$3.00 gas, oil and hybrid cars

Back in March I predicted that gasoline prices would top $3.00 in California before year's end. Now gas prices are surging over $3.00 not only in California, but Nation-wide. While some of these price increases will be reduced, the possibility of another Katrina this year is very, very possible. Even worse, the next several years are supposed to be very bad hurricane seasons.

Because of this, and terrorist threats against America's foreign oil need, I called oil America's Achilles Heal on Monday in my post, Katrina Demands hybrid vehicles.

I'm sure that back in March very few people believed that gasoline might hit $3.00 per gallon. I'm sure that very few people that bought huge GM SUVs during GM's Employee Discount special thought they would be paying $3.00 per gallon just a month later. I'm sure they will start wondering how much they really saved when they fill up their gas hogs now.

I'm also sure that the owners of hybrid cars are feeling a little better about their investment in fuel efficient technology. When gas is around $3.00 per gallon, hybrids become very cost competitive compared to conventional vehicles.

More important, oil is the greatest threat to America's economic and national security, and American consumers must demand that American corporations do something about it, especially companies like Ford and GM.

Hybrid technologies offer solutions today. What are we waiting for?

Pennsylvania Legislation would promote plug-in hybrid vehicles

Pennsylvania State Rep. Mark Cohen, D-Phila., announced today that he is seeking co-sponsors for three bills he will introduce to promote and increase the use of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in Pennsylvania.

In one of the first legislative proposals in any state legislature to specifically promote plug-in hybrids, Cohen’s bills would exempt sales taxes on the conversion of existing hybrids to plug-in hybrids, or on the battery portion of a mass produced plug-in hybrid for three years; establish a state task force with representatives from the state Environmental Protection, Transportation and Revenue departments, along with the Public Utility Commission, to examine how this technology can be promoted within the Commonwealth; and a resolution asking car makers with plants in the United States to make, market and sell plug-in hybrids here.

Plug-in Prius Hybrid Vehicle Power

Why not a solar-powered Toyota Prius hybrid?

The picture to the right shows a prototype of a partially solar-powered hybrid vehicle created by an engineer in Canada that was featured by the Green Car Congress. Experimental hybrid cars, such as this Prius, demonstrate what thinking outside of the box can accomplish.

While critics counter that solar power is highly inefficient, those inefficiencies will, ultimately, be overcome. Those companies and countries that develop these new technologies will benefit greatly in the long run.

America, as the world's oil hog, must be at the forefront of these technologies. Unfortunately, so far, America is much more concerned with looking cool, rather than acting intelligently.

Fortunately, some private companies are trying to change this. For example, Razor Technologies put out a press release today that it will form an Advanced Hybrid Vehicle Development Consortium "to work together with participating automobile manufacturers to coordinate the development of key components and demonstrate these advanced technologies in a "next generation", electric motor dominant, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle."

Fight the robber barons of the energy industry, demand nothing less than hybrid vehicle efficiency.

Katrina demands hybrid vehicles

Oil has become America's Achilles Heal

Fortunately, the worst of Katrina slipped by New Orleans, but it will take days to estimate the catastrophic damage the hurricane has caused and will yet cause.

Aside from damage to property, Katrina could have widespread effects upon the energy industry. It is possible that oil rigs have been destroyed, that oil refineries have been significantly damaged, and that major ports could be closed for weeks. Thus, oil and gas prices will go up and they will stay up for some time.

While this will probably be only a temporary spike, the keyword is 'probably', and we are still early in the hurricane season.

American demand for oil has pushed refinement capacity to its limits, not to mention requiring the need for ever more foreign oil.

Oil has become America's Achilles heal. If hurricanes can wreak so much havoc on America's Energy sector, what could terrorists do? While the U.S. can recover from a hurricane, what if Hugo Chavez stopped shipping oil to the U.S. for just a week in some sort of protest? What if terrorists took a out a few oil refineries?

Decades ago, America became the world's major super power via technology. Today, in terms of fuel efficiency, Japan leads the way for automotive technology, as American automakers focus on marketing budgets and profit margins.

Perhaps this was acceptable in the past, but shouldn't 9/11 have changed this? Instead, America is increasing its foreign oil dependency from places like Saudi Arabia, the same country where almost all of the 9/11 terrorists came from.

Who financed those terrorists? Where did the money come from?

