jackson weather: 55f (13c)
by Sital Sanjanwala
November 19, 2008
Toyota Prius
Type of car: Hybrid
Body type: Sedan
How it works: Energy is captured whenever the car brakes, stored in the batteries and used whenever possible instead of fuel.
Estimated cost: $22,000
Combined MPG: 46 mpg
Type of energy: Gasoline at gas station
Other models: Ford Escape ($29,300; 32 mpg), Honda Civic Hybrid ($22,600; 42 mpg)
Volkswagen Jetta TDI
Type of car: Diesel/Biodiesel
Body type: Sedan
How it works: Converts vegetable oil or animal fats into a chemical to be used as energy for biodiesel or simply diesel can be used.
Estimated cost: $21,900
Combined MPG: 35 mpg
Type of energy: Diesel or Biodiesel (converting vegetable oil or animal fats)
Other models: Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD ($34,400; 22 mpg), BMW X5 Diesel ($45,900; 22 mpg)
Chevy Impala E85
Type of car: Ethanol
Body type: Sedan
How it works: This flex-fuel capability has Ethanol compatibility for virtually all the cars components or can run on gasoline.
Estimated cost: $22,400
Combined MPG: 22 mpg
Type of energy: Gasoline at Gas Stations or Ethanol from fast-food restaurants
Other models: Chrysler Sebring E85 ($29,300; 21 mpg), Chevrolet Silverado E85 ($29,400; 18 mpg)
VentureOne
Type of car: Plug-in Hybrid
Body type: Coupe
How it works: This type of car travels up to 40 miles on electricity and then converts to gasoline.
Estimated cost: $18,000
Combined MPG:100+ (40 miles on all-electric mode)
Type of energy: Electricity from your house and gasoline at gas stations
Other models: Plug-in hybrids are not yet available for the individual consumer
Chevrolet Volt
Type of car: Electric
Body type: Sedan
How it works: An electric car is powered by an electric motor instead of a gasoline engine.
Estimated cost: The demand is pushing the price up between $30,000-$40,000
Combined MPG: 150+ mpg (40 mpg are entirely electric)
Type of energy: Charging the battery and gasoline at gas stations
Other models: Projected to release in 2011
Smart ForTwo
Type of car: Gasoline
Body type: Small Car
How it works: Operating like a traditional car, the smart car is eco-friendly because of its size.
Estimated cost: $15,000
Combined MPG: 36 mpg
Type of energy: Gasoline at gas stations
Other models: Mini Cooper ($18,700; 35 mpg), Toyota Yaris ($12,400; 32 mpg)
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