The Prius Effect? Only to those with the loser effect

GM saw a joke in the Prius, Toyota saw the future

The 'Prius effect'. That's what competitors have labeled the success that hybrid cars have provided for Toyota. Boy, it's sadly comical how losers look for excuses in everything, and the Prius effect is a prime example of that 'loser effect'.

"We didn't appreciate the image value of hybrids," concedes GM's research and development chief, Larry Burns in a BusinessWeek interview. "We missed that."

That's not the only thing GM missed!

This 'Prius effect' statement has also been echoed by both GM head Rick Wagoner and by GM product guru, Bob Lutz. Even worse, Bob Lutz claimed that GM could have beat Toyota to the Prius, if they had used a fraction of their billion dollar marketing budget for this purpose. Instead, GM spent the money advertising the virtues of its foreign-oil-dependency-increasing gas-guzzlers.

Obviously, a much better investment, at least in terms of "image value" at that time. (Read more of the Prius Effect)

Are automakers dragging their feet on plug-in hybrids?

Lithium technology here, but too expensive?

Could automakers produce plug-in hybrid vehicles that hundreds of thousands of consumers would want today?

Maybe.

Of course, today's technology might offer limited electric range. More important, however, making plug-in hybrids with today's technology would probably price out most consumers.

"The technology is here today. LTC has it, and we've demonstrated it," says Dr. Klaus Brandt, executive vice president of LTC. "Price is the biggest factor holding back the production of these more environmentally friendly, fuel efficient vehicles. By committing to work together, the auto manufactures and battery companies can bring the cost down and make cars like the Volt an affordable reality for the consumer."

I don't really think automakers are dragging their feet on plug-in hybrids, but many are dragging their feet on hybrid cars (Read my post, Where are GM's dual mode hybrids). Ironically, today's hybrid cars are the best way to invest in tomorrow's plug-in hybrids.

Big 3 Keep Begging But Give Nothing

Unlike Toyota, GM and DaimlerChrysler have not sold 1 full hybrid car in America

"The opening round of congressional hearings this year on global warming and alternative fuels showed one fact is clear: The climate for automakers on Capitol Hill is becoming increasingly unforgiving," claims the DetroitNews this morning.

Good. Can automakers blame Congress?

According to GM, the Big 3 doesn't need an increase in CAFE, they need more money - much, much more money. Yet, the Big 3 have already been given billions to produce vehicles like the EV1 and hybrid cars, yet what has America received in return?

Increased foreign oil dependency. (READ MORE)

Jim Cramer calls for gas tax

O.K., I've been talking up the idea of a gas tax for a couple weeks now. Still, I know it's a crazy idea. It's so crazy I was originally against the idea, but I'm starting to feel maybe America needs to get a little crazy, especially at the consumer level. Then, as I'm flipping through TV stations, I catch Jim Cramer on Scarborough Country calling for a gas tax. "If you believe in national security, then we need oil higher not lower," Cramer told the host. Ultimately, Cramer said if natural forces don't take oil prices higher, then a gas tax is the next best path because only higher oil prices are going to force us to change.

Let's do it. I say we tax gasoline, which would make alternative fuels more competitive, and we can use the gas tax revenue to fund hybrid cars and other clean vehicle technologies.

Nissan Altima hybrid pricing and availability

Altima hybrid available in 8 states

The 2007 Nissan Altima hybrid is now available in California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont with an MSRP of $24,400.

With an EPA estimated 42 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, the Altima hybrid qualifies for a $2350.00 federal tax credit.

Hmmm?? A Camry hybrid, a Prius or an Altima hybrid, all these damn hybrid cars! Finally!

ZAP-X all electric vehicle shocks auto world

Zap and Lotus will join forces to turn the Lotus APX, or Aluminum Performance Crossover, into an electric vehicle called the ZAP-X. According to the companies the electric APX will offer a 350 mile range achieved with only a 10 minute charge, while an "auxillary power unit" will provide extra power on long trips. Additionally, the APX will achieve speeds of up to 155 mph with its 644 hps.