Hybrid cars, such as the Toyota Prius hybrid, are a revolution. If every American drove a Prius, the need for foreign oil would be over.

While critics might argue that if every American drove a Honda Civic, a cheaper alternative to the Prius, foreign oil dependency could also end, every American isn't going to drive a Civic, nor a Prius. Moreover, neither GM nor Ford would survive if every American drove compact vehicles. The loss of those jobs would be devasting, but only advanced technology, such as hybrid technology, will save those jobs.

Thus, hybrid vehicles are TODAY's solution. Hybrid technology can move far beyond the Prius, into SUVs, such as the Ford Escape hybrid and the Toyota Highlander hybrid, plus it can move into larger sedans, such as the Toyota Camry hybrid.

More important, plug-in hybrids and other experimental hybrids demonstrate that the potential of hybrid technology is only just being tapped. These experimental hybrids are technologically feasible today, at a cost that is significantly less than fuel cell vehicles, which are not technologically feasible today. Oh yeah, and they could achieve 250 mpg.

Without technological leadership, the American economy will be severely damaged. Hybrid vehicles are not just about protecting America's national security from terrorists, but about protecting America's national security from economic recession or even collapse.

The American economy is led by consumers. While energy costs for the average American have dropped since the '80's, much consumer spending has been sustained by the housing boom. If oil prices push the economy into a recession, with slowed spending, and the real estate bubble begins to deflate, the U.S. could get caught in a vicious downward cycle.

If that happens, most Americans won't have any choice but to drive a cheap compact, if they can even afford to drive, and neither GM nor Ford would survive.

Is that risk really worth flossing and bling, blinging in a gas-guzzler? Are Americans really that selfish and ignorant? Let's hope not.

Do high gas prices affect hybrid car sales?

Earlier today I argued that market incentives are not enough to drive consumers to purchase fuel efficient vehicles and technologies. As I've sat back and thought about that, I'm reminded of Toyota Prius demand.

Long before this spike in gas prices, the Toyota Prius had been very difficult to find. Even when one was found, there were very few choices. Demand was simply far beyond supply.

Perhaps gas prices are driving this demand even higher, but the increased demand will, ultimately, have little affect on overall sales. However many Prius hybrids Toyota can produce, they will sell - even if gas prices drop.

Recently, I have gone to Toyota dealers in the Los Angeles area numerous times and have had a very hard time finding a Highlander hybrid. I've been told that each dealer gets only a few hybrid Highlanders per month, but they are sold almost as soon as they hit the dealership.

I've had a little better luck finding the Ford Escape hybrid, but Ford maintains they will easily sell all the hybrids they can make - only about 25,000 this year.

There has been a good supply of Honda Accord hybrids and Honda Civic hybrids, but these vehicles aren't as 'hybrid' as either Ford or Toyota hybrids. While I think both vehicles are excellent vehicles, they do carry some issues. On the one hand, the Accord Hybrid is a performance hybrid, not a hybrid derived solely for fuel efficiency.

On the other hand, the Civic hybrid is a fuel efficient vehicle, but so is the standard Civic. Yes, the Civic hybrid is more fuel efficient, but it just doesn't carry the glamour of the Prius hybrid. (Something I hope Honda's next generation of hybrids will address - which are coming soon!)

The point is, market forces can't have much impact on hybrid car technology this year. Yet, Hugo Chavez could have a huge impact on the American economy this year. Perhaps he won't or maybe he'll suffer an unexpected heart attack. Who knows? Still, market forces cannot meet consumer expectations fast enough, or many more hybrid cars would now be available.

While rich Americans can walk away from very high oil prices, even gas lines, the average American; however, could be affected for years by these issues.

Are those 'free' market conditions really worth the costs? And are 'free markets' really free?

Real CAFE is needed, market forces are NOT enough

I was just reading a joke of an article by Forbes called We Don't Need No Stinking CAFE

"The fact is that it doesn’t really matter what the government mandates. Market forces are already creating incentives to make more fuel-efficient vehicles. Market forces determine what kind of vehicles consumers want to buy. That in turn dictates what kind of vehicles Detroit makes," states the author.

If market forces determine what customers want, what is the the purpose of marketing? Why does GM spend $3 billion every year to market its vehicles, yet it continually loses marketshare?

