Will Your Next SUV have Lithium-ion Batteries?

If you own a hybrid SUV, there’s a very good chance it has nickel-metal hydride battery. But your next SUV may not. Automakers are slowing moving to lithium-ion batteries because they offer several significant advantages. 

Lithium-ion batteries hold the promise of improving the performance of SUVs when driven under electric power alone. At a very basic level, the improvement would be due to the fact that lithium-ion batteries can store more energy per unit mass. This means the same amount of electrical power can be delivered to motors using batteries that weigh less. That in turn, cuts the total weight of a SUV, thus meaning less electricity is needed to propel the SUV. Conversely, using a battery pack of lithium-ion batteries of the same weight as their nickel-metal hydride counterpart could significantly increase the amount of electricity an SUV could store.  Read more...

For the past several weeks a leading headline in local and national news has been flooding. Flash floods in Nashville, Tennessee, northeast Nebraska, Arkansas, and most recently in France and China have reminded us of the dangers associated with rapidly rising waters.

Earlier this week I was glued to CNN as they showed Live coverage of a flood in Oklahoma City. In one instance, a driver seemed to weigh the risk of crossing through some rapidly moving water before deciding to take a chance. Even though the SUV had better than average ground clearance, its tires were soon covered and moments later the truck was swept off the road and disappeared into the newly formed stream. It made me wonder…what would happen if a hybrid electric vehicle, or possibly worse, an all-electric car became submerged in deep water? Would there be a shock risk for the passengers?  Read more...

Where do you go online to get your hybrid car and SUV information? For many people, automotive websites and search engines like Google, Bing and Yahoo! have been their main source of news, reviews and data. For the past ten years or so, bookmarking our favorite hybrid sites, subscribing to RSS feeds, and typing search queries have been become the norm. The way we do our online research is now beginning to change.  Read more...

Some interesting data on auto manufacturer advertising was released by comScore earlier this week, including several surprising statistics related to SUVs and green vehicles.

This particular study measured online advertising among auto manufacturers during January of 2009. Results were broken down into the following categories:

1.     the top advertisers overall
2.     the most advertised SUVs
3.     the most advertised “Green” vehicles  Read more...

Spring break and summer vacations are closer than you think, and many families making travel plans now are looking for ways to make their trips a little easier on the environment. One easy way to haul all your family, luggage, and toys while managing to also reduce your vacation’s carbon footprint is to rent a hybrid SUV. A growing number of rental companies offer hybrid options, making this a convenient option. Here’s your hybrid rental guide.

Where to rent:  Read more...

• Hertz. Green Car Rental.  Renters can choose from a Toyota Prius or Nissan Altima hybrid here. No hybrid SUV options exist yet.

In the world of new cars, one could borrow a phrase from the fashion universe and state that hybrids are the “new black.” They’ve become popular with a variety of people for many different reasons, including greater fuel economy and less money spent on gas, lowering the dependence we have on oil, reducing harmful emissions, and the possibility of tax incentives from the state or federal government just for owning one. What’s not to love about hybrids?  Read more...

Why a Hybrid SUV?

Hybrids are quickly becoming the fashionable car to have. Everyone wants to align themselves with green ideals and save the earth. However, we have also grown accustomed to all the space and versatility SUVs afford. Some lifestyles and hobbies simply aren’t a good match for a tiny hybrid, so why not go green and satisfy your need for space and power with a hybrid SUV?  Read more...

Green for the Masses 

Many people these days are jumping on the “go green” bandwagon. From reusable grocery bags at even the podunk-iest of Midwestern towns, to a rash of local, organic eateries, clothiers and shops; everyone wants to do their part for the environment. So, when a family of six, seven or even eight wants to make an impact by buying a hybrid vehicle, what options do they have?

When we think of hybrids, most of us imagine the 5 passenger Prius or the recently re-introduced Honda Insight. However, hybrids that can comfortably seat larger crowds are becoming more and more common. Here, we’ve compiled a short list of crowd-friendly and eco-friendly rides:  Read more...

Which is right for you?

When the time comes to make a decision to buy a new SUV, there are many factors that come into play. Do you need seating for eight or just five? How much power do you need? How big is too big? Would you like a hybrid or standard fuel SUV?

A quick browse of hybridsuv.com shows you that more and more auto manufacturers are adding to their hybrid offerings by making hybrid sport utility vehicles. With so many green options, it can be difficult to know which hybrid SUV will fit your needs. Here is a quick list of things to consider when looking for a new hybrid SUV:  Read more...

Eco-friendly ways to pimp your hybrid SUV

Once you buy a hybrid SUV, wouldn’t you like to keep the theme running with the accessories you add to make the car really feel like it’s yours? Here are a few products that will make sure that the after-market supplies you add to your hybrid SUV are as green and eco-friendly as the SUV itself.  Read more...