"Lotus Engineering's APX technology demonstrator vehicle is a perfect fit for our plans to introduce a full product portfolio of electric cars. Due to the initial design by Lotus, our cost and time to production will be significantly reduced. We believe that the ZAP-X will become the most advanced, most practical and most appealing flagship electric vehicle to date and will revolutionize the industry providing the driver with the enjoyment of a sports car and the practicality of an SUV," stated Zap CEO Steve Schneider via press release.

No word yet on costs, but I'm sure it will be expensive. Still, if achieved, the ZAP-X could steal some thunder from GM's Volt. Combined with developments of Tesla, however, not only will competition be created, but important, new technologies, such as lithium-ion batteries and lightweight materials, will be further researched and refined.

Chevy Volt's Chief Engineer Speaks - It's the cells

It's all about the lithium

AutoWeek has an interesting interview with Nick Zielinski, the Chief Engineer for the Chevy Volt hybrid project. In the interview Zielinksi highlights some of the main issues regarding how the Volt's gasoline engine and electric motor will integrate to produce GM's future series hybrids.

"At the cell level, we have performance data, and we think there are battery cells available with the energy and power level that we need. But the challenge is combining them all together. We are looking ahead into how the technology will be evolving. There are, like, 30 different chemistries out there for lithium ion batteries. There are also different techniques out there for making the cells."

To read the rest of the AutoWeek Interview, click here.

Europe ready to lead the hybrid revolution?

The EU today rejected criticism from the German auto industry that a proposed plan to significantly decrease carbon emissions from automobiles was both unrealistic and a job-killer.

"Normally jobs are not lost when you pro-actively embrace change but when you reactively resist it," replied Commission spokesman Johannes Laitenberger (more).

Earlier this month Andrew Fulbrook, powertrain analyst at CSM Worldwide's office in London, claimed that if the EU legislation passed either hybrid cars or tiny vehicles would be required. "If we go from voluntary to compulsory limits and, say, the 120g/km average for 2011-2012 is enforced, then short of going to very small three-cylinder gasoline engines, the diesel hybrid will be required" (more).

Will the U.S. be pro-active or reactive? Will American automakers be pro-active or reactive?

2008 Hybrid Escape and Mariner pricing announced

Ford debuted the 2008 Ford Escape and the 2008 Mercury Mariner today in Claycomo, MO, where the new line of small SUVs will be built. The debut also includes the hybrid versions of both vehicles as well.

According to a press release the 2008 Ford Escape hybrid will start at $25,740, which is more than $1000 cheaper than last year's hybrid Escape. The 2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid will start at $26, 430, which is $1300 less than the 2007 model.

In addition to the lower prices both hybrids will offer "redesigned interiors feature upscale appointments and innovative storage options. Both vehicles include Ford's first "top of dash" information system, a standard MP3 audio jack and a new center console that provide enough room to store a laptop. At night, new ice-blue lighting replaces green on the instrument cluster. In addition, Escape introduces sustainable new cloth seating that is the first U.S. automotive application of 100 percent recycled fabric."

Where are GM's dual mode hybrids?

Where is the Yukon hybrid?

This is a question I have been asking ever since NAIAS. Before NAIAS, I didn't really care about the GMC Yukon hybrid. I don't like large SUVs. Since NAIAS, however, I am interested in the Yukon because it will be the first GM hybrid to utilize GM's dual mode hybrid powertrain and it will be a small step towards the Volt concept.

--> Read the rest of Where are GM's dual mode hybrids

GM YouTubes Chevy Volt at NAIAS

GM has YouTubed a video of the Chevy Volt debut at NAIAS, which includes a few interesting interviews. If you don't check out GM's FastLane Blog, it's worth a look. In addition, there are some other good posts about the Volt, which has been a major focal point of the FastLane Blog since NAIAS. Hopefully, one day soon there will be this much excitement about a real GM vehicle, rather than a concept vehicle. While I love the Volt concept, it is just a concept.

