What's Up With This Prius?

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If you're the type of person that likes to stand out, this polka dotted Prius would definitely be up your alley (otherwise, you may want to stick with the original). The one in the front reminds me of a mushroom, and the black/white one is like a dalmatian. My only guess for the red/green one in the back is Christmas. As for the black and pink, I've got nothin'!
Seeing as how Japanese culture likes to emphasize cuteness, I wonder if that's the intention they were going for, or if these were modified for a specific event.

Would you drive a car like this that's designed to get attention?

How Do Hybrid Cars Work?

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If more data on the internet came in the form of infographics, I think we'd all be a lot more entertained when learning about something new. This is especially true if the infographic is interactive, where you can click on things. Or, as they called it in the 90's when I was growing up, "infotainment" (which, despite the cheesiness, I still love to say).

That being said, I recently stumbled across an automotive related one from the people at GOOD, all about hybrid vehicles and how they work. If you've ever wondered yourself, the data they've put together is pretty interesting. There are basic pointers on how hybrid vehicles run, to what happens when you're driving, braking, and stopping. Be sure to click on the section that talks about the benefits of owning a hybrid, where you can get a nice picture of how much gas they save compared to conventional cars. Most of us tend to know about MPG and how cars compare, but when you can get an actual visual of hybrids vs conventional vehicles, it's pretty eye opening (and just might convince you to consider a Prius after all).

The site uses flash to deliver the content, so just a heads up!

Do you have any favorite infographics? Whether they're car related, social media, or anything you find interesting, leave a comment and share them below with me!  

Where Are the Greenest Drivers?

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When you think of cities where the greenest drivers tend to be, what comes to mind as your first inclination? If you guessed the Golden State, you'd be correct! A recent survey by Cars.com set out to find the areas where the most consumers were searching for hybrid and electric vehicles online. Here are the greenest (as well as the least eco-friendly) cities, according to the data that was found.

Cities with most searches for eco-friendly vehicles:
1. San Francisco, CA
2. Madison, WI
3. Monterey-Salinas, CA
4. Portland, OR
5. San Diego, CA
6. Green Bay, WI
7. Santa Barbara, CA
8. Sacramento, CA
9. Chico, CA
10. Zanesville, OH

Cities with least searches for eco-friendly vehicles:
1. Odessa, TX
2. Laredo, TX
3. Fairbanks, AK
4. Albany, GA
5. Bluefield, VA
6. Glendive, MT
7. Helena, MT
8. Colombus, AL
9. Casper-Riverton, WY
10. Baton Rouge, LA

The dominance of cities in California makes sense, given the fact that they have more charging stations for battery powered vehicles, and a more pro-active atittude towards environment preservation and recycling than any other state. What's interesting is the fact that 3 midwestern cities made the list!  I've certainly seen plenty of Prii (the "official" plural form of Prius, according to Toyota) driving around St. Louis, and was surprised to not see our fine city mentioned.

As for the least green cities - what's your take? Do you think the data makes sense (do folks in the Lone Star state really apply the "bigger is better" mentality to everything, including their cars? Could be why hybrids aren't as popular there!)

Would you nominate a different city to have a spot in one of these two lists instead?

Across the Country on 10 Gallons of Gas

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It sounds like a joke. Traveling 2,532 miles on only ten gallons of gas? But this professor is serious...and he's got the technology, prowess, and just enough crazy in his blood to do it!

Cliff Ricketts, a 63  year old professor of agricultural education at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, spent the past 34 years of his life researching alternative fuels. He announced his plans last week to travel from Georgia, to Long Beach, California. The idea stemmed from his fear of rising gas prices and the thought that if an oil crisis were to occur, people would need a backup option in case the price per gallon ramped up to $10 or more. As evidenced by my previous blog post back in January, the tell-tale signs are clear that gas isn't getting any cheaper!

Rickett's plan to drive this extraordinary distance is fueled, literally speaking, on the power of three specially equipped Toyota vehicles- a 1994 Tercer, and two Prii (the official plural form of Prius, according to Toyota!) 
Each of these vehicles is outfitted to run on a combination of compressed hydrogen, as well as solar power and an ethanol/gasoline mixture. Cliff would have used purely hydrogen, but could not secure all of the hydrogen tanks he needed in time for the trip.
He claims his motive is not so much an environmental message as it is a message on fuel efficiency. Now, flash forward and Cliff has done the unimaginable: he made it to his destination in not only record time but also using only two gallons of gasoline!

His cross country journey took five days, and spanned from Tybee Island, Georgia, to Tennessee, and then through Arkansas, and then all the way out west to Long Beach. The majority of the trip was done on Interstate 40, not to be confused with the highway 40 that we all know and love in St. Louis!

After reaching Long Beach, Cliff walked onto the beach and dipped his toes into the Pacific Ocean. "I feel like I climbed Mount Everest," he said. "This has significance in life and it has significance for mankind."

Has the rising cost of gas changed your perception on hybrids like the Prius C, or alternative fuel vehicles? Where would you travel to if you could road trip with such an efficient vehicle? 

A Quick Glance: the Prius C vs Honda Insight

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The two big contenders for consumers who are looking to get the most bang for their buck out of a hybrid vehicle this year are the Toyota Prius C and the Honda Insight. The Insight has been available since Fall 2011, while the Prius C is Toyota's newest, smaller version of the Prius family. So how do they stack up? I've compiled a list of specifications from around the internet, so you can see the comparisons yourself. Note: The Prius C is offered in four different grades, ranging from the base "1" model to the fully equipped "4", which offers features like heated seats, alloy wheels, and fog lamps.

Specs:	Toyota Prius C	Honda Insight
Price:	$18,950 ("1")- $23,230 ("4")	$18,350(base) $21,815 (EX)
MPG:	53 (city) 46 (highway)	41 (city) 44 (highway)
Navigation System:	Entune (optional)	Nav system available on EX model only
Weight:	2500 lbs	2,747 lbs
Length:	157.3''	172.3''
Cargo Volume:	17.1 cubic feet	15.9 cubic feet
Passenger Volume:	87.4 cubic feet	85 cubic feet
Engine:	1.5L	1.3L
HP:	99	98
Bluetooth availability:	Yes	EX only
Audio:	4 speakers (6 w/ Entune system)	2 speakers (6 w/ EX model)
Remote Keyless Entry:	Yes (SmartKey system- available on "3" and "4")	Not keyless
Steering Wheel Mounted Controls:	Yes	Yes
Airbags:	9	6
Release date:	Available now	Available now

As you can see, both models are quite similar, though Toyota takes the edge with an improved fuel economy and a base model with more entertainment and safety features. And if customization's your thing, the Prius C is available in nine different colors: Habanero, Moonglow, Summer Rain Metallic, Blue Streak Metallic, Absolutely Red, Black Sand Pearl, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Classic Silver Metallic, and Super White.

What features of a hybrid vehicle are you most interested in?