Gas Buddy

Nobody likes overpaying for gas, but sometimes you just need to get to a pump pronto. Gas Buddy can help. This app for iPhone, Android and Blackberry devices displays gas stations in your vicinity along with the gas prices offered by each station. The Gas Buddy app serves as the mobile version of the full-featured Gas Buddy website. A community of contributing users provides the information, which may mean you’ll get more accurate price data in bustling urban areas than you will in less-traveled rural locations.

FuelLog

FuelLog does more than simply monitor fuel consumption. This Android app does that, certainly, but it also gives you tons of information on your particular model’s fuel economy, maintenance and other operational costs, fuel volumes used and more. It presents this information in a clear, logical graphic interface. It even works for electric cars by displaying electricity usage per hour, and it can also track costs for multiple vehicles.

Car Locator

The free Car Locator app for Android devices can help you figure out whether you’ve simply forgot where you parked, or you’ve fallen prey to auto theft (which occurs every 44 seconds in this country, according to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association). It gives you the option of a radar-like proximity visualization or a wallpaper displaying the distance to your vehicle, complete with a helpful arrow to point the way. Bear in mind, though, that you have to save your location to the app before leaving your car. You can also send the location data to someone else’s phone or email.

Trapster

If you frequently drive along unfamiliar stretches of road, you can easily get slapped with a speeding ticket in the most unlikely places. Trapster, a free app available for iPhone, Android and Blackberry devices, levels the playing field by alerting you when you are near a known enforcement camera, road hazard or speed trap. CNN describes it as a “cell phone social network” powered by crowdsourced reports from thousands of users who want to warn their fellow motorists when they need to slow down.

State Farm Pocket Agent

If you have auto insurance with State Farm, check out the State Farm Pocket Agent iPhone app. This software allows you to access your policy instantly, search for a State Farm agent near you, take accident witnesses’ contact information, create graphic reconstructions of an accident scene and other valuable tricks for dealing with a collision or other mishap. To learn more, visit the State Farm website.

greenMeter

Everyone wants to drive more efficiently. This app lets you know how much your driving habits are costing you and the environment. The greenMeter app gives real-time readouts from your style of driving, so you can see what you need to change to optimize your fuel economy. It will break down your energy usage and display your cost in dollars, oil consumption and CO₂ output.

AccuFuel

Speaking of fuel economy, keep track of what you are spending on gas with AccuFuel. You can use this app to record fuel consumption and cost on multiple vehicles. It will compile the data in a graph and give you instant feedback. This app also includes a resettable odometer.

Speedometer Speed Box

Ever wonder just how accurate your speedometer is? The Speedometer Speed Box for iPhone and iPod works as a compass, average-speed calculator and an altimeter. It gives a digital read out of your speed and average it out. You can compare with the accuracy of your car’s speedometer. This app will give you up to three hours of data and comes with customizable display options.

Waze

Everyone knows Google Maps, but Waze takes it a step further. This app gives you GPS directions enhanced by user-generated information such as speed traps, traffic, hazards and re-routing advice. It’s a navigational tool with community-based information. Thousands of drivers work together to make everyone’s commute a little easier.

Spotify

Last but not least, you need a reliable music source when you’re on the road. With a premium subscription, the Spotify app provides users with playlists and music suggestions based on their preferences. You can download your customized playlists to listen to in the car without worrying about cell coverage or waiting for a list to load. You can also follow friends and other users with similar music tastes and listen to their playlists.

The popularity of electric cars was on its best in mid 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century. This was due to the comfort and functionality on the car that could not be experienced in gasoline propelled cars. However, the improvements in the gasoline engines brought down the reign of electric cars during this period. The impact of thegasoline cars on the environment has made car manufacturers, especially the big players, to rethink the idea of having electric cars on the road once again.

The environmental concerns combined with the oil crisis have seen the electric cars being manufactured in new and improved models that are enjoying their fair share of popularity all around the world. The car is environmentally friendly as it runs on a battery that can be charged at home and thus it is does not pollute the environment and is economical compared to gasoline cars.

Big time vehicle manufactures have electric cars that are either on the road on their near future plans. We will look at a few of the electric cars that have been manufactured and are on the road or are scheduled to be released in the near future from different manufacturing companies.

The Nissan Leaf: This is an environmentally friendly yet affordable family car. It is one of the best electric cars from Nissan with 5 doors and a compact look with a sitting capacity of five. The manufacturers placed it at 100 miles or 160 kilometers driving in the city with on an eight-hour full charge. This is suitable for a daily commuter because 100 miles will cover the needs of a daily commute. The energy unit comprises of 4 flat laminated cells with 48 modules and enclose in a rectangular battery pack. The pack is about 600 pounds and is stored below the passenger seats for a low center of gravity.

CODA Sedan: a private company, CODA AUTOMOTIVE INC, which concentrates on building electric cars, makes this model. CODA is a name derived from music and refers to the end part of a music piece. This name is supposed to signify the end of combustion engine cars and mark the start of the electric car domination. The CODA Sedan is CODA’s first that can do up to 120 miles on a single full charge. The car is 4-door and 5-passenger vehicle that is scheduled to be released in mid second half or 2011. The mile range and the fact that this car does not pollute the environment is reason enough for this car to make headlines.

Ford Focus BEV: This is a prototype electric car from the ford motor company that is supposed to hit the market by 2011 in the US and in 2012 in Europe. This project has 15 BEV prototype cars now, which are meant for demonstration purposes. The BEV has a range of about 100 miles and a single full charge with a top speed of up to 85 mph. A full charge of the lithium-ion battery takes between 6 and 8 hours via a common socket of 230 volts. This car is being developed for the sole purpose of creating a comfortable car that does not contribute to the pollution of the environment.

