An eco-friendly car dehumidifier is available for less than £13 and is capable of absorbing 60% of its weight in moisture. The product is made from Bentonite, a stone granulate mixture of clay minerals, and extracts humidity like a magnet.

Moisture can lead to misted up and iced-over windows, which can add costly minutes to your day, especially when you have somewhere important to get to. If it’s happening every day and causing you stress before work, you shouldn’t have to put up with it any longer.

Other problems attributed to moisture include rust, mildew, unpleasant odours and mould – all of which could be impacting on your driving experience and reducing the value of your vehicle.

An eco car dehumidifier simply needs drying out after three months, usually with an oven, microwave or a radiator; after which it can be used again. The product is also very discreet, meaning you don’t have to compromise the look and style of your vehicle.

And finally, if you own a caravan, boat or garage, you can tackle humidity issues using your car’s dehumidifier.

One such opportunity is car leasing. Instead of buying vehicles, which can cost considerable sums of money, a firm can rent them for a fixed amount of time. This allows them to spread a much smaller cost over this period and drive a better calibre of car.

When you consider the benefits of being able to turn up to meetings in a BMW lease car or Mercedes lease car, rather than a clapped out old run around that’s you’ve been using for several years, it’s not hard to see why car leasing has become such a popular option. It could make a powerful first impression at a new business meeting or help show an existing client that you’re a successful organisation.

Another benefit of car leasing is that at the end of your contract, usually three years, you can change vehicles. This is a much more cost-effective option for upgrading to newer and better models than buying and selling. Plus, most car lease specialists have a wide variety of vehicles available to choose between.

Monthly payments are designed to be affordable, so whether you’re hiring one vehicle or several for your company, you can ride out the tough conditions in style.

The average household now spends $50 per month more on gasoline than last year, notes financial planner Rick Rodgers, author of The New Three-Legged Stool: A Tax Efficient Approach To Retirement Planning (www.TheNewThreeLeggedStool.com).

“But that’s not the whole picture,” Rodgers says. “Higher fuel prices affect a lot of other expenses in the family budget, from heating to food. The government estimates the average household is spending $150 per month more this year because of higher oil prices.”

You can try to ease the pain at the pump by using your car less, but you should also look for other places to offset that extra $150. Car insurance is a good place to start.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, the national average auto insurance premium is $850 per year. Can you reduce that? Rodgers says you probably can. He offers six ways:

• Shop around regularly. Your insurance agent doesn’t have a lot of incentive to reduce your premiums. I recently met a consumer who told me he had been with the same agent for 15 years. After he shopped his insurance with another agent, he saved $1,600 on his premiums for all his coverage. The internet makes it easy compare costs for the same coverage, or you can get an independent insurance agent to shop for you. Contact the Independent Agents Association at (800) 221-7917. (Be sure the company you go with has a good credit rating and claims-paying history.)

• Bundle your coverage. Bundling is combining different types of policies (auto, homeowners, liability, etc.) with the same company. The theory is that the company will discount the premiums if they have all of your business. The most common combination is packaging your auto insurance and homeowner’s policies together. Or, find companies that will bundle auto insurance with renter’s or tenant’s insurance. Bundled packages usually result in a 10 to 15 percent savings
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• Ask for discounts. You may qualify for discounts, but you won’t know until you ask. They’re commonly offered for good driving records, anti-theft devices, vehicle safety features (anti-lock brakes, air bags, automatic seatbelts), low annual mileage and insuring more than one car. The spunky Flo from Progressive claims discounts are also available for buying your policy online, paying in full up front, and being a loyal customer.

• Take a defensive driving class. Even if you’ve been driving for years, you can learn a lot from driver education and most insurance companies recognize the value of a refresher course, which can help you avoid accidents. The amount of discount varies by insurance company and from state to state, although most insurers offer a 10 percent discount on your premium for three years. AARP offers a driver safety program for those over age 50, and it’s available online.

