With inflation bearing down upon us, one’s fuel consumption should be taken into serious consideration. With this in mind, choosing which car to get becomes a far more important decision. There’s no need to worry though. The following are the top fuel efficient cars.  Each one can definitely help you save fuel and money.

1. Toyota Prius – This is a five-seater car with an excellent interior and a spacious cargo area. It is available in two trims: the base and the touring editions. It is capable of 48 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on highways. This car has become the most popular hybrid vehicle ever since its release in 2001.
2. Honda Fit – This is a five-door hatchback car also released in 2001, making it one of several minicars introduced in America. It is called the Honda Fit in Japan, China, North and South America but it is known as the Jazz in Europe, some parts of Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East. This car is available in two trims: the base and the sport. The base model is capable of 28 mpg in the city / 34 mpg on highways for manual, and 27 mpg in the city / 34 mpg on highways for automatic. The sport version, on the other hand, can achieve 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on highways.
3. Honda Civic Hybrid – With an exterior that looks exactly like that of the regular Civic, it is not easy to tell that this car is a hybrid. It runs on a 1.3 L, iVTEC, 4-cylinder engine that is capable of 40 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on highways. You may have to pay a little bit more for a Civic Hybrid, but with its efficiency and environmental benefits, it’s definitely worth it.
4. Smart ForTwo – This may be the smallest car, having only front seats and a small trunk in the back. Don’t knock it for its size though. This small car runs on a 3 cylinder, 1 liter engine capable of 33 mpg in the city and 41 mpg in highways.
5. Toyota Corolla – This is a compact car that has become popular since its release in 1996 and has become the best selling model worldwide since 1997. Its exterior is well-trimmed and its interior is made for comfort. It is capable of 28 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on highways.

With the choices above, choosing cars and saving money is easy.

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles may turn some people off at first encounter because the phrase sounds too much like a foray into a scientific discussion. However, many automakers are quite enthusiastic about the technology. If this is the case, what’s so great about vehicles running on hydrogen then? Which manufacturers have jumped in this particular bandwagon and what are the predictions regarding a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle’s commercial success?

Hydrogen vehicles on the road today

The most known hydrogen fuel cell vehicles today are Honda’s FCX Clarity and Chevrolet’s Equinox. These two were the real vehicles of import during the Hydrogen Road Tour ‘08, making up the finale of the parade. The event also featured the BMW Hydrogen 7, which in turn uses an internal combustion engine fueled by hydrogen. Toyota, meanwhile, is about to join Honda and Chevrolet with its own road-worthy hydrogen fuel cell vehicle called the FCHV-adv.

How the fuel cell works

Fuel cells generate electricity quietly, efficiently, and cleanly. As opposed to the use of fossil fuels, fuel cell by-products consist of heat and water. Fuel cells work by converting hydrogen and oxygen into water and in the process producing electricity. They, unlike batteries, do not die so long as there is a flow of chemicals into the cell.

How practical hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are

Fuel cell vehicles certainly seem to be the answer to our oil dependency issues, but before they become commercially marketable, some problems need to be addressed first. For starters, fuel cells are expensive. Developers of this technology will certainly have to find a way to make it more practical. There are also other technical concerns with regards to fuel cells, such as how they respond to the changing temperatures and how safe they really are on the road. Unless these issues are effectively resolved, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles cannot transcend to the commercial market. However, with the efforts focused on developing the concept, there is no reason why we shouldn’t eventually see the day when these vehicles are being mass-produced.

SUVs are notorious for being gas guzzlers. They have been known to be extravagant and high maintenance. For those who need them for any practical reason such as living in rural areas or using them for business, their SUV’s high fuel consumption is something that they simply put up with. However, with hybrid technology and some green driving practices, owning an SUV does not have to be the ecological or economical isue that some worry about.

Hybrid SUVs, such as the Ford Escape, Lexus RX 400h, Saturn Vue, Toyota Highlander, and Mercury Mariner, are definitely an answer to the fuel efficiency issue. But what about all those people who have regular SUVs? How do they get the best out of having a non-hybrid SUV then?

