By Barbara Kessler
Green Right Now

The Alliance to Save Energy is promoting its Drive Smarter Challenge in anticipation of Americans being on the move for the holidays. The challenge offers tips to bolster your mileage and other ways to trim transportation costs, some more effective (rent a hybrid) than others (use the right oil for a 2 percent improvement in mileage).

But even though these travel tips are wildly divergent – take a train, drive during off-peak hours – they should get most families thinking about conserving in these still-tough economic times.

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By Clint Williams
Green Right Now

There is no question the 2010 Toyota Prius is a comfortable compact with enviable fuel economy – we got a smidgen over 50 mpg in a week of driving.

But can you call a $30,000 hybrid an economy car?

2010 Prius

The iconic gasoline-electric hybrid favored by movie stars is all-new for this model year and the third-generation Prius offers more room, more power and more miles per gallon than its predecessors. It’s a pretty neat trick.

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The Nissan LEAF (Photo: Nissan)

From Green Right Now Reports

Nissan North America said it will debut the LEAF zero-emission, all-electric car in Los Angeles on Nov. 13. After Los Angeles, the five-passenger, five-door, gasoline-free car will go on a nationwide tour in the coming months.

The Nissan LEAF Zero Emission Tour will stop in 22 cities, in 11 states, the District of Columbia, and Vancouver, Canada, offering the opportunity for interested drivers, media, civic partners, businesses and university students to learn more about the Nissan LEAF and the benefits of zero-emission driving.

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Green Right Now Reports

The EPA has issued a new fuel economy guide for consumers that goes beyond the already standing website, fueleconomy.gov.

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2010 Kia Forte (photo: Kia)

By Clint Williams
Green Right Now

The 2010 Kia Forte, an all-new offering from the Korean automaker, is a handsome entry in a category filled with cute. Crisp lines and swept-back headlamps give this compact car a look much bolder than that of competitors such as the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla.

But that bold look doesn’t mean bold driving dynamics. Driving the Forte is pleasant enough, but a bit bland.

The Forte comes in three trim levels – LX, EX and SX. The LX and EX are powered by a 2-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 156 horsepower. The SX has a 173-horsepower, 2.4-liter inline four.

The four-speed automatic transmission in the EX test car is calibrated for fuel-efficiency, not fun. The standard five-speed manual might coax a bit more out of the engine.

While not a lot of fun to drive, the Forte is frugal. The EPA fuel economy estimate is 25 mpg in city driving and 34 mpg in highway driving. We drove from Atlanta to Huntsville, Ala., on a little more than half a tank.

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Green Right Now Reports

Ever wonder about how smart those smart cars would be in a crash?

Seeing the pint-sized vehicles cruising through the valley of SUVs that still dominate US roads, it’s a question that comes to mind.

SmartUSA is aware of consumers’ safety concerns and addresses them in a page on its website: “The smart fortwo meets or exceeds all federal government crash test standards, including a 5-star side crash rating, and the highest scores for front and side crash worthiness and roof strength from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.”

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From Green Right Now Reports

Fisker Automotive announced Tuesday that US Department of Energy will loan the company more than half a billion dollars to create affordable, fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid electric cars. Fisker said it expects to create or save at least 5,000 US jobs among auto suppliers and thousands more to manufacture a plug-in hybrid in the US.

The funds are coming from the US Department of Energy’s $25-billion Advanced Technologies Vehicle Manufacturing Loan Program, created by Congress in November 2008 to help promote the development of energy-efficient, advanced-technology vehicles.

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By Tom Kessler
Green Right Now

With the 2010 models hitting the showrooms, we wanted to take a look at the most anticipated and intriguing hybrids available. With the first plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles just around the corner, this will be the last year that conventional hybrids will have the “alternative” market to them selves. So let’s look at the 2010 hybrids that really stand out:

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By Clint Williams
Green Right Now

A small price tag and big fuel economy are the principal attractions of the Toyota Yaris, but the new-this-year five-door liftback version has other charms. Take, for example, not one, not two, but three glove boxes, including one behind the steering wheel.

The four-door hatchback joins a two-door hatchback and a four-door sedan among the versions of the subcompact Yaris. Also new this year for all three body styles are an anti-lock brake system, front seat-mounted side airbags and front and rear curtain side airbags as standard equipment.

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LOS ANGELES (KABC) — The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is going green. Deputies are getting a fleet of zero-emission, electric-powered Mini Coopers this week. >> Read the full story

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From Green Right Now Reports

Lexus will push the pedal on the hybrid market with the arrival this month of its first dedicated hybrid model. The company calls its 2010 Lexus HS 250h hybrid sedan “the most fuel-efficient luxury vehicle in the U.S.”

The company also touts the car’s blend of advanced technology, luxury and eco-sensitivity. Almost a third of the interior and luggage space come from sustainable materials, and Lexus says 85 percent of the car can be recycled.

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From Green Right Now Reports

Signaling that the American marketplace may be at a tipping point, a new survey from Pike Research finds that 48 percent of consumers say they would be “extremely” or “very” interested in purchasing a plug-in hybrid that has a 40-mile range on a single charge.

“Plug-in hybrids match the driving requirements of most consumers we surveyed,” Pike’s managing director Clint Wheelock said in a statement. “Eighty-two percent of respondents drive 40 miles or less per day, with an average daily driving distance of 27 miles.”

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