• Increase your deductible. Do your auto and homeowners policies have low deductibles? If so, you may be able to reduce your premiums 15 to 30 percent by raising the deductible on your collision and comprehensive coverage. Make sure you have an emergency fund set aside to cover the cost of repairs before you make the change. But your homeowners policy may be the first place to consider raising the deductible, since statistics show the average homeowner files a claim only once every nine years. Be sure to check with your mortgage holder first; some specify maximums.

• Change Cars. This is probably the most difficult savings tip to implement but may have the largest impact on your premium. Used cars are cheaper to insure than new ones (excluding antiques); sports cars are more expensive to insure than minivans. Insurance companies like cars with safety features and low repair costs. Insure.com surveyed 900 vehicles in the 2012 model year and lists the rankings from the most expensive to least expensive on their website. Six of the 10 cheapest were minivans.

About Rick Rodgers
Certified Financial Planner Rick Rodgers is president of Rodgers & Associates, “The Retirement Specialists,” in Lancaster, Pa. He’s a Certified Retirement Counselor and member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisers. Rodgers has been featured on national radio and TV shows, including “FOX Business News” and “The 700 Club,” and is available to speak at conferences and corporate events (www.rodgersspeaks.com).

Click here to view the embedded video.

The top speed of this uncompromising sports car with a total of 280-kW electric motor reached over 260 km/h (161.59 mph) in the freezing weather. The relentless grip and stable handling necessary at extreme speeds were ensured by regular production Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 studded tyres (225/40R18).

- Testing in demanding conditions forms an essential part of our winter tyre development. We feel that the record and co-operation in the E-RA project are great ways to gain new experience and continue our progress at the peak of development. This is a true source of inspiration for developers of tyres, whose greatest challenges include optimising the safety characteristics and low rolling resistance, which greatly affects the range of electric vehicles, says Matti Morri, Technical Customer Service manager for Nokian Tyres.

The test was carried out on a six-kilometre track and it was performed according to the regulations of the Guinness World Records organisation. However as a class does not yet exist for this type of record, the Guinness organization was not involved in certifying the test and it is therefore not an “Official Guinness World Record”.

The time and speed for the one-kilometre distance was measured in both directions. The record is an average of these two measurements. The vehicle takes a flying start, and the allowed time frame is one hour. The tyres must be commercially available and approved for road traffic in the country in which the record attempt takes place.

The official Guinness World Record for driving on ice is also held by Nokian Tyres and test driver Janne Laitinen. The speed record achieved on the ice of the Gulf of Bothnia in March 2011 with a petrol-powered car is 331.61 km/h (206.05 mph).

Breaking boundaries speeds up development
The electric car E-RA is a display of skill by Finnish students and the development partners. The car has been built from scratch, using the latest technology in electric power trains and battery systems. At a minimum, the vehicle consumes only 14.5 kWh per 100 km, corresponding to 1.6 litres of fuel.

- With the record experiment, we wanted to show that the electric car is reliable both in freezing weather and at high speeds on slippery ice. Breaking these barriers speeds up the technological development, and this ultimately benefits the consumers, says Sami Ruotsalainen, leader of the E-RA team.

Nokian Tyres developed the world’s first winter tyre for the winter frost in 1934. Two years later, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta was born for the Nordic winter; it is currently one of the world’s best-known brands of winter tyres. The company is the only tyre manufacturer in the world focusing on products and services that facilitate safe transportation in northern conditions.

In terms of revenue, the market for Li-ion batteries for transportation will grow from $2.0 billion annually in 2011 to more than $14.6 billion by 2017, the cleantech market intelligence firm forecasts.

“The market for Li-ion batteries will be driven primarily by plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs), which require much larger battery packs than hybrids,” says research director John Gartner. “Battery chemistries that prioritize energy capacity over power density can satisfy both the PHEV and EV battery segments, enabling vendors to offer products to multiple vendors for multiple models. Reducing the installed price of EV batteries to $523 per kilowatt hour in 2017 will be a critical step towards making PEVs cost-competitive with petroleum-powered vehicles.”

