If possible you should look into getting a hybrid vehicle. There are models and styles to fit almost everyone’s needs. You can find a variety of models that are 2-doors, 4-doors, luxury sedans or SUV’s. Hybrids get better mileage than traditional vehicles, which saves you money on fuel. They also have cleaner emissions which is better for the environment.

If buying a hybrid vehicle isn’t a feasible option; then you should try to find the car that will give you the best fuel mileage. Another option is to use bio-diesel fuel. It can be found in almost every state in the US. It can be used in almost any type of diesel car or truck with little or no modifications needed to the engine. Bio-diesel is clean, vegetable based and a carbon neutral fuel.

Ethanol is another vegetable based fuel which is available throughout the US. It is estimated that there are between five and six million vehicles on the road today that have flex fuel options. Flex fuel vehicles allow you to use ethanol or premium gasoline, which makes it more convenient for the driver.

Every day the auto manufacturers are making great strides in building cars that are less harmful to the environment and better on gas mileage. If you shop around you will be able to find a car that meets your needs and is also eco-friendly.

Your carbon footprint is the amount of deadly greenhouse gases which are measured in units of carbon dioxide. The Duke University conducted a study and over 97 million billion pounds of carbon dioxide was released into the air from fossil fuels in just one year.

A green vehicle will cut down on this problem and minimize your carbon footprint. When someone refers to a green car they are talking about a car that uses alternative fuel sources. A regular car uses petroleum fuel to run this is also known as fossil fuel. Fossil fuels are what is known as non renewable energy and releases harmful gases into the air. A green car uses other fuel sources which include bio-diesel, solar energy or electricity to run the car.

There are other benefits to driving a green vehicle besides helping to decrease greenhouse gases. They are cheaper to run and maintain. They do not contribute to acid rain and create less smog in the air. A green car is better for our environment and reduces global warming.

Others ways to decrease the greenhouse gases that are cause by driving vehicles that are not eco-friendly is to not drive at all whenever possible. You can walk whenever it is feasible and get exercise and help the earth at the same time. Sharing a ride is another way to help cut down on our carbon footprint.

Green cars are considered the “wave of the future” because of the way they are changing our thinking about what we drive. The green car concept makes everyone more aware of the environment and what we can do to help erase our carbon footprint.

Since July 2007 those nice people at HM Revenue & Customs allow you to produce 2500 litres a year of your very own biodiesel without having to pay a penny of duty. All you need to do is notify them and apply to be registered as an ‘exempt producer’. You’re not allowed to sell it on so don’t get ideas about aiming for Shell’s or BP’s profits (£4.9 billion and £3.2 billion respectively for the second quarter this year).

So what do you need to set yourself up as a mini refinery?

The equipment can be bought as a set for around £700. BioBuddy is a popular choice. This all-in-one device makes the processing simple and tidy.

You can of course bodge some equipment together using the best of British ingenuity.

You have the equipment; you just need old, used cooking oil from your local chippy or hotel. It’s a win-win situation for you, the shop and the environment.  There are a couple of caveats; firstly you need to be prepared for the risk of fires: after all this is a flammable chemical you are making. Secondly, producing home brew biodiesel does take longer than popping to your local petrol station (although with the queues I see in my local area, that’s debatable).

On the BBC’s ‘You and Yours’ consumer program, Dan Purkis, a consultant engineer, explained why he delved into refining his own fuel. ‘It’s interesting, fun and it reduces my impact on the environment. When I looked at my lifestyle I realised that fuel was the greatest energy use in my life’. It certainly is, since this Aberdeen chap runs 4x4s. He had the DIY knack to make his own facility using salvaged and second hand parts.

He uses vegetable oil collected from a local hotel which would have been disposed of at cost to the business and the environment.

What does the process involve?

1. Sieve to remove batter fragments and other detritus

2. Heat the oil

3. Mix with chemicals (methanol and sodium hydroxide)

4. Wash the fuel

5. Dry the fuel (to remove any water)

6. Filter through a 5 micron mesh

Easy as that?

Proponents of home brewing are keen to downplay the downsides but to make this a balanced discussion the cons have to me mentioned too. Biodiesel is more viscous than normal diesel and this can put extra strain on the fuel injector. If it breaks down you’re looking at a bill for over £1000. You can reduce the risk by mixing the fuels or by installing a heater next to the fuel line. If your vehicle is still within its warranty period, check with the manufacturer to make sure you will still be covered.

