Aside from developing these so-called green cars, car companies such as the Nissan Motor Company are looking for other ways to help the environment. In the case of the Japanese car manufacturer, they have created the Nissan Green Program 2010 which includes the steps that they are going to take to help the environment. The said program involves the production of fuel-efficient cars such as a three-liter car or a car that can run for a hundred kilometers on only three liters of gasoline. Aside from steps such as that, the program also includes the recycling of used cars.

Recently, the third largest Japanese car manufacturer disclosed information to the public of their progress in vehicle recycling. While the Nissan Green Program sets objectives to be accomplished by the year 2010, the company announced that they have already met one of their goals as early as the current year 2007. This is in the recycling of used cars. The recycling effort exerted by Nissan is in connection with the Japan Automobile Recycling Law which was enacted on January 1, 2005. The report made public by Nissan covered three different aspects of vehicle recycling. These three aspects are in the recycling of ASRs or Automobile Shredder Residues; airbag-related components; and fluorocarbons.

In the Nissan Green Program 2010, it is the company’s goal to recycle 95 percent of the used vehicles by the year 2010. The company is ahead of the legislation in Japan which will enforce the 85 percent recovery rate of used cars in terms of recycling by the year 2015. This shows how the company is concerned about the state of the environment. For the past year, Nissan reported that they have recycled 95,240.3 tons from 128,827.9 tons of ASR recovered. That amount of ASR is the product of shredding 635,440 vehicles. The figures show a recovery rate of 73.9 percent and that is higher than the 70 percent enforced by the law. In fact, this means that the company is already meeting government standards nine years before it will be enforced.

Meanwhile, the effective recycling recovery rate that Nissan reported is at 95.2 percent. This is a bit higher than the 95 percent that they have set to accomplish by the year 2010. Four years before the deadline, Nissan has already achieved one of their goals and it is a matter of refining the technologies they use to bring the effective recycling recovery rate to higher levels. This means that the residues from shredding various auto components such as Nissan fenders, hood, door panels, and other metallic and plastic parts are used by Nissan on new cars eliminating the need to deplete natural resources to create new components. Aside from these auto parts shredded, ASR also includes potentially harmful substances such as lead, cadmium and PCBs or Polychlorinated biphenyls. The proper recovery, handling and possible recycling of these substances is of utmost importance to protect the environment.

In terms of recycling airbag related components, Nissan reported that they have received 439,526 airbag related components from 229,048 vehicles. The recovery of these components involves the use of ELV or End of Life Vehicle recovery process as well as on-board deployment. The company reported that their recycling ratio for airbag related components reached a high of 94.3 percent. This means that they have far exceeded the 85 percent that they have set in the Nissan Green Program 2010.

As far as taking care of the fluorocarbons which are commonly found on the air conditioning unit of their vehicles is concerned, Nissan reported that they have collected 160,200 kilograms of fluorocarbons from 507,037 vehicles. These are then processed properly to ensure that it will not harm the environment.

All these recycling and recovery efforts cost Nissan 5,523,193,204 yen. While this may seem to be a big loss for the company, it is actually lower than the income generated which Nissan reported to be 5,642,113,359 yen. That means that the company is left with a net surplus of 118,920,115 yen.

With the current achievements by the car company, they have already exceeded the set standards by the government with time to spare. The company reported that they will continue their advances in recycling to reach 100 percent recycling. This means that 100 percent of the recovered ASR, airbag related components and fluorocarbons are utilized on new products. The Japanese car manufacturer also announced that they will be developing new technologies which will enable them to use recycled materials from End of Life Vehicles to new vehicles. The company is also aiming to make zero-landfill a possibility in Japan. The company will also be looking for ways to develop engineering steps to make vehicles easy to disassemble making easier to recycle them. This should be done in a way that the vehicle remains safe for everyday driving and especially safe from car thieves who are preying on any cars by stripping off various components.

With the increase in popularity of green cars such as gasoline-hybrid, plug-in and fully electric, and fuel cell vehicles, Nissan will be developing technologies to recycle these types of vehicles efficiently and effectively.