Although most plug-in electric vehicles today have a range of between 40 and 100 miles, continued concerns over range and the availability of charging infrastructure remain among the biggest impediments to the wider adoption of Li-ion batteries. On the supply side, challenges such as achieving higher energy density, better safety, and greater discharge/charge rates linger despite advances in battery technology. Although a number of Li-ion chemistries are available today, none of them can claim to be the ideal solution. Manufacturers must make tradeoffs in choosing a particular type of Li-ion battery over others.

Pike Research’s report, “Electric Vehicle Batteries”, outlines the critical role that governments around the globe will play in establishing the electric vehicle market, and the challenges that manufacturers face in creating an industry that will be able to stand on its own as government influence diminishes. The study examines the key market drivers for the electrification of vehicles, the status of R&D in batteries, the impact of declining battery production costs on vehicle sales, and the resale of batteries after their useful life in vehicles. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the firm’s website.

The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Resources Board (CARB) has given approval for Golden State owners of the new 2012 Ford Focus Electric to drive in the highly sought-after high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes with less congestion.

These owners also will be able to receive up to $10,000 in tax credits between the state’s new $2,500 rebate and the eligible $7,500 federal tax incentive.

Focus Electric recently became America’s most fuel-efficient five-seater with a 110-MPGe city fuel economy rating, with more power, passenger room and standard features as well as half the charge time and cost of Nissan Leaf
Ford gives customers the power of choice with 10 fuel-efficiency leaders across segments and powertrain technologies.

Californians looking to avoid projected $5-per-gallon gas will soon be able to buy the gas-free Ford Focus Electric, save $10,000, and enjoy high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane access after the car was just approved for California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Program (CVRP).

California Focus Electric customers can now apply to receive a $2,500 tax rebate when the Focus Electric is purchased or leased for 36 months or longer. In addition to the state rebate, Focus Electric qualifies for the existing $7,500 federal tax credit.

“Ford is providing customers the power of choice to save money at the pump – from our gas-free Focus Electric to our innovative EcoBoost® technology that delivers leading gas-engine fuel economy,” said John Viera, global director, Sustainability and Vehicle Environmental Matters. “Californians have a legacy of embracing electric vehicles, and programs like the Clean Vehicle Rebate Program provide an excellent incentive for the continued wider adoption of electric vehicles.”

HOV lane access
Traffic congestion continues to worsen in California where, according to the Texas Transportation Institute’s annual Urban Mobility Report, Los Angeles and the San Francisco-Oakland metropolitan area rank No. 3 and 7, respectively, for the worst congestion in the U.S. In Los Angeles alone, this congestion contributed to a total of 38 million gallons of wasted fuel over the course of a year. This congestion costs the average Los Angeles commuter an additional $1,464 a year.

Charging vs. filling up
The savings of driving the Focus Electric can be tremendous. For example, in California, the cost to fully charge the Focus Electric at night is between $1 and $2 – which enables 76 miles of average driving. In a gasoline vehicle that gets a fuel-efficient 38 mpg at $5 per gallon, the cost to drive that same 76 miles is $10.

America’s most fuel-efficient five-passenger car
The Focus Electric CVRP rebate approval comes on the heels of the March 2 announcement that it is America’s most fuel-efficient five-passenger car with a certified 110 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) city rating and 99 MPGe on the highway.

Focus Electric also has been certified by the EPA to offer 105 MPGe combined, beating Nissan Leaf by 6 MPGe while offering more motor power and more standard features. Focus Electric’s 99 MPGe highway certification bests the 92 MPGe rating for the Leaf.

Focus Electric bests Leaf in other ways, too – more passenger room and a faster charging system that allows for a full recharge in just four hours, nearly half the time of the Nissan.

The EPA-approved Focus Electric label also certifies that the car has a range of 76 miles on a single charge compared with the 73-mile range of the Leaf. The Focus Electric can be driven up to 100 miles on a single charge depending on driving habits. The average driver drives 29 miles a day, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics website.

The approved label also will say customers could save $9,700 in fuel costs over the course of five years compared with the average new vehicle. Ford currently has 10 fuel-economy class-leading vehicles in its 2012 calendar year lineup. Additionally, Ford has nine vehicles that achieve more than 40 mpg, a claim no other full-line automaker can make.