Using methanol and sodium hydroxide require care as both are hazardous to human health and don’t benefit the environment if they enter the watercourses.

Do I Need to Convert my Car?

If you want your car to run on standard vegetable oil instead of your own biodiesel then you do need to make a few alterations. A company called Veg Oil Motoring has championed this technique for years and has built up a successful business based around it. They were the first to drive from Land’s End to John O’Groats only using vegetable oil.

Veg Oil Motoring has championed this technology in the UK, and especially Wales, over the last 5 years. We were the first to drive from Lands End to John O’ Groats on pure vegetable oil.

There’s plenty of mileage (excuse the pun) in considering a change to your forecourt fuel. Long term there is money to be saved if you are willing to put the time and effort in. For an average driver travelling 12,000 miles per year, you would have recouped your outlay and regular associated costs within around 12 months and then your fantastic savings will begin.

Guest blogger, Greg Coltman, writes prolifically for motoring and transport blogs and specialises in innovations with the motor industry.

Then all but the top layer is drained off and then is it “washed” to remove the water and impurities. Then the biodiesel must be “dried” in containers to remove the water and then it is filtered before using. Biodiesel can be made using common household items. You can purchase biodiesel systems to make it at home. There are many websites that can answer any questions you may have about making and using biodiesel.

You have to be very careful with biodiesel because it is a toxic chemical. Be sure to use caution when you are preparing it, handling and storing it. It should be made in a well ventilated area and away from children and animals. Make sure you always wear protective gear when making or handling biodiesel, including masks and splash proof goggles. You have to also remember to properly dispose of any byproduct.

Biodiesel can be used in any diesel powered vehicle. Most people who use it for the first time say it reduces engine noise and the engine runs smoother. Other reports have said there are slightly lower tailpipe emissions and a reduction in maintenance.

There are also drawbacks to using Biodiesel. Fuel lines in older diesel engines have been known to become weak, especially rubber ones, because of the biodiesel. Biodiesel will gel and clog fuel lines in cold climates. Also many automakers warranties will not cover engine or fuel system problems caused by biodiesel use.

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that can be used in most diesel vehicles.

E85 is considered an alternative fuel and Gasohol or E10 is not considered an alternative fuel. This is because Gasohol only has 10% Ethanol and 90% gasoline. Ethanol can be produced from domestic feedstock and does not have to be imported like petroleum. If Ethanol was used by millions of vehicles it could make a dramatic impact on the United States dependence on imported oil. Another benefit is that it is a renewable biofuel that has modest reductions of harmful emissions.

A FFV is a flexible fuel vehicle which automakers developed so a vehicle can be run on E85, gasoline or a combination of the two. The reason for this is because there is a limited availability of E85 at gas stations. The FFV’s first came out in the 1990’s, however most of these models have never had E85 in their fuel tanks. This is because even though the number of E85 filling stations is increasing there are still very few places where you can get this alternative fuel.

Usually you will not notice any difference when you are operating a vehicle on E85 instead of gasoline. Ethanol produces less energy than gasoline but has a higher octane rating. Currently, E85 is more expensive than gasoline because of the added expense of blending it with gasoline. These are just a few facts you should know if you are considering using E85 as an alternative fuel.

The Green Car Journal has chosen the 2010 Audi A3 TDI for the prestigious title of the Green Car Journal’s 2010 Green Car of the Year. For the second year in a row a clean diesel has taken top honors in the annual award program. Last year the award went to the VW Jetta TDI.

The competition for top honors was tough and among a lineup of stellar vehicles including three hybrids and a clean diesel. The other green cars that were contenders included the Honda Insight Hybrid, the Mercury Milan Hybrid and the Toyota Prius. The other clean diesel in the running for the award was the VW Golf TDI.

The judges of this year’s award liked the rakish styling and 42 mpg highway fuel efficiency of the Audi A3 TDI. This vehicle has a 50% improvement over the A3 gasoline model and has relatively low CO2 emissions. This model is also approved by Audi for operation on up to B5 biodiesel fuel.

The Audi A3 is an entry level luxury car that has a variety of distinctive features, including 17 inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights and a sporty appearance. The Audi A3 looks like a hatchback; however, the EPA officially classified it as a small station wagon. Audi on the other hand describes it as Sportback. No matter what it is called, the Audi A3 TDI is a fuel efficient and low emissions winner of the 2010 Green Car on the Year award.

