Honda has released the first photograph of the production version of the all-new Insight hybrid, which makes its world debut in January 2009, at the Detroit Motor Show. This first image of the US version of Honda’s affordable family hybrid shows how the new five-passenger, five-door Insight will look when it goes on sale in the UK in spring 2009. ... read more

Motoring organisation, the RAC will be the first to trial hybrid vehicles as part of its recovery fleet as an instigation of a wider initiative to reduce CO2 emissions. Two vehicles from RAC’s fleet are being trialled with the retro-fit Hybrid+ system, one in Norwich and the other in central London. RAC will be monitoring the fuel consumption over a period of two months to measure the savings. If the trial successfully reduces fuel consumption and carbon emissions, RAC aims to increase ... read more

Alternative fuel vehicles and electric vehicles have been the stars of 2008 so far according to a new report. The latest Experian ‘Automotive Market Insight Report’ from the global information company, details car buying trends between January and June 2008. In difficult trading circumstances, diesel, alternative fuel and electric vehicles and cars within the mini segment were among the few to post a growth in sales. While, slightly surprisingly,  the used MPV segment was the biggest ... read more

 Here in the UK, the thought of a car that runs on solar power seems like a distant dream - after all, we need some sun first, right? Still, much is being made of solar technology with Green Mountain Power, which sells electricity and utility construction services in the state of Vermont, converting two of its Toyota Prius fleet vehicles into plug-in hybrids. The cars’ batteries are charged using a 4kW solar array that has been installed at the company’s headquarters in ... read more

 Continuing the theme from our earlier post on how the cash crisis could kill electric cars, it now appears that hybrid cars too could come under threat. CEO of Japan’s Nissan Motor and France’s Renault, Carlos Ghosn, warned that car manufacturers “can’t find the financing” for aggressive development of green cars during a speech at the LA Auto Show. He expects the recession in the motoring sector to last until 2010 and says car makers are struggling to divert ... read more

 Honda has set its sights high for hybrid car sales, targeting 500,000 globally each year. However, the target doesn’t look so far-fetched when you check out its latest addition - the new Insight family hybrid car, which is sure to be another green car hit. The vehicle will feature a new Ecological Drive Assist System that combines three different functions to enhance fuel economy. One is ‘ECON mode’ which controls the engine, transmission and other powertrain components; ... read more

 Already established as one of the leading players in the hybrid market, Toyota’s luxury division Lexus is now planning to take its green car offerings to another level. The company unveiled the new RX 450h at the LA Auto Show yesterday ahead of a launch in Europe during the summer of 2009. In the UK, the new generation version of the RX will be an all-hybrid range with the RX 450h replacing both the RX 400h hybrid and the RX 350 petrol engine. The current RX 400h has proved a ... read more

 Tax credits for some of the most fuel efficient vehicles in the USA are going, going and in some cases, already gone. According to reports by Autoblog Green, the decision by Congress to enact a hybrid tax credit came with a limit of 60,000 vehicles per manufacturer that would qualify for the discount. With hybrid cars having rapidly expanded in popularity, many of the more popular models no longer apply for Government assistance. For example, the tax credits on Toyota vehicles actually ... read more

 When it comes to the manufacturing and sales of green cars Honda makes few mistakes. So when it confidently strides into the Indian automobile market, taking hybrid cars to the country for the first time, it’s easy to believe it will be a success. India has already established a strong demand for electric vehicles which comes from buyers who are conscious both about the environment and about keeping running costs down. Electric cars present great value, both in terms of their costs ... read more

 So which country is leading the way in the development of green cars - perhaps Japan with its progressive auto industry, Australia with its green car fund or the USA inspired by California’s green push? Well, it seems they may all be left standing by South East Asia’s most important car-making centre - Thailand. As of 2009, Toyota Thailand will begin production of Camry hybrids making it the manufacturer’s third site for hybrid vehicles. Indeed Thailand has been working on ... read more