CVRP plans for additional Ford electric vehicles
Ford is tripling production capacity for electrified vehicles through 2013, growing the company’s electrified vehicle capacity to more than 100,000 by 2013. Later this year and next, Ford will apply to CARB to have more electrified vehicles qualify for the California Clean Vehicle Rebate Program, including:

2013 Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid, with an overall range in electric and hybrid mode of more than 500 miles and aiming to become the world’s most fuel-efficient midsize sedan with a projected 100 MPGe rating
2013 C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, with overall range in electric and hybrid mode of more than 500 miles

Elec-tech
Focus Electric features an advanced charging system that allows the car’s battery to fully recharge in four hours – nearly half the time of Nissan Leaf – using available 240-volt outlets that can be installed in residential garages.

Faster charging with 240 volts also can extend range as drivers can more quickly recharge between stops – up to 20 miles per charge hour – so they can significantly improve a car’s range during a busy day of driving by recharging multiple times.

For those who need to charge up while away from home, the number of charging stations continues to rise. In the last 10 months the number of charging stations in the United States has risen from 750 to 5,507, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

To cut charging costs at home, a unique value charging feature powered by Microsoft is designed to help owners in the U.S. charge their vehicles at the cheapest utility rates, which can make charging the Focus Electric less costly than charging the Nissan Leaf.

Other standard features on Focus Electric include Ford’s Rear View Camera System, MyKey®, rain-sensing windshield wipers and Reverse Sensing System.

Focus Electric production
Production of the Focus Electric began in December 2011 at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich. More information about MAP can be found here.

Ford will ramp up Focus Electric retail production in the first half of 2012 for dealership availability in California, New York and New Jersey. By the end of 2012, Focus Electric will be available in 19 markets across the U.S. Ford has already delivered the Focus Electric to key fleet customers and technology partners, such as Google.

More information about Ford’s electrified vehicle lineup – including press releases, technical specifications and other related material – can be found online here. Photos of the Focus Electric can be found here.

The Clean Vehicle Rebate Program (CVRP) is funded by the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Resources Board (CARB) and administered statewide by the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) (http://energycenter.org/index.php/incentive-programs/clean-vehicle-rebate-project).

Prior to the launch of car2go in Nov. 2011, there were reportedly 800 electric vehicles in San Diego. With the introduction of car2go, an additional 300 smart fortwo electric drive cars have been brought to San Diego, increasing the City’s total number of EVs by nearly 40 percent. Since the introduction of car2go, the EV community in San Diego has grown exponentially to nearly 7,000 EV users, making San Diego one of the top cities in the world for electric vehicle drivers.

Today, the 300 car2go vehicles are collectively used among more than 6,000 members of the car2go carsharing program in San Diego, and that number continues to grow each day.

“For the first time in the history of North America, an entire city has been given access to a large network of electric vehicles that they can share, collaboratively,” said Nicholas Cole, president and CEO of car2go North America LLC. “As thousands of residents of San Diego embrace car2go and the electric vehicle driving movement, they are setting an outstanding example in emissions-free urban mobility for the rest of the world.”

car2go launched in San Diego with approximately 500 rentals per week. Today the average number of car2go trips per week has increased to more than 3,500. The average trip lasts between 15 and 30 minutes, and the average distance driven in a car2go is between 5 and 10 miles.

“At a time when the cost of fuel is reaching record-high prices, San Diegans are looking for ways to reduce their dependence on fuel and for more cost-efficient modes of transportation; and car2go is a very logical choice for them,” Cole went on to say. “The great start of car2go in San Diego begins the next chapter in this global success story,” said Klaus Entenmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler Financial Services, the Daimler division that recently took on responsibility for car2go.

car2go members can easily locate a car on the street anywhere within the car2go Home Area, via a smartphone app, via the car2go vehicle finder on the car2go website, by calling the customer call center, or simply by finding an available car on the street. Unlike traditional carsharing, members can begin their trip spontaneously or reserve a vehicle up to 24 hours in advance without committing to a mandatory return time or specific location. Members can use the cars for as long as they would like and pay only for the time they use the vehicle. Parking, insurance, re-charging and maintenance are included at no additional cost, and there are no annual fees.

