Scooter buying tips

Have you ever considered using a scooter sometimes to help reduce the amount of money you spend on gas?

According to dictionary.com, a scooter is “a child’s vehicle that typically has two wheels with a low footboard between them, is steered by a handlebar, and is propelled by pushing one foot against the ground while resting the other on the footboard.Also called motor scooter. a similar but larger and heavier vehicle for adults, having a saddlelike seat mounted on the footboard and being propelled by a motor.

Here’s some tips for buying a motor scooter:

1. Where will you drive it? Will you only be driving it locally or will you be driving on more high traffic roads? This will help you determine how fast you need the scooter to go.
2. How much weight do you plan to carry? Will you be the only person on the scooter or do you plan to take a passenger? You need to consider weight in order to check the specifications of what wieghts your scooter can carry.
3. Which scooter should I buy? Much of this is personal opinion. To help you check out some of the manufacturers, we’ve listed some of the manufaccturers with links to their sites.
4. Drive safe! Before you start driving, take a motorcycle driver training course even if it isn’t required by law.
5. Get insurance just like yu buy insurance for your car
6. Consider getting an alarm for your scooter to protect it from being stolen.

As part of my continuing series of buying tips, we’ll share other scooter buying tips in the future. As promised, here’s a list of links to scooter manufacturers:

Aprilia Scooters

Piaggio Scooters

Honda Scooters

Suzuki Scooters

Vespa Scooters

Schwinn Scooters

Yamaha Scooters

Hybrid Cars Today Videos

Watch a top list of great videos about hybrid cars today! You’ll find general information here about hybrid cars and hybrid car technology plus information about some specific hybrids.

Hybrid Cars

Top 5 Hybrid Cars For 2008

hybrid-car-prius

Demand For Hybrid Cars Continues To Rise

Developing hybrid cars

GM Richard Wagoner hybrid cars

Larry David Talking Hybrid Cars - Toyota Prius

City TV News item on Hybrid Cars

LA Auto Show: Hybrid Cars

Hybrid Cars

Gasoline/Electric Hybrid Cars, Trucks, SUVs

E3 TV: Hybrid cars

New Ford Hybrid Cars Benson Ford Huge Ford Dealer Easley. S

(Hybrid Cars) Overpriced? Increase MPG and Save Money!

Gasoline/Electric Hybrid Cars, Trucks, SUVs

I hope this hybrid car information is helpful to you- if you are shopping for a Hybrid car now or just want to learn more about hybrids.

FAQ Honda’s FCX Clarity

Here are frequently asked questions about Honda’s new FCX Clarity car, an emission free car just now being offered this summer:

This information came from Honda’s Clarity FCX web site. Pump-less.gac.com in no way guarantees the accuracy and completeness of information provided by the manufacturer. Consumers should use the same due diligence they would use in making any automobile purchase in considering the Honda Clarity FCX.

For more information about the Honda FCX, go to this related link.

Hybrid car buying info

With the high price of gas, lots of folks are thinking about other types of cars like Hybrids. Here’s some info I found about Hybrids you may find interesting.

Primer for Buying a Fuel-Efficient Car

Do you want a hybrid, or full electric automobile? Are you willing to search out alternative fuel options? Buying a car these days, whether buying a used car or a brand new vehicle, comes with almost too many choices. …

Hybrid Sports Cars May Be In Near Future

Many are wondering that if a hybrid power plant can be included into existing models, why they can’t be used in hybrid sports cars as well. One such innovation, constructed by a team of high schoolers built a diesel-electric hybrid …

Facts about Hybrid Cars

There are a number of myths and misrepresentations about hybrid cars but there are also a number of clear facts. Certain hybrid cars produce a significant amount less pollutants than conventional cars although the amount depends on the …

2007 Hybrid Cars - Changing The World?

If you’re thinking about buying one of the new 2007 hybrid cars, an internet search should reveal any dealers that are nearby to you. Ask about any local or countrywide incentives to buying a hybrid car – many areas are offering lower …

Ultra low sulfur diesel vehicles

Ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) is diesel fuel with 15 parts per million (ppm) or lower sulfur content. This ultra-low sulfur content enables use of advanced emission control technologies on light dury and heavy0duty diesel vehicles. Most highway diesel fuel refined in or imported into the United States is required to be ULSD as of 2006.