Marketing is about perception - not whether that perception is true or not. Marketing, not just market forces, determine "what kind of vehicles consumers want to buy." Remember the Pet Rock? Did market forces create that success?

More important, the politics of gasoline are not only about the cost. Foreign oil dependency has far greater implications than just the cost of gasoline. Anybody who doesn't think there is a link between terrorism and foreign oil has their head buried in the sand.

Furthermore, you can be certain that many at Forbes have made a good deal of money off of the run up in oil through investments - that's their FREE market. Do they care about what is good for America, or what is good for their wallets?

The price of oil might not be a concern for the government, but the security of the Nation; however, is their prime concern. The new CAFE standards are not nearly enough, and they should have been enacted at least a decade ago - something market forces could never have done.

Ford's Best Buzz Bet: Hybrid Trucks

Oil prices continue to climb, as Americans send more and more profit to countries that really don't like Americans.

Ford Automotive isn't doing well. Despite the success of the Ford Escape hybrid, Ford just hasn't been able to build much buzz with any of its new vehicles.

So, how about a Ford hybrid truck?

Sure, Ford won't be able to get too many of them on the road soon, simply because the parts necessary for Ford hybrid powertrains are not well stocked. Nonetheless, Ford could build considerable buzz with such a move - far more buzz than with the Mercury Mariner hybrid.

Foreign oil dependency is becoming a major issue for more and more Americans and Ford has indicated that it plans on utilizing hybrid vehicles to address those issues. While hybrid SUVs are an excellent way to address foreign oil dependency, some consumers ask, "Aren't SUVs part of the problem?"

On the other hand, this criticism isn't nearly as strong regarding pickup trucks.

Since trucks, in many ways, represent Middle America and the average American, "Fight terrorists, buy a hybrid truck," could become a powerful mantra at many Ford dealers - a mantra that is certain to resonate with many consumers.

Letting Toyota develop the first hybrid truck is something that Ford cannot allow. Ford needs buzz, they need to look like an innovator and the first hybrid truck could be just the remedy.

Do American Automakers suck?

Did 9/11 change everything?

It didn't change American automakers. It didn't change gas-guzzling auto consumers.

Why is there such a disconnect?

Why is America in the Middle East - the root of Bin Laden's American angst? Do we love the sand? Do we just like Arabs better than Africans?

Obviously terrorism and Iraq have nothing to do with oil.

Thus, GM will spend almost $3 billion - $3 BILLION - marketing gas guzzlers because foreign oil dependency is a good thing.

Hybrid cars, electric cars, and fuel efficiency, on the other hand, are too expensive - they are bad things.

American automakers and their Unions have told Americans for decades that buying foreign cars is bad for America, yet buying more and more foreign oil is good for America?

That sucks.

What will it take for GM to make foreign oil dependency their top priority? A WMD terrorist attack? WWIII? When will they take all their eggs out of the cheap foreign oil basket and put them into the stronger America basket?

Ultimately, 9/11 changed almost everything, except American automakers and America's dependence on foreign oil. Oooops, that's not exactly correct. America has changed its dependence on foreign oil - we've increased it.

That really sucks.

American automakers owe Americans the most fuel efficient automobiles. While I think they should focus on smaller cars, the Toyota Highlander hybrid and the Ford Escape hybrid prove that even SUVs can be made significantly more fuel efficient.

Can't GM just take a billion out of their marketing budget for a few years to help make a more secure America? Isn't that a better investment than marketing gas-guzzling Hummers?

I guess not, and that really, really sucks.

State's emissions rule will cause a hybrid car explosion

Oregon and Washington are set to adopt California's new vehicle emissions standards - a move that is sure to push hybrid vehicles to the forefront of the automotive world. Since Congress is controlled by rich lobbyists that protect special interests, rather than the people's interests, states are taking action.

"People realize that having more advanced-technology cars on the road will enhance our oil security and begin to address global warming issues," says Rob Sargent of the Boston-based National Association of State Public Interest Research Groups. (more)

Re: Polk's hybrid vehicle adoption study

R.L. Polk and Co. is set to release its new hybrid vehicle adoption study, which doesn't provide too many surprising details. Most notably "97 percent of respondents recognize hybrid vehicle terminology","78 percent of respondents would consider buying a hybrid vehicle", but "61 percent indicate they are concerned with price".

