Angus likes the Prius, but it's no silver bullet to fuel economy?
Is there ever such a thing as a silver bullet?"We like the Prius here at Motor Trend. A lot. You may recall we made the second-generation version our 2004 Car of the Year, probably one of the most radical choices in the entire history of the award. But -- and let me be crystal clear about this -- despite what the likes of DiCaprio, Al Gore, and Vanity Fair would like you to think, the Prius is not the car that will save the planet," writes Angus Mackenzie.
Thus, Angus claims, there is no silver bullet to fuel economy. While I agree....Finish: Angus like the Prius, but it's not silver bullet to fuel economy
Labels: fuel economy, plug-in hybrid vehicles, toyota prius
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"We like the Prius here at Motor Trend. A lot. You may recall we made the second-generation version our 2004 Car of the Year, probably one of the most radical choices in the entire history of the award. But -- and let me be crystal clear about this -- despite what the likes of DiCaprio, Al Gore, and Vanity Fair would like you to think, the Prius is not the car that will save the planet," writes Angus Mackenzie.
Thus, Angus claims, there is no silver bullet to fuel economy. While I agree, has there ever been a silver bullet to any major problem? If silver bullets ever do occur, it's very rare. Instead, some sort of realization occurs, or some sort of technological breakthrough. Others then capitalize upon and advance this realization or technology, and some time later - often many years later - the silver bullet is finally fired.
When push-comes-to-shove the Prius has created a realization that automobiles can be different. Moreover, hybrid vehicles have made some realize that plug-in hybrid vehicles might be far better than fuel cell vehicles for the majority of commuting needs. Additionally, others have claimed that plug-in hybrids might make adding fuel cells to automobiles easier because a plug-in hybrid could utilize a much smaller fuel cell. Instead of a fuel cell powered car, think fuel cell assisted plug-in hybrid.
Even if fuel cell vehicles do become the norm, hybrid technology makes it happen faster by electrifying the powertrain of automobiles. Instead of waiting for some silver bullet to magically make fuel cell cars cost-effective, hybrids help ramp up automotive technology towards fuel cells in a constant, methodical manner.
Sure, the Prius won't be a silver bullet by itself, but it has changed the way automakers and auto consumers think and this out-of-the-box realization - started by the Prius - will eventually lead to the silver bullet.
Far too many hybrid critics continue to miss this point.
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