Ryan Thomas is a native of Denver, Colorado. He grew up in a family of car aficionados. He now resides in Detroit where he owns a service shop and works part time as a consultant for a local automotive magazine. You can visit Nissan fenders for more information.

Author: Ryan Thomas
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Hybrid and Electric Cars

There are a number a fuel saving devices currently being built. To convert ones car over to a hydrogen powered car. These are commonly known as hydrogen fuel cell technology. Even though this technology was first developed by Nicola Tesla in the early 1900′s. The technology has been well suppressed until now. With the constant media coverage and numerous enthusiast looking to save money at the pump. It is becoming clear that hydrogen cars are the way of the future. Helping to loosen our grips on the need for foreign oil.

There are a few major benefits that come with hydrogen powered cars. By installing a simple easy to build device called a hho generator or hydrogen fuel cell one would get an increase in gas mileage, lower emissions, increase cars performance, receive a nice tax break, and best of all help save the environment. The first glimpse of this new technology was first introduced by Honda back in 2005. Although they did produce a hydrogen fueled car but the car was just a prototype and was never really placed out on the market.

Now with gas prices skyrocketing there are more car manufactures producing these hybrid cars. What is not well known however is the fact any one and everyone can turn their current vehicles in to a hybrid vehicle. Weather that vehicle be a car, truck, diesel, motor cycle, or this technology will even work on lawn equipment. The list goes on and on for what a hydrogen generator can be used on. If there is an internal combustion engine involved a hydrogen generator can be placed on it reaping all the same great benefits.

Hydrogen boosters are the number one selling device currently being used to turn peoples every day vehicles in to hybrid cars. A hydrogen booster is capable of producing 1.5 liters of gas per minute. Most hydrogen boosters can be bought in the price range of $100-250. Although it is possible to build one of these boosters at your home using parts available at any local hardware store. Since the hydrogen booster produces hydrogen gas or also known as hho gas. One might wonder how this is done. The process is really quite simple by using electrolysis it is possible to break down water into its elemental parts. As we all know that’s hydrogen and oxygen. This hho gas produced in these hydrogen powered cars helps burn all of the fuel that is inside the chamber instead of wasting almost 40% of the fuel. Which flows right out of the exhaust pipe.

How this all works.

Your cars battery sends power to the two electrodes with in the hydrogen generator. This electricity then separates the hydrogen gas out on the cathode ( negatively charged electrode ) and the oxygen is separated out from the anode ( positively charged electrode ). All this is done using plan water and a 1-3% mixture of electrolyte like potassium hydroxide. Which can be found in many house hold items like baking soda.

For more then a decade now many universities, engineering associates and laboratories have done several test all of which proved that by adding tiny amounts of hydrogen to an internal combustion engine. It will put out fewer emissions, increase performance and increase gas mileage. If this only increased gas mileage by 1-2% it would reduce our yearly consumption of fuel by more the a billion gallons a year. However many are experiencing gains by as much as 116%. Of course this does not mean your vehicle will get that type of increase in gas mileage.

Hydrogen powered cars have been used by many large fleet companies in Japan and parts of California. With the the zero emissions these vehicles are pumping out since its only by product is water vapor. While fossil fueled cars produce many harmful toxins into the air. Since this does also use fossil fuel there will still be some emissions being produced by your vehicle. Although not as much as it would be with out a hydrogen fuel additive. Current fossil fueled cars emit 2.0 billion tons of greenhouse gases every single year. With that number increasing as the population increases. By switching to a hydrogen powered cars we could drastically begin to reduce these emissions.

California is currently leading the race for the infrastructure to hydrogen gas stations. More then 20% of all cars sold in America are bought by Californians. This alone will make a huge impact. Even though the infrastructure isn’t everywhere as of yet does not mean people have to sit back and wait. Hydrogen powered cars are on the horizon, people can begin the transition to hybrid gasoline-hydrogen cars and help rid us of our dependence on fossil fuel engines right now. This hydrogen technology has been used for years in the NASCAR circuit.