Petroleum-based ULSD is not considered an alternative fuel under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), but most ULSD fuels produced from non-petroleum and renewable sources are considered EPAct alternative fuels.

Ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) is diesel fuel with 15 parts per million (ppm) or lower sulfur content. U.S Environmental Protection Agency requires 80% of the highway diesel fuel refined in or imported into the United States (100% in California) to be ULSD as of 2006. One hundred percent must be ULSD nationwide by 2010. Different requirements apply to non-highway diesel.

Currently, the vast majority of ULSD is produced from petroleum. However, biodiesel, biomass-tp-liquids, coal-to-liquids, and gas-to-liquids diesel diesel; and hydrogeneration-derived-renewable diesel are inherently ultra-low sulfur fuels and could help meet ULSD requirements in the future. Petroleum-based ULSD is not considered an alternative fuel under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), but most ULSD fuels produced from non-petroleum and renewable sources are considered EPAct alternative fuels.

Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel as a Vehicle Fuel

Ultra-low sulfur content in diesel fuel is beneficial because it enables use of advanced emission control technologies on light-duty and heavy-duty diesel vehicles. The combination of ULSD with advanced emission control technologies is sometimes called Clean Diesel.

Nitrogen oxides (NO_x) and particulate matter (PM) are the two most harmful diesel pollutant emissions. These emissions can be controlled with the use of catalytic converters (for NO_x) and particulate traps (for PM). However, sulfur—in amounts that used to be allowable in diesel fuel—deactivates these devices and nullifies their emissions control benefits. Using ULSD enables these devices to work properly.

In general, ULSD should cause no noticeable impact on vehicle performance, although fuel economy might be slightly reduced because the process that produces ULSD can also reduce the fuel’s energy content. Removing sulfur from diesel reduces lubricity. This issue can be resolved by the addition of additives prior to retail sale that increase lubricity. In addition, blending biodiesel with ULSD also increases lubricity.

Using ULSD in older diesel vehicles might affect fuel system components or loosen deposits in fuel tanks. These vehicles should be monitored closely for fuel system problems and premature fuel filter plugging during the transition to ULSD. New vehicles designed to use ULSD must never be fueled with a higher-sulfur fuel. If kerosene is blended with ULSD for improved cold-weather performance, it must be ultra-low sulfur (15 ppm or lower) kerosene. New engine oils have been developed for use with new diesel vehicles fueled with ULSD.

Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Benefits

Although petroleum-based ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) is not an alternative fuel, it provides important environmental and fuel-saving benefits. ULSD produced from non-petroleum and renewable sources is even more advantageous. The following are benefits of ULSD:

• Ultra-low sulfur diesel enables use of advanced emission control technologies on light-duty and heavy-dutry diesel vehicles.
  • ULSD enables use of catalytic converters and particulate traps that nearly eliminate emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO_x) and particulate matter (PM), pollutants that are linked to serious health problems.
  • Emission reductions from use of Clean Diesel (ULSD combined with advanced emission control technologies) will be equivalent to removing the pollution from more than 90% of today’s trucks and buses, when the current heavy-duty vehicle fleet has been completely replaced in 2030.
  • ULSD will enable light-duty diesel vehicles to meet the same strict emissions standards as light-duty gasoline vehicles.
• Diesel engines are 20-40% more efficient than comparable gasoline engines.
  • The availability of low-emission light-duty diesel cars and trucks fueled with ULSD is likely to put more diesel vehicles on the road.
  • Replacing some gasoline vehicles with diesel vehicles will result in reduced U.S. petroleum fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Ultra-low sulfur diesel uses existing fueling infrastructure and works with existing engine and vehicle technologies.
• Inherently ultra-low sulfur biodiesel, biomass-to-liquids diesel, coal-to-liquids diesel, gas-to-liquids diesel, and hydrogeneration-derived renewable diesel provide additional environmental, energy security, and economic benefits.

For more about the benefits of ULSD, visit the Diesel Technology Forum and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Clean Diesel Campaign, which includes a Diesel Emissions Quantifier that estimates emission-reduction benefits of fleet ULSD use.

