Still no new hybrid vehicle tax credits: Let's take action

Give them credit

Congress has passed CAFE. By 2020 foreign oil dependency will end, significant reductions in global warming will be achieved, and all Americans will drive in any vehicle and achieve at least 35 mpg, while saving 100s of dollars in gasoline costs per year.

Now will reality please stand up?

It's time to put the power in the hands of the people. Tax credits for hybrid cars, clean diesel and bio-diesel conversion kits give the people the power to make smarter, clean and greener consumer purchases, while rewarding the companies making cleaner and greener energy and products. Power to the people, not the corporations! Join the Revolution! Read more.

Lithium revolution still years away?

Even mild hybrids will use lithium

In 2008 Continental Automotive will begin series production of lithium-ion battery packs, which is good news since Continental is one of the suppliers of the Chevy Volt. Still, Continental is only planning on producing a few thousand battery packs.

"It will not be a hundred thousand units a year," stated CEO Manfred Wennmer recently,"but certainly a few thousand.... This is the battery of the future: for both full- and mild-, as well as plug-in hybrid drive and pure electric cars."

While it's great news to hear that some companies are beginning to scale towards the mass production of lithium battery packs, it's also a reminder that the lithium revolution is still, minimally, several years away from wide scale reality.

Honda focused on fuel cell vehicles not electric vehicles

A Honda fuel cell vehicle filling up at a solar-hydrogen station

Yesterday, President Takeo Fukui told Jiji Press that Honda was going to focus on fuel cell vehicles instead of electric vehicles because "Honda has no plan to develop automobiles that can be used only in limited areas."

Citing overseas markets, short travel distance and recharging times Honda does not believe that short range electric vehicles provide an attractive solution worldwide.

Within 10 years Honda believes it could be mass-producing fuel cell vehicles, once an infrastructure for hydrogen fueling stations is resolved. To address that problem, Honda is focusing on home fueling stations that convert natural gas into hydrogen.

Recently, Honda showed off the second generation Honda Clarity FCX at the LA Auto Show, and the company plans to begin leasing a limited number of these fuel cell vehicles in 2008.

Toyota's crazy hybrid truck concept: The A-BAT

Another unique hybrid from Toyota

According to MSNBC Toyota will introduce a hybrid truck concept at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Like the Prius, the A-BAT hybrid truck concept will utilize a very unusual body style, however, also like the Prius, Toyota's newest hybrid concept still oozes functionality.

"The four-passenger pickup features a 4-foot bed, while a translucent roof panel slides open to allow for tall cargo inside the cab. The bed can be extended by 2 feet by folding down the passthrough midgate into the cab and by another 2 feet by opening the tailgate."

Additionally, the hybrid truck also includes a solar-powered, portable 7-inch navigation screen that offers WIFI Internet. Finish....

Toyota Prius: Best and Most Important Car of 2007

2007 was a breakout year for the Prius

I just checked out CNN's Cars: Best of the Best 2007. There are 9 categories in the Best of the Best and the Toyota Prius controls 3 out of those 9 categories. Best loved, Best fuel economy and Best reliability.

Possibly even more important, the Prius has become one of the 10 best selling cars of 2007. This success has made all other automakers take hybrid cars seriously, while significantly increasing America's consciousness towards the possibility of plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric cars.

Love it or hate, the Prius has forever changed the automotive landscape.

CAFE: 35 mpg really means 26.5 mpg?

26.5 mpg by 2020 - Nancy's shot heard round the world?

Karl on Cars has a great article dismissing the new CAFE standards coming out of Congress. It turns out that CAFE doesn't measure fuel economy the same way as does the EPA; therefore, a CAFE standard of 35 mpg actually equals 26.5 mpg. Likewise, I assume CAFE strongly favors, easier to achieve, highway fuel economy.

When you add in the lower standard for trucks plus the ethanol credit, U.S. automakers aren't going to have to do nearly as much as one might think to achieve CAFE compliance. Essentially, the Chevy Tahoe hybrid is probably already close to compliance, so anybody expecting massive changes in America's automotive landscape might be waiting a whole lot longer.

Gotta love those politicians.

Are plug-in hybrids code for nuclear power?

Will the move to electric vehicles lead to nuclear power

For the last several years my dream has been a solar powered home and a plug-in hybrid vehicle, and for years I've seen nothing but the potential of plug-in hybrid vehicles. For me one of the greatest capabilities of plug-in hybrids is the ability to make solar power more cost effective.

Nonetheless, I cannot help but feel that my beloved plug-in hybrids are being hijacked by those interested in nuclear power. Read more....

