new figures are old hat


Written on June 8, 2008 – 4:21 pm | by Terry

I read articles about new eletric cars all the time, i’m always interested in making my car time a more fuel efficient, greener time, as i spend more than 10 hours a week in the car, even small savings can make a huge difference.

I have to laugh though, while reading these articles, i often come across figures that to my mind just don’t make sense. For example, the toyota prius tv adverts quote figures or approx emissions of 106g/km, don’t forget that’s a hybrid car (electric and petrol), but a peugeot 206 only has emissions of 116g/km, considering that it’s probably got tonnes more street cred, and you can get them much cheaper than a prius, and it’s much older!

Even the new vw golf hybrid quotes a figure that is far less than the toyota model, only thing is that they don’t make them yet!

So what is the most fuel efficient car available today?


Written on June 8, 2008 – 4:21 pm | by Terry

With cars becoming more efficient, you might think those large oil companies profits’ are taking a beating, but in actual fact, they’ve never been higher! Companies like BP, ConocoPhilips, Texaco, Shell and others have never been stronger, thanks in part to the ordinary public paying record prices and continuing to drive inefficient vehicles.

But instead of lining executives pockets, you could be lining your own by reducing your reliance on fuel. These days, plenty of cars minimise fuel usage as well as pollution. I’ve done my own research into the figures provided by many manufacturers, as I don’t have each and every car available to me, this is my only way.

I’ll give you a few of my observations: the most fuel efficient cars have the smallest engines, they usually have a smaller mass and size, they are rarely american or english and often form is a placed underneath function, but I don’t mind that…

Believe it or not though, the two most fuel efficient cars I’ve come across are the Peugeot 206 1.4hdi (3dr manual), and the Mercedes Benz A170 1.7cdi, of course, these are the extra urban figures, that’s the way I drive for half a day every week!

Following Swedens Lead


Written on June 8, 2008 – 4:21 pm | by Terry

An article on Sweden’s future fuel plans mentions that soon they’ll have little or no requirement for oil in about 20 years time, which, thanks to biodiesel, could be achieveable anywhere!

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Petrol Prices


Written on June 8, 2008 – 4:21 pm | by Terry

Found this website recently, allows you to search for cheaper petrol in your local area, as the data that’s used is taken from fuel card users, it can give a more accurate and up-to-date reading of fuel prices in your area.

more info on http://www.petrolprices.com/.

The Alternative Fuel Company


Written on June 8, 2008 – 4:21 pm | by Terry

Based in Liverpool, the Alternative Fuel Company supplies bidiesel across the Merseyside and North Wales area. They have been operating about two months and distribute approximately 25,000 litres of biodiesel to green motorists every month.

Customers can buy fuel via mail order, take their vehicles to the alternative fuel company to have their tanks filled or have fuel delivered directly to them in bulk containers.

They have recently started supplying Liverpool Ducktours who have opted for a greener fuel for their yellow aquatic vehicles and currently provide them with 1000 litres of biodiesel a week.

Terry de Winne


Written on June 8, 2008 – 4:21 pm | by Terry

Terry, A prominent figure in Biodiesel production/distribution in Northern Ireland and further afield, has got a website detailing his up and downs with government policy.

LubeDev


Written on June 8, 2008 – 4:21 pm | by Terry

LubeDev is a group that develop lubricants that have less friction, so I have gathered from the website, they also develop other fuel economy increasing techniques, like putting acetone in your fuel.

Making biodiesel


Written on June 8, 2008 – 4:21 pm | by Terry

Is apparently a ‘piece of piss‘, but don’t take my word for it…

Making biodiesel at home


Written on June 8, 2008 – 4:21 pm | by Terry

The complete guide to using vegetable oil as an alternative fuel, is a printed book that is available on this website, it contains extracts of the book, seems popular!

The Hazards


Written on June 8, 2008 – 4:21 pm | by Terry

If you decided to produce your own Biodiesel, the government have a few words of advice to give you before you start…