Light duty diesel vehicles

Light-Duty Diesel Vehicles

Although light-duty diesel vehicles are not technically “alternative fuel vehicles,” they can run on biodiesel, an alternative fuel under the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Biodiesel, which is mainly used as a blend, can be used in most light-duty diesel vehicles with no engine modification. The most common biodiesel blend is B20, which is 20% biodiesel and 80% conventional diesel. B5 (5% biodiesel, 95% diesel) is also commonly used in fleets. To learn more about this fuel, go to the Biodiesel section or the Alternative Fueling Station Locator.

Light-duty vehicles are those that have less than a 8,500 lbs gross vehicle weight rating. They include sedans, pickup trucks, high-performance sports cars, and passenger vans. For a list of available options, see the Diesel Technology Forum Web site.

Emissions

Currently most light-duty diesel vehicles are equipped with oxidation catalysts that reduce carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions, and many have particulate matter (PM) traps that reduce PM emissions as well as CO, and HC emissions. In combination these devices can decrease CO by 80%, HC by 90% and PM by 98%.

Oxides of nitrogen (NO_x) emission are mostly controlled through advanced combustion strategies, such as, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). In order to meet future emission standards emission control devices, such as, lean NO_x traps (LNT) or selective catalytic reduction (SCR), which uses ammonia in the form of urea as a reductant, may be needed on some vehicles to meet these emission standards. These devices can reduce NO_x by 70-80%.

Clean Diesel

Ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD)—which is called “clean diesel” when used in conjunction with advanced emission control devices—is available at fueling stations nationwide and can be used in any diesel vehicle. This fuel reduces the sulfur content in diesel fuel by 97%. Europe has used ULSD for several years. The United States began its changeover to ULSD in June 2006, after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mandated that 80% of highway diesel fuel produced or imported contain 15 ppm or less sulfur. For more information, see the Clean Diesel Fuel Alliance.

The Federal Alternative Fuel Vehicle Tax Credit provision of EPAct 2005 includes a tax credit for lean-burn diesel vehicles. The credit is sometimes referred to as the Clean Diesel Tax Credit and is effective January 1, 2006, however, no 2006 or 2007 diesel vehicles met the emissions requirements for credit. No 2008 vehicles have been certified as qualifying for the credit. Diesel vehicles up to 6,000 lbs that meet EPA Tier II Bin 5 emission requirements will be eligible for the credit and diesel vehicles weighing 6,001-8,500 lbs must meet Tier II Bin 8 requirements. Manufacturers will certify that their vehicles meet the emissions requirements with EPA. The IRS must then issue a notice that the vehicle qualifies for the tax credit before consumers or commercial businesses can claim the credit. There are other IRS requirements to claim the credit. Watch www.irs.gov for more information.

How to claim fuel efficient tax credits

Updated frequently — last updated Dec. 11, 2007

Vehicles Purchased or Placed in Service

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 replaced the clean-fuel burning deduction with a tax credit. A tax credit is subtracted directly from the total amount of federal tax owed, thus reducing or even eliminating the taxpayer’s tax obligation. The tax credit for hybrid vehicles applies to vehicles purchased or placed in service on or after January 1, 2006.

The credit is only available to the original purchaser of a new, qualifying vehicle. If a qualifying vehicle is leased to a consumer, the leasing company may claim the credit.

Hybrid vehicles have drive trains powered by both an internal combustion engine and a rechargeable battery. Many currently available hybrid vehicles may qualify for the tax credit.

These models have been certified for the credit in the following amounts:

† This reflects a decrease in the credit amount as of Oct. 1, 2006, due to the manufacturers meeting quarterly sales of 60,000 qualified hybrid cars — See Quarterly Sales, below.

†† This credit amount does not phase out. The full amount of the altenative fuel vehicle credit would be available for vehicles purchased on or before December 31, 2010.

