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What’s the latest trend in Green Car Technology? For Earth Day 2010, we’re taking a look at what’s new and improved in the world of eco-friendly tech. Has the hybrid craze finally come to an end? Are we looking to a future of all electric and alternative fueled vehicles? Well, probably not.

Hybrid cars are still a top-selling subdivision of both import and domestic auto makers. But as the combination gasoline-electric tech is close to perfection, alternative methods are being tested. Here’s a few:

All-Electric Vehicles: Our EV Future

The next logical phase in alternative fuel from the gas-electric auto world is full-on electric. Several top auto makers, including General Motors, Toyota and Mercedes/MINI are working towards perfecting their electric motors. The Prius Plug-in, for example, features nickel-metal hydride (NiMh) battery packs. These batteries can be charged in only a few hours using common household outlets. Toyota’s partner in making the battery pack – Panasonic. Chevrolet’s Volt EV is still in the hypothetical phase, but is rumored to feature an electric motor and 16 kWh lithium-ion battery plug-in system, although a future production model may have a combo hybrid E85-electric engine.

Small-Alternatives: MINI, Smart & More

Little Green all-electric cars have been popping up as the latest craze for environmentally friendly buyers. At this year’s 2010 New York International Auto Show, small rides like the MINI plug-in, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, and TH!NK Electric were visitor favorites. Each runs on a separate type of electric motor, with a variety of lithium-ion battery packs specially made by the separate auto makers. Mazda, Nissan and Kia are also on the cusp of releasing all electric, small vehicles.

Luxury Hybrid Muscle: Sports Cars Go Hybrid

(Pictured, Green Car Report’s Shannon Arvizu)

Not everyone wants to drive a tiny car, some of us need a luxury SUV to carry around the kids, dogs and say “hey, I make ridiculous amounts of money for an evil cash-hungry corporation, but I still love mother earth!” Porsche is working on an electric roadster, along with hybrid versions of their Cayenne SUV. Rumors also say the new Porsche Panamera sedan may have a hybrid variant soon. Cadillac, which is owned by GM, joins the company’s somewhat new hybrid car league with their sexy (yes, we love small cars here at Automopedia, but this SUV is HOT) Escalade Hybrid. 2010′s Escalade Hybrid features a two-mode hybrid system, running the vehicle in all-electric at low speeds, and V8 at higher.

Public Transit: City Buses Go Green

Your local city busing system probably has a few biodiesel powered vehicles; that’s only the start. Ballard Power Systems out of Vancouver built 20 hydrogen powered fuel cell buses for 2010′s Winter Olympics, which took place in the British Columbia city. Th main bus depot, Whistler Transit Centre, offers the world’s largest hydrogen refueling station for both the buses and public hydrogen powered vehicles, like the yet to be released Honda Clarity. A combination of public transit, which reduces the carbon footprint drastically, and hydrogen energy for fuel may be the best bet for our future vehicle power.

Categories: Articles, Go Green
Tags: chevy volt, earth day, earth day 2010, Features, green automobiles, Green Cars, mini electric, plug in prius