On December 10th in the year 1868, the first traffic signal light was placed into service. The bulky, primitive device employed colored lamps that were fueled by gas for use after dark, and semaphore arms. It required an operator to attend it at all times that it was in use. Twenty three days after that first traffic signal light went into service, it exploded – injuring the police officer who was assigned to run the lights and signals. This unfortunate event brought into question the practicality of implementing traffic signal lights.

Despite the volatility, and ultimately disastrous results, of using the first traffic signal light, stalwart inventors and engineers pursued the idea. As more and more traffic amassed on streets and roadways, the use of stop signs and officers standing on boxes at intersections became less and less practical – and more and more dangerous.

Sometime around 1912 the first electric traffic signal was put into use. These initial units only had red and green lights, however. In 1917 in Salt Lake City, Utah, a series of traffic lights were linked together, thus ‘connecting’ six sequential intersections. This system was operated manually with a single switch.

In 1922 Garrett A. Morgan made application for a patent on a traffic signal light of his own design. The patent was granted the following year. This started the myth that Morgan was the inventor of the traffic light.

Between the time the first traffic lights were introduced, and the early 1960’s many improvements were made, and many experiments conducted. The biggest problem with traffic signals to that point was simply that they were dependent on timers only. East-west traffic would get a green light for 3-minutes, and then a timer would trigger a green light for the north-south traffic – and so on. The lengths of time could be adjusted, but these settings frequently created problems with the flow of traffic.

In the early 1960’s traffic engineers started to implement “inductive loops” to control intersection traffic flow. The loops, which could detect vehicles in specific lanes at intersections controlled the lights’ timers. The inductive loops would switch the lights to accommodate the traffic at hand, based on the time of day. No more sitting at red traffic lights for 2-3-4 or 5 minutes – even if there was no cross-traffic present. Traffic engineers basked in a deluge of praise from drivers.

In the 1970’s technological advances in metallurgy, plastics, and rubber started changing the way vehicles were manufactured – and what they were being manufactured with. No longer was everything from the dashboard to the fenders made of high-iron content steels. It was in conjunction with these advances that the myths of tripping traffic lights began. Since then, it has gotten worse every year as more alloys, plastics, and rubber are used in the construction of vehicles.

It seemed logical that the amount of weight present at an intersection is what would trigger a green light. This is a myth. It also seemed logical that the mass present at an intersection would trigger a green light. This is also a myth. Since people were unable to make traffic lights trip by adding weight, or by having more mass to their vehicles, they started to seek other answers. The last most popular myth is that there is an invisible curtain that, when broken by a vehicle, triggers a green light. It is thought that the curtains only cover a portion of the lane, and if you do not violate the curtain, you don’t get the green light. This is also a myth.

Actually, inductive loop technology is very simple. An inductive loop is nothing but a very large, very weak electromagnet. The term ‘inductive loop’ refers to electromagnets used in industry to detect iron. They are commonly used in numerous industrial applications. They are inexpensive to make, install and maintain.

Inductive loops at traffic lights are created by burying large coils of thin copper wire slightly beneath the road’s surface. The wires are covered with either black tar or rubber. A small current runs through the wire, thus making it into an electromagnet. The loop is connected to a meter which measures changes inside the loop. Magnets react to iron – not plastic or rubber or aluminum. So when enough iron is present within the loop, the traffic light cycles to green.

The vehicles that have the greatest trouble tripping lights are motorcycles and mopeds, followed by small cars and trucks, and then raised 4×4s and SUVs. Drivers of these vehicles often sit undetected at traffic lights wasting fuel, getting rained on, their engines overheating, and their irritation growing.

To positively trigger your green lights, you can drag a bowling ball-sized piece of iron around on the ground – but that won’t work if it’s inside your trunk. That’s too far from the weak sensing field of the loop. In the trunk, you’ll need two or three large iron balls. OR you can install a Signal Sorcerer® traffic light changer http://signalsorcerer.com/.

