Alternative Energy HQ » Consumers http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com Alternative Energy - solar power for homes, wind energy, and bio fuel issues Wed, 24 Aug 2011 05:44:24 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Recommendations on Hybrid Car Tires http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/recommendations-on-hybrid-car-tires.php http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/recommendations-on-hybrid-car-tires.php#comments Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:11:03 +0000 newenergy http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/recommendations-on-hybrid-car-tires.php
Will Treps asked:

It is important that you know how to assess hybrid car tires for better performance. Gas mileage is influenced more than just the weight and size of the tire. Keep in mind that rolling resistance of a tire has a bigger influence. Basically, harder tires equals less rolling resistance.

Generally, if the tire is too round or too hard, the tire-patch will be too small to adhere to the road surface effectively. The case is similar when it comes to tread designs and patterns. The more intricate the tread design, the better it will be able to adhere to the road better. But this also produces a chance for air, dirt, snow or water to become trapped. Ultimately, the engine will have to work harder and the car’s mileage will be minimized.

The majority of hybrid cars utilize some kind of low rolling resistance tire. While the low resistance tires will improve mileage, there have been reports from consumers that they were not pleased by the way the tires dealt with the road. But at the end of the day, it’s all about your personal requirements. If you drive aggressively, for instance, then a softer tire will be ideal. Otherwise, tires with the lowest resistance might be the best for you.

Several hybrid car users suggest an absolute minimum of psi or 35 psi. You should go through the manufacturer’s advice, and find out on your own how comfortable you are with pumping up your tires for an increase in mpg. Always remember, though, the safety issues regarding over-inflating your tires. Hopefully, this article has given you the opportunity to learn more about hybrid car tires so you’ll know how to assess them before purchase.



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Hybrid car festival http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/hybrid-car-festival.php http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/hybrid-car-festival.php#comments Sun, 11 Jan 2009 23:51:50 +0000 newenergy http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/faq/hybrid-car-festival
carbuyersnotebook asked:


Today’s automakers are looking for a way to show off their latest hybrid technology. Hybrid vehicles – vehicles with gas and electric engines working together to power an automobile – represent only a little more than 1.5 percent of the total new vehicle marketplace, but many people are looking to hybrids to ease our dependence on oil.

Recently in Madison, Wisconsin, passionate hybrid owners and the people who make hybrids rallied at the first annual Hybridfest. Today’s hybrids aren’t just for the single person commuting to work. New hybrid models have the same look, feel, and capability as a conventional gas engine powered vehicle and help out the environment with lower emissions.

With fuel prices on the rise, many consumers are looking for any alternative to save at the pump. Hybrids work by storing kinetic energy in their battery that would otherwise be lost in a gasoline-only automobile.

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Are Electric Cars A Part Of Your Future? http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/are-electric-cars-a-part-of-your-future.php http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/are-electric-cars-a-part-of-your-future.php#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:15:52 +0000 newenergy http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/faq/are-electric-cars-a-part-of-your-future
electric car
Heather Colman asked:


It seems that not so long ago, electric cars were a very distant possibility. However, in today’s world, electric cars are becoming extremely popular and may very well be a large part of our not so distant future. Electric cars have been produced, tried, and tested by many manufacturers and consumers are excited about the prospect. Let us take a look at the many positives that can go with the future of electric cars and why we should consider it as a possibility in our own future.


Electric cars are all together cleaner and safer for our environment. By driving electric cars, our generation will virtually eliminate air pollution and make the air cleaner for future generations. Cleaner air to breathe is a necessity and electric cars can work to provide that.


Electric cars are more affordable than fuel powered cars. Studies on electric cars have shown that for a passenger vehicle it will cost less to run the electric cars, than filling your car up every week with gas. In fact, for about $30, electric cars can operate for one full month. With the price of fuel on the rise at a consistent speed, electric cars would offer our finances a nice break. Maintenance is more affordable as well; you will not have to worry about changing the oil, submitting your car for a smog check, or having a tune up performed on electric cars.


Noise pollution is something we all complain about, especially within the bigger cities. Electric cars provide a quieter environment for everyone concerned. The future of electric cars mean no more 3 AM wake up calls by our neighbor’s loud cars. Furthermore, those that live close to busy streets and highways will sleep and live easier without the extra noises from the cars driving down the streets.


One problem about electric cars is at the present time it cannot travel extremely far without needing a charge. 25 to 60 miles on one charge is about all you can expect at this point in time. However, some areas offer “charging stations”, for example those in California can stop at a charging station and charge their electric cars for longer trips. It takes about three hours to fully charge the electric cars before you are ready to go again. The technology of electric cars is still being manufactured and research; we can expect great things in the markets in the future.


In the end, we all live here on earth and are all responsible for its preservation. Everyone needs to do their part, however seemingly small that may be. Use of electric cars is only one possibility to consider in preserving quality of life on earth for ours and future generations.

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Build Your Own Electric Car http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/build-your-own-electric-car.php http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/build-your-own-electric-car.php#comments Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:02:01 +0000 newenergy http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/faq/build-your-own-electric-car
electric car
matt q may, Sr. asked:


The Basics Of How You Can Build Your Own Electric Car

With the cost of gas these days, some consumers have decided that having and operating an electric vehicle will be more effective and cheaper in the long run. If you decide to build your own electric vehicle, there are whole lot of resources available to assist you understand and work through the process of changing a gas vehicle to an electric vehicle.

If you have a long commute everyday, an electric vehicle might not be your best choice, since on average, electric vehicles can run from 30-70 miles each day. This is totally dependant on the driving conditions, the weight of the vehicle and the battery quality. Also consider how you will be recharging the batteries. If you live in an apartment complex with no garage, it may be impossible to charge the car’s batteries every night.

Important Considerations

First you have to decide what type of car you want to use to build your own electric vehicle. Smaller cars will usually be ideal, but larger vehicles can be used as well. You will most likely want to use a car that has a manual four or five speed transmission, since manuals are more efficient. Interestingly, since electric motors are so efficient, shifting up and down constantly won’t happen as much as it does in a gas fueled engine.

When you build your own electric vehicle, the additional systems can add anywhere from 200 to 500 extra pounds to the total weight of the car. So, when choosing the car you want to work with, make sure that the total weight of the car with the modifications isn’t completely ridiculous and is within reason.

A few things that are optional and not used often when you build your own electric vehicle are power steering and air conditioning. The power steering would require another motor to make the power steering pump work. Air conditioning drags on the batteries, but you can hook up air conditioning using a special magnet system to work the compressor.

If you want to build your own electric vehicle, there are plenty of resources out there to help you do the job right. As time passes, electric vehicles and hybrids will become more and more popular simply because the price of gas seems like it is going to stay fairly high and for many people, gas is almost not affordable. Take a look and decide if you want to build your own electric vehicle; you might be surprised at how fairly easy it is to convert your gas guzzler into an electric vehicle.

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