Greening your SUV is a simpler, more practical approach to addressing fuel efficiency. This is primarily done by cutting down your fuel consumption. How exactly do you go about this feat? The following are tips on increasing your SUVs fuel economy:

1. Drive at a reasonable speed. If traffic allows it, drive even slower. Aggressive driving consumes a lot of gas.
2. Brake and accelerate correctly. By “correctly”, we mean “slowly”. It actually means keeping the ride smooth and your speed controlled.  In traffic, it is better to keep a little bit more distance so you have time to anticipate braking or accelerating. If you have cruise control, use it.
3. Maintain your car well. Make sure that your tires are inflated to the correct level. Look into chip tuning, which can both increase power and save gas simultaneously. Also, use the correct grade of motor oil.
4. Keep your vehicle as light as possible. Remove items such as strollers and car seats when you don’t have the baby with you. Remove bikes and other items you know you won’t be using for a certain trip. If it’s not winter, remove your snow tires and chains. Other than your spare tire and some tools for emergencies, you should keep your trunk empty.
5. Idle not. If you know that your car won’t be moving for more than 30 seconds, turn it off. Starting the car does use up gas, but idling uses up a fixed amount of gas over a particular period of time.
6. Drive less. Walk, bike, and carpool when you can. Combine trips, so you accomplish all the things that need to be done in one go. Running errands have to be planned for it to be done efficiently, fuel-wise and otherwise.

If you do the steps listed above, you can again be a happy owner of an SUV. In fact, with technology and green driving practices, SUVs can be a wise choice for some drivers.

Nowadays, you can’t get a cooler car than a hybrid. It’s not about power anymore. We have reached the age when conscience matters more and excellent fuel efficiency, not great speed, is the priority. Thanks to the birth of hybrid technology, fuel economy has achieved new records without sacrificing other features such as safety equipment and hi-tech comfort. There aren’t very many hybrid models on the market as of yet, but the following cars give us an idea of what the future holds when it comes to fuel efficiency:

The Toyota Prius is a pioneer in many ways. It was the first hybrid introduced into the market, the second in the US, and it has been a favorite hybrid to set an example. It can now be converted into a plug-in as well and even have solar panels attached to its roof.

Another common plug-in convertible is the Ford Escape Hybrid. It is a pioneer in its own right in the hybrid SUV category. It certainly paved the way for the possibility of eco-friendly SUVs.

SUVs were all the rage just a little while ago. Many of the driving public were interested in projecting a sporty and rugged image even if their SUVs never actually got out of the city. Some people just bought their SUVs to follow the trend. Many SUV owners were not even aware of the environmental impact their vehicles had or that green activists were sometimes upset at them as they drove by demonstrations on global warming. However, with the current oil crisis and the demand for fuel efficiency in automobiles, many SUV drivers have taken notice. So have the manufacturers. Since SUVs are the natural option for particular personalities and lifestyles, the answer to the call of the times was simply to produce models that are more eco-friendly.

Thanks to hybrid technology, SUVs such as the Ford Escape, the Chevy Tahoe, and the Mercury Mariner are now considered some of the most fuel efficient vehicles on the road today. With even further technological advancements, more green SUVs will be introduced into the market and their enthusiasts will not need to worry as much about gas usage.

Due to the current international oil crisis, “fuel efficiency” has become the car world’s mantra. In the past, the issue of global warming may have been the force behind attempts to develop technologies in aid of fuel economy, but the rising price of gas has made the need for fuel efficiency more pressing. A car’s fuel efficiency is based on its miles per gallon capacity. The higher the number of miles a car can go on a gallon of fuel, the more fuel efficient it is. Before the advent of hybrids, motorists who did not want to spend too much on gas simply chose small economy cars. When hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs came along, we were gratified to learn that 70 mpg on the highway was achievable. As we hurtle our way into the future, we will definitely witness even more amazing possibilities.

Fuel Efficient Technologies

The automobile industry has come up with multiple ways to enhance fuel economy. Most of the vehicles available on the market already feature the following technologies:

• Cylinder Deactivation. It deactivates cylinders when not needed, thus saving fuel.
• Integrated Starter/Generator Systems. They automatically switch the engine off when the car is stopped to lessen fuel consumption during idling.
• Direct Fuel Injection. It reduces fuel consumption and delivers better performance at the same time.
• Continuously Variable Transmissions. They provide an infinite number of gears causing smooth acceleration and better fuel economy.

