Alternative Fuel World

Watch an introductory video on the new-to-the-USA Nissan Cube

The 2009 Nissan Cube is being called “Mobile Device” and promotional language from its makers includes such language as “personalize it. share it. connect with it.” How exactly does one “connect” with their car? We’ll find out later. But my favorite phrase from Nissan is “Share a loungey interior and smart fuel efficiency with your top four.” Okay, if that doesn’t sound like Nissan wants to appeal to the boxy Honda Fit, Kia Soul, Toyota Yaris, and Scion xB crowd, I don’t know what does. Are they trying a little too hard to reach their targeted demographic of the trendy car lover? Or is the Cube all it’s hyped to be? While Nissan Cube forums are very slow right now, is it the quiet before the storm?

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Quick Video of a homebuilder showing the radiant heat construction of his home
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Check out this guy’s video of his electric-powered 1975 Beetle. His electric Volkswagen Bug raises a simple question. What’s the answer?

Gas prices have gone up so dramatically in recent months that people are understandably nervous. One way they’re dealing with that is buying hybrid vehicles like the Prius. The Prius is virtually synonymous with hybrid, but maybe there’s a better choice? Check out this video from Edmund’s on YouTube. You might be suprised!

According to Japan’s business news source, Nikkei, Toyota is planning a Prius with solar panels by Kyocera Corp. Toyota has not unveiled any design plans for the solar panels. The solar panels will power the air conditioning on the Prius. If the solar panels on the Prius are only used to power the car’s air conditioning, in my opinion, it would be like a kind of waste as the solar panels could be used to power the car instead improving gasoline fuel efficiency.

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Put quite simply, an alternative-fueled car is one that runs on non-traditional gasoline or diesel. In other words, it is powered by something other than just petroleum, which would include the standard plug-in electric cars, gas-electric hybrids or those which are solar powered. Now the compressed-air-powered piston engine cars with zero admissions are gaining mainstream attention as refill stations will soon be widely available in California. There is also hydrogen, liquid nitrogen, CNG Natural Gas, biofuels, steam and pedal-assisted hybrids. Whether any of these are viable for popular usage remains to be seen and is dependant on several factors and scenarios.