Shell Chairman wants U.S. to decrease gas use by more than 20 percent

Shell's Chairman claimed Bush's proposed 20 percent reduction in U.S. gasoline consumption isn't enough. "Compared to that, Bush's proposal this week to reduce U.S. fuel consumption by a fifth was terribly feeble and a disappointment. Emissions from traffic are clearly less than half of total emissions," the newspaper quoted him as saying according to Reuters.

I'm not quite sure what the emissions statement means considering that the Chairman is not a proponent of mandatory carbon caps. Sounds like Chairman Jorma Ollila is engaging in some doublespeak?

Perhaps the Chairman would help fund a campaign for a gas tax since he cares so much, and he obviously realizes that the current cost of gas in the U.S. does not cover the environmental damage caused by gasoline consumption.

U.S. will need 50 percent more energy by 2030?

I just watched a commercial claiming that the U.S. will need 50 percent more energy by 2030. Now, this commercial was created by the gas and oil industry, so maybe the numbers were inflated a bit; however, what if they were not? Even if the real number is only 25 percent more that's still a huge number.

I think I'm starting to see the Admiral's perspective that a 20 percent drop in U.S. gasoline consumption in the next decade is nearly impossible. It seems he's right, unless we make drastic, revolutionary changes. In reality, as the Admiral stated, the U.S. will be lucky just to maintain current levels of consumption.

Consequently, I'm really starting to believe that a gas tax is absolutely necessary. Again, that's a gas tax whose revenue goes completely into tax credits for the consumers of hybrid cars and other clean energy technologies. The point is, America's energy habits HAVE to change and it will be far better for Americans if we prepare for the change, rather than wait until we have no choice but to change.

Another scary thing. If U.S. energy consumption is going to skyrocket in the next two decades, imagine what consumption in China and India is going to be like.

GE funding hybrid battery revolution?

GE has increased its stake in A123 Systems and in the development of lithium-ion batteries for plug-in hybrid vehicles. Yesterday, the company led a $40 million round of funding to the company. It would sure be nice to see an American company become the world's leader in lithium-ion for hybrid vehicles battery production.

Live near a busy road, kill your lungs

"Traffic pollution can prevent the lungs of children who live near busy roads from developing properly, making them more likely to suffer respiratory and heart problems later in life, U.S. researchers said on Friday." (more)

Girasole Electric car for only $2.2 million!?

A 41 mph electric car with 100 mile range for only $2,000,000? There's gotta be a catch to the Girasole. 100 miles per day on just one dollar. Let's see if I drive everyday for 100 years... (more)

What? You don't qualify for your hybrid tax credit?

So, you bought a Toyota Prius because you wanted to help the environment? Of course the car pool lane access and the $3150.00 in tax credits helped in your decision as well, right?

Well, hold on. According to Hybrid tax credit bait and switch, you might not qualify for your tax credit on the Prius, or any of the other hybrid cars that qualify for the hybrid tax credit.

"Few Californian families with income between $150,000 and $500,000 will qualify for a penny of the credit. And under this bizarre legislation, at lower income levels, the smaller your family, the bigger the credit allowed. Likewise, single taxpayers will mostly be OK."

Obviously, those making more than $150,000 per year can handle this news better than those making only $50,000. While I understand the writer's consternation, there were a lot of crazy things about the hybrid tax credit, such as why are U.S. automakers sitting on more than 150,000 tax credits as Toyota's tax credits expire? Isn't the point to get as many hybrids on the road as possible?

Congress!?!?

The funny politics of fuel economy

Aren't Democrats the ones making CAFE and global warming a platform?

Michigan's U.S. Rep. John Dingell, the House Energy and Commerce Committee chairmen who was irate with Nancy Pelosi and her global warming committee creation is now irked at Bush for increasing CAFE.

According to the DetroitNews "Dingell asked that key documents used to create the proposed changes to the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards for cars and trucks be turned over by Feb. 1." Dingel wrote that he needed the White House to "provide us with all analysis and documentation prepared by the National Economic Council supporting the president's energy proposal."

