There are several reasons that electric cars have not already replaced the gas engine, and they’re challenging to overcome, especially in the short run. The first is range. How far away from home can you get, and will there be a place to recharge along the way? How much does the car cost to buy and operate? Does it have guts?

The new Nissan Leaf can drive up to 100 miles on a full charge. That’s a lot further than most people drive in a day. Drivers would plug it in at home to charge overnight. It only takes 4 to 8 hours to fully charge the battery. You can even program the car to charge late at night when demand for electricity is low. For those occasions when you need to go further than 100 miles in a day, Nissan is working with various cities to install quick charge stations that can charge the battery 80% in about half an hour. You could find these quick charge stations with the Leaf’s navigation system and charge your battery while you stop for a meal.

Before you invest in one, check for quick charge stations in places you might travel. Over time they’ll become more available. If coverage is weak in the places you drive, you might not want your new Leaf to be your only car. Still, in a two car family, an electric car would be an ideal day-to-day commuter car.

Because of the expense of an electric battery, electric cars haven’t historically been able to compete with gas engine cars on price. The Nissan Leaf hasn’t yet announced its retail price, but some experts anticipate a price of around $25,000, including the $7,500 tax rebate. That puts it within reach of the average family. The battery lasts about 5 years, so you’d have to figure in the price of a battery every five years against the gas savings.

What about power? We’ve all driven electric golf carts. Is that how an electric car feels?  Not this one. The Nissan Leaf accelerates like a V-6 gas powered car. Nissan’s U.S. tour will show these electric cars in Los Angeles in November. Mass production will start in the U.S. in 2012. The new 2011 Nissan Leaf will be available on a limited basis in selected U.S. cities in 2010. You should be able to buy one at many Southern California locations, since this is one of the areas where Nissan is working to offer quick charge stations. Soon you’ll be able to test drive a Nissan Leaf in Redlands, San Diego, or Los Angeles. Only time will tell if electric cars will become the norm, but the Leaf seems to have a good chance at breaking through that barrier.

Man had started studying the alternative fuel for as early as the 19th century. So what is biofuel? The term “biofuel” applies to any form of matter produced from organic (once-living) matter. It is produced or derived from renewable sources like corn, soy, etc…

Now, what are the benefits of using biofuels, you say? This is actually the best way of reducing the smoke emitted from the greenhouse gas build-up that causes the greenhouse effect. This is also considered or can be looked upon as an alternative to fossil fuels that are now limited in resources. The uses of biofuel has grown or exapnded throughout. The primary or most common biofuels are ethanol and biodiesel.

Here, we will focus on biodiesel. What it is, is an all-natural and renewable alternative fuel for diesel engines made from vegetable oils, mostly soy and corn. It contains no petroleum and is actually nontoxic and biodegradable. One particular example under biodiesel that we are going to discuss on is the Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO). How a Waste Vegetable Oil can be used as an alternative fuel is another achievement attained by man’s quest for advancement. As technology evolves, so does man’s needs and the rapid growth in the population drove us to find other ways to maximize our resources; thus man discovered ways in making WVO as biofuel.

How does engines that are designed to burn diesel fuel work using biofuels? It is done by lowering the viscosity of the vegetable oil to allow it for proper atomization. Its conversion is a long process, and takes several weeks to convert it to where it can be used as a biodiesel for car engines; but there is a better way to minimize conversion time, by using WVO centrifuge. The WVO centrifuge is not new, but if adjusted right with precision, it actually performs better than any WVO filters.

So where can we find these waste vegetable oils? Hard to believe, but it can be found right in your own kitchen! Large suppliers of Waste Vegetable Oils are restaurant outfits. They convert this Waste Vegetable Oil this into a biofuel by simply adding methanol and lye and presto! Instant biofuel!

So, why go for alternative fuel? To save on costs and keep the environment, clean for our next generation.  Did you know almost any diesel powered car can be converted to run on biodiesel.  See a nice selection of Used Volkswagen Diesel Cars.