Yesterday, Ronald Jones of MSNBC asked, Is a hybrid car really good for your wallet? Ultimately, Mr. Jones found it really depends, but in many cases, no. While the Toyota Prius is the most cost-effective hybrid and many hybrids are cost-effective - or can be - over the long term, most hybrid cars are not really going to save you money.

Of course, hybrids can be a edge against further increases in the price of oil and gasoline. Additionally, if congestion, or stop-and-go traffic, is a regular part of your commute - as it is for many millions of Americans - hybrids become much more cost effective.

Moreover, Mr. Jones bases much of his cost effectiveness on Edmunds.com. I've written many times that the Edmunds study wasn't well done. In particular, it assumes that most hybrid drivers will do some 75 percent of their driving on the open highway. I live in Los Angeles and like many drivers in Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, etc, the far majority of my driving is done in congestion - the ideal conditions to achieve a hybrid's best fuel efficiency.

According to transportation studies by the government and academics, congestion is getting far worse year after year, and not in just large cities, but even in suburban and rural areas. In these conditions, most conventional vehicles can fall short of their EPA fuel efficiency ratings by as much as 35 percent, while causing obscene amounts of pollution.

Consequently, for many, hybrid vehicles are about something much greater than just saving money. They are about saving the environment and ending foreign oil dependency. While foreign oil dependency isn't accurately accounted for in the price of oil, there is no doubt that America's geo-political oil interests have had a significant impact upon the national security of America.

Thus, there are plenty of people willing to buy the current supply of hybrids, which will lead to better and cheaper hybrid technology, and hybrids offer great potential. Recently, an article noted that experimental hybrids can achieve 250 mpg.

Why are waiting for fuel cells if current technology has the ability to accomplish so much, for just a fraction of the cost of fuel cells and a new energy infrastructure?

The fact that so many people are so aware of hybrid vehicles and that so many are willing to buy them indicates the vast growth potential of hybrids. For such a new technology, still just an emerging technology, the future looks very bright.

Further, the technology behind hybrids is very much like the technology behind computers. Ten years ago most Americans were interested in buying a computer, but thought they were still too expensive. Today, many Americans own multiple computers.

I expect the same thing will happen to hybrids. Hybrid vehicles might not always be the cheapest technology, but they will be the best technology - the best technology that continually gets better and cheaper.

Ford gets bullish on hybrids

"Building hybrids is the right thing to do"

I am very critical of American automakers. While technology has created fuel efficient capabilities, that technology has been combined with larger, heavier vehicles with more horsepower. This has led to ever decreasing fuel economy from American car manufacturers.

The result is average fuel economy that is no different now than it was 20 years ago, which means America has to import more and more oil from foreign countries where the average citizen thinks that America loves Israel and hates all Muslims.

Thus, when I read that Phil Martens, Ford Motor Co.'s group vice president for product creation, not only said that hybrid vehicles were the "right thing to do", but also that Ford would build hybrids focused on fuel efficiency, not performance, a huge smile spread across my face.

Of course Ford already offers two hybrid vehicles, the Escape hybrid and the Mariner hybrid, but those vehicles are only available in very limited numbers, especially the Mariner. In fact, the Toyota Highlander hybrid will probably easily outsell both vehicles combined. While this could be just hype, I believe that Ford is being sincere.

While GM can continue to hype its fuel cell program, cost effective fuel cell vehicles are still more than a decade away. America cannot wait a decade to start addressing its ever increasing foreign oil dependency. Additionally, are fuel cell vehicles even needed?

According to Martens, turbo-charged diesel hybrid vehicles could approach "what a fuel cell does at a fraction of the cost." Additionally, they wouldn't require a brand new energy infrastructure.

The other exciting development is Ford's drive to put hybrid technology into sedans, and not just large SUVs, such as GM. By 2008, Ford wants to release the Ford Fusion hybrid, which will be built on a second generation hybrid powertrain. This should provide a solid vehicle to challenge both the Toyota Camry hybrid and the Prius hybrid.

Overall, I hope that Ford Corporation is as serious about hybrids as Mr. Martens. If so, it gives me real hope that Ford can bring pride back to American automaking.

Does foreign oil dependency contribute to terrorism

America is in the Middle East because of oil. Our relationships in the Middle East are founded upon oil rights. Does America's ever-increasing foreign oil dependency contribute to terrorism against the U.S.? I say it does, but a reader took issue with me this morning (Read our comments).

