Fuel Efficiency

Can we use grass to power our cars? Proponents of cellulosic ethanol made from switchgrass think we can. Others fear we'll stop growing food to grow fuel.

By Josh Clark

There may be "water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink," but what if you could substitute seawater for gasoline? It's a little like alchemy, but could it work?

By Josh Clark

The 100 mpg car is being promoted by Google.org in an effort to reduce oil use and harmful emissions. Learn all about Google's 100 mpg car program.

By Jacob Silverman

Hybrid cars are not all fuel-sippers. Some have high performance and high prices. Most are designed for great mileage and low emissions at affordable prices. See these pictures and profiles of every 2007 hybrid model.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

When oil is expensive, contentious and scarce, fuel made from corn or cane starts to look pretty smart -- economically and environmentally. But not everyone sees it that way.

By Julia Layton

Want to drive an E85 vehicle but don't know which automakers make E85 ethanol flex fuel vehicles? Our guide to E85 vehicles will tell you which ones are compatible and whether or not a flex-fuel vehicle is right for you.

By Chuck Giametta

With gasoline prices continuing their wild fluctuations many consumers are demanding more fuel-efficient cars and trucks. We’ll give you tips to improve your car’s gas mileage and tell you how to buy a fuel-efficient vehicle.

By Ed Piotrowski

Corn distilled into ethanol and mixed with gasoline is used to create E85. Each gallon of E85 consists of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Learn the pros and cons of this new fuel.

By Chuck Giametta

As gasoline prices soar and concern over harmful emission mounts, cars that run on alternate fuel sources are becoming increasingly popular. Natural-gas vehicles (or NGVs) are fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly and offer a relatively low cost of ownership.

By William Harris

Why do the EPA fuel economy numbers almost always seem to be off base? It has a lot to do with the way the EPA evaluates new cars and trucks for their energy consumption.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

You probably know it as the stuff that fuels a gas grill or a Zippo lighter, but that's just the beginning. People are modifying cars to run on the stuff. Learn all about liquefied petroleum gas.

By Ed Grabianowski

When gas prices rise, people's thoughts naturally jump to alternative fuel sources. Check out these articles to learn all about the growing technology of alternative fuel.

Soybean byproducts are nutritious and healthy. They can also power a car. Find out how soybean and other plant oils as well as animal fats are used to create the environmentally friendly fuel biodiesel.

By M. Scott Hess

With fossil fuels in limited supply, the ever-increasing consumption of this commodity causes problems ranging from global warming to dependence on outside oil sources. Hydrogen is a possible fix, and the technology to take advantage of it is already out there. Find out the benefits of and hurdles facing a hydrogen economy.

By Marshall Brain

I've heard that it's possible to build a car engine to run off of ethanol, a byproduct of corn. How much corn would I need to grow in order to produce enough ethanol fuel to drive my car across the country?

Gas is the bloodline that keeps America moving, and tracking prices can feel like a roller coaster ride. They're down one month, up the next, before climbing more than 50 percent in a year.

By Kevin Bonsor & Ed Grabianowski

When people refer to "nitro-burning funny cars" and "top-fuel dragsters" what are they talking about? What is "top fuel" and how is it different from gasoline?

As gasoline continues to lose its cachet as a reliable energy source, auto manufacturers have started to turn toward cleaner-burning fuels. However, they're still trying to figure out how to use the cleanest fuel of all -- the air we breathe.

By Christopher Lampton

Hydrogen gas is hard to store, so fuel processors are crucial to most commercial fuel cells. Learn how fuel processors supply the hydrogen and how efficient they really are.

By Karim Nice

I know that the faster I drive my car the more gas it uses. But on the other hand I'll get to my destination in less time. Is there a "sweet spot" on the speedometer that would give me maximum fuel efficiency? And if so is it different for different car models?

Why are governments, private businesses, and academic institutions collaborating to research develop and produce fuel cells? Learn how fuel cells work and how efficient they really are.

By Karim Nice, Jonathan Strickland, Talon Homer & Yara Simón

I have read the question about crude oil and the different types of fuel. I was wondering: if gasoline is an aliphatic hydrocarbon why doesn't it burn cleanly forming just CO2 and H2O?

The short answer is: yes. You could compress the air at your house using an air compressor fill a compressed-air tank in the car and the car could run off of it. But it's not quite that easy. Find out why.

Planning to change your own oil? You're probably wondering what the numbers on the can of motor oil mean. Find out what they mean and what oil is best for your car.

Ever wonder what kind of fuel race cars run on? Find out what kind of gasoline race cars from different motorsports run on.