MIT Says Refillable Liquid Batteries Are the Way of the Future

One argument that continues to resurface amongst electric car bashers is the six to eight hour charging period that most electric batteries have. All those arguments may be coming to close in the near future thanks to an ingenious solution brought to us by the folks at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In an effort to minimize the discrepancy in refueling time between conventional and electric vehicles, MIT has developed refillable liquid batteries with which all-electric cars could be charged in a matter of minutes. Although the project is in its infancy, much speculation has been made as to whether the batteries would be refilled at a pump the same way we get our gasoline now.

The battery essentially works by pumping a solution with solid particles, which are either cathodes or anodes, through the battery’s circuit. It is interesting to note that MIT’s new battery be highly compartmentalized and will house the two functions of the battery (storing and releasing energy) in separate, physically-partitioned areas. This solution, which has been lovingly nicknamed “Cambridge crude” by professor W. Craig Carter, appears in the form of black, viscous goo.

Due to the new design, MIT speculates that the battery will be both smaller and less expensive than the EV batteries being produced today. Thought this product may not hit markets soon, a company known as 24M Technologies has staked its claim by fueling the project with a 16 million dollar investment. MIT hope that by pairing with 24M Technologies the commercialization of the battery will enjoy huge success.

Aston Martin Goes To the City

With the vast majority of automakers expending energy on green technology and environmentally friendly vehicles, it is no surprise that even luxury car companies want to be a part of this growing trend. Following in the footsteps of Volkswagen’s Audi which introduced the A1 subcompact last year, Aston Martin is launching their version of a compact city car this month.

Known as the Cygnet, this city car is meant to be a solution for urban drivers who face the problem of tight parking spaces as well as the answer to demands for more eco-friendly vehicles. Emitting only 120 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer, the Cygnet is a much greener option than other Aston Martin models such as the One-77 which emits 572 grams per kilometer. As Peter Schmidt, editor of Automotive Industry Data asserts, “The attitude of the super-rich has changed…They really do want to be seen to be green.”

In order to reduce cost and production time, Aston Martin enacted a supply deal with Toyota Motor Corporation. Under the deal, Toyota produced the engine, transmission, and frame of the Cygnet, using the Toyota iQ, a similar subcompact car, as their template. Aston Martin needed the partnership to expand the appeal of the Cygnet and ensure a speedy turnaround to increase demand.

While the Cygnet shares several components of the iQ, it remains a characteristically ultra-luxury car. Boasting a hand-stitched leather interior with 3 million possible combinations of trim and color choices, six types of alloy wheels, a navigation system, a six-speaker stereo, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, the Cygnet is worthy of its Aston Martin badge.

However, the green, subcompact car does sacrifice some of the speed characteristic of Aston Martin. The acceleration rate from 0 to 62 mph is only 11.6 seconds, a slug compared to the One-77 which races to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. The price tag on the Cygnet could also be a cause for concern. Buyers will be paying $50,500 for the Cygnet as opposed to the iQ which only costs about half of that price.

But Aston Martin believes the increase in urban populations as well as the pressure for green technologies will persuade luxury car buyers to opt for the Cygnet. Indeed, Aston Martin hopes it will be its second-best selling car, planning to sell 1,500 models a year. While the Cygnet might not live up to typical sports car standards, it certainly will be a car to talk about.

Ford Hopes Three Cylinders Are Better than Four

With expensive gas prices tightening their grip around American wallets, the innovators over at Ford have been losing sleep coming up with ways to combat this fuel-driven oppression. So far, they have arrived at a very un-American solution to the problem: smaller is better. Ford’s engineers have been laboring on a new three-cylinder EcoBoost 1.0-liter engine which they hope will revolutionize the small car market stateside.

This diminutive dynamo hopes to pack as much punch as a four-cylinder while still delivering superior miles per gallon. Ford claims that the EcoBoost will supply an output better than or equal to the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine already equipped in the Fiesta. Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s VP of global product development shared that “Consumers are telling us they want to buy affordable vehicles that get many more mile per gallon. Our new 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine will give consumers looking for hybrid-like fuel economy a new, more affordable choice.”

While some critics are still skeptical of three-cylinder sales due to American’s past inclination toward bigger, more powerful engines, the statistics don’t lie. Ford and GM recorded that more than a third of its customers are buying cars with smaller four-cylinder engines which is nearly twice as much as was documented in 2008. With no indication that fuel prices will ever return to the glorious days of yore, consumers are finally waking up to the reality of better mpg or bust.

Ford Hopes Three Cylinders Are Better than Four

With expensive gas prices tightening their grip around American wallets, the innovators over at Ford have been losing sleep coming up with ways to combat this fuel-driven oppression. So far, they have arrived at a very un-American solution to the problem: smaller is better. Ford’s engineers have been laboring on a new three-cylinder EcoBoost 1.0-liter engine which they hope will revolutionize the small car market stateside.