It is possible to buy a ready made hydrogen engine kit. Although those kits go for well over 3-400$ at the moment. On the other hand there are many plans available through out the Internet. The plans are currently being sold in the price range of $40-100. By choosing the DIY method a hydrogen booster can be built for less then $50. As difficult as it may sound building a hydrogen booster is relatively easy with the right set of plans. Keep in mind though with out the right set of hydrogen generator plans it can be very dangerous.

The one rule of thumb is to make sure there are no sparks emitting outside of your cell and to make sure your cell is not leaking any gas along its hoses. This does not mean hydrogen boosters are not safe if one ones to get in an accident. The right set of hydrogen gas kit plans show you many safety measures. One of which is installing a in line fuse and a cut of switch under the dash. So that if something where to possible go wrong with the hydrogen cell it is easy to kill the power to the device. No mater how we look at it hydrogen powered cars are the hybrid cars of the future. We all have a chance to start making a change now by installing a hydrogen booster.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Find out how to convert your car into one of thousands of hydrogen powered cars hybrid on the road and save money on petrol as well as help to combat global warming HHO Gas.

Author: Jason T Tyler
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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I had my own first water car 3 years ago. I stumbled across HH2 conversion technology on the internet. I had gotten so fed up with the price of fuel, both gas and diesel. I am sure I would still have investigated further if I had only had one vehicle. The fact is, I had a commercial fleet of some 7 trucks and 6 cars. The amount I was spending on gas had become astronomical.

Nowadays the price of a barrel of oil is likely to reach $200 soon. Many reckon that could double by 2010. Driving purely on gas has become unsustainable for many individual consumers and small business operators. So, I am glad I got in early on water car technology.

The reality is, whatever is coming of automobile production lines, anyone is capable of converting their vehicles to a water car. It takes around an hour to assemble a kit. It needs about another hour, perhaps two, to attach the kit to the engine. Anyway, that is how long it takes me and I’m no mechanic.

All I did was get the right information for making and fitting a water car kit. At my first attempt it did take me twice as long as it does now. Since then, it has been a cinch. It costs me about $150 to convert any vehicle to a water car. My average monthly savings on one of my medium sized trucks are $700, on a car about $100.

So what is the automotive industry doing about environmentally friendly cars? Is it even interested? The answer is the manufacturers are very interested in appearing to be green with their catalytic converters and the like. These things cost money, may help reduce pollution, but in no way address making engines more efficient and thus save cash.

Honda appears to be the only car producer intending on introducing a water car. They call it a hydrogen fuel cell car, which is technically correct. It’s only byproducts will be heat and water. But get this, the cost of such a vehicle is expected to be $100,000. How ridiculous is that? Presumably the automobile industry thinks they will make tons of money out of gullible consumers. They are probably correct.

A paltry 0.002% of Americans have converted their existing cars to hydrogen fuel. The reason is probably that word about how easy and cheap it is to do just hasn’t got out there yet. Anyone in the car industry just does not want it to be know. They call it vested interests. Whatever the reasons, the fact remains that anyone, right now, can have their own water car.

Water car guides: Hydrogen Car and Water Car

Author: Timothy Payn
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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• You can stop paying for gasoline and save thousands of dollars every year.
• You can reach speeds of 50 miles per hour.
• You can stop producing greenhouse gases and reduce the pollution.
• You will receive tax refunds for using green energy in your automobile.
• You can drive up to 150-200 miles per charge.
• You can improve horsepower and get a better engine’s performance.
• You will start enjoying a smooth, quiet ride.

The cost of the diy conversion is under $300, instead of paying more than $3000 to an auto-shop to take care of the procedure. Building your own EV is easier than it may seem. You first must replace the internal combustion engine with the electric motor.

You will also need some materials such as: rechargeable batteries, a power controller, power conductors, fuses and miscellaneous nuts and bolts. The best cars to retrofit are light weight automobiles with enough space for batteries. You don’t really need to have great mechanical skills to turn you vehicle into an EV, especially if you follow the step-by-step instructions of a reliable diy manual.