What do you think?

California home to Toyota Prius production?

Is California the home for U.S. Prius production?

Car and Driver is reporting that Toyota will be building another hybrid vehicle in the U.S. (more)

Already Toyota has announced that it would build the Toyota Camry hybrid in Kentucky. While Toyota did name California as the state for its second hybrid car to be produced in the U.S., it did not name which hybrid. One could speculate that since the far majority of Prii are sold in California, that it would make great sense to build them that state.

Plug-ins and experimental hybrids: Let's make Congress end foreign oil dependency

Enough pork-barrel legislation

So experimental hybrid vehicles can achieve 250 mpg, and a plug-in Prius offers significant gains in fuel efficiency compared to a standard Toyota Prius hybrid. All of these developments in hybrid cars prove that foreign oil dependency can be ended with today's technology.

So why do we give billions to an oil industry that profits billions per month to end foreign oil dependency? Nice job Congress!

We don't need to make million dollar fuel cell vehicles more cost effective and we don't need a brand new energy infrastructure. Instead of making a few oil barons, CEOs, and shareholders trillionaires, why not just make America stronger by giving automakers billions to utilize TODAY's technology to begin ending foreign oil dependency TODAY?

Since Congress only represents lobbyists, the 'People' must be the difference. Thus, Soultek.com and HybridCarBlog.com are launching HybridCarRevolution.com to focus on the politics of foreign oil dependency and the role of Congress in ending that dependency.

Terrorism is largely rooted in oil, and if the War on Terror doesn't include ending foreign oil dependency, then the War on Terror is simply an Iron Triangle money making scam.

Let's start a revolution! Aside from voter mobilization to pressure Congress, what can we do?

250 mpg hybrid vehicles with today's technology

Forget fuel cells and the hydrogen economy, plug-in hybrids offer the technology to end foreign-oil dependency now!

There is a great AP article, Experimental Hybrid Cars Get Up to 250 Mpg, which demonstrates the fact that plug-in hybrid vehicles, such as a plug-in Prius could achieve 80 mpg for the daily commute of most drivers. Additionally, more advanced plug-in hybrids have achieved up to 250 mpg.

Not long ago I wrote about flex-fuel hybrids that could achieve 500 mpg.

Why doesn't the government care? Why doesn't GM or Ford care? This isn't just foreign oil dependency, this is America's national security. Are the lobbyists of the auto and energy industries really so powerful that the safety of the American people is less important than their energy monopoly?

For more check out, What's better than a hybrid car? A plug-in hybrid car of course!

California's hybrid vehicle carpool lane policy

Last Friday I called California's carpool lane status for hybrid cars "hype" (more). Today the LATimes added to that hype when it announced that California will only be giving hybrid status to 3 vehicles, the Honda Civic hybrid, the Honda Insight, and the Toyota Prius hybrid. Of course this caused angst for Ford.

"The U.S. Congress determined the formula for hybrid vehicles in [carpool] lanes with single occupants, and in that law, the Ford Escape hybrid is equal to the Toyota Prius," said Mike Moran, a spokesman for Ford Motor Co. in Washington, D.C.

Boohoo, Mike.

First, giving carpool lane status to hybrid vehicles as a fuel efficiency incentive was simply a lazy plan by Congress, and more fuel for hybrid haters. Why not just raise fuel efficiency standards? Using the carpool lane to help fight foreign oil dependency can only be called one thing, a joke. It's like using a band-aid to cure a severed artery.

Second, California is only planning on giving the carpool lane exemption to 75,000 total vehicles. Within a year all of the hybrid exemptions will be gone, so the whole move really has limited impact.

For argument's sake, California is trying to clean the air and that is why other hybrids, such as the Ford Escape hybrid, Toyota Highlander hybrid, or the Lexus RX400h were not included. While these hybrids offer improved fuel efficiency and much less pollution than their conventional counterparts, they are not as fuel efficient as the leaders. With only a limited number of exceptions available, the greatest impact had to be the priority.

Vehicles, such as the Prius hybrid and Civic hybrid offer the kind of fuel efficiency that can end foreign oil dependency. Yes, hybrid SUVs are better than conventional SUVs, but they aren't 'there' yet. Ultimately, while hybrid technology can significantly improve fuel efficiency, it can also significantly improve performance, such as with the Accord hybrid and the Lexus RX400h. That is not the trend to be supported.