Each automobile manufacturer worth its salt is toiling away to produce technological breakthroughs in aid of fuel efficiency. Some of the popular ones already in use today are:

• Diesel. Today’s diesels, such as ultra-low sulfur diesel and biodiesel, are definitely improved and much cleaner. Besides this, new systems such as Daimler AG’s BlueTec are designed to reduce diesel’s harmful emissions.
• Alternative Fuels. These are usually cheaper and greener than gasoline. Some of these are ethanol, vegetable oil, natural gas, and propane. Many cars are flex-fuel and can run on blends of gasoline and alternative fuel, such as ethanol. Natural gas, on the other hand, is being used to power many fleet cars. Honda has already introduced the Civic GX, currently available in NY and CA, which runs on natural gas.
• Hybrid Vehicles. What we have available to us now are mostly parallel hybrids. A parallel hybrid car is pushed by both a gas engine and electric motor whereas a series hybrid is pushed by the motor alone, which is recharged by the gas engine. There are now also hybrid cars converted into plug-ins. Conversion kits and services have been initiated by CalCars, a non-profit organization that promotes use of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).
• Electric Vehicles. Cars are propelled by an electric motor powered by rechargeable battery packs. Some of the electric vehicles that have been produced are GM’s EV1, the Toyota Rav4 EV, the Tesla Roadster, and India’s REVA, which is the best selling electric car in the world.
• Fuel-Cell Vehicles. These are also pushed by an electric motor, which derives power from hydrogen fuel and oxygen from the air. Honda, for instance, has produced one called Clarity.

Today’s Best Fuel Efficient Vehicles

Even with all these technological accomplishments, carmakers still do not predict internal combustion engines (ICEs) from being completely phased out of the production line anytime in the near future. For many, ICEs are their only feasible option budget-wise. Fortunately, there are ICEs that can compete with hybrids with regards to miles per gallon capacity and have made the list for the most fuel efficient cars. When it comes to fuel economy, the following cars are the ones that rank highest with the first listed being the most fuel efficient:

• Toyota Prius – 48 mpg city/45 mpg highway
• Honda Civic Hybrid – 40 mpg city/45 mpg highway
• Smart ForTwo – 33 mpg city/41 mpg highway
• VW Jetta TDI – 29 mpg city/40 mpg highway
• Nissan Altima Hybrid – 35 mpg city/33 mpg highway
• Toyota Camry Hybrid – 33 mpg city/34 mpg highway
• Ford Escape Hybrid, Mazda Tribute Hybrid,Mercury Mariner Hybrid – 34 mpg city/30 mpg highway
• Toyota Yaris – 29 mpg city/35 mpg highway
• Toyota Corolla, Mini Cooper – 28 mpg city/37 mpg highway
• Honda Fit – 28 mpg city/34 mpg highway
• Ford Focus – 24 mpg city/35 mpg highway
• Honda Civic – 26 mpg city/34 mpg highway

While HEVs and ICEs have about 10-20 miles per gallon difference, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle could double an HEV’s MPG capacity. PHEVs may not be a commercial reality just yet, but you’ll find that many manufacturers have already jumped in this bandwagon. The plug-in Prius has already received certification for use on public roads in Japan. Meanwhile, GM’s Chevrolet Volt has now a list of 10,000 members waiting to purchase their unit. Other manufacturers that are also developing their plug-in models are Ford, Fisker, Aptera, BYD, and Volkswagen.

Future Technologies

Another possibility for fuel economy involves vehicles running on water. Genepax of Japan, for instance, is developing the technology of Water Energy System with partner companies to commercialize their product. A WES-equipped electric vehicle could be something to look forward to in the near future.

Along the lines of hybridization, two other concepts are also being researched: hydraulic hybrid and hydrogen hybrid. A hydraulic hybrid uses hydraulic fluid to store and provide the energy to push the car. A hydraulic hybrid could end up cheaper and yet more powerful than an HEV. Hydrogen hybrids, on the other hand, are intended to have the economical traits of HEVs with the near-zero emissions of hydrogen fuel-cell cars. The plan is to produce an all-electric vehicle with an alternator to keep the battery charged by an ICE that runs on hydrogen, which, in turn, is kept going by an onboard hydrogen generating system powered by water.

Besides these, the possibility of solar cells being used to power motors of electric vehicles should definitely be tapped.

Vehicles of the Future

Technological visions are coming our way faster than we expect them. We can hopefully soon avail of low-energy vehicles such as the Aptera Typ-1 energy usage of 6 kWh/100kg, the Loremo LS 157 mpg, and the Volkswagen 1L, 1 liter of fuel per 100 km.

