photo credit: chrisdlugosz

Ford is starting to sell vehicles with their EcoBoost Engine. EcoBoost consists of smaller displacement engines with direct fuel injection and turbocharging to provide a fuel economy boost without any loss of performance. It uses turbochargers to take exhaust energy — normally wasted — and channel it back into the engine for more power.  The first cars use it to make a V-6 have the power of a V-8.  In the future it will be used on lower end cars to raise efficiency. EcoBoost is projected to feature in 90% of Ford Motor Company’s lineup by 2013.

“Compared with the current cost of diesel and hybrid technologies, customers can expect to recoup their initial investment in a 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine through fuel savings in approximately 30 months. A diesel will take an average of seven and one-half years, while the cost of a hybrid will take nearly 12 years to recoup – given equivalent miles driven per year and fuel costs,”

Diesel fueled cars are very popular in Europe and are starting to re-emerge here.  Mercedes has a new four cylinder diesel engine C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Prime Edition that can do a 0 to 62 mph in 7 seconds yet provide 45 miles per gallon. Low CO2 emissions of 138 g/km.  Performance plus efficiency and less pollution.

A Euro-spec 2007 VW Polo, can offer better fuel economy (74.3 mpg) and produce fewer greenhouse gases than some gas/electric hybrids.

New ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel, new emission control technologies, and advanced electronic engine control enable this new generation of automobile. Diesel contains more energy per unit volume than gasoline. Diesel cars have evolved, consider them when shopping for a new vehicle.

There is more to saving gas than just driving a Prius.  How you drive is as important as what you drive.  Give your current car a mileage boost with some of these techniques. Warning, other drivers many not smile when you are in front of them. EcoDriving covers many of these ideas.

1. Do not floor the accelerator from a stop sign.
2. Empty the car of unnecessary items to reduce weight
3. Slow down before entering corners, don’t hit the brakes hard in the turn
4. Keep engine RPMs low when cruising.
5. Do not speed,  keep speeds around 60mph, do not tailgate
6. Coast down inclines
7. Keep your car tuned and tires maintained
8. Close windows at high speeds and use the air conditioner or better yet fan ventilation
9. Remove racks from your roof when not using them

Amazon has the new car care products and biodegradable Green Motor Oil from Green Earth Technologies. It is made from American-grown renewable animal fats.

San Francisco readers: WETA has a free open house aboard the new eco friendly Gemini Ferry on Friday, December 12 1:30-330pm at the San Francisco Ferry Building. It runs on a bio diesel blend, is 85% cleaner than EPA emission standards, uses solar technology, etc..