Register Now! Free Registration Ends March 11, 2012

Through March 11, 2012 new members can register at SanDiego.car2go.com with the promotion code CHARGED to receive free registration (a $35 value) and 30 free minutes of driving time.

About car2go

A wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler North America Corporation, car2go N.A., LLC, offers an innovative mobility solution redefining individual transportation in rapidly growing urban areas by offering a network of several hundred environment-friendly smart fortwo vehicles for rent. It provides an innovative mode of “on-demand” transportation, which complements existing public transportation alternatives by bridging the gaps commonly associated with the “first and last mile” of a public transit commute.

car2go is currently operational in nine cities: Austin, Texas; Vancouver, British Columbia; San Diego, California; Ulm, Germany; Hamburg, Germany; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Vienna, Austria; Lyon, France; and Dusseldorf, Germany. In November 2011, car2go launched the world’s largest all-electric vehicle carsharing network in the cities of San Diego, California, and Amsterdam, Netherlands, with the deployment of 300 car2go smart fortwo electric drive vehicles in each city. In March 2012, car2go will launch in Washington, D.C., and Portland, Oregon; and in April 2012, car2go will launch in Berlin, Germany. Currently there are more than 70,000 car2go members worldwide.

New generation of engines. The 1.4 TSI in the Polo BlueGT is the top engine of the entirely new EA211 series of petrol engines. These petrol engines and the EA288 series diesel engines, which are also new, are technological pillars of the future Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB). One property shared by all of these engines is an identical mounting position in the car – and indeed across vehicle classes and brands.

Fuel savings by ACT. Even before the MQB is introduced, Polo BlueGT buyers will get to enjoy the new high-tech TSI with cylinder deactivation. Volkswagen is the first carmaker to introduce active cylinder management as a fuel-saving technology in smaller engines – they were previously only known in larger eight or twelve cylinder units. Shutting down the second and third cylinders under low and medium load states reduces fuel consumption in the EU driving cycle by about 0.4 l/100 km. In constant speed driving at 50 km/h in third or fourth gear, fuel savings are as much as one litre per 100 km. But even when driving at 70 km/h in fifth gear, fuel consumption is still reduced by 0.7 l/100 km.

ACT mode of operation. ACT becomes active at engine speeds from 1,250 to 4,000 rpm, and at torque outputs from 25 to approx. 100 Nm – a broad swath of the operating map that includes nearly 70 per cent of all driving states in the EU driving cycle! When the driver presses the accelerator pedal, the two cylinders are imperceptibly reactivated. The high efficiency certainly does not come at the price of a high level of smooth engine running: even with two cylinders, the excellently balanced 1.4 TSI of the Polo BlueGT runs just as quietly with as little vibration as it does when all four combustion chambers are active. All mechanical switchover actions are completed within one half of a camshaft revolution; this only takes between 13 and 36 milliseconds, depending on engine speed. The transitions are smoothed by supporting interventions to the ignition and throttle valve. Ingenious: thanks to an accelerator pedal sensor and intelligent monitoring software, the system can also detect non-uniform driving profiles – such as while driving through traffic or in a sporty manner when driving on a country road. In such cases, cylinder shutoff is disabled. The driver is informed whether two or four cylinders are active by an indication in the multifunction display located between the speedometer and tachometer.

ACT camshaft adjustment. To further reduce emission and fuel consumption values and improve torque in the lower engine speed range, the intake camshaft was designed to be adjustable over a range of 50 degree crank angle on all EA211 engines; in the 1.4 TSI of the Polo BlueGT, an exhaust camshaft adjuster is added. It adjusts to the desired spread of control times, thereby ensuring more spontaneous response from low revs; at the same time, it also improves torque at high revs.