Signal Sorcerer® traffic light changers use their own technology to make inductive loops detect your vehicle – no matter what size, weight, or mass it is. Simply install the Signal Sorcerer® under your vehicle, and the inductive loops that control traffic lights will detect your vehicle, and give you the green light!

Signal Sorcerer® requires no power, lasts a lifetime, is legal everywhere, installs in less than five minutes without any tools, and is completely guaranteed. Signal Sorcerer® traffic light changers have been in use around the world for years, and units are available for every application including police motorcycle divisions, security vehicles, fleet vehicles, and personal conveyances.

Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Cars

Green: it’s a word we seem to hear everywhere lately. The skyrocketing price of oil and the ongoing debate about the threat of climate change are only two of the factors that prompt people to think about going green.? Nowadays most people, and even some businesses, realize that we humans have an effect on our environment. There’s no getting around it, and that’s why going green can only benefit all of us.

But what is “green”? Ask 10 people, you’ll get 10 answers. Not even the U.S. government has a standard definition, so consumers must decide for themselves based on various definitions and standards created by different organizations. Usually, the word “green” connotes energy efficiency (a “green”? washing machine that uses less water and electricity, for instance) or environmental friendliness (such as paint stripper made from non-toxic materials). You might even be doing something green without knowing it, perhaps to save money. Have you abandoned commercial cleaning products in favor of using the natural products Grandma used, like baking soda, vinegar and ammonia? That’s green, because you’re opting not to use possibly toxic chemicals in your home!Do you put mulch, compost or manure on your garden instead of chemical fertilizer? That’s green, because you’re reducing the amount of potentially dangerous chemicals right in your own backyard! Do you like to shop for bargains at flea markets or secondhand shops instead of buying something brand new at the mall? That’s green, because you’re “recycling”? already-manufactured goods and most likely using up less packaging that would otherwise swell the town landfill! Even large organizations–schools, local governments or corporations–have gone green by switching from paper to electronic billing (less paper used = fewer trees cut down) or by installing solar panels instead of a new oil heating system.

Developers, architects, contractors, local governments and utilities are also getting into “green building.”? Just as individuals go green by recycling and businesses go green by reducing their paper use, those in real estate, construction, and associated fields can ride the wave of environmental awareness by adopting green concepts. Instead of clearcutting a forest in order to lay out a typical subdivision, some real estate developers have turned their talents toward refurbishing older hometown neighborhoods. Contractors can pledge to avoid arsenic-treated lumber or focus on reusing salvaged or surplus building materials. Architects can incorporate the newest energy-efficient technologies into their designs. In many areas, the local government or utility company is happy to perform an energy audit of a home or commercial building in an effort to reduce energy consumption and waste, and they may be able to supply information about green products and services that are good for the budget and good for the planet. Common products in this category include solar energy devices that can lessen dependence on nonrenewable fossil fuels (i.e., home heating oil), long-lasting fluorescent light bulbs, or safer replacements for harmful “traditional”? materials such as fiberglass insulation.

Consumers can teach themselves how to go green. You can start small, with something as simple as choosing a product at the supermarket that uses less packaging than the one next to it on the shelf. Congratulations–by making that decision, you’ve just reduced the demand for styrofoam, which has the potential to sit in an ugly landfill for hundreds of years. Or you can think big by trading in your gas-guzzling SUV for a gas-sipping hybrid-electric vehicle. The bottom line is, you don’t have to be rich, a scientist, or a tree hugger to go green! You don’t have to change your lifestyle completely in one fell swoop to go green. Every little bit helps, and every little bit adds up to a lot.

Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Cars

Odds are, you probably own a gasoline or diesel powered vehicle. If you are considering making the switch to an electric car, there are some things you should consider before getting started.

Should I Buy a New Vehicle?