Nancy Pelosi and some liberal Democrats have proposed far more dramatic CAFE changes, yet now Bush is too environmental for some ranking Democrats? Never thought I'd see the day when Bush, the oil man, was too much of an environmentalist for important Democrats.

Will environmentalists be as tough on Dingell and similar Democrats as they've been on Bush, or is partisanship more important than solutions?

Tesla to offer $30,000 electric vehicle in 2009?

Some think that my last post on Tesla was a little anti-Tesla and pro-GM. I disagree. Regardless, I have always thought that the Tesla Roadster was a phenomenal vehicle. In fact, if I could afford any $100,000 vehicle, that would be the $100,000 vehicle that I would buy - without question. Still, how serious can you take a car company that only offers a $100,000 vehicle?

Well, you might be able to take Tesla far more seriously in 2009. In that year, Tesla is hoping to offer a 5 seat sedan, called the Whitestar which is expected to list at $30,000. Now that's a car I can afford. This is a story that I will excitedly follow.

(Source: AutoblogGreen)

The Big 3's Hybrid Efforts: Hype or Reality?

The Volt was a hype machine at NAIAS

With the Big 3 bleeding red, it wasn't very surprising that each of the Big 3 automakers made important hybrid debuts and/or announcements leading up to the first 100 hours of the new Democratic Congress and before the President's State of the Union Speech. Obviously, they had to show they were taking some action on fuel economy and global warming, or at least they had to create that perception.

GM was the hype machine king, launching the Chevy Volt electric hybrid at NAIAS. I believe GM is serious about the Volt, and I believe the Volt will one day be a sale's leader for GM. Still, at this point in time, I'm more concerned about GM's dual mode hybrids, such as the soon-to-be released Yukon hybrid. Where is it?

I don't just want to hear about the hybrid cars GM is going to develop, I want to see the hybrids GM has developed saving gas at gas stations in my neighborhood.

Similar to GM, both Ford and DaimlerChrysler made big announcements as well, such as Ford's plug-in hydrogen hybrids, flex-fuel hybrids and Chrysler's testing of plug-in hybrids. These were all great announcements, but announcements are not much more than PR hype. Hopefully, these PR efforts were not just hype campaigns to influence politicians.

So "Are you ready to help beat Bin Laden"?

That's the question posed by Angus MacKenzie of MotorTrend, whom back in 2005, MacKenzie tells us, wrote that "the challenge should be to make America independent of foreign oil within 10 years." Why? Because "...an insatiable appetite for oil seems, increasingly, to end with Americans getting in harm's way in other people's countries".

Of course, MacKenzie and automakers can't do it alone. "The thing is hybrids and diesel engines are more expensive to make. New mileage standards will require cars to use more lightweight materials, more efficient transmissions, and other high-tech, low mass components that will inevitably cost more money. And you can expect higher penalty taxes on gas-guzzlers.

So when it comes to reducing America's dependence on foreign oil, here's the key question: Are you prepared to pay for it?"

Then again, how much will we pay if we don't reduce our foreign oil dependence?

The 'Admiral' calls 20 percent U.S. gas reduction impossible

Eric Bolling, known as the Admiral on CNBC's Fast Money, was on Morning Call this morning talking about oil prices. Consequently, he was asked about the President's State of the Union Speech and whether a 20 percent reduction in U.S. gasoline production was possible. He adamantly exclaimed that it was not possible, that ethanol would ultimately have little effect on gasoline consumption, and that the U.S. would be lucky if it could maintain its current gasoline consumption - rather than increase it as the U.S. seems to do year after year. Scary.

While Bolling might be correct, and based on his success he's hard to argue against, I think the U.S. must try. More important, I think it is desperately vital that the U.S. and consumers realize that alternative fuels, other than possibly hydrogen, are not going to be the answer. Fuel efficient technology, namely hybrid vehicles that can evolve into plug-in hybrid vehicles are absolutely critical.

