Ps Engineering 1000ii Intercom on 2040-parts.com

One Lap of the Web: Moonbuggies, the first car phone and a romp in the snow with an EVO

We spend a lot of time on the Internet -- pretty much whenever we're not driving, writing about or working on cars. Since there's more out there than we'd ever be able to cover, here's our daily digest of car stuff on the Web you may not otherwise have heard about. -- Obama named Charlotte, N.C.

Ownership costs of traditional versus alternative fuel vehicles

As gas prices remain high, and an increasing number of automakers roll out plug-in hybrid cars and full-electric vehicles, it's becoming easier to be tantalized with the idea of driving right past the gas station and simply "plugging in." The debate ensues when it comes to cost: These alternative fuel vehicles mean a larger outlay of cash at the onset, but the long-term fuel savings could make the purchase worthwhile. To help straighten out this numbers game, we use the Department of Energy's Vehicle Cost Calculator to compare alternative fuel vehicles with their gasoline-only counterparts. For each scenario, we assumed that our hypothetical owner was able to get the full $7,500 federal tax credit and a $2,500 state tax credit, such as is available in California.

2014 Chevy Spark EV priced at $27,500

The 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV will have a $27,495 price tag when it goes on sale in California and Oregon next month, making it one of the best value options among all-electric vehicles. The full $7,500 federal tax credit brings the Spark EV cost to $19,995. California Spark EV owners may also qualify for up to $2,500 in state and local tax credits, and they’re eligible for the state's carpool lane.