Minggu, 06 Januari 2008

Fuel types: the pros and cons

Hybrid, electric, hydrogen-fuel cell

For: Hybrid petrol-electric engines are cleaner and more efficient than diesel and petrol vehicles. In traffic, hybrids can run solely on electric power, reducing emissions dramatically. Electric vehicles can be recharged overnight and emit no emissions, while fuel-cell and hydrogen-powered vehicles emit only water from their tailpipes.


Against: Hybrids are much more expensive than petrol vehicles. It takes a long time for the cheaper fuel to pay you back for your initial outlay. Batteries are expensive to replace. Electric vehicles are also limited in their range and indirectly use fossil fuels through the electricity grid. Fuel-cell and hydrogen vehicles can experience problems with cold starts.

Fuel types: the pros and cons

LPG

For: LPG vehicles emit between 10 and 15 per cent lower greenhouse gas emissions than petrol vehicles and create only 20 per cent of petrol's air toxic emissions. LPG is also cleaner than diesel, emitting far fewer particulates. LPG is cheaper than both diesel and petrol. The Federal Government has incentives of up to $2000 to switch from petrol to gas. As a gas, LPG does not produce land and water pollution. Australia has abundant resources of LPG.

Against: LPG is a less efficient fuel than petrol. An LPG Falcon uses 15.1 litres/100km, compared with 10.7L/100km for the petrol version. LPG versions of the Toyota Aurion and Holden Commodore are $4400 and $3900 respectively more expensive than their petrol equivalents. LPG engines are generally not as responsive as petrol engines, while the tanks take up boot space.

Fuel types: the pros and cons

Diesel

For: Diesel engines are around 30 per cent more efficient than petrol, which means you will spend less on fuel. Per litre diesel creates more CO2 emissions than petrol, but because you use less diesel than petrol it contributes less to global warming. Low sulfur diesel and modern particulate filters have made diesel cleaner in recent years.

Against: The Australian Greenhouse Office says diesel engines are a major source of particle matter emissions. They emit 20 times the particle matter of petrol engines. Particle matter has been linked to cancer and respiratory disease. Diesel is a petroleum product and has many of the same drawbacks as petrol. Diesel fuel is often more expensive than petrol and diesel cars are more expensive than their petrol equivalents.

Fuel types: the pros and cons

Petrol

For: Petrol's main attraction is its availability. Petrol bowsers at service stations usually outnumber diesel and LPG bowsers by three-to-one or more, which means refuelling is quicker. Making petrol engines more efficient can deliver immediate and wide-reaching environmental benefits. BMW's latest technology, direct-injection, 3.0-litre V6 produces fewer emissions and uses less fuel than the small, four-cylinder Mazda3. Petrol produces fewer nitrogen oxides and particulate matter than diesel.

Against: Oil is a dwindling resource and petrol produces more greenhouse gases than diesel or LPG. The price of petrol is likely to keep rising as reserves dry up. It is not as efficient as diesel and it contains carcinogens such as benzene. Crude oil spills can have disastrous environmental consequences, while petrol spills have been known to contaminate ground water supplies.

Fuel types: the pros and cons

Ethanol

For: Ethanol's main attraction is its renewability. It is made from corn and grain, which can be regrown, unlike oil. Researchers at the University of California estimate that replacing petrol with ethanol will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 13 per cent. Ethanol also produces up to 50 per cent fewer smog-forming emissions than petrol. The growing of crops has a carbon offset effect, as the plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere while they grow. Ethanol can be produced by non-edible crops such as grass and wood.

Against: Corn and grain are food sources, which raises the ethical question of using them for fuel while children are starving. Ethanol production also creates its own greenhouse gas emissions; farmers drive diesel tractors and electricity is used in the refining process. Ethanol production also requires plenty of water - another scarce resource. Ethanol fuel contains less energy than petrol, which means you need more of it to travel the same distance you would using petrol. Experts estimate that fuel economy can be 20 to 30 per cent less than petrol.

Minggu, 23 Desember 2007

2007 Mercedes-Benz C230


The 2007 C230 is a 4-door, 5-passenger luxury sedan, or luxury sports sedan, available in 4 trims.

Upon introduction, the C230 Sport Sedan is equipped with a standard 2.5-liter, V6, 201-horsepower, flexible fuel engine that achieves 19-mpg in the city and 25-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 7-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. The C350 Luxury Sedan is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 268-horsepower engine that achieves 20-mpg in the city and 29-mpg on the highway. A 7-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional.



The 2007 C-Class is a carryover from 2006.

2007 Toyota Prius


The 2007 Prius is a 4-door, 5-passenger family sedan, available in two trims, the 4-Door Liftback and the Touring.

Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 1.5-liter, I4, 110-horsepower, hybrid engine that achieves 60-mpg in the city and 51-mpg on the highway. A variable speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.

The 2007 Prius is a carryover from 2006.