EU engine-tech project could help gas catch up with gasoline

2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas, El Segundo, CA, Nov 2011Some biofuels, like biogas from landfills—or synthetic methane—are attractive for use in vehicles as they have a potentially low energy cost to produce. They also have lower criteria emissions, of the sort that affect human health and cause smog. These engines should easily be cross-compatible with those using compressed natural gas...

What topic should we have covered less in 2017? Twitter poll results

2012 Honda Civic Natural GasOver the nine years this site has published daily news about green cars, the focus of our coverage has shifted significantly. In February 2009, when we started daily coverage, our most popular topics were hybrid cars and the Toyota Prius. With Prius sales in 2017 less than half what they were just four years ago, the times have clearly changed...

What topic should we have covered less in 2017? Take our Twitter poll

2018 Nissan LeafNo single definition exists for the idea of "green car," and very few shoppers set out to go buy a green car. Instead, car buyers look for vehicles that meet their needs—with fuel economy or energy efficiency somewhere in that list of needs, whether higher or lower. Certainly the definition of "green car" has evolved since this site began...

Which alternative fuels will survive long-term? Twitter poll results

2015 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell, 2016 Toyota Mirai at hydrogen fueling station, Fountain Valley, CABuilding a fueling network turns out to be more of a challenge than many advocates, regulators, and drivers may have anticipated. The attempt to boost passenger vehicles fueled by cheap, abundant U.S. natural gas is now essentially over, with a mere 942 public natural-gas fueling stations throughout the 50 states. E85 ethanol, the biofuel that's...

Which alternative fuels will survive long-term? Take our Twitter poll

2015 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell, 2016 Toyota Mirai at hydrogen fueling station, Fountain Valley, CAYou just don't hear the phrase "alternative fuels" as much as you did, say, 10 years ago. With a couple of million plug-in electric cars now on the world's roads, the idea of swapping in one hydrocarbon fuel for another may have passed its time. Admittedly biodiesel continues to make quiet inroads for diesel commercial vehicles. DON'T MISS: When...

RIP natural-gas cars, doomed by cheap gas and electric cars

UPS natural gas fueling stationNatural gas vehicles were first promoted starting in about 2000 as a way to reduce reliance on imported oil and cut tailpipe emissions. Their promise appeared to grow near the height of the global financial crisis, when gas prices hovered around $4 per gallon across much of the United States. The domestic fuel promised to cut carbon-dioxide...

How do you service a hydrogen fuel-cell car at a dealer?

Service technician working on Honda Clarity Fuel Cell at dealershipOver the past century, gasoline-powered vehicles have gotten simultaneously more complex and more reliable. Service intervals have lengthened, drivers no longer check a car's fluids daily or weekly, and many new-car owners will never once open the hood. Reliability data shows that some of them won't visit a dealer service department except for...