If you are in the market for an electric car, the easiest option is to simply go new car shopping. There are a few production electric cars out there right now. Be aware that while an electric car is more expensive up front, if it suits your commuting needs you can save a lot of money in the long run on fuel costs. Most production electric cars have more limited range than a gasoline vehicle, but as long as you don’t drive more than 50 miles on a daily basis, they will be just fine. Along with the electric car, you will usually receive a power station for your home, where you plug your car in to recharge overnight. Remember, power isn’t free, and has to come from somewhere. You can expect a rise in your electricity bill, but usually you are still saving money over a gasoline vehicle. And check the laws in the state you live in! California, for instance, offers some very nice incentives to owners of green alternative fuel vehicles. This includes electrically powered vehicles.

Converting Your Existing Vehicle

If you just don’t want to give up your gas guzzlers style or storage capacity, it is possible to convert your vehicle to run on electricity. Just be aware from the get go that this is an expensive project that is definitely not a do-it-yourself deal. Pretty much every active component of your vehicle will have to be replaced with versions designed for electric vehicles. But the costs will probably not be much more than purchasing an electric vehicle, and you may like the results much better.

Get in touch with some companies that specialize in alternative energy sources, such as solar power or fuel cells. Even if they can’t help you with your specific project, they can probably point you towards someone that can. The company that you finally settle on will have quite a few issues to discuss with you, such as the battery types, or whether to go pure electric, or hybrid. Electricity-generating fuel cells are another option, but can be expensive to maintain. There are many different ways to go when talking electric car conversions, and many need to be worked out with someone who knows what is what.

It’s All Worth It

But once you actually perform the conversion, you will be amazed at the difference. Electric vehicles are nearly silent, and you’ll never have to pump gas again. They have a very futuristic feel about them, with computerized systems and displays as finishing touches. And they produce no emissions whatsoever, so you are doing a major favor to the environment. Imagine how much less smog there would be in your city if everyone drove zero emission electric cars.

Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Cars

The rise of the tides, polar bears swimming for their lives and a country with 2 billion people that burns enough dirty coal to blanket the skyline should be enough to make a person at least try to do something good for the environment. But as much as we’d like to ride a bicycle to work, at least here in Southern California, with the most highly traveled freeways in the world, putting the pedal to the asphalt could be as much of a form of suicide as if would be a marathon.

People in Los Angeles have a real love affair with their cars and it’s not just some weekend fling. We LOVE our cars. We love them so much that it’s rare that we’d actually share them with anyone outside the immediate family.

It’s not an unusual sight to see Angelinos riding on the freeway, one person to a car. Oh sure sometimes you can find families in the diamond lane and on weekends you might be lucky to see two or more people in one vehicle going somewhere, but by and large, and mostly during the peak of travel time – rush hour, its one car, one driver.

The solo motorist is a very common animal in this neck of the interstate because to share commute would mean to give up our privacy, our alone time. Since the rush hour driving period can span a good three to fours hours and the average driver has to travel at least 30 to 60 minutes each way to get to work, Californian’s get to use this period of their lives for quiet reflection, catching up with friends, putting on make up, shaving or taking a coffee moment with their favorite half – calf, triple grande latte, no foam, soy Americano.

And if we’re going to spend that much time behind the wheel shouldn’t we at least be comfortable? Of course the real question is – Can we be GREEN as well?

At one time, not too long ago, Hybrid cars were pretty much looked upon as something for the future along with jet packs and talking wristwatches. But since the dawn of the 21st century a plethora of Hybrid and Green vehicles have begun to be produced and on a mass production scale.

No longer mere electric autos that only went as fast as your grandmother’s Rascal with a battery the size of a work bench and a life span of a gnat, today we usher in a whole new breed of environmentally friendly cars that actually look, act, feel and drive like – cars.

And they come in all sizes.

If you’re a big person or just like your SUV but don’t like the way Prius owners sneer at you when you pass, you’re in luck. Manufacturers like Toyota, GM, Chevy, Saturn and more have taken your beloved behemoth and turned it green. The Saturn Aura Green Line SUV is one of their newest gas-electric hybrids to step up to the plate without having to eat the whole dinner. The new Vue Green Line two Mode puts together the output of the Saturn’s 3.6 liter, direct injection variable valve timing V-6 with two active-cooled 55 kW electric motors. This combination gives you excellent performance without having to sacrifice leg room or cargo space just because you want to get better gas mileage and save the planet.

