Kelley Blue Book knows how to save you gas

Kelley Blue Book (KBB), that information-rich little package that will tell you everything you need to know about both new and used cars has just taken a step in a whole new direction.

Though various aspects of vehicle performance (include fuel economy) have long been a part of Kelley Blue Book's offering, now it's getting ready for the alternative fuel revolution.

First, it's providing a wealth of information. Not just on current cars, but also on alternative fuels and power-trains. With biofuels going mainstream and plug-in and extended-range electric vehicles just a couple years away, KBB is getting consumers ready to understand their future options.

I was able to put in the make, model, and year of my car, and KBB Green compared it to 10 fuel-efficient and hybrid models to see how much I would save per week. 

For me, since I've already got an efficient car (2001 Sentra) and don't drive very much, there wasn't much savings ($10 per month) if I owned a Prius. But KBB will also match up your vehicle with any vehicle in its database and tell you where your break-even point would be and how much extra you'll have to spend to get yourself into a new car, taking into account your current car's trade-in value.

All of this comes along with a thriving green car community, explanations of all kinds of alternative fuels, and news about the future of green cars.

Wow! I've been waiting for a service like this. Honestly, I thought it would come from some Internet start-up. But it looks like old, faithful KBB is a lot more innovative than I expected.

So if you're in the market for a new car, KBB Green definitely has all the tools you need to help you make the right decision.