In the future hybrid SUVs could become as efficient as today's Prius. A few software tweeks here and a new hybrid battery development there and today's hybrid SUVs might achieve 45 mpg in their next generation.

Nonetheless, the point is that the hybrid carpool lane exemption is nothing but hype, as are the clean vehicle tax credits. Once again Congress is protecting the status quo, while offering a few 'token' programs - programs that taxpayers, not automakers - are funding.

The real focus should be on the fact that oil topped $67.00 per barrel for a number of reasons, including oil refinery problems (more). Moreover, according to a new poll, two-thirds of those surveyed said that rising gas costs were going to create a "financial burden" within the next few months.

Let's just hope terrorists don't watch the news. It's pretty obvious that choking America's oil supply would cause significant problems to the American economy, and doing that wouldn't be very hard.

Good thing Congress is taking the issue so seriously. They're the biggest joke of all - is it really any wonder so many Americans have given up on voting?

Tired of automaker deception

I'm really tired of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturer's deceptions and distortions. While I realize that is the role of lobbyist organizations, such as the Alliance, I've still had enough.

"We do not have control over the miles people drive, population growth, increasing congestion, commuting distances and other factors that cause fuel use to increase," said Eron Shosteck, spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers in Washington.

Yes, but you do have the ability to offer fuel efficient and emission's reducing technology. Obviously, the technology behind hybrid cars proves this is possible.

It's too expensive, the Alliance would counter.

Really? How expensive was 911, the first war in Iraq, the second war in Iraq, Afghanistan and the War on terror? All of these incidents are a direct result of American foreign oil dependency.

But consumers want big vehicles and horsepower, the Alliance responds from its Big 3 arm.

Really? Why have the Big 3, for decades, lost marketshare to companies selling mostly small cars and sedans?

The truth is fuel inefficient vehicles, particularly trucks and SUVs, were a buoy for the Big 3 because of ridiculous profit margins - sometimes as much as $10,000 or more on some vehicles. In reality, the Big 3 have not been able to compete in the quality, fuel efficient technology market.

Judging by hybrid vehicles, they still can't compete. Yes, Ford offers the Escape hybrid, but Ford was years behind Toyota in developing hybrid technology, and it will take years for Ford to offer a large number of hybrid vehicles.

Nonetheless, let's get back to consumer wants and automaker responsibility and affordability. Not long ago, it was reported that GM spends more on marketing every year than Toyota spent creating the Prius hybrid production line.

That's right, GM could have developed fuel efficient, emission reducing hybrid technology, but it chose to spend that money on marketing the fuel inefficient, pollution-causing virtues of large trucks and SUVs.

Companies like GM and Ford marketed the concept that trucks and SUVs were an expression of American freedom, while providing safety.

Safety, such as the rollover scandal? Freedom, such as 2 Iraq wars?

The Alliance is the purveyor of lies and the ramifications of those lies are becoming too big to go left unchallenged. How many American GI's have to die to protect the incompetence of the American auto industry and their well financed cronies in Washington?

Issues such as pollution and fuel efficiency should have been addressed and acted upon decades ago for national security and economic reasons.

Now there are no more excuses left. American automakers and the American Congress have proven time and time again that money, not American citizens, is the only thing that counts.

Oil almost at $65.00, hello, hybrid

Oil nears $65.00 per barrel

Yes, oil might go down eventually, but the world conditions that have created the run-up in oil are not simply going to disappear.

More important, an act of terrorism could dramatically change everything and make $65.00 seem like the good times.

Yet, gas-guzzling goes on almost without question and the government absolutely refuses to address fuel efficiency, even though it has strong national security implications.

While I think conservation is a good idea, I also think that technology offers the solution.

Yes, fuel cell vehicles might some day be a reality, but the technology behind hybrid cars offers an answer today. If everyone drove a Toyota Prius hybrid, foreign oil dependency would be drastically reduced, perhaps even ended.

Still, this isn't realistic.

That is why vehicles, such as the Ford Escape hybrid and the Toyota Highlander hybrid are so important. Smaller, fuel efficient SUVs are a possibility, and if an SUV, why not a truck or minivan?

Already such vehicles can offer good improvements in fuel efficiency and air quality, but a few software upgrades and battery improvements could make the next generation of hybrid SUVs as fuel efficient as today's Prius.

Isn't that worth the investment?

Bush signs Energy Bill with tax credits for hybrid cars

Bush Signs Energy Bill.

The new tax credits for hybrid cars are now law. Still, there isn't too much to get excited about. For more on that read, Hybrid tax credits and carpool lane privileges: It's all hype.

While the clean vehicle tax credits were better than nothing, the capped credits will quickly run out for the buyers of Toyota hybrids. So, if you are interested in the Prius hybrid, or the Highlander hybrid, the best time to buy will be next January. Still, the current tax credit of $2000.00 isn't bad.

The Ford Escape hybrid seems most likely to benefit from the tax credit, and the tax credit will be available for the Escape hybrid for some time.

Re: Ford Slams Toyota on Hybrids

According to the Detroit News, Ford is blaming Toyota for its limited supply of hybrid vehicles.

Please. It turns out Ford is having trouble securing enough hybrid transmissions. Hmmm, sounds sort of like the same problem that caused lengthy waiting lists for the Toyota Prius hybrid, and also pushed back the release of both the Toyota Highlander hybrid and the Lexus RX400h hybrid.

In truth, Toyota has had and is still having problems getting enough hybrid parts.

While the Ford Escape hybrid was the first hybrid SUV, Ford has not been nearly as serious for nearly as long as Toyota when it comes to hybrids. Thus, Ford has used the supply network that Toyota and Honda, the other hybrid leader, created.

Ultimately, Ford must develop its own suppliers for hybrid parts, which it hopes to do with Delphi. The fact this development has not yet occurred isn't the fault of Toyota, but of Ford.

In the world of hybrids there is real news and there is marketing hype, this story is just marketing hype. The only good thing about this story is what appears to be Ford's growing commitment to hybrids.

India and hybrid cars

I just came across an interesting article, Indian team to visit China for oil talks which states, "An Indian delegation will head to China next week to explore ways to cooperate in acquiring foreign energy assets to meet the soaring fuel needs of their fast-growing economies.."

No big deal, right? Except, for the fact that India is predicting that its demand for oil will quadruple in the next 20 years. Since India imports 70% of its oil, it will need more and more oil from the same places that America needs oil, which will only lead to higher oil prices.

When are Americans going to wake up? Yes, oil has been cheap, but the costs are going to rise dramatically and threaten the economy, yet technology - that which made America great - provides answers.

Hybrid cars, such as the Toyota Prius hybrid demonstrate the fuel efficiency abilities of hybrid technology. Hybrid SUVs, such as the Toyota Highlander hybrid and the Ford Escape hybrid, demonstrate that the technology can be utilized beyond small vehicles.

Some argue today's hybrids aren't fuel efficient enough. While a valid point, the potential of hybrid technology has barely been tapped.

With India and China cooperating to meet their exponentially growing foreign oil, America must embrace technology that offers solutions today, not in two decades. By then, the damage will already have been done.

The race to end foreign oil dependency is even greater than the race to the moon. JFK, where are you?

Hybrid tax credits and carpool lane privileges: It's all hype.

Early last week I wrote that Congress was blowing tax credits for hybrids because of caps. I followed that train of thought with the article The Energy Bill, hybrid critics and American political ineptitude, in which I wrote, "Ultimately, the clean vehicle tax credits and much of the energy bill promotes and endorses complacency, rather than technological innovation."

Then on Friday it was announced that hybrids would qualify for the carpool lane. This set off a fury of resentment at sites like autoblog.com whom didn't think such a move was fuel efficient. I posted an entry to autoblog letting them know fuel efficiency isn't the only reason for carpool lanes.

Ultimately, carpool lanes were created to move traffic because idling traffic causes the most air pollution. It is the fact that hybrid cars are super clean that has given them carpool lane status.

Nonetheless, according to a great article in the Mercury News, the California DMV will only be giving 75,000 total hybrids car pool lane status. So the whole issue is somewhat of a mute point.

All of this goes back to the ineptitude of the American Congress.

To promote fuel efficient technology in this time of oil and terrorism wars, Congress refuses to address fuel efficiency,even though - according to the EPA - the Big 3 are abusing fuel efficiency loopholes that result in 1980's fuel efficiency in 2005 America.