Exterior of the Polo BlueGT. The new Volkswagen is clearly distinguished both inside and out. From the outside, it is the new 17-inch alloy wheels with spoke styling, GT signatures at the front and rear (and additional ‘BLUEMOTION’ at the rear) and new tailpipe trim that are identifying characteristics of the Polo BlueGT. In addition, numerous standard features were adapted from the Polo GTI or the Polo BlueMotion. GTI features are the rear spoiler, rear bumper with diffuser, front bumper and fog lights including daytime running lights. BlueMotion elements are the side sills and the front rain channels (outside on the windscreen). The Polo BlueGT is also upgraded by a black painted radiator grille, R-line ventilation screen in the bumper and black door mirrors. Having a positive effect on aerodynamics are the Polo’s 15 mm lower ride height and special underbody trim.

Interior of the Polo BlueGT. Interior features were upgraded by extended functionality of the multifunction display (ACT message and tyre pressure), the GTI instruments, a cruise control system, black roofliner and black pillar trim in GTI style, vanity and interior lights tuned to match, a leather-trimmed sport steering wheel with ‘BlueGT’ emblem, sport seats in front with newly designed trim (fabric type and colour) as well as various chrome surrounds.

Combining the ingenious packaging and urban agility of the Yaris model range with the unique driving experience and efficiency of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive® (HSD), the new Yaris Hybrid is a major step in the company’s full hybrid European roll-out strategy.

The Yaris is Toyota’s best-selling core model, with the largest ‘Unit in Operation’ fleet on European roads. Following the launch of the Auris Hybrid, the Yaris Hybrid is Toyota’s second core model to feature HSD technology, and brings this remarkable powertrain to the biggest volume segment in Europe.

The new Yaris Hybrid is designed for demanding urban drivers who expect a new driving and ownership experience from their car. Combining low fuel consumption, emissions and cost of ownership with uniquely relaxed and quiet driving, its HSD system proves that driving pleasure need not be compromised by environmental responsibility and low running costs.

Aspirational Design with Segment-Best Packaging
The Yaris Hybrid inherits all the clever DNA of the standard model, offering B- segment customers an ingenious combination of compact packaging with a spacious, practical interior, while introducing a new, more advanced and sophisticated style to the exterior design.

Its 2,510 mm wheelbase length unchanged, the new Yaris Hybrid is just 20 mm longer than the standard Yaris, at 3,905 mm overall. The front overhang has been increased to accommodate the new, downsized, full hybrid powertrain, yet the vehicle’s class-leading turning circle of only 4.7 metres has been maintained.

The Yaris Hybrid features an exclusive, aerodynamically efficient exterior design. It combines a new, more aggressive, Under Priority frontal design language -the distinctive new face of the next generation Toyota family- with Keen Look detailing such as front and matching rear LED lighting.

Aerodynamics are key to fuel efficiency, and the new Yaris Hybrid benefits from improvements to air flow both over the restyled front of the body and, through the adoption of underbody covers and wheel spats, beneath it. As a result, Toyota’s new full hybrid boasts a class-leading drag coefficient of just Cd 0.286.

On board, the Yaris Hybrid interior features an exclusive, hybrid blue finish to the dashboard soft-touch pads and seat fabric trim, blue illumination to the hybrid combimeter and a Toyota Touch system which incorporates a Hybrid Energy Monitor, and a hybrid-specific CVT gear knob.

The new Yaris Hybrid represents a significant engineering breakthrough in the packaging of the full hybrid powertrain. Every key HSD component has been reduced in size, and both the fuel tank and battery are installed under the rear seat. As a result, the Yaris Hybrid maintains identical occupant space and the same 286 litre luggage capacity as that of the standard model.

New, Downsized Full Hybrid Powertrain
The Yaris Hybrid introduces the first downsizing of Toyota’s HSD technology. The new powertrain has been optimised for installation within the vehicle’s compact, extremely efficient packaging design, without detriment to either system quality and performance, or passenger accommodation and loadspace.

The downsized full hybrid system combines a new, 1.5 litre petrol engine with a lighter, more compact electric motor, transaxle, inverter and battery pack. Total system weight is 42 kg less than that of the Auris Hybrid, making the new powertrain 20% lighter.

The 1.5 litre Atkinson Cycle petrol engine is 16.5 kg lighter and 10% shorter than the 1.8 litre unit of existing Toyota HSD powertrains. When used in combination with a cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system, an Atkinson cycle engine offers significant gains in fuel efficiency and the reduction of emissions.