Qualifed Cars and Credit Amounts

• Model Year 2008
• Model Year 2007
• Model Year 2006
• Model Year 2005

Quarterly Sales

Consumers seeking the credit may want to buy early since the full credit is only available for a limited time. Taxpayers may claim the full amount of the allowable credit up to the end of the first calendar quarter after the quarter in which the manufacturer records its sale of the 60,000th hybrid or advance lean burn technology. For the second and third calendar quarters after the quarter in which the 60,000th vehicle is sold, taxpayers may claim 50 percent of the credit. For the fourth and fifth calendar quarters, taxpayers may claim 25 percent of the credit. No credit is allowed after the fifth quarter.

For example, F Company is a manufacturer of hybrid motor vehicles, but not advanced lean burn technology motor vehicles. F Company sells its 60,000th hybrid car on March 31, 2006.

• Ms. Smith buys an F Company hybrid car on June 30, 2006, and claims the full credit.
• Ms. Maple buys an F Company hybrid car on Dec. 31, 2006, and claims 50 percent of the credit.
• Mr. Grey buys an F Company hybrid car on June 30, 2007, and claims 25 percent of the credit.
• Mr. Green buys an F Company hybrid car on July 1, 2007, and is unable to claim the credit, because the credit has phased out for F Company vehicles.

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., has submitted quarterly reports indicating that its cumulative sales of qualified vehicles to retail dealiers has reached the 60,000-vehicle limit during the calendar quarter ending June 30, 2006. Effective Oct. 1, 2006, the tax credit amounts for certified Toyota models will be reduced. The models and allowable credits may be found in news releases IR-2006-145, Toyota Hybrids Begins Phaseout on October 1and IR-2006-154, Additional Toyota and Lexus Vehicles Certified for the Energy Tax Credit.

More detailed information may be found in the Summary of the Credit for Qualified Hybrid Vehicles

Vehicles Purchased or Placed in Service 2001 through 2005

In August 2002, the IRS announced that it had certified the first hybrid gas-electric automobile as eligible for the clean-burning fuel deduction, effective 2001. Federal law allowed individuals to claim a deduction for the incremental cost of buying a motor vehicle propelled by a clean-burning fuel. A tax deduction is subtracted from income, thus reducing the amount of adjusted gross income on which the taxpayer is taxed.

The deduction is only available to the original purchaser of a new, qualifying vehicle. If a qualifying vehicle is leased to a consumer, the leasing company may claim the credit.

Note: This information changes often. Click here to get the latest IRS info.

Tax incentives for fuel efficient hybrids

Did you know you can get tax incentives for purchasing fuel efficient hybrid automobiles?

Hybrids purchased or placed into service after December 31, 2005 may be eligible for a federal income tax credit of up to $3,400.

Credit amounts begin to phase out for a given manufacturer once it has sold over 60,000 eligible vehicles.

Here’s the details:

Vehicle Make & Model Full Credit Phase Out No Credit 50% 25%

Click on a manufacturer to view vehicles certified for New Energy Tax Credit.

Ford Motor Company Jan. 1, 2006 TBD TBD TBD 2005-07 Ford Escape Hybrid 2WD $2,600 – – – 4WD $1,950 – – – 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid 2WD $3,000 – – – 4WD $2,200 – – – 2006-07 Mercury Mariner Hybrid 4WD $1,950 – – – 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid 2WD $3,000 – – – 4WD $2,200 – – – 2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2WD $3,000 – – – 4WD $2,200 – – – Purchasers of Ford Hybrids Still Qualify for Tax Credit (Aug. 7, 2007)

General Motors Jan. 1, 2006 TBD TBD TBD 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid $1,300 – – – 2006-07 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid 2WD $250 – – – 4WD $650 – – – 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid (2WD & 4WD) $2,200 – – – 2006-07 GMC Sierra Hybrid 2WD $250 – – – 4WD $650 – – – 2008 GMC Yukon 1500 Hybrid (2WD & 4WD) $2,200 – – – 2007-08 Saturn Aura Green Line $1,300 – – – 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line $650 – – – 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line $1,550 – – – GM’s 2008 Chevrolet and Saturn Certified As Qualified Hybrid Vehicles (Sep. 6, 2007) 2007 GM Hybrids Still Qualify for Tax Credit (May 2, 2007)