Argonne Study supports PHEV development

PHEVs are worth the investment

According to Argonne Lab a new study helps validate "the promise of PHEVs in the near-term, helping assure that research and development dedicated to the introduction and implementation of this technology is well founded." Read more....

Greenwashing: GM's dual mode hybrids?

Is the marketing budget bigger than the production budget?

A few years ago Dan Neil wrote an article that so offended GM that the automaker pulled all of their advertising from the LA Times. Well, he might have achieved the same result with his recent article, Just Right, Yet Wrong.

Dan says a lot of great things about vehicles like the Chevy Tahoe hybrid and the GMC Yukon hybrid. Still, he has questions, a lot of questions about GM's dual mode hybrid vehicles, and those questions lead Dan to the word 'greenwashing'. Read more....

Toyota preparing to mass produce lithium batteries?

A lithium-powered hybrid?

The Toyota and Matsushita hybrid vehicle battery partnership, formally called Panasonic EV Energy Co, have begun studying the process of mass producing lithium-ion batteries for hybrid vehicles.

Additionally, Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe, again reiterated the company's focus on hybrids as a key to a sustainable future, as well as the goal of offering a hybrid option for every Toyota vehicle.

Should politicians drive American?

The best hybrid for members of Congress?

Just a couple of years ago there were just a couple of members of Congress whom drove hybrid cars. Thus, at a Congressional news conference on high gas prices at a gas station a few blocks from Congressional offices, several reporters mocked Congress for both not walking to the conference and for driving fuel-inefficient cars.

Today, many more members of Congress now drive hybrid vehicles and many of those hybrids are foreign hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius. This has continually bothered some members of Congress, especially those from Michigan.

Obviously, there aren't many choices when it comes to hybrid cars, and the Prius is the most fuel efficient hybrid. So, is it really that big of a deal that American members of Congress buy non-American hybrids? Or, as members of Congress, would it be more ethical to drive a hybrid like the Ford Escape hybrid?

Brazil testing E25 Prius hybrids

Will it be as efficient on E25

For the next couple of years, Brazil is going to test a few Toyota Prius hybrids in regular traffic to monitor their performance when filled with Brazilian gasoline. Gasoline in Brazil is 20 - 25 percent ethanol. However, if the results are successful, CENBIO and Petrobras might try to sell the idea of bio-fueled hybrids to other areas of the world as part of the BEST project, BioEthanol for Sustainable Transport project. (more)

Hyundai still just studying plug-in hybrids

Hyundai working on FCEVs not yet sure on PHEVs

Hyundai still has no plans for plug-in hybrid vehicles, according to unconfirmed sources, although the automaker is studying the idea. Still, the Accent hybrid will go on sale in 2009.

I guess some hybrid vehicles are better than no hybrids.

Attack on EPA waiver decision begins

Does the Nation have this kind of smog George?

Late Thursday, the Senate Commitee on Environment and Public Works also sent a demand to the EPA for documents relating to the waiver deliberations, including all records "presenting options, recommendations, 'pros and cons' legal issues or risks, (and) political implications."

The letter signed by the committee's chairwoman, Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., also sought records of all contacts with the vice president's office and White House by Jan. 7, including e-mails. Boxer said the formal two-page denial by EPA "is unsupported by legal or technical analysis" and the decision "appears to be contrary to the Clean Air Act and the science."

Likewise Henry Waxman wrote, "Your decision not only has important consequences to our nation, but it raises serious questions about the integrity of the decision-making process," Waxman wrote. "In fact, reports indicate that you overruled the unanimous recommendations of EPA's legal and technical staffs in rejecting California's petition."

More from the DetroitNews.

Interest in Ford Escape hybrid increasing?

Ready for a sales explosion?

According to CarMax, searches for hybrid cars are on the rise. Hybrids like the Toyota Prius and the Toyota Camry hybrid have seen huge increases in search traffic, however, the hybrid that has seen the biggest increase is the Ford Escape hybrid.

Is it Ford's smart "hybrid, hybrid" commercial? Have high gasoline prices finally forced die-hard SUV drivers to consider a hybrid SUV?

Who knows, but it will be interesting to check out Ford's Escape hybrid sales numbers the next few months. For many months, interest in hybrid vehicles has increased, but sales have lagged far behind this interest. Are consumers finally ready to pull the trigger on hybrids like the Escape hybrid?

What would it take for a Honda hybrid to challenge the Prius?

The 2009 Toyota Prius?

In 2009 Honda is going to launch a new hybrid vehicle, one that Honda hopes will sell 200,000 units. That's a huge improvement compared to Honda's top selling hybrid, the Honda Civic hybrid. Additionally, it would make the new Honda hybrid as popular as the Toyota Prius.