I think it's even more evidence we need a gas-tax to clean energy tax credit policy.

DoE offers $14 million in plug-in hybrid grants

Yesterday the Department of Energy announced $14 million in grants available for the development of batteries for plug-in hybrid vehicles. While Detroit is seeking $500,000,000.00, I'll guess they will have to hope for incentives from Congress. (more)

State of the Union: Is 20 percent enough?

This Yukon hybrid is more than 20 percent more fuel efficient than a standard Yukon

So President Bush wants to decrease gas consumption by 20 percent in the next 10 years. Is it enough? Is it too much? Already the Big 3 are complaining that it's too much. Environmentalists and national security hawks are complaining that it's too little.

Toyota was supportive. Isn't that interesting?

GM now has the technology to convert any of its gas-guzzling SUVs into hybrid vehicles that are at least 25 percent more fuel efficient than non-hybrid models. GM also has flex-fuel hybrid vehicles that are production ready, and GM has a Volt concept that could achieve 150 mpg for those that drive less than 60 miles per day.

DaimlerChrysler also has GM's dual mode hybrid technology. Ford has hybrid technology.

So, the Big 3 could begin to make all vehicles 25 percent more fuel efficient right now, while investing in the technologies that could keep significantly increasing fuel efficiency with each generation of technology, such as a 100 mpg Prius that isn't a plug-in? In addition, there is flex-fuel, clean diesel and bio-diesel to help?

The Big 3 should accept 20 percent as a minimum. The technology to achieve 20 percent is available today. Instead of focusing on why it can't be done, the Big 3 should focus on how they will get it done. Make a plea for incentives. Be productive. Stop complaining. Stop making excuses.

Isn't it time to give Toyota the Big 3's hybrid tax credits?

Give the Prius some credit

In advance of the President's State of the Union speech, Big 3 automakers are using the Auto Show circuit to show Congress and the President that they can be fuel efficient. Ford announced 20 flex fuel hybrids and a $2,000,000 hydrogen plug-in hybrid. DaimlerChrysler showed off the most fuel efficient, clean diesel heavy duty Ram pickup truck, and GM debuted the Chevy Volt concept at NAIAS.

Wow, I guess Detroit gets it, huh?

Well, why then are the Big 3 sitting on more than 150,000 tax credits available for hybrid vehicles as Toyota's hybrid tax credits expire because they sold too many hybrids? Why do we punish Toyota's clean and fuel efficient success and protect Detroit's complacency? Is this really how you drive innovation? How about some good old American competition?

As I blogged earlier today, it's time to put tax incentives into the hands of the people rather than the corporations. Give the people the money to afford hybrid vehicles and other clean technologies and to reward whoever makes the hybrids consumers want.

While I desperately want the Big 3 to succeed, it's time for real world vehicles, not fancy concepts and $2 million one-offs.

Ford's E85 hybrids - Just sell 'em!

Ford is going to deliver 20 Escape flex-fuel hybrids to six states this Spring? Why not 20,000? Why not at least 2,000? I'm glad that Ford is exploring this direction, but I'm also becoming a little bothered with the Big 3's hybrid efforts. Sure, GM's Volt is a great concept, but where is the Yukon hybrid? Where is the Saab flex-fuel hybrid? The Big 3 has done a lot of talking on green concepts the last month, now its time to put a little money where their mouth is - get more of these vehicles into dealerships!

State of the Union and Energy Independence: Power to the People!

Power to the people, not the corporations!

Energy independence is supposed to be an important part of the President's State of the Union speech tonight. So, when it comes to energy independence, where should the government place its tax incentive focus? Should it be on alternative fuels such as ethanol, bio-diesel, clean diesel and hydrogen? Should it be on advanced technologies such as hybrid vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and fuel cells?

I say forget fuel. Forget ethanol. Ethanol already receives an incredulous amount of tax subsidies and is in danger of turning into a pork-barrel legislator's dream.

