2004 Hyundai Sonata Base Sedan 4-door 2.4l on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Recharge Wrap-up: Canada gets Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell, Washington governor favors EVs

Washington Governor Jay Inslee wants extend tax breaks for EVs past the July 1 expiration date. He also calls for looking into allowing EVs use of carpool lanes and creating charging infrastructure. Inslee sees encouraging electric driving as a way to help mitigate climate change, but detractors within the state don't like the idea of giving priorities to certain drivers. "I'm not enthusiastic about a subsidy that picks winners and losers and doesn't help the middle class," says representative Reuven Carlyle. Read more at The State. Novozymes says it has an enzyme solution, called Eversa, that can make biodiesel from waste oils. The technology converts the vegetable oils used by the food industry into usable fuel. The enzymatic process is said to be cheaper and safer than chemical processes with fewer harmful byproducts, and can handle higher levels of free fatty acids. The process is safer than others, says Novozymes' Frederik Mejlby, due to the lack of required high temperature and pressure, and that the "organic nature and mild process conditions do not generate toxic components as in some chemical biodiesel processes." Read more in the press release below. The USDA has announced funding of advanced biofuels and the bioeconomy. The USDA is providing $5.6 million in grants to advanced biofuel producers, as well as an additional $4 million toward a bioeconomy to reduce dependence on foreign oil. The funds come from the USDA's Advanced Biofuel Payment Program, which is part of the 2008 Farm Bill. The biofuel sources targeted are, in particular, crop residue, animal, food and yard waste, vegetable oil and animal fat. Read more in the press release below. Hyundai will be offering the Tucson Fuel Cell for lease in Canada. Beginning in early 2015, the hydrogen vehicle will be available to customers in Vancouver, British Columbia. It's the first hydrogen vehicle from a major automaker in the country. "We are proud to be leading the fuel cell movement," says Hyundai Auto Canada President and CEO Don Romano, "and now is the time for auto companies, governments, and citizens to join us in this initiative and push for the creation of a hydrogen infrastructure in Canada to maintain this positive momentum." Read more in the press release below. New enzyme technology converts waste oils into biodiesel Novozymes' latest offering secures flexible feedstock selection and lower operational costs for biodiesel producers.

2018 Hyundai Elantra Buying Guide | Questions answered about a popular compact sedan

The Hyundai Elantra is a sensible small sedan that scores big when it comes to overall value and safety. But the 2018 Elantra won't get any pulses racing when it comes to driving excitement, or a look-at-me exterior. Rivals like the Honda Civic and Mazda3 are simply more fun to drive, and the Civic in particular stands out with racy looks, but it's worth noting that the newer Elantra has made great strides in refinement and comfort compared to its predecessor. Hyundai also offers the Elantra GT, a handy – and handsome – four-door hatchback. Since it was significantly updated for the 2017 model year, the 2018 Elantra receives only minor changes, focused primarily on available options on specific trim levels. Here you'll find all the information needed to make an educated buying decision if you're considering a 2018 Hyundai Elantra, including safety and reliability ratings, engine specs, horsepower, fuel economy ratings and pricing. We'll also summarize what Autoblog's professional auto reviewers think of the Elantra. Is the 2018 Hyundai Elantra Safe? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the 2018 Hyundai Elantra an overall crash-test rating of four stars. In every crash test, the latest Elantra scored a four-star rating, though the NHTSA results do mention that rear passenger safety was compromised in the side barrier crash test. According to the NHTSA, this "simulates an intersection collision between a standing vehicle and moving barrier at 38.5 mph." During this test, the interior door panel intruded into the passenger compartment, raising the risk that a rear occupant could be injured – though the four-star rating remained. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which provides ratings for new vehicles based on its own comprehensive crash tests, has given the 2018 Hyundai Elantra its "Top Safety Pick+" award, the highest rating available. The Elantra earned a "superior" rating for front crash prevention, along with "good" ratings in all but one of the IIHS' crash tests. Front passenger protection in the notoriously demanding small overlap test was deemed "acceptable." The Elantra also scored an "acceptable" rating for its LATCH anchors for child seats. Headlight performance, meanwhile, received a "good" rating.

Hyundai invests in solid-state battery developer from America

The race to develop and offer solid-state batteries in cars is heating up some more. Hyundai announced that it is investing in a company based in Massachusetts called Ionic Materials. The company is developing the solid electrolyte polymer that would replace the liquid electrolytes used in current lithium-ion batteries. This investment by Hyundai indicates a ramping up of its efforts to produce solid-state batteries. Last year, the Korea Herald reported that the company was working on the technology in-house. It is interesting that the company would partner with a smaller company based in America rather than a large battery developer from Hyundai's home country such as LG. Hyundai is also one of several companies working hard to bring solid-state batteries to the masses' cars. Toyota says it will have them in cars by 2022. Fisker is also aiming for early 2020s for its own solid-state batteries. Honda, Nissan, BMW and VW are all reportedly working on solid-state batteries, too. Perhaps what's most surprising is that there aren't more companies openly developing the technology, since solid-state batteries eliminate flammable liquid electrolytes, and they promise the potential of more capacity and faster charging times. Related Video: