Hybrid Cars: It's the technology stupid
"Don't tell me about the technologies tell me how you will use them to reduce global warming pollution," said Roland Hwang, Berkeley-based vehicle program director for the Natural Resources Defense Council. "That's what's missing here." (LATimes) This was Mr. Hwang's response to Toyota's hybrid technology update yesterday.
Actually, Mr. Hwang, it is all about the technology.
While activists, such as Mr. Hwang, can believe that global warming pollution is the world's greatest problem, global warming is not going to sell cars today. First, the inconvenient truth about global warming is that the science is not nearly as clear as Al Gore would have the world believe (more).
Second, even if global warming is real, hybrid cars are going to accomplish little in the next few years. Tens of millions of hybrids will be required to even make a dent in CO2 emissions, so let's get real Mr. Hwang.
Ultimately, only innovation, particularly technological innovation, can help fight a problem like global warming, and Toyota is pushing the limits far more than any other auto company in this battle. One hybrid battery breakthrough could change the automobile landscape forever - that's why hybrid technology is so important.
For example, lithium-ion batteries could result in 100 mpg hybrid cars, such as the next generation Prius that Toyota is testing. Conservation won't lead to this development, but further hybrid technology development will.
Furthermore, hybrid development will continue to push automotive innovation via competition. In fact, many Americans are doomed to lose their jobs if Detroit doesn't make innovation job one. Inevitably, that competition to innovate will lead to the technologies that can end CO2 emissions.
In reality, the Toyota Prius has done little to ease CO2 emissions today; however, without the Prius we'd still be talking about fuel cell vehicles still decades away from reality. We certainly wouldn't be talking about GM hybrid vehicles soon entering the market without the Prius.
The importance of hybrids is not about global warming nor foreign oil dependency. Today, the importance of hybrids is purely about technology. Today's hybrid technology won't end foreign oil dependency or CO2 emissions, but investing in today's hybrids will lead to the technology that can resolve these issues.
When it comes to today's hybrid vehicles, it's ALL about the technology.
Actually, Mr. Hwang, it is all about the technology.
While activists, such as Mr. Hwang, can believe that global warming pollution is the world's greatest problem, global warming is not going to sell cars today. First, the inconvenient truth about global warming is that the science is not nearly as clear as Al Gore would have the world believe (more).
Second, even if global warming is real, hybrid cars are going to accomplish little in the next few years. Tens of millions of hybrids will be required to even make a dent in CO2 emissions, so let's get real Mr. Hwang.
Ultimately, only innovation, particularly technological innovation, can help fight a problem like global warming, and Toyota is pushing the limits far more than any other auto company in this battle. One hybrid battery breakthrough could change the automobile landscape forever - that's why hybrid technology is so important.
For example, lithium-ion batteries could result in 100 mpg hybrid cars, such as the next generation Prius that Toyota is testing. Conservation won't lead to this development, but further hybrid technology development will.
Furthermore, hybrid development will continue to push automotive innovation via competition. In fact, many Americans are doomed to lose their jobs if Detroit doesn't make innovation job one. Inevitably, that competition to innovate will lead to the technologies that can end CO2 emissions.
In reality, the Toyota Prius has done little to ease CO2 emissions today; however, without the Prius we'd still be talking about fuel cell vehicles still decades away from reality. We certainly wouldn't be talking about GM hybrid vehicles soon entering the market without the Prius.
The importance of hybrids is not about global warming nor foreign oil dependency. Today, the importance of hybrids is purely about technology. Today's hybrid technology won't end foreign oil dependency or CO2 emissions, but investing in today's hybrids will lead to the technology that can resolve these issues.
When it comes to today's hybrid vehicles, it's ALL about the technology.
Labels: Foreign Oil Dependency, global warming, GM, Hybrid Vehicles, prius, toyota
posted by Dahcredyns at
11:03 AM
1 Comments:
Very interesting post. I think you make some very strong points. I have linked to this over at Air Hybrid Blog.
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