I say focus on hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles and lithium-ion battery technology. Let's invest in the kinds of technologies that can practically wipe out the need for any liquid fuel in just the next decade.

Of course not everyone will agree on the approach. Consequently, I say try to give the power to the people, and let's make the people accountable for their choices.

Yesterday, I suggested a gas tax. Why not make gas more expensive while using the gas tax revenue to reward consumers whom buy more fuel efficient technologies? Also, make that tax 85% less for E85, for example - let consumers reap the benefit of buying a flex-fuel vehicle if it works for them. Why should automakers receive CAFE credits - a tax saving loophole - for selling E85 functionality that is never used by the majority of consumers? In addition, empower the flex-fuel user to save even far more with a flex-fuel hybrid vehicle.

I say give the power to the people! It's fair, it's competitive, it's responsible.

Ford to adapt HySeries hydrogen plug-in hybrid to gasoline plug-in hybrid?

My first thoughts of Ford's HySeries Drive - which debuted at NAIAS - were not great, particularly because this new plug-in platform requires hydrogen to power its fuel cell. The Chevy Volt and its E Flex Drive, on the other hand, provides a much more adaptable and flexible path to fuel cells, as does Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive (See my article on the Hybrid Synergy Drive versus the E Flex Drive). Most important, neither the E Flex Drive nor the Hybrid Synergy Drive are dependant upon either fuels cells or hydrogen - a significant advantage over the HySeries Drive.

It seems Ford is now also keenly aware of this fact. Today, Ford is going to display the Flexible Series Hybrid Edge at the Washington D.C. Auto Show. While it seems this new Edge is based upon the HySeries Drive, Ford has already made changes. "We could take the fuel cell power system out and replace it with a downsized diesel, gasoline engine or any other powertrain connected to a small electric generator to make electricity like the fuel cell does now," Gerhard Schmidt, Ford's vice president of research and advanced engineering. (more)

Was Ford influenced by the success of the Volt? Regardless, it seems the auto game is changing. Consumers aren't interested in what automakers are going to do tomorrow, they want to know what you are doing today, and that requires hybrid cars, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles - all of which can help develop a platform for fuel cells and hydrogen.

Of course, if lithium-ion batteries reduce the cost of plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, while also providing at least 400 mile per day range, consumers might question whether fuel cells and hydrogen are even needed.

DaimlerChrysler testing plug-in hybrid vehicles

The Dodge Sprinter is a pretty ugly vehicle, but just as with humans, sometimes it is what is inside that counts. DaimlerChrysler is now testing 20 Dodge Sprinter plug-in hybrid vehicles in the U.S., and a number of these plug-in hybrids are also being tested with lithium-ion batteries to determine "real world driving conditions about lifetime, performance and cost of batteries." Currently, the Dodge Sprinter plug-in can achieve around 20 miles of pure electric power. The Sprinter is also being developed with both diesel and gasoline engines, so it has a future in both Europe and the U.S..

"The future of plug-in hybrid technology rests on a number of improvements, the most significant being batteries," said Dr. Andreas Truckenbrodt, Executive Director, DaimlerChrysler Hybrid Programs. "The battery systems in the PHEV Sprinter continue to provide valuable data on the possibilities with lithium-ion technology."

(Source: Car&Driver)

A gas tax to fund hybrid vehicle tax incentives?

Let gas-guzzlers fund hybrid tax credits?

It is not very common to hear support for a gas tax coming out of Detroit, but that is exactly what Daniel Howes is supporting in his DetroitNews column today.

"We Americans can have the collective attention span of 4-year-olds -- we want what we want when we want it and complain loudly when we don't get it," Howes begins his commentary as he ridicules consumers and "politicians-cum-nannies" whom have tried to blame everyone but gas-guzzling consumers for high gasoline prices.

Yet, once prices hit $3.00, consumer behaviour changed rather quickly, which is exactly why, Howes argues, that a gas tax - not the vilification of oil companies via taxes, etc. - would be the "quickest, if not the wisest, way to cut fuel consumption and change behavior".