Cost of Repairs

Most people don’t expect to pay much for maintenance on a new car. Fewer things should break during the first few years, and if they do, they’re typically covered by the warranty.  A used car is more likely to need repairs, especially as it gets older. When you’re looking at buying a used car, there’s a huge range. You can get a car that’s only a year or two old with low mileage. Many dealers will “certify” a used car that’s in good condition and offer a warranty with it. This, of course, will cost more than an older car.

Gasoline Expenses

How many miles to you drive on a regular basis? Gas hogs are no longer popular, and their prices show it. If you don’t drive a lot, getting a used SUV could be a cost effective plan. Compare the price difference between a gas guzzler and a more fuel-efficient car with the amount you expect to spend on gas.  If you drive a lot, a hybrid might be worth the extra upfront cost.  Check out the new 2009 Escalade Hybrid with its 20 mpg – not bad for a luxury SUV.

Financing

Dealers are offering great interest rates on new car loans – as low as 0% for 36 months on some models. Check out the offers on the 2009 Mazda 5! Used cars are typically financed at about 7% for a three year loan. The longer loan period on a new car combined with the low (or zero) interest rate will lower your monthly payments. But often the lowest rates are only available to those with stellar credit.

Insurance

Insurance is usually higher on a new car because the value is higher.  The model of car will make a difference too. For a new driver or a driver with a less than perfect record, insurance costs will play a bigger role.

Which is the most cost-effective decision – new or used?  It depends on your situation. But don’t discount the possibility of a new car without checking it out. You might be able to buy a brand new car and honest tell your spouse that it was too cheap to pass up!

Make Your Car Last

So what exactly should you do to take care of your car? First, don’t put off any maintenance or repairs that are needed.  If something is broken and you continue to drive, it will damage other components.  This will eventually lead to more expensive repairs and/or a reduced lifespan.  Listen to your car, watch for the warning lights and heed them. Many cars now have sensors that monitor the type of driving you’re doing, engine heat and other factors and then let you know when maintenance is needed.

Baby Your Car with Regular Maintenance

Second, stay on top of the maintenance recommendations.  No, I don’t mean that you need to do everything the mechanic or the dealership tell you to do.  They often try to sell you more than you really need.  Instead, read the car’s owner’s manual.  If you don’t have one, go to eBay and buy one.  There are usually a regular maintenance schedule and an extreme-use maintenance schedule.  What’s extreme use?  Well, if you live in a very hot or cold climate, or by the ocean, or drive in dusty conditions or make a lot of short trips or tow a trailer, you should follow the extreme use maintenance schedule.  Don’t skimp, even though it costs time and money.  It will more than come back to you in the long run.

Only use parts and fluids that meet manufacturer specifications. Using cheap no-name parts or fluids can cost you more in the long run.  The easy way to do this, of course is to get your car serviced at the dealership with genuine oem parts.  But independent mechanics can also use good parts.  Just be sure to ask.

Is  it Too Late to Start Now?

Absolutely not!  Even if you haven’t taken spectacular care of your car, you should start now. While it might not last as long as it would have if it had been well cared-for since day one, you can still extend its life with good care now, unless it’s on its very last leg already.

When it’s time to give it up

There is a point when it’s more cost effective to get a new (or used) car. If your car needs repairs that exceed its value, it’s time to say goodbye.  To get an idea of what your car is worth, check out Kelley Blue Book or Auto Trader.  Also, if it’s had major damage from an accident or flood it may be time to let it go.  Lastly, if you repair it and it’s still unreliable and leaves you stranded, it’s time to move on.

Buying a New or Used Car

This is a great time to buy a car.  Dealers are making unbelievable deals right now.  You might want to consider buying a used car. You can save the depreciation that happens as soon as a new car is driven off the lot.  And you can get a lot of information about the car’s history from Carfax. Some used car dealerships even offer Carfax reports for free. Research the model you’re looking at and get the best possible deal on a reliable car.  You’ll spend less time and money on repairs and hopefully this car will last 10 years or more!