Honda Jan. 1, 2006 – Dec. 31, 2007 Jan. 1 – Jun. 30, 2008 July 1 – Dec. 31, 2008 Jan. 1, 2009 2005-06 Insight CVT $1,450 $725 $362.50 $0 2005 Accord Hybrid AT & Navi AT $650 $325 $162.50 $0 2006 Accord Hybrid AT & Navi AT (w/o updated control calibration) $650 $325 $162.50 $0 2006-07 Accord Hybrid AT & Navi AT (w/ updated control calibration) $1,300 $650 $325 $0 2005 Civic Hybrid (SULEV) MT & CVT $1,700 $850 $425 $0 2006-08 Civic Hybrid CVT $2,100 $1,050 $525 $0 AT = automatic transmission; CVT = continuously variable transmission; MT = manual transmission; SULEV = Super Low Emission Vehicle emissions rating. Honda Hybrid Begins Phase-Out on January 1 (Nov. 19, 2007) Additional Honda Vehicles Certified for Hybrid Tax Credits (Nov. 22, 2006) Seven Honda Vehicles Certified for New Energy Tax Credit (June 1, 2006)

Nissan Jan. 1, 2006 TBD TBD TBD 2007-08 Altima Hybrid $2,350 – – – 2008 Nissan Altima Certified as Qualified Hybrid Vehicle Nissan Altima Certified As Qualified Hybrid Vehicle (Jan. 11, 2007)

Toyota Jan. 1 – Sep. 30, 2006 Oct. 1, 2006 – Mar. 31, 2007 Apr. 1 – Sep. 30, 2007 Oct. 1, 2007 2005-08 Prius $3,150 $1,575 $787.50 $0 2006-08 Highlander Hybrid (2WD & 4WD) $2,600 $1,300 $650 $0 2006-08 Lexus RX400h (2WD & 4WD) $2,200 $1,100 $550 $0 2007-08 Camry Hybrid $2,600 $1,300 $650 $0 2007 Lexus GS 450h $1,550 $775 $387.50 $0 2008 Lexus LS 600h – – $450 $0 2008 Hybrids Certified As Tax Credit For Toyota and Lexus Comes to an End (Nov. 8, 2007) Phase-Out of Credit for Toyota and Lexus Hybrids Continues With Reporting of First Quarter Sales (May 2, 2007)

Source: Internal Revenue Service. Updated January 17, 2008.

300 miles per gallon car!

Watch these videos about a 300 mile per gallon car. Warning- the price is $30,000!

What are hybrid cars?

Watch this video explaining what are hybrid cars (or read the transcript below the video):

“At the dawn of a new era in environmentally conscious automotive engineering, some auto makers are taking a giant green leap into the future moving high technology into the mainstream with a new generation of gas electric hybrid cars. Advances in technology are helping break the stereotypical image of the stodgy little although ecologically superior hybrid automobile. Such negatives characteristics as a limited driving range, the need to recharge daily and small underpowered designs are no longer characteristic of these environmentally responsible vehicles.

More aerodynamic platforms insure that the new hybrids cut an environmentally clean path using less fossil fuel consequently expelling fewer tailpipe emissions. Some vehicles even use biwire technology similar to that found in modern jet aircraft. Here mechanical connections are replaced by electrical ones for the ignition, throttle, and shifting systems.

Toyota, for example, has 350 patents on its hybrid technology. Its hybrid synergy drive system closes the loop left over by other alternative energy vehicles, constantly monitoring other on road variables. This technology is able to provide the appropriate blend of power for any driving situation. Its ignition and low speed driving function in electric only mode. For heavy acceleration or highway cruising, a power split device manages the input from both the gas engine and electric motor.

Regardless of conditions, the hybrid synergy drive ensures that the most efficient source of energy is being used. Nothing is wasted. If the electric motor needs more power, it is automatically recharged using the gas engine to power the generator. Even the kinetic energy from deceleration is put to use being converted to electricity for the battery. What does this mean for today’s consumer? — Increased performance, comfort and versatility in a high tech, hybrid automobile, less dependence on fossil fuel and more economical travel. what it may mean for our planet is improved air quality and a greener future. This is George Montaro for “Fast Focus on Technology.”