This diminutive dynamo hopes to pack as much punch as a four-cylinder while still delivering superior miles per gallon. Ford claims that the EcoBoost will supply an output better than or equal to the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine already equipped in the Fiesta. Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s VP of global product development shared that “Consumers are telling us they want to buy affordable vehicles that get many more mile per gallon. Our new 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine will give consumers looking for hybrid-like fuel economy a new, more affordable choice.”

While some critics are still skeptical of three-cylinder sales due to American’s past inclination toward bigger, more powerful engines, the statistics don’t lie. Ford and GM recorded that more than a third of its customers are buying cars with smaller four-cylinder engines which is nearly twice as much as was documented in 2008. With no indication that fuel prices will ever return to the glorious days of yore, consumers are finally waking up to the reality of better mpg or bust.

"Toyota Friend" Reminds You to Take Care of Your Car

Your cell phone vibrates. Is that a text message, a phone call? No, it’s just a message from your Toyota Prius plug-in, reminding you it needs a charge.

That’s right, Toyota Motor Corporation is developing a social networking service exclusively for Toyota drivers called Toyota Friend. Toyota’s President, Akio Toyoda, hopes that Toyota Friend will offer a way to create a friendship between car and driver. Just as people use Facebook and Twitter to connect with friends, Toyota Friend is meant to link Toyota drivers to their cars, dealerships, and fellow Toyota owners. Indeed, users can message each other, browse for charging stations, find vehicle tips, and even post their findings to other popular social networking sites.

While Toyota Friend has not been launched yet, it is set to premiere in 2012 in Japan. Toyota is working on the project with both Microsoft and San Francisco-based Salesforce.com, making it likely that Toyota Friend will be introduced in the U.S. and worldwide later in the year.

More than just a networking service, Toyota Friend has the potential to take the guess work out of car maintenance. It has the capability to notify users when their car needs an inspection and will automatically make an appointment with a Toyota dealership. And it doesn’t matter where you are when your car is in need: Toyota Friend’s alerts can be viewed via cell phone, computer, and even the car’s interior display.

The next time you are driving in your Toyota Prius, talking to it about its low battery or asking if something is wrong with the engine, consider that in the future your car just might talk back.

SUVs That Save Money at the Pump

For years SUVs were notorious for their poor fuel economy, but their practicality keeps sales up. Families love SUVs because they offer comparable space to a minivan in much sportier packaging. With raising gas prices, drivers had to take bank loans to fill up these gas guzzlers, but manufacturers have made great strides in improving their fuel economy. While a hybrid model of an SUV may add a few more miles to the gallon, their much higher costs, sometimes make them unaffordable for many people. Here is our list for the top 6 non-hybrid SUVs:

1. Nissan Juke (27 city/32 hwy/29 combined)


2. Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (25 city/31 hwy/27 combined)


3. Hyundai Tuscon (23 city/31 hwy/26 combined)


4. Chevrolet Equinox (22 city/32 hwy/26 combined) tie


GMC Terrain (22 city/32 hwy/26 combined) tie


5. Jeep Patriot (23 city/29 hwy/25 combined)


For those that can afford hybrid models the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid tied for the top spot over all with 34 city, 31 highway, and 32 combined MPGs.

Cars That Were Built to Last

Dependability has always been a big factor in a lot of car purchases. The most dependable cars generally have the highest three and five-year resale values. They are also the best investment you can make in a car.

JD Power & Associates has come out with their list of the most dependable cars. All of these are 2008 models which are going to be available in abundance with a common three year lease ending this year. After questioning over 43,000 people these cars have had the least amount of issues in the last three years.

Category          Best In Category          Other Top Picks
Subcompact          Honda Fit                Toyota Yaris
                                             Hyundai Accent

Compact             Toyota Prius             Hyundai Elantra
                                             Toyota Matrix

Compact Sport       Mazda MX-5 Miata         Scion tC
        
Midsize Sport       Ford Mustang

Midsize             Ford Fusion              Buick Lucerne
                                             Mitsubishi Galant

Full-Size           Buick Lucerne            Ford Taurus
                                             Chevrolet Impala

Compact Luxury      Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
Sport

Entry Luxury        Lincoln MKZ              Lexus ES 350
                                             Acura TL (tie)
                                             Acura TSX (tie)

Midsize Luxury      Acura RL                 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
                                             Lexus GS

Full-Size Luxury    Cadillac DTS             Mercedes-Benz S-Class

For anyone keeping track of the makes as a whole Acura, Ford, and Mercedes-Benz all have three models that are a top pick. Surprisingly, Honda, a manufacturer known for durability and reliability, only has one car on that list, and it isn’t either of its flagship models, Civic or Accord.

Keeping a car long past the pay off of your loan is a great investment and buying any one of JD Power & Associates most dependable car picks will allow you to do just that.