehicles come in close proximity with one another?

Some in favor of “less government” feel they can add this to the list of government interference with personal owner’s responsibility. Although the cars are very quiet (their engines are silent in comparison with those of gasoline-powered cars), some express the strong opinion that it is the driver’s duty to ensure they are alert and aware of what is around them. This means eliminating the use of cell phones and other distractions. Drivers need to make their safety and the safety of others there top priority.

Others though, feel that a law will help ensure the sfaety of all for those moments when either driver or pedestrian are not fully aware of one another. For example, a blind mother carrying a child in a carrier will not pick up on the visual cues of seeing the car. She can not assume that the drivers will always be aware of her. If the electric car has a minimum sound standard, she will be able to utilize the noise to make personal judgement-calls to keep her and her child safe.

Still others agree that the “quiet” electric cars pose a challenge for pedestrians, but feel that added “noise-makers” on these cars, is not a satisfactory solution. They fear that the sounds will just blend in with other typical traffic noises. They also wonder if the noises will eventually be ignored due to commonality. They feel that maybe what will start out as a good intention may end up causing problems and may not solve anything after all.

Is it fair for the government to ensure personal safety or is that each individual’s responsibility? Will added noise to electric cars be helpful or not really fix the problem?

Filed Under: Auto Technology and Performance Tagged With: Automobile, Electric car, Electric vehicle, Energy, Government, Hybrid electric vehicle, Pedestrian, Technology

The LEAF

Electric cars are making their debut one by one on the auto industry stage. Nissanâ€™s 2011 LEAF is no different. This trendy electric car features some of the following:

1. 100% electricâ€”no gasoline required
2. Seats 5 with 5 doors
3. Seats are upholstered from recycled plastic bottles
4. Can go up to 100 miles on one charge of the battery
5. Can go up to 90 mph
6. 24 kWh lithium-ion battery
7. zero tailpipe emissions

It is reported that one would never know that the LEAF is an electric car until noticing that there is no shift lever. Rather there is a panel on the tunnel that has a feature like a computer mouse which moves between park and driving functions.

The LEAF has some very convenient features to help owner’s better use the battery pack to its fullest advantage. For example, when the pack is running low on energy, a screen will specifically display how much energy is left and how many miles it is to the nearest station to recharge the battery. The system will then also offer a quick route to find the needed location to recharge.

Unlike gasoline-powered vehicles, this car requires a little more effort from the driver to accelerate. Some gasoline-powered cars can receive the slightest press from the foot of the driver and accelerate quickly. In the LEAF though, a gentle push will result in gentle acceleration. This is to encourage drivers to be easier on the car which will also conserve more energy. The car is able to fully go from park to a full acceleration, but requires pushing the pedal all the way to the floor.

It also boasts another feature whaccessed through a smart phone. The cabin of the car can be pre-heated or pre-cooled through the phone while the battery is plugged in to save energy when the car is driving.

Filed Under: Auto Technology and Performance Tagged With: Automobile, Electric car, Electric vehicle, Energy, Kilowatt hour, Lithium-ion battery, Nissan Leaf, Nissan Motors

Electric Cars Spell Extinction for gas Stations

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Now may be the time to buy them flowers or a nice card. Tell them how much you’ve appreciated their service all the times you ran into the convenience store to grab a few snacks while your car was filling up with gasoline. Or if you’re from an older generation, express your gratitude for filling it up, and wiping down the windows, for you. No matter how you do it, say goodbye to your local gas station attendant. Why? Because with the proliferation of the electric car there is no longer going to be a need for gasoline, and in turn, no longer a need for gas stations. In the near future, gas stations will be replaced by electric car charging stations.

Electric car charging stations have already started to make a presence in some major cities across the globe, from Los Angeles to Tel Aviv. Unlike the large space taken up by gas facilities, electric car charging stations are small, free standing devices much like a light pole or street sign, with an extension cord. They line the sidewalks or street corners. Drivers can pull right up and plug right in. Since the technology hasn’t significantly lowered the charging times for vehicles, yet, many are located along parking spaces for electric car drivers to park and refuel as they go about their business.

Electric car charging stations tap right into the city’s electric grid. Hence, there is no need to store energy like gas stations that need to store their gasoline on site in large containers. In addition, electric car charging stations can even be placed in someone’s home. The same electricity that is supplied to city streets is generated by the same companies that supply it to residential areas. It only makes sense to have electric car owners charge up at home. As an electric car owner, you could make the case that you are now your very own gas station attendant.

Filed Under: Auto Fuel Technology Tagged With: Automobile, Charging station, Electric car, Electric vehicle, Electrical grid, Filling station, Los Angeles, Tel Aviv

Electric Cars Made in America

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As car makers start staking their claim to the electric car market, the debate is beginning as to where exactly should these cars be made. Many have assumed automotive companies would follow the draw of economics in the current gas-run car market and manufacture electric cars overseas as well. But when you factor in the car’s main component–the lithium-ion battery–and start looking at long-term economics you see an entirely different market than the one in place today. This has many American electric car makers thinking of setting up production closer to home. The ramifications go beyond the cars themselves, as it just might be the manufacturing jump start America has been looking for for decades.

What has car makers deciding to locate production in America isn’t the electric cars themselves but the part that makes them run: the lithium-ion battery. It is the most expensive part in the car, and plays a large part in their affordability. Thus, car makers are very sensitive to the cost of their production. They need to locate production in areas with a lot of technical know-how as well as access to their technical components. But a lot of cost comes from their bulky size and weight. This creates significant cost for shipping and storing these batteries, which would rack up if produced overseas. Thus, it’s more cost-effective to manufacture them near the production of the actual electric cars. Lastly, lithium-ion batteries don’t take much labor cost, so the economic advantage of other countries is nearly eliminated.

However, electric car makers are taking into account the changing economic of other countries as well when considering their manufacturing options. Take China for example. In the long-term locating production in China isn’t economically advantageous for a couple reasons. One is the shipping and storage costs mentioned. Secondly, its labor costs are increasing and its currency is appreciating. Additionally, electric car makers are being showered with federal funds by the U.S. government.

Filed Under: Auto Technology and Performance Tagged With: Automobile, Automotive industry, China, Electric car, Electric vehicle, Lithium-ion battery, Tesla Motors, United States