General Motors is definitely jumping the shark and will be offering 16 new Hybrid models over the next four years. The same hybrid evolutionary platforms will be seen in other car models such as the Chevy Silverado and the GMC Sierra. Finally full sized trucks that can have descent gas mileage, much lower emissions and be part of the green revolution. It’s enough to make a red neck scratch his head and wonder what’s going on in the world.

Now if you like the idea of smaller cars and want to get away from gas altogether you may want to check out something like the “neighborhood” type of all electric vehicles, like the GEM Peapod Electric Car.

Yes, the Peapod. This little car from Chrysler’s GEM, ENVI division seems more like an iPod accessory than a form of transport, yet the Peapod is a sleek ultramodern urban auto whose name comes from its teardrop shape stuck on wheels.

Using the oval form provides maximum interior space with grand viewing capabilities through over sized tinted glass, including an over head roof panel. With seating for four, the 102 inch wheelbase has an overall length of 143.6 inches. It’s just 56.5 inches wide but 70.5 inches tall. This makes the Peapod two inches shorter than the Mini Cooper but with a longer wheelbase.

Truly a car for the city, Peapod drivers have a 32 feet curb to curb turning circle with the entire vehicle weighing not much more than 1,290 pounds. The rated payload capacity is just 910 pounds which is plenty for four adults in a comfortable setting.

The downside is the Peapod isn’t going to take you outside the city or anywhere that has a speed limit above 35 mph, but it can get you as far as 30 miles on a full charge. After that you’ll need to plug her into a standard 110 – volt outlet and juice her up for about six to eight hours. Not too bad if you consider this as a great way to commute to work, plug it in for the day and then drive it home.

Perhaps the Peapod is a little too small and vegan for your tastes.

How about the Chevy Volt? Coming out in 2011, this green machine was first introduced as a concept car back in 2007 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and it was an instant hit.

The Volt is a plug-in electric car with a 40 mile zero – emission range on all electric operation. After the 16 kWh lithium battery pack is maxed out the Volt kicks in a small internal combustion engine-generator with a range of an additional 300 miles. That’s a sweet deal plus it runs on E85 ethanol or a combination of fuels. The car’s propulsion drive is through the electric motors.

And if you’re afraid you’ll have to give it a running start, not to worry. The Volt’s 0 to 60 mph time is a quick 8 to 9 second jump with a top speed of 100 mph. Not bad for an environmentally friendly auto that delivers 111 kW of power converted to 150 horsepower.

But perhaps like most people who tend more toward a Goldie Locks mentality, you’d like something more in the middle. Not too big and not too small. Just right.

One of the most popular cars on the road today is the Honda Civic and now you can get it as a Hybrid. Priced for 2008 at a range of $15,610 to $24,590, the Civic Hybrid has a 40 MPG in the city and 45 MPG on the highway.

Honda is known for making solid dependable cars and the Civic Hybrid won’t disappoint. The 1.3 liter in-line 4 front engine combines with an 82 kW electric power source and uses a multi-point injection fuel system.

Or if you’re a Nissan fan, the 2009 Altima Hybrid has a 2.5 liter in-line 4 front engine with 89.0 mm bore, 100.00 mm stroke, 9.6 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve time/camshaft and four valves per cylinder.

The Altima sports a 20 gallon tank over the Honda’s 15 and also includes multi-point injection fuel system with a maximum torque of 158. The price ranges from $19.500 to $29,000, depending of course on your choice of options.

Since our big blue planet is in desperate need of us to really act green, your selection of electric cars that will help make our world a healthier place to live have finally arrived without having to give up our private space or precious coffee time.

Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Cars

On December 10th in the year 1868, the first traffic signal light was placed into service. The bulky, primitive device employed colored lamps that were fueled by gas for use after dark, and semaphore arms. It required an operator to attend it at all times that it was in use. Twenty three days after that first traffic signal light went into service, it exploded – injuring the police officer who was assigned to run the lights and signals. This unfortunate event brought into question the practicality of implementing traffic signal lights.

Despite the volatility, and ultimately disastrous results, of using the first traffic signal light, stalwart inventors and engineers pursued the idea. As more and more traffic amassed on streets and roadways, the use of stop signs and officers standing on boxes at intersections became less and less practical – and more and more dangerous.

Sometime around 1912 the first electric traffic signal was put into use. These initial units only had red and green lights, however. In 1917 in Salt Lake City, Utah, a series of traffic lights were linked together, thus ‘connecting’ six sequential intersections. This system was operated manually with a single switch.

In 1922 Garrett A. Morgan made application for a patent on a traffic signal light of his own design. The patent was granted the following year. This started the myth that Morgan was the inventor of the traffic light.

Between the time the first traffic lights were introduced, and the early 1960’s many improvements were made, and many experiments conducted. The biggest problem with traffic signals to that point was simply that they were dependent on timers only. East-west traffic would get a green light for 3-minutes, and then a timer would trigger a green light for the north-south traffic – and so on. The lengths of time could be adjusted, but these settings frequently created problems with the flow of traffic.

In the early 1960’s traffic engineers started to implement “inductive loops” to control intersection traffic flow. The loops, which could detect vehicles in specific lanes at intersections controlled the lights’ timers. The inductive loops would switch the lights to accommodate the traffic at hand, based on the time of day. No more sitting at red traffic lights for 2-3-4 or 5 minutes – even if there was no cross-traffic present. Traffic engineers basked in a deluge of praise from drivers.

In the 1970’s technological advances in metallurgy, plastics, and rubber started changing the way vehicles were manufactured – and what they were being manufactured with. No longer was everything from the dashboard to the fenders made of high-iron content steels. It was in conjunction with these advances that the myths of tripping traffic lights began. Since then, it has gotten worse every year as more alloys, plastics, and rubber are used in the construction of vehicles.

It seemed logical that the amount of weight present at an intersection is what would trigger a green light. This is a myth. It also seemed logical that the mass present at an intersection would trigger a green light. This is also a myth. Since people were unable to make traffic lights trip by adding weight, or by having more mass to their vehicles, they started to seek other answers. The last most popular myth is that there is an invisible curtain that, when broken by a vehicle, triggers a green light. It is thought that the curtains only cover a portion of the lane, and if you do not violate the curtain, you don’t get the green light. This is also a myth.

Actually, inductive loop technology is very simple. An inductive loop is nothing but a very large, very weak electromagnet. The term ‘inductive loop’ refers to electromagnets used in industry to detect iron. They are commonly used in numerous industrial applications. They are inexpensive to make, install and maintain.

Inductive loops at traffic lights are created by burying large coils of thin copper wire slightly beneath the road’s surface. The wires are covered with either black tar or rubber. A small current runs through the wire, thus making it into an electromagnet. The loop is connected to a meter which measures changes inside the loop. Magnets react to iron – not plastic or rubber or aluminum. So when enough iron is present within the loop, the traffic light cycles to green.

The vehicles that have the greatest trouble tripping lights are motorcycles and mopeds, followed by small cars and trucks, and then raised 4×4s and SUVs. Drivers of these vehicles often sit undetected at traffic lights wasting fuel, getting rained on, their engines overheating, and their irritation growing.

To positively trigger your green lights, you can drag a bowling ball-sized piece of iron around on the ground – but that won’t work if it’s inside your trunk. That’s too far from the weak sensing field of the loop. In the trunk, you’ll need two or three large iron balls. OR you can install a Signal Sorcerer® traffic light changer http://signalsorcerer.com/.

Signal Sorcerer® traffic light changers use their own technology to make inductive loops detect your vehicle – no matter what size, weight, or mass it is. Simply install the Signal Sorcerer® under your vehicle, and the inductive loops that control traffic lights will detect your vehicle, and give you the green light!