Instead, Congress has provided capped credits for hybrids that are really just protectionist tax credits that reward an industry that is failing America and failing in the war on terror. Ultimately, the clean vehicle tax credits were just pork for the Big 3. One way or another tax payers are paying for the incompetence of the Big 3.

The hybrid tax credit and carpool lane privileges for hybrids are nothing but hype and might hurt, rather than help, the move towards clean, fuel efficient technologies. Ultimately, the energy industry and their cronies in Congress - which represent a majority of members - do not represent America.

I'm really starting to wonder, who is more dangerous, terrorists or the American Congress? Actually, I'm starting to believe the answer to the question is, unfortunately, blatantly obvious.

Vote them ALL out. It couldn't get any worse.

Ford hybrids cheaper in 5 to 7 years

Ford's Vice President of Product Creation believes the cost of Ford hybrid cars could come down in 5 to 7 years, according to MotorTrend. He also noted that he believes diesel electric hybrid cars will ultimately be more popular and fuel efficient than gasoline electric hybrids.

Ford has been selling the Ford Escape hybrid for almost a year now, and will probably sell about 20,000 of the hybrid SUVs. While Ford has also started selling the Mercury Mariner hybrid, only a few thousand units will be available for sale.

On the other hand, Toyota will easily sell more than 7 times that amount of hybrids. Thus, if it takes Ford 5 - 7 years to reduce hybrid costs, it isn't unreasonable to assume that Toyota could reduce hybrid costs significantly faster.

Prius built and sold in China

According to the Japan Times Toyota will start making the Toyota Prius hybrid car in China by year's end for sale in China.

Toyota's 10 new hybrids and their critics

Yesterday, several newspapers ran articles updating the fact that Toyota wants to sell 1,000,000 hybrid vehicles worldwide next decade and that it was working on 10 new hybrids. Really, this isn't new news. Toyota has been saying this for a few years, but I guess people are actually starting to believe them now.

Still, there is incredible hybrid hate in the automotive world. Critics chime that hybrids aren't as efficient as EPA numbers. Of course, essentially all cars aren't as efficient as the EPA suggests - many are actually 35% less fuel efficient than EPA estimates. Of course these critics never acknowledge that fact. For an example, read my post NYTimes Rips Lexus RX400h hybrid.

These critics act as if hybrid technology's potential has been tapped out, when it is only just emerging. Obviously these critics probably thought computers, cell phones, e-mail, and the Internet were also hype.

Nonetheless, Toyota definitely faces an uphill battle. Even though gas prices continue to rise, the cost difference between hybrids and conventional vehicles is a difficult barrier for the average car buyer to overcome. That's why the Toyota Prius has been so successful, it's unique and buyers can't compare the price to a conventional Prius.

Hybrid vehicles, such as the Ford Escape hybrid or the Toyota Highlander hybrid, will always have limited sales potential, even if it only takes 3 years to recover the additional costs versus a conventional Escape or Highlander. Americans just don't have patience or long term vision.

Ultimately, a couple of those 10 new hybrids must be unique vehicles, or the price gap must be made significantly smaller, for Toyota to achieve its goals. Of course, if gas prices continue to rise, all bets are off, and forecasts of 25% of the market might turn into 50% of the market.

I wonder, are hybrid critics more content with the Big 3's fuel efficiency developments. HMMM?

For more on hybrid cars and the EPA, read Hybrid cars and EPA estimates: This is War

GM adding to line of "mild" hybrids

GM will add the Saturn Vue hybrid to its lineup sometime in the middle of next year. Unfortunately, this isn't news to get too excited over. While this will be the second hybrid in GM's lineup, it will be a 'mild' hybrid, and will have very little effect on improving fuel efficiency. If Toyota's hybrid cars represent the major leagues of hybrid technology, I'm not sure GM is even in the minor leagues yet.

Popular Science Hybrid Car Poll

Popular Science ran a poll on hybrid cars in July. Of over 3,000 respondents, 5% already own a hybrid. 68% might buy one and 27% love gas guzzlers too much to buy a hybrid. Popular Science and environmentalism don't necessarily go hand-in-hand. Thus, this poll seems to show that technologists understand that hybrid vehicles provide an important technological advancement.