People all over the world are now using this technology to eliminate their gas costs and protect the environment at the same time.

Do you want to do an ELECTRIC CAR CONVERSION? To build your own electric powered car, just Click Here!

Author: Jim M. Watson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Here are the common types of environmentally friendly cars:

- Electric cars;

- Fuel-cell-powered cars (hydrogen and oxygen cars);

- Hybrid cars;

- Solar cars.

Electric cars operate on rechargeable batteries which are the most expensive parts of this type of vehicles. Most electric cars look like conventional vehicles and one usually cannot tell them apart. Electric cars are very quiet and produce no exhaust fumes at all. The interior of the cars is stuffed with wiring harness.

Fuel-cell-powered cars operate on chemical reactions between different fuel cells (like hydrogen and oxygen) which merge to turn into a new matter. As a matter of fact fuel-cell-powered cars are similar to electric cars because they work on electricity which comes as a result of such chemical reactions. They are also as quiet and ecological as electric ones, plus fuel-cell-powered cars almost don’t need any maintenance or repairs because there is almost no friction between the car parts of such vehicles. All in all this kind of environmentally friendly cars is supposed to be very economical and ecological and could be the champion among green cars but for one essential aspect – hydrogen is a very flammable gas and when it comes with oxygen a car accident can be very destructive.

Hybrid cars are something in between electric cars, fuel-cell-powered cars or gasoline cars. They are very ecological and produce almost no exhaust fumes. Hybrid cars are more widespread than other environmentally friendly cars.

Solar cars operate on the solar energy which they accumulate with the help of built-in solar panels. Solar cars have a very peculiar shape which most likely resembles spaceships from Star Wars. They are more uncommon and are not produced on regular basis. They can be driven at high speeds for a long time powered only by the energy of the sun.

Environmentally friendly cars have become the choice of many people who decided to reduce the influence of burning fossil fuels on the nature.

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Author: David K. Volkens
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Hybrid and Electric Cars

1. KNOWLEDGE IN CAR THEORY
To build your own electric car, you must have at least a working knowledge on how cars work, how they operate, what makes them run; in other words, a knowledge about the basic theories of cars.

The internet has lots of resources available pertaining to this particular subject. You can also buy guides or manuals online to help you convert your regular car to electric. Another great way to gather knowledge is to join car forums and interact with car experts and other car enthusiasts.

2. PRACTICAL BUT COMFORTABLE WORK SPACE
You must have enough work space before proceeding with your project. A recommended working area must be:

a. large enough for the car;
b. spacious enough to accommodate the parts that will be taken out as well as for the new parts that are waiting to be installed;
c. has enough leg room;
d. big enough for at least two people to fit in and work together comfortably (you might need to ask for some assistance in carrying and lifting heavy parts, cleaning, or even for just an expert’s advice while you work);
e. reasonably dry and has space that is sheltered from rain or cold weather (you may want to work outdoors but some mechanical parts may need to be kept indoors to avoid getting wet and rusty);
f. well-lighted

3. RIGHT DONOR VEHICLE
You must have an appropriate donor vehicle in mind. To come up with the best vehicle to transform into an electric car, take your travel needs (mileage, space, speed) and compare it with the general rules in picking a suitable donor vehicle.

Take note of these few simple rules before deciding on your choice of vehicle:
o A lightweight and spacious car is advisable.
o Avoid choosing vehicles that are older than 10 years for the main reason that you might have a problem looking for parts this old.
o On the other hand, avoid vehicles that are new or exotic, for the same reason as in old vehicles.

4. NECESSARY PARTS
Parts needed to build your own electric car are fewer compared to those of a regular car . Here are the major parts of an electric car that you absolutely must have:

o Motor
o Controller
o Batteries
o DC-DC converter
o Vacuum brake pump
o Battery charger

To get these parts together, you may need to scout for them or you can try logging on to forums that concentrate on topics about electric cars. You may find very useful links to dealers and suppliers of conversion kits (mechanical parts to build an electric car). You can also inquire if they do custom fitting of parts for your specific vehicle type.