Signal Sorcerer® requires no power, lasts a lifetime, is legal everywhere, installs in less than five minutes without any tools, and is completely guaranteed. Signal Sorcerer® traffic light changers have been in use around the world for years, and units are available for every application including police motorcycle divisions, security vehicles, fleet vehicles, and personal conveyances.

Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Cars

In this point in time, people have become more health and environment conscious in each aspect in their lives. Some have learned to eat more sensibly and have become proponents of organic food. There also are others who have transformed their homes, inhabiting an eco-friendly theme by means of using appliances which preserve energy or particularly made to function well in any environment. In terms of transport, this has become such an inescapable issue as many of us have been used to driving ourselves to and from work or in other places we want to be in. Some have thought of the idea of carpooling to conserve on petrol and combustion to the air we breathe. There also are some who have learned to appreciate public transport like buses and trains over cabs. Then again, there is still a large population of people who can not travel without using their own automobiles or vans – particularly if they live in the burbs where public transport isn’t an option. However, the vehicles we use are still burning fuel and are still dangerous to the environment. This is why some gurus have created a route for vehicle owners to have the option to convert their autos in to something more earth friendly. The employment of electrical energy has changed into a popular option and has been considered and is being developed by large auto manufacturers. there’s still hope for old auto models to have the chance to use electricity instead of fuel by way of an electric car conversion kit. It’s not necessarily a tough task as the details one can find in an electric car conversion kit are easy and simple to follow. For a small part of about 1/60th of the particular value of a conversion in a shop, one will be in a position to get their hands on a respectable and efficient kit which would be in a position to provide the same results. A manner which gives any person, even one who hasn’t seen the contents of their hood, the chance to accomplish. All for a promise to be able to make their cars work in an effective and earth friendly money, in return for a bit and one or two hours of work. And the best part is, the environment isn’t the only thing they are going to save but as well as the air they breathe and the greenbacks on their wallet for them to use on other more important costs.

By doing this conversion you’ll be eligible for a $1,000 tax credit just for using an electric car conversion kit.

Get your electric car conversion it at gas2electricity.com today!

Electric Car Conversion Kit- Save the Environment

Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Cars

There’s nothing like a major boost in gasoline prices to motivate the American consumer. Automakers are hard at work producing green friendly, fuel-saving vehicles. This push for all things green is more than a trendy cause…it’s politically savvy, environmentally conscious and increasingly profitable.

Environmental issues have been on the public’s mind for quite some time, but a perfect storm of events has come together to give the green movement mass appeal. Concerns about rising gas prices, global warming and U.S. dependence on foreign oil have set in place the momentum for going green and will likely influence vehicle buying decisions for years. It’s into this realm that California’s political leaders were able to effectively push a green agenda.

Clearly, the heart of the nation’s green movement beats in California. Green politics have long been the lifeblood of the 31st state. Most observers consider California the birthplace of the environmental movement, but one could make the point that the nation’s most populated state’s green sensibility was born out of the need to clean up messes in their backyard. California found itself crippled by the oil crisis of the 1970s, an event that led to the corporate average fuel economy standards (CAFE) requiring automakers to improve fuel economy. In the 1990s the auto industry found itself under fire once again when California residents, faced with the worst air quality in the nation, passed a 1998 regulation forcing major automakers to produce a few vehicles that produced no carbon emissions. The programs were eliminated when the zero-emissions mandate was dropped after a few years, but 10 years later the heat is back on the auto industry, thanks to intense debate over the environment and gas prices pushing past $4 a gallon.

It’s no secret that, over the years, automotive lobbyists and environmental advocates haven’t always been in agreement. Several years ago, California’s Air Resources Board tried to set emissions standards for vehicles sold in their state that were much tougher than national rules. The result was predictable. Automakers opposed, saying meeting the standards would require expensive vehicle modifications. A costly legal battle ensued, and more than a dozen states joined the effort to enact the tougher rules. And although the Environmental Protection Agency ruled that states can’t set their own emission standards, California and other states are seeking to overturn the decision in court.