Chevy Volt: This is an electric plug-in hybrid car that is being manufactured by the division of general motors, Chevrole t. The release is scheduled in 2011, but deliveries are expected to be made as early as December 2010. The car runs on a lithium-ion battery (16 kW-h, of which 10.4 kW-h are usable). Simply plugging it into a residential power outlet, between 120 and 240V AC, can charge said battery. The car has a combustion engine that directs its power to the electric motor and the remainder goes to the battery.

This model is not completely out of the pollution class because of the 4-cylinder engine. The car, with batteries alone, can travel up to 50 miles while the combination of electricity and gasoline totals to around 379 miles.

Hyundai BlueOn: This is a product of the Hyundai Motor Company and it is a five-door hatchback electric vehicle. Going with the manufacturer’s report, the BlueOn has a range of about 87 miles and a top speed of up to 81 mph. Tests involving 30 units were began in late 2010 and the official market release is scheduled for 2012. The car runs on a 16.4 kWh lithium polymer battery pack, which fully charges for about 6 hours using a standard 220 V power outlet and only 25 minutes if a three-phase outlet is used. The max speed is 81 mph and can move from dead zero to 100 km/h in just above 13 seconds, which is impressive for an electric car. The car has a sound that mimics gasoline combustion engine, which gives the driver a feel of power.

Tesla Model S: this is an electric full-sized sedan in the process of devolvement by Tesla Motors. The production for the retail market is scheduled for 2012. The car has a range of about 160 when fully charged. The model can move from zero to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds. There will be an option of larger batteries that are expected to hit the 300 miles range on a full charge. The charging will take about three to five hours, though this will entirely depend on the capacity of the battery. This is a high performance vehicle that can compete comfortably with the BMW 5-Series.

Electric cars are the future of a pollution free world and we are living in the beginning of that future.

Hybrid Cars: Overview
Hybrid cars use two or more distinct sources of power to move the vehicle. Usually, these cars refer to the hybrid electric vehicles which combine one or more electric motors with the internal combustion engine.

Because of the increasing prices in fuels plus the pollution that conventional cars emit, the motor industry had developed the hybrid car to address environmental concerns. The unique advantages of hybrid cars have brought this innovation to a market now recognizing them as the “car of the era.” There are a lot of hybrid cars available in the world today and most car manufacturers have announced their plans to begin producing their own versions.

Advantages of Hybrid Cars

• Hybrid cars combine electrical motor energy with the gas-powered engine. The shortening level of gasoline worldwide was the major drawback of traditional cars which was rectified by electric cars. However, electric cars have their own disadvantages as well. Hybrid cars, on the other hand, are designed to address these issues, balancing the use of gasoline and electrical energy to utilize them in their optimum levels. This in turn produces better and lower emissions.
• Hybrid cars are at par with the normal gas-powered vehicles in terms of performance—if not, better. Moreover, they are comfortable and reliable as everyday vehicles.
• Hybrid cars are environmentally friendly with less concentrated carbon dioxide emissions. The increasing number of automobiles has resulted in increased air pollutants, particularly carbon monoxide. Both of these greenhouse gases are known to cause global warming.
• Hybrid cars help reduce the need for fossil fuels which greatly affects the fuel prices.
• The batteries do not need charging using external source because of the advanced regenerative braking technology.
• Special warranties are provided for electric motors, battery packs and other costly items.
• Certain state governments offer various purchase incentives for hybrid car owners.
• There is a bright future for hybrid cars because of the rapid development in hybrid technology to improve engine efficiency.

How Do Hybrid Cars Save Money?
Hybrid cars can surely provide you better mileage compared with other vehicles. However, the initial investment is really expensive. So how do hybrid cars save money?

• Gas Prices. In the recent years, we have observed how gas prices fluctuate wildly and these are basically due to a number of socioeconomic factors. When fuel prices spike to $3 or more per gallon, hybrid car owners appreciate the significant amount of savings they get with their hybrid cars.
• Tax Incentives. Owners may get a tax incentive for purchasing hybrid cars. When you factor in the refund, the total cost of purchasing the hybrid car is lower then the purchase cost of a comparable model. And because of that, one should be aware that not all hybrid buyers are qualified for the tax incentive. Paying the Alternative Minimum Tax may not allow you to qualify. In addition to that, car companies need to manufacturer at least 60,000 hybrids to be qualified for the federal rebates.
• Maintenance. Hybrid cars have similar repair and maintenance cost to gas model cars in the first 5 years of ownership. However, their value after 5 years is much higher than conventional cars. Moreover, because hybrid cars are popular nowadays, you can resell them in a decent price as well. On the other hand, with two engines comes greater risk of mechanical malfunction, potential repair costs are something to take into consideration.

Conclusion
The advantages of hybrid cars are versatile since it attributes economical and technical benefits. Aside from the owner, the country has benefited from the energy savings as the oil prices are steeping very high and greatly affects the economy of the country. This advantage is also a benefit to the car owners as government had decided to give tax credits and reductions for purchasing hybrid cars. In additional to the Federal exemption, there are states that provide local tax exemptions, which promote the use of hybrid cars.  Insurance and car retail prices, however, should always be factored into your decision. Both are considerably higher for hybrid cars, and many speculate the difference is not made up in gasoline savings. The environmental benefit is, on the other hand, seemingly undisputable due to the decreased omission frequency.

Hybrid cars are therefore very advantageous in multiple ways, but personal financial status should be taken into consideration as well. It is beneficial not only to you as a car owner or to your family but to the entire community, the nation and the world.