There are many green choices to choose from today. If you are considering a new vehicle you will want to find the one that is the most environment friendly for your needs and budget. You can look at the various models and compare their green scores. When you choose a green car you are helping to reduce air pollution.

The more consumers that purchase environmentally friendly vehicles the more the auto industry will take notice. This will make the auto manufacturers continue to make the effort to build and redesign more fuel efficient and lower emission vehicles. The economic downturn and the highest fuel prices in history influenced the vehicles that were purchased. Compact vehicle sales were at a all time high.

As time goes on there will also be more alternative fuel and flex fuel automobiles available. As of now the automakers are concentrating on making gas efficient vehicles. However, there has been an increase in vehicles that are flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). There has been a renewed interest in ethanol being used instead of oil. There has been a substantial increase in the number of fueling stations that offer ethanol. However, it still isn’t widely available across the United States.

Every day the consumer has more options and choices when it comes to buying a vehicle that is fuel efficient and environmentally friendly. The more green cars put onto the highways and streets the more we as a society are erasing out footprint on the ecosystem.

However, there is good news for the consumers in all of this turmoil. The auto industry is making fuel economy their top priority. The automakers have been spurred on by the high gas prices and the need to compete with the Japanese and European auto manufacturers. This has also led to the availability of a wider range of green vehicles to choose from.

Hybrid and small fuel efficient cars are being mass produced. The automakers are also starting to design efficiency technologies into most all of the new vehicles and redesigned models. This year consumers were introduced to the first “clean diesels.” Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen and BMW released diesel SUVs and cars that are lower in emissions.

Due to all of the latest technology and innovations, new vehicles produced today contribute less harmful emissions into the environment. The auto manufacturers have introduced a variety of innovative designs to the engines and transmissions. They have also tweaked the body design and are using lighter materials to improve the fuel economy of their vehicles.

Even makers of high performance sports cars, such as Porsche are making improvements in their vehicles to lower fuel consumption. The Porsche 911, which has a direct injection gasoline engine, has reduced fuel consumption by 13%. The auto industry is trying to make vehicles that combine fuel economy with better performance. This is good news for consumers who are in the market for a new vehicle.

It is wise to keep in mind that even though a vehicle may have a lower price than another one, doesn’t mean that it is the better value. The value of an eco-friendly vehicle is a combination of fuel consumption, the price, safety and reliability. The value is also about what features and warranties come with the vehicle. The trick is to find the least expensive eco-friendly vehicle that offers the most value for you.

The number one thing most people will be looking at besides the price of the vehicle will be the fuel economy. There are a lot of choices out there that get great gas mileage and also have lower emissions. Another thing to consider is the safety of the vehicle and what safety features are available and come standard such as ABS brakes, airbags and stability control.

Reliability of a car is very important after you have had it for awhile. It is hard to gauge the reliability of a new car until you have had it long enough to know what its weaknesses and strengths are. You can check on the reliability by doing some research on the make or model of eco-friendly vehicle you are interested in purchasing. You can look at reviews and also another good source is Consumer Reports.

These are just some things to keep in mind when you are looking for the perfect eco-friendly car to fit your needs.

The hybrid vehicle is the most well know name in eco-friendly cars. The number of choices in types and brands of hybrid vehicles has increased substantially. Most auto manufacturers have recognized the popularity of hybrid vehicles and most of them have started producing a least one line of hybrid cars or SUV’s. The reason for their popularity is that most of them offer great mileage and emit less harmful emissions. They look the same as a conventional vehicle and run on gasoline.

There have also been advancements in alternative fuels besides traditional gasoline. Biodiesel is blend of traditional diesel and vegetable oil. Bio-diesel gives off lower emissions and most every existing diesel engine has the capability of using bio-diesel. It is also possible to switch back and forth between biodiesel and regular diesel. When you are using biodiesel you have to change your oil filter more often.

Ethanol is another fuel choice and is a corn and wheat based fuel additive. Ethanol increases the octane in your fuel while decreasing the emissions. It is also cheaper than traditional gasoline. However, the gas stations that offer ethanol are limited. There has been an increase in the number of places you can find this fuel. As this fuel option catches on it will be more readily available.

Eco-friendly technology and choices are improving every day. The hybrid technology is making it better for our environment and allowing use to save fuel at the same time.