So, how might Honda accomplish such a monumental task? Read more....

Perhaps Toyota should just shut up?

It's not enough

I've defended Toyota against many environmentalists whom have attacked Toyota for joining the Big 3 against any serious increase in CAFE. I didn't do this because I agree with the Big 3 that America shouldn't be too aggressive on CAFE, I did this because Toyota really is probably doing more than any other major automaker when it comes to fuel economy, etc.

But, Toyota is only doing a little more than most other automakers.

The Toyota Prius might have given Toyota a little bit of a green halo, but it didn't make Toyota environmental saints. Toyota's hybrid cars are still only a small percent of their overall vehicle portfolio.

Thus, when I read Jim Lentz's statement supporting the EPA's decision not to provide California with its tailpipe waiver, I could only think just one thing; SHUT UP. Saying nothing would have been a far better choice because I guarantee the EPA's ruling is only going to invigorate hardcore greens, and I'm done defending Toyota.

EPA rejects California tailpipe waiver

Governor vows to appeal EPA's tailpipe waiver decision

For the FIRST time in 30 years, the EPA has declined to provide a waiver to allow the state of California to regulate tailpipe emissions from passenger vehicles, despite numerous court rulings, including one from the Supreme Court, that supported California's position.

Yet, not only was it California, but sixteen other states - when combined - that represent a significant percent of Americans that were denied. One can only be left to wonder, whom exactly does the EPA protect, when the people cannot, even after Supreme Court affirmation, demand clean air via legal and precedented processes?

Thanks King Bush.

“It is disappointing that the federal government is standing in our way and ignoring the will of tens of millions of people across the nation. We will continue to fight this battle. California sued to compel the agency to act on our waiver, and now we will sue to overturn today’s decision and allow Californians to protect our environment.”

(Full Press Release)

Could the Saturn Vue beat the Prius to lithium?

Will the Vue hybrid be GM's next dual mode hybrid?

At this year's LA Auto Show, GM focused on its hybrid vehicles and the Chevy Volt. New technologies are the future, GM seemed to say, and this is how we're heading into the future, with hybrids today and the Volt and fuel cell vehicles tomorrow.

A year earlier at the same LA Auto Show, GM had created some buzz by announcing plans for a Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid vehicle. Yet, at this year's show, there was no word on the Saturn Vue hybrid, which seems odd. If the Chevy Volt is going to launch in 2010, it seems obvious that the Vue plug-in hybrid, ideally, would have to launch before the Volt.

So, is 2009 the year of the Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid? Read more.....

Honda set for big hybrid investment

More Honda hybrids in 2009

Yesterday, Honda reconfirmed plans to launch a new hybrid in 2009 and to make the sales of hybrid vehicles account for 10 percent of Honda's overall sales by 2010.

"The competition in hybrids has just begun," said Honda President Takeo Fukui.

To help Honda achieve this growth in hybrid vehicle sales, the company plans to invest $425 million in a new research center to further develop hybrids and fuel cell vehicles.

Chinese automakers going hybrid crazy

Another Chinese-made hybrid

At least four different Chinese automakers have now developed their own proprietary hybrid technology for various hybrid vehicles.

The latest is Chang'an Automotive Group, a partner of Ford and Suzuki, which will produce the Jiexun HEV that is supposed to achieve a 20 percent improvement in fuel economy over a conventional Jiexun according to InsideLine.

More important, it will cost far less than Chinese-made Toyota Prius hybrids - at least in China.

CAFE passes Congress: Sorry I don't care

Once again, take it easy Nancy

Well, CAFE has passed Congress, and all I can say is big deal.

A 6-fold increase in ethanol production - much of that coming from corn. Please. I mean, c'mon. Already, corn-based ethanol has increased food prices by 5 percent overall, but for some products, prices have increased much more. The cost of a gallon of milk, for example, is up 90 cents. How much higher will a 6-fold increase raise prices, especially if a big drought hits once we get there? Forget just costs, suddenly we might be talking shortages. Now that's smart.

I already made my thoughts pretty clear in my post Pelosi is a comedian and CAFE is the joke. But, for another perspective check out Warren Brown's article, Energy bill hangs on to the myth that we can have our oil and guzzle it, too.

Azure to make hybrid trucks for Ford?

Would Ford and Azure partner on other hybrid trucks?

Azure has now signed its fourth lead customer for its gasoline hybrid electric Ford E-450 vehicle.

"The parallel hybrid electric demonstration vehicle will be used to verify the