The above ad will let you read about modifications and browse aftermarket accessory categories (that was a mouthful) for add-ons and mods that not only increase power but boost fuel efficiency. Check-out a few of the options from AutoAnything to make your already fuel-smart car even smarter.

Living the Green lifestyle is a good thing.  It's good for humanity, our fellow creatures and mother earth. That said, there are many struggles that come with trying to live green: food is more expensive, being fashionable is much more difficult and we sacrifice many of the common luxuaries that other people continue to enjoy. These luxuries include the cars we drive and the usable space within.  Heck, most hybrids don't come outfitted with all the accessories need to properly support our active lifestyles. In efforts to reduce weight, we lose out on many items that help protect our investment.  And the longer our cars last, the more green they become...and the more resale value they retain. We might live a green lifestyle, but that doesn't mean we throw our money away. Thus, I put together this list of products that will help deck out your ride for maximum versatility.

• Protecting your interior from mud, sand, snow and parking lot gum is crucial to keeping your resale value high. I recommend investing in a set of car floor mats that can stand up to the abuse.
• Protect your paint! This is especially important if you live in snowy areas when the local municipalities may add salt, rocks, chemicals or other de-icers to the roads. Get a car bra. Simple, easy way to keep your vehicles nose in pristine shape.
• Trunk space is usually limited in hybrid vehicles. So you have two options for expansion: a trailer hitch, usually 2-1/4" varieties, or a roof rack system. Receiver hitches are a great way to expand your load capacity without creating excess drag, but the load limits are usually under 300-400 lbs. If you want the ability to haul more, look at a roof rack.
• Roof racks can haul a variety of items. Cargo boxes haul anything from luggage to children. Roof cargo bags do the same thing, but fold away nicely when not in use. Then there's a variety of specialized equipment: surfboard racks, kayak carriers, ski and snowboard racks, etc...
• High flow air filters can also help add a little more power to our eco-engines. Same goes for cold air intakes: they help your engine consume colder, denser air that will make a bigger, more explosive bang in your cylinders.
• Another no-brainer is to get a car cover. These simple pieces of fabric will save your paint from leaves, gristle, branches, UV rays, bird poop and human poop... ever seen Californication? Yes, a car cover would've helped out Bill.
• If you've got a dog, chances are that s/he goes with you everywhere. Save your seats, get some dog seat covers, it'll help keep your car from smelling like hippy.

That's it! A few simple ideas to help protect your investment while staying green in the process. If you've got any ideas that didn't make the list, share'em in the comments.

The European Commission today revealed their plans for what they’re calling "a profound shift in transport patterns for passengers" by 2050. Translation in American English: no gas or diesel powered cars will be allowed on any EU city streets by the year 2050.

Decried by nearly every single person living in the EU as greenwashing, grandstanding and a grandiose ambition, it seems not everyone’s on board, to say the least.

Source: The Telegraph

In a fit of self-important gasconade, Elon Musk quotes himself on the wall of the Tesla Motors booth display at the Detroit Auto Show. Though a proclamation like, "We will not stop until every car on the road is electric," isn't necessarily a bad thing, we consider it bold talk for a 2-eyed rich man.

Perpetuating the Toyota Prius' "loftier than thou" complex, this new print ad claims the smug li'l hybrid is more eco-friendly than a farting sheep. Do we smell a recall?

Just in time for the gnarly winter storm front that's tear-assing from sea to shining sea as we speak, here's an idea, a Christmas sweater for your car. And not just any car, it's for your Toyota Prius.

This car cozy of epic proportions is complete with red stripes, snowflakes and even a macramé Prius badge. But best yet, this super snuggy is hand knitted by a crew of coffee-sipping hipsters cool enough to crochet by hand and wear hideous holiday sweaters—and pass it off as irony.

Remember when Andy snuck up on Dwight in his silent Toyota Prius and pinned him to the hedge? Well, this act certainly made for some great observational humor on an episode of The Office, but it may soon be against the law. The silent part that is, pinning folks to a tree in your car has always been against the law.

Under a new bill that recently passed the House of Representatives, hybrid manufactures will be required to add artificial sound emitters for all future hybrids and EVs. The NHTSA agrees with the bill, citing a recent study that showed that hybrid vehicles are twice as likely to be involved in low speed pedestrian crashes.

The National Federation of the Blind is pushing for passage too, can you blame 'em?

Some EV makers (Nissan) like to make a practical, hyper-efficient, family-friendly electric-powered vehicle. Others (Tesla) like top make a sexy, super-fast, date-friendly electric-powered vehicle. But who make a whacky, super-slow, Shriner-friendly electric-powered vehicle? Looks like Takayanagi does.

The Takayanagi Miluira Retro EV is a single-seat drop-top EV that looks like a Mr. Toad jalopy meets the Yellow Submarine meets a Timothy Leary 6-way sugar cube. Come to think of it, with a Benjamin-crushing $75K price tag, a paltry top speed of 37 mph and a “why fucking bother” 22-mile range, tripping balls may actually be a more “electrifying” experience than putting around in this thing.

In a giant leap forward for the mainstream acceptance of electric vehicles, the Nissan LEAF power system has made the famed Ward's 10 Best Engines list. This electrifying decision marks the first time in the esteemed list’s 17-year history that a “power system which doesn’t have an engine and will never burn a drop of gasoline” has made the mark.

For the 2011 award, 38 power systems were considered, including naturally-aspirated and turbo-charged internal combustion engines, diesels, hybrid electrics and of course, the all-electric Nissan LEAF. And, even though an electric motor is not technically an “engine,” this is the kind of recognition we greenies need.

Source: Nissan