Unfortunately, that's probably political suicide, even if it is the right thing. Inevitably and ultimately politicians are far more focused on maintaining power than on doing the right thing - but that's a whole other sad story.

Automakers and oil companies deserve blame, but consumers deserve at least as much blame. I think a gas tax is a great idea - as long as every cent of the tax incentive is given back to consumers whom buy hybrid cars and other clean energy technologies.

2008 Toyota Highlander to debut in Chicago

On February 7 Toyota will debut the redesigned 2008 Highlander hybrid at the Chicago Auto Show. Not many new details regarding the Highlander other than instead of being based off of the Camry, the new Highlander will be based off of the Avalon in an effort to provide more room for a third row of seating.

(Source: KickingTires)

Volt hybrid powers buzz back to Big 3 automakers

According to media analysis obtained by the DetroitNews, the Big 3 dominated the auto coverage at the North American International Auto Show, and that coverage was topped by GM's Chevy Volt Electric concept vehicle.

It sure is ironic and very interesting that a hybrid car drove such positive buzz back to the Big 3. Hmmmm??? Is that an obvious message to the Big 3 that if Detroit leads by doing to the right thing - hybrid cars - the people will follow?

Forbes's hottest hybrids for 2007

The Forbes hottest hybrids for 2007 list was topped by the Ford Escape hybrid and the Lexus LS600h L hybrid. In addition, Forbes also picked the Saturn Aura Green Line hybrid, as well as the Saturn Vue Green Line hybrid - a little coupe for Saturn. But Forbes's hybrid buzz for GM products didn't end with Saturn. The GMC Yukon hybrid, Chevy Tahoe hybrid, and the Cadillac Escalade hybrid also made the list.

I guess the fact that neither Toyota nor Honda added any new hybrids to their lineups kept them off the list?

(Source: MSNBC)

Volt has GM fans and critics charged up

Yesterday, I covered a Tesla blog post in which the CEO of Tesla mocked the Chevy Volt Concept vehicle, as have a number of GM critics (read). While I don't agree with Tesla's point, I do understand the contempt many have for GM - I've often held the same contempt.

And it's not as if GM doesn't realize this contempt. Beth Lowery, whom I spoke with at great lengths in Detroit, wrote in the FastLane Blog, "I can understand why people are skeptical," Lowery said. "All I can tell you is that we recognize the role that electricity will play in future cars — that's why we've worked so hard to bring you the Volt."

But the Volt isn't just charging up critics of GM, it's also electrifying many fans of GM. Apparently, Volt fans have flooded the mailboxes of GM with letters full of desire for the Volt as well as ideas for making the Volt happen faster according Inside Line.

While GM did sponsor me to cover the debut of the Volt, I left Detroit firmly believing that the Volt would happen. Now, however, with all the attention the Volt has driven to GM and all the hopes it has provided to GM fans, GM has NO CHOICE but to develop the Volt. Ultimately, the Volt might just be GM's last straw; it's last chance to charge into the future.

Thus, fans should keep pushing GM, keep asking questions about the Volt and about other dual mode hybrids, such as the flex-fuel Saab hybrid. Even more important, in the very short term, GM fans should demand that GM start selling the Yukon hybrid - Let's put some rubber to the road!

Nissan Altima hybrid tax credit approved

The federal tax credit for the Nissan Altima hybrid has been determined by the IRS. The full credit for qualified consumers will be $2350. However, in order to qualify for the full tax credit, consumers will have to purchase the 2007 Nissan Altima hybrid by the end of March. Those whom buy the Altima hybrid between April and the end September will only receive half that credit, or $1175. During the last quarter of the year, the credit will be reduced to $587.50 (more).

How close is Cobasys to the Volt Lithium battery?

That was the question that AutoWeek asked Scott Lindholm, vice president for systems engineering at Cobasys. Unfortunately, Lindhold didn't have a very good answer. Still, for a little more information in what's going on with Lithium-ion battery development - at least at Cobasys - check out the article.