In the Atkinson cycle, compression and expansion are asymmetrical, and the valves close late, delaying compression. This creates a high expansion ratio for less compression, converting combustion energy to engine power more effectively. Though more fuel efficient, an Atkinson cycle engine is marginally less powerful than the more common, Otto cycle unit. However, it is supported by an electric motor in Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive®, boosting total system power under acceleration.

The use of a smaller E-CVT electric continuously variable transmission and a more compact electric motor effects a 6% reduction in the length of the Yaris Hybrid’s transaxle, and an 11 kg weight saving over that of the Auris Hybrid.

The electric motor has been made smaller through the optimisation of the magnet material, and the winding of the coils with flat, rather than round, wire. And, due to a reduction in system current and voltage, the system’s Power Control Unit (PCU) has also been made smaller and lighter through the development of a more compact inverter and switching unit.

The new, downsized full hybrid powertrain also features a smaller, nickel-metal hydride battery with a more efficient management system. The number of cells has been reduced from the 168 of the current Auris Hybrid to only 120, effecting a decrease in volume of 20% and a weight saving of 11 kg. This has made it possible to install the new battery entirely under the rear passenger seats, with no intrusion into the cargo loadspace.

Combining the power of a 55kW petrol engine and the electric motor, the Yaris Hybrid’s highly efficient, 74 kW/100 DIN hp powertrain will offer the best balance of performance and fuel consumption/CO2 emissions in the B-segment, whilst allowing customers frequent driving in modes that emit zero NOx, PM or CO2 emissions.

Real world tests in an urban environement with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain reveal that up to 60% of commuting journey is undertaken with the petrol engine off, resulting in zero emissions driving.

Combining a low centre of gravity with the optimum weight distribution provided by the battery pack’s central layout, the Yaris Hybrid offers customers responsive performance and extremely well balanced driveability.

A thorough review of Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) measures has also increased the quietness of the HSD powertrain. Most notably, an excessive increase in engine rpm has been suppressed under acceleration, offering a more linear relationship between vehicle and engine speeds.

The new Yaris Hybrid is not a niche model. It is designed to appeal to a broad range of customers from different segments, such as C-segment downsizers wishing to combine roominess with fuel efficiency, traditional B-segment buyers looking to combine style with low ownership costs, eco-minded customers seeking the latest, class-leading green technology, and even B-premium intenders in search of an alternative proposition.

Every Toyota full hybrid offers customers the lowest possible cost of ownership. Excellent fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions bring tax incentives in some countries, inner city congestion charge exemption and exceptionally low running costs.

Moreover, Hybrid Synergy Drive® has been designed for low maintenance and outstanding durability. The full hybrid powertrain does not need a conventional starter motor or alternator. The engine uses a maintenance-free timing chain and has no drive belts, improving reliability and bringing further cost savings.

Based on the feedback from Toyota Hybrid vehicles on the roads, the efficiency of the Electronically Controlled Braking (ECB) regeneration system means that brake pads have a life expectancy of more than 100,000 km.

The new Yaris Hybrid will be produced at the Valenciennes plant of Toyota Motor Manufacturing France. Representing 20% of total Yaris model range volume sales on a full year basis, it will go on sale throughout Europe from May 2012.

Tax credits for electric, natural gas and hydrogen-powered vehicles would be increased from their current level of $7500 to $10,000 under the changes Obama outlined. They would also be applied at the time of purchase, whereas consumers currently must wait to claim the credit when they file their taxes.

Buyers of alternative-energy commercial trucks would also receive a tax credit for half the additional cost over a conventional truck. Electric and natural gas powered commercial trucks – including alternative-fuel semi-tractor trailers – would qualify for this additional credit.

“We need to invest in the technology that will help us use less oil in our cars and our trucks, and our buildings, and our factories,” Obama said. “That’s the only solution to the challenge. Because as we start using less, that lowers the demand, prices come down. Pretty straightforward.”

Obama also proposed a $1 billion program to help as many as 15 U.S. cities to pay for investments in clean-vehicle infrastructure, including charging stations.