But the times, they are a changin’. Recently, major automakers supported legislation that will increase fuel economy standards by 40 percent by 2020. Buoyed by this development, California continues its bid to go even greener. And there’s evidence of the green scene everywhere. Recycling bins and trash cans sit side by side along city streets. Hybrid vehicles are becoming the popular choice among fleet buyers. It’s getting easier to find plug-in stations to recharge electric vehicles. The conversation over a non-fat mocha latte is just as likely to turn green as it is to talk about a young starlet’s latest indiscretion. Every day people are jumping on the green wave, as hybrid vehicles are about as common as traditional automobiles, which is helping to push this political hot potato into the mainstream.

Today, cutting carbon dioxide by way of mandates on the auto industry is a hot-button political issue and one of the toughest challenges that automakers have faced in decades. Automakers that sell cars and trucks in the United States have until 2020 to increase the average fuel economy of the national fleet to 35 miles per gallon, the first major increase to CAFE since the rules were created in 1975. Fortunately, technology is moving quickly from whiteboard to reality, thanks to the efforts of talented and aggressive automotive engineers and suppliers around the world.

We are already seeing full hybrid systems that can propel a vehicle without gasoline at low speeds. Mild hybrid systems are also on the road using start/stop technology like BAS (Belt Alternator Starter) technology. Parallel and series hybrids combine gasoline and electricity usage. Future hybrid technology will allow for plug-in battery recharging, making it possible for short trips without gas consumption. This is truly a global challenge and, if we’ve learned anything from history, automotive manufacturers are up to the task.

Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Cars

Automotive transportation has dramatically altered the environment because it contributes to a majority of greenhouse gases released into the air. Our consumption of gas leaves large quantities of carbon emissions that continue to destroy the environment at an alarming rate. Mending the hole in the ozone layer will take time, but it is only possible through everyone’s participation in the green movement. You can do this in many ways, and one of the most important is by changing your transportation habits. While sitting on a crowed city bus or walking may not appeal to everyone, you can still go green while driving if you switch to an alternative fuel car.

Hybrid vehicles can help you go green by reducing the amount of carbon emissions directly. Since hybrids use a combination of gas and electric power, they run on less gas and thereby create less fuel emissions. Hybrids typically run on 30 mpg or more depending on make and model. Some car manufactures claim you can squeeze out 40 or more mpg, depending on your driving style.

Different types of hybrid vehicles depend on how they operate from gas to electric power. A full hybrid allows the driver to run on just gas, electric power, or both. When driving in typical conditions, the full hybrid relies on power from both the gas engine and electric motor. The electric engine can power the car alone when used for stop-and-go traffic or for low speeds. Both electric and gas motors stop when the car is idling. A mild hybrid contains an electric motor that allows the engine to turn off and start up quickly to reduce gas consumption, but the gas engine is the primary power source. The electric motor in the mild hybrid primarily functions when higher speeds or more power is required.

Electric hybrids are not the only alternative fuel cars on the market. Auto manufacturers continue to experiment with hydrogen powered vehicles, also known as hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. This type of vehicle emits no dangerous greenhouse gases since the byproduct is simply heat and water vapor. Unfortunately, it could take many years before you see these fuel cell vehicles in large numbers due to developmental complications such as affordability, winter driving, and durability.

All electric vehicles are powered by an electric motor that charges from a battery. While these vehicles offer no harmful emissions and inexpensive operating costs, manufactures have failed to create a viable market due to excessive costs to consumers and a short battery life. The battery takes several hours to charge once drained, and can be extremely expensive to replace after only a few years.

Affordability and green power has enabled hybrid vehicles to thrive in this market. It won’t be long before auto manufacturers stop producing gas guzzling vehicles and replace them with alternative fuel cars. People’s budgets and the environment will benefit both now and in the future.

Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Cars