Other green concept cars that show potential are:

• Toyota FT-HS. It offers the combination of power and economy with its 400 hp engine and gas/electric hybrid technology.
• Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell. This SUV runs on hydrogen and has been designed for everyday drivers.
• Saab Biopower 100. This is a flex-fuel vehicle that can run on 100% pure ethanol as well as 100% pure gasoline.
• BMW Hydrogen 7. This is not a fuel-cell vehicle like others that are powered by hydrogen. This car simply burns hydrogen for fuel. It also works with regular gasoline.
• Photovoltaic Prius. This is a simple Prius with a solar panel placed on the roof. The add-on can improve fuel economy by at least 15 miles per gallon.
• Alé. The current version achieves 92 mpg, but FuelVapor Technologies is working on a series hybrid prototype that will boost fuel efficiency past the 100 mpg mark.

Vehicle Recommendations

Most cars that are ahead of their time fail to do well commercially. People are usually just not ready for revolutionary concepts. However, Toyota and Honda have been known to produce cars that are ahead of their time, risking ridicule in the beginning, but ending up setting trends for other carmakers to follow. When it comes to fuel efficiency, Prius and the Honda Civic Hybrid are clear forerunners. The Prius makes a better choice, however, for the possibility of being converted into a plug-in as the Honda Civic Hybrid as yet is not plug-in convertible. Besides this, the Prius has already been tested to do even better with solar panels on it. As for the cars that will be available in the future, the VW 1L with its 235 mpg promise is definitely something to get excited about. The mass production of hydrogen fuel-cell cars, such as the Honda FCX Clarity, and the idea of zero-emission are also something to look forward to.

Conclusion

In the current campaign for fuel economy, there are thankfully various technologies already available to us. Those who cannot afford to purchase a hybrid can still enjoy good MPG capacity in ICEs that have fared well in fuel efficiency ratings. However, for those who want to achieve the possible optimum fuel economy at present, having an HEV converted into a plug-in is the way to go. These are the options of today, but the future promises so much more. We may dismiss fuel efficiency as nothing but a mundane concern, but it is certainly propelling a fascinating ride into the future.

Does anybody else think that the price of gas is now verging on the ridiculous? There are several ways to rise to the transportation challenge the times have posed on us. One of them is to rethink your vehicle. If you are the suffering owner of a gas guzzler, now is the perfect time to trade it in for another option. To diminish your trails of carbon on the planet, go green with the vehicle of your choice. With the current global situation regarding fuel, a green car will not only be environmentally friendly, but it will be great choice for your wallet too.

If you can afford a hybrid car, then that can be a good option. According to the results of a number of surveys, a favorite hybrid vehicleamong consumers is the Toyota Prius. It rates well and is clearly a bestseller, having enjoyed a waitinglist of buyers until more competition finally came into the market. The luxury hybrids in the Lexus family – the Lexus LS 600h and the Lexus GS 450h – also had very high ratings for being intheir own class. They offer users the opportunity to balance the pleasure of luxury with mindfulness of the environment. When it comes to family cars, the Toyota Camry Hybrid is a good option. It does not have the same mileage as other hybrid cars. Compare it with the Toyota Camry and you will find about 10 mpg difference in favor of the hybrid.

Evaluation of these hybrid vehicles does not rest solely on their gas mileage. It also considers their performance pitted against their non-hybrid counterparts. The Toyota Prius has great fuel economy and its trunk space (location of the hybrid battery) is not as limited as other hybrids. In effect, a combination of the features of the Prius and the Camry would be a winner. Another competitive hybrid option is the Honda Civic Hybrid, rating a close second to the Prius when it comes to fuel consumption. Also in the running are the Nissan Altima and the Chevrolet Malibu. Among SUVs, the Mercury Mariner Hybrid, the Lexus RX 400h and the Ford Escape Hybrid top the list.

For those who cannot afford a hybrid, the good news is that there are those who believe that it is better to get a used, but well-maintained fuel efficient car. The logic behind this is that it takes the equivalent of 1,000 or sogallons of gas to make a new car. To make up for this pre-road carbon trail, the car would have to accumulate 46,000 miles before it pays for its impact on the environment. Some of the great fuel savers from the past are the Mazda Protégé, Toyota Echo, Chevrolet Prizm, Honda Civic and Mini Cooper. These cars can deliver over 30 mpg, which can be better than some brand new hybrid cars.