UPS has deployed 300 new delivery trucks powered by Compressed Natural Gas to seven cities in Colorado, Georgia, Oklahoma and California. The CNG vehicles, part of an order placed last May, will allow UPS to further reduce its dependence on traditional fossil fuels like gasoline and diesel and lower its carbon footprint. UPS already operates the largest private fleet of alternative fuel vehicles in its industry – 1,819 in total with these additions.

The new CNG trucks have been deployed over the past month to Denver (43); Atlanta (46); Oklahoma City (100), and four cities in California: Sacramento (21), San Ramon (63), Los Angeles (9) and Ontario (18). All now are in service.

While economic difficulties plague the automotive industry, consumers are poised for the next wave in automotive technological advancements -- alternative fuel sources. Results from the recent New Vehicle Customer Study, conducted by Maritz Research's Automotive Research Group, show the growing interest of consumers in these new products

Garmin introduces ecoRoute, a free software update that helps drivers conserve money and fuel, easing growing pressures on personal budgets and the environment. ecoRoute, which suggests fuel-efficient navigation, was announced in conjunction with the 2009 International CES in Las Vegas, and will be on display at the Garmin booth (South Hall 4, #35832).

Hybrid vehicles reduce America's dependence on foreign oil and minimize emissions from greenhouse gases. But it's still a question whether they save money in the long run. The answer: maybe.

Some models achieving well over 40 miles per gallon cost thousands more than equivalent gas models, which get 30 miles per gallon. Even with gas prices at $4 a gallon, it could take driving 15,000 miles per year for 12 years to make up the difference, according to U.S. News & World Report.

That's not all. According to data compiled by InsWeb.com, the auto insurance comparison shopping Web site, it costs slightly more to insure the hybrid for a 30-year-old single male driver with a clean driving record as opposed to the gas-only model.

Drivers struggling with high gas prices may have another option the next time they hit the road: a new system that can turn a vehicle into a hydrogen hybrid which dramatically boosts a vehicle's gas mileage. Video from Pro Motors Group.

The cars are modified with a unique fuel cell system -- a computer that communicates with the car's computer -- to harness the power of hydrogen. By using electricity from the battery, the fuel cell separates water into oxygen and hydrogen and blends the hydrogen with the fuel. This adds power to the fuel so each gallon of gas does more work and lasts longer. On a 3000-mile cross country test drive, a car equipped with the hydrogen hybrid system averaged 55 miles to the gallon.

What should my next car be? That question is challenging millions of Americans stressed over record gas prices and global warming. At AltCar Expo 2008, they’ll get expert answers to the quandary plus the chance to test drive green cars at one of the nation’s largest displays of alternative fuel vehicles, which will feature the first production Tesla Roadster.

The free, two-day expo will be held for the third consecutive year in Santa Monica, CA—where 10,000 attendees typically flock—on Sept. 26 & 27 and for the first time this year in Austin, TX on Oct. 17 & 18.

The British Midlands Development Corporation announced the launch of a new eco-friendly car, whose combination of reduced weight and excellent dynamics dramatically improves mileage and emissions from conventional fuels.

Axon Automotive, based in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, UK, aims to be the most sustainable car manufacturer in Europe. Their new compact car will be capable of delivering 80 miles per gallon with sub-120g per mile CO2 emissions, while still capable of a top speed of 90 mph.

The compact car features a carbon fiber body to create a lightweight vehicle that combines good performance with fuel efficiency that is better than any car currently on the market

Massachusetts drivers are increasingly going green as the number of registered hybrid vehicles in the state has increased by 36 percent during the past nine months. The timing couldn’t be better for those drivers as the state’s new managed competition system for auto insurance allows them, for the first time in state history, to take advantage of auto insurance discounts created especially for hybrid drivers from insurers such as Travelers of Massachusetts.

According to the state Registry of Motor Vehicles, there are currently 22,353 registered hybrid cars in Massachusetts, up from 16,477 in July of 2007, for an increase of 36 percent. Hybrid cars are generally defined as vehicles that use gasoline and an alternative fuel source such as electric or fuel cell.

AT&T plans to add 105 alternative-fuel vehicles to the corporate fleet of its operating companies. The vehicles, which will roll out in more than 30 cities across the U.S. beginning in June, will help the company reduce its impact on the environment and its dependence on imported oil.

After carefully evaluating several alternative-fuel technologies, AT&T will deploy three types of alternative-fuel vehicles. The vehicles will be embedded into AT&T's workforce as operational components of its fleet. AT&T will measure and track fuel efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, operating costs, performance and driver satisfaction of each vehicle.

The alternative-fuel vehicles consist of 25 Compressed Natural Gas vans, 65 electric hybrid Original Equipment Manufacturer vehicles — Ford Escapes and Toyota Priuses — and 15 electric hybrid conversion work trucks. The vehicles, which will be deployed in cities in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Texas, join four Ford Escape hybrids that were deployed in California in late 2007. A Green Technology insignia will make the vehicles easy to identify on the road.

A new kind of electric car and truck are taking gas prices head-on in California's Central Valley. The gas-free vehicles are from California automaker ZAP and are now available in Visalia.

Mike Brackett is opening the new dealership with sales and service for the ZAP Xebra. This week he plans to roll the Xebra out at the annual Porterville Fair, May 14-18 in nearby Porterville, California.

ZAP says record gas prices are driving up sales for the Xebra. As of April 18, 2008, ZAP reported orders in hand of $6.8 million for the city-speed sedan and truck.

Eco-drivers will love the re-engineered Mini Cooper D, which ticks several environmentally-friendly boxes. It easily delivers 50mpg while putting out a green-as-grass 104 g/km of CO2 emissions. The new version also features an integrated stop/start system, which cuts the engine in standing traffic, boosting its green credentials even further.

It’s a pleasure for motorway driving, damping down wind noise and rarely registering above 2500rpm on the tachometer. The extra-supportive seats cushion driver and passengers against bumps in the road, making for a luxury drive. It holds its own during country back roads, too, with confident and secure steering on even the tightest corners.

Cooperlease’s Marketing Director, Ben Newton, says: “The Mini Cooper D is an all-round little sports car. Its energetic acceleration and sharp transmission combine with steady suspension and low ground clearance to give the classic Mini go-kart feeling. It’s also one of the safest cars around. Anti-Lock Braking System, Cornering Brake Control, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist Automatic Stability Control + Traction all come as standard on the Mini Cooper D.”

Solazyme Unveils Renewable Biodiesel Derived from Algae. First ever algae-derived biodiesel test drive to successfully power a factory standard vehicle.