5. NECESSARY TOOLS
To build your own electric car, you’ll have to deal with tasks such as metal works, electrical wirings, welding, and even a little bit of carpentry. You must be equipped with the right tools. It doesn’t matter if you buy, borrow, or rent these as long as you have everything you need. But it might be a good investment for you to buy the major tools especially if you’re planning to build electric cars on a regular basis.

Samuel Watson knows how to turn YOUR vehicle into an electric car. Visit his electric car conversion website right now to download his step-by-step, easy to follow manual showing you exactly how to convert your car into an electric. Go there now –> Click Here To Get The Premium Electric Car Guide.

Author: Samuel Watson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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The ‘milder’ hybrids are dependent primarily on the gas engine. They use a small electric motor/ generator to supplement this. There are also ‘strong’ hybrids in which the electric motor is given a larger role enabling it to propel the car on its own at low speeds.

Best Sport Utility Vehicle Hybrid
The sport utility vehicle arena is the fastest-growing market for hybrids especially considering the emergence of the crossover SUV as one of the most popular market segments over the past couple of years. Combining the utility of a full size SUV with the sporty look of a sedan, the hybrid crossover market is big with consumers and the Ford Escape Hybrid tops the list. The Ford Escape Hybrid was not only the first SUV hybrid it has also successfully fended off challenges from more established hybrid makers Toyota and Lexus (a Honda company). Although the fuel economy gains of hybrid SUVs over standard SUVs don’t approach those of hybrid sedans, the ten or so miles per gallon boost provided is more than enough to push the Escape Hybrid to the top of consumers preference lists.

In the conventional hybrid car and SUV, gasoline is converted to energy by the engine and the motor, and then stored in the batteries, to be used during the operation of the vehicle. Braking converts energy to electricity and stores in it the batteries. When the car is traveling very slowly, or stopped, the battery takes over and the engine is at rest.

SUV and truck manufacturers recognized the need to produce vehicles that did not consume so much of the owner’s salary just to fuel it. They have come out with a line of Hybrid SUVs and trucks that are just as attractive as the other models but much more fuel efficient. Ford has presented the Escape Hybrid, Lexus is competing with its RX400 and Toyota has come out with its Highlander Models.

This 7 passenger hybrid SUV therefore is quite a steal, from fuel economy, to ecological welfare, this SUV passes all the tests that anyone might require from their SUV. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV also has the Bluetooth and a large music system features that a generation next vehicle will possess. So, if interested in an SUV you can surely check out the Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV. It is priced and designed for better economy usage than any other car.

Know More by Visit This Website: What Is Hybrid Cars, Why Buy a hybrid.

Currently, it is not all that simple for science to discover a way to effectively draw and use solar energy. Solar panels are often required, similar to the ones found on a calculator. However, it is not really all that realistic to line the outside of your car with solar panels. It is not efficient and most drivers would laugh at the idea. Switching away from fossil fuels should be easier than that if it is to appeal to drivers in mass amounts. If it is difficult then people will not be likely to make the switch.

Solar cars would also need to be fully equipped with special gauges that measure the amount of energy, how much is being consumed by the car and how much is remaining. Drivers would have to be able to understand these gauges and utilize them. It could be possible to have a solar powered car that does not have many gauges but that would require an entirely different set up. The solar cars that are currently in production have only three wheels which is not something that is going to be acceptable on the current cars of today.

Science is currently testing many types of solar powered cars by racing them. This is a great way to test the limits and functionality of using solar power. Solar powered bicycles are already being produced and used. Perhaps this is a better place to start since cars do not seem ready to become solar powered machines. Though it is a great idea, it is not yet ready for the North American public. Solar cars that are currently in production are very small and can usually only hold one person, which is the driver. This type of car would not be approved in the United States based on the current safety standards required.

