Honda Motors latest development in diesel technology puts the carmaker well ahead of the pack in the race to bring clean diesel vehicles to market. Its next-generation diesel engine uses a catalytic converter requiring no additives of any kind and will run cleaner through its new design.

As of January 2007, all diesel passenger vehicles sold in the United States are required to meet the same Environmental Protection Agency Tier II Bin 5 emission standards governing all gasoline vehicles. This requires auto manufacturers to significantly reduce the particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) that escape their car's tailpipes. While particulate traps significantly reduce PM, most manufacturers of diesel engines are still struggling with a way to clean up their NOx emissions.

Tesla Motors thinks it can

Wouldn't it be nice if you had your own gas pump right in your garage? And what if gas from your personal pump cost less than $1 a gallon?

Sound impossible? Actually, that scenario might unfold if plug-in hybrid cars become a reality. Even better, a plug-in hybrid could be recharged by home roof-top photovoltaic panels so your fuel would be completely "off the grid" (not generated by a power plant).

Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) have been in development for years and deliver amazing efficiency while slashing emissions. But while lagging battery technology has kept them from going mainstream, that could be changing very soon.

Wouldn't it be nice if you had your own gas pump right in your garage? And what if gas from your personal pump cost less than $1 a gallon?

How To Ease Pain at the Pump

Broad range of incentives includes cash back from employers, discount insurance and free parking

A replacement for electric cars' lithium-ion batteries?

As a driver, the word "responsibility" conjures up many ideas, most of which hark back to the days of driver's ed. "Watch the road," "slow down" and "your tires need to stay on the ground at all times" are a few that come to mind. But nowadays, with global warming and carbon dioxide (CO2) on everyone's mind, we should add "eliminate your car's carbon footprint" to that list.

The father of the plug-in hybrid has his doubts

Lower gas mileage numbers don't mean thirstier cars