Page 16 - AAA Northampton County - AAA Now! Spring 2014

Spring 2014 16 3914 Hecktown Rd., Easton, PA • (610) 258-2371 •www.aaanc.com
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Green Technologies to Help You Make
a Difference
Hoping to decrease your carbon footprint and
live a greener life? What you drive is a large part of
your daily carbon footprint. Electric engines, several
hybrid options and even traditional internal
combustion engines have become more efficient
and emit fewer greenhouse gasses.
The market for green cars is strengthening. Below
are technologies to keep a look out for when in the
market for a ‘green’ vehicle:
Electric Power
It has been an exciting couple years for full-electric
vehicles (EV). These vehicles do not use gasoline and
rely solely on battery power. With the average cost for
a kilowatt hour of electric energy at approximately 12
cents, to fully charge an EV with a 24KWh battery pack
would cost around $2.88. That works out to between
3.0 cents and 4.4 cents per mile for fuel. There is no
need for oil changes, ignition systemmaintenance,
fuel system service or exhaust pipe and muffler
replacements, making EVs even more appealing and
green. A stand out in this category is the Nissan Leaf.
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Similar fuel economy can be realized in plug-in
hybrid powertrains. These vehicles use a
rechargeable battery pack that allows the car to
travel up to 35 miles before the onboard gasoline
engine starts. In some cars, this engine will provide
power to the drive wheels. In other models, this
engine powers a generator that delivers power to
the motor driving the vehicle while also recharging
the batteries. Unlike fully electric vehicles, a plug-in
hybrid is limited only by the range of its gas tank.
The Toyota Prius PHEV and 2013 Ford Fusion are
great examples of plug-ins in the marketplace today.
Gasoline-Electric Hybrids
Hitting the market hard in in recent years,
gasoline-electric hybrids like the Nissan Altima
Hybrid and Honda Civic Hybrid use a gasoline
engine and an electric motor. A full or parallel hybrid
can run on either the gasoline or electric motor, or
use both for maximum performance. A mild hybrid
uses the electric motor to aid the gasoline engine,
which must always be running when the car is
moving. Full hybrids can travel on electric power
alone. Hybrids never need to be plugged into a wall
outlet or external charging station to keep the
batteries at full power. The gasoline engine that
powers the car also handles the task of recharging
the batteries.
Compressed
Natural Gas/
Diesel Vehicles
Vehicles running on
compressed natural
gas (CNG) marry
efficiency with
markedly reduced tailpipe emissions. While many
gasoline-powered vehicles have been converted to
run on compressed natural gas, which is relatively
abundant and produced in the United States, the
Honda Civic GX is the only sedan that comes from
the factory with this ability. CNG vehicles use a
standard piston engine.
Diesels are not often thought of as being “green,”
but the latest generation of diesel vehicles produce
fewer tailpipe emissions and significantly reduce
carbon dioxide output. Today’s diesels are so clean
they meet environmental standards in all states,
including those that have adopted the more
stringent California emissions rules. Among diesel
powered cars, the Audi A3 is a standout.
Don’t forget More Efficient Gasoline
Vehicles
Manufacturers are even updating or planning to
update their current models to be environmentally
friendly. Ford has launched their EcoBoost engines
that use turbocharging technology, making it
possible to use smaller, more fuel efficient engines
that are still able to provide the levels of
acceleration needed for safe merging and passing.
The Chevrolet Cruze and new Dodge Dart will also
offer turbocharged four-cylinder engines in place
of larger and less economical engines.
AAA’s top picks are selected by its auto-buying
experts who test drive and evaluate hundreds of
vehicles each year. AAA provides free vehicle
reviews, localized pricing information and more for
consumers online at AAA.com/AutoMaker.
Internet TripTik®: AAA.com/triptik
About your membership: AAA.com/membership
Insurance quotes: AAA.com/insurance
Mobile apps: AAA.com/mobile
Online savings: AAA.com/specialoffers
E-newsletter signup: AAA.com/enews
All things travel: AAA.com/travel
Rent a car: AAA.com/hertz
Book a hotel: AAA.com/hotel
Everything teen driving: teendriving.AAA.com
Everything senior driving: seniordriving.AAA.com
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