It is quite obvious that one negative aspect of solar energy is being able to use it when the sun is not shining or during an overcast day. Many improvements need to be made for this to be a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Having solar cells on the vehicle will not be all that convenient for drivers either. Having a solar powered vehicle would be a great option if it was ready to be released in mass quantities. However, at this stage in the development it just is not a conceivable idea. Solar energy is a fantastic natural resource. With further study, hopefully it can soon be a realistic petroleum alternative.

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Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/solar-powered-cars-864209.html

Moore’s comments has some people upset including fans at the GM-Volt site which has supported the model since it was first announced two years ago. Moore later followed up his initial comments with Lyle Dennis, the site’s owner, by saying that his comparison with the Edsel had more to do with costs than with design or engineering.

Inasmuch as Moore clarified his comments, there are some important things to take into consideration when examining the Chevrolet Volt project. Among these concerns are:

GM is bankrupt – Let’s face it: the only way that the Volt project launches is with massive government support. GM is out of money and is on the federal government dole. Bankruptcy is imminent meaning that the automaker will be facing severe restructuring including the retirement of costly and under performing brands and product lines.

The Volt is too expensive – With a sticker price in the neighborhood of $40,000, the Volt is too expensive and not a right fit for Chevrolet. Priced even higher than a Cadillac CTS, GM is hoping that buyers will be attracted to the car’s $7500 tax credit which means that you’re still getting a compact sedan that will cost you $32,500.

All electric with extended range – Though technically not a hybrid, the Volt will run purely on electric power for about 40 miles before a small, gas engine will kick in. GM has designed the Volt to appeal to people who make short commutes to back and forth to work, who would only need the extended range as a supplemental back up.

Too much, too little, too late – What was once a good idea may be eclipsed before the Volt hits the marketplace. Development time has taken too long, there has been too little urgency on GM’s part to win over customers in advance of the car’s release and by the time the Volt hits the market in November 2010, it could be too late for GM.

One thing that the Volt has over the Edsel is its good looks. Unfortunately, good looks only wins beauty contests and does little to convince customers that they are getting behind a real winner.

Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance writer who resides in North Carolina. Matt is a contributing writer for Andy’s Auto Sport an aftermarket supplier of quality parts including Chevy Tahoe rims and Mitsubishi Eclipse rims.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/is-the-chevy-volt-our-generations-edsel-865823.html

One can get Water 4 Gas in very part of the world. They can get everything they require in a simple tutorial that one can use easily. It is imperative for one to get knowledge concerning the replication of the system so that installing on different vehicles is made possible. One of the best things about this technology is that no one owns it and everyone is therefore free to put it to good use. One problem that people have been having with other types of fuels is the decreasing of their mileage. This is no longer a problem when one uses water in their place, as it is known to increase the car owner’s mileage.

Regardless of its simplicity, Water 4Gas technology is very effective. The technology works by splitting water into oxygen and Hydrogen into a small amount (“Brown Gas or “HHO”). The gases that are produced are very effective in boosting engine efficiency in effect saving fuel, reducing emissions drastically and cooling the engine. Another reason that shows that water could just be the way to go instead of gas is that apart from boosting the performance of the car, it also helps to prevent smog.

Contrary to what many people think, water is not dangerous. The hydrogen can only be ignited using the car engine’s spark when it is inside the engine. Besides, the quantity of hydrogen that is used is usually very small and the gasoline found in people’s vehicles is actually more dangerous compared to the small quantity of hydrogen that is generated when one drives their car. Water technology also helps to remove carbon deposits that could be inside a car and this helps to prevent a build up in carbon in the future. This has led to many drivers reporting of smoother operations and quieter engines. Another advantage associated with this technology is it helps to reduce temperature in the engine, which helps it to carry out its functions effectively. Additionally, the components of the engines such as rings, bearings, pistons and valves last longer when one uses the technology in their car. With all these benefits, water seems to be edging out gas as the ideal fuel to use in one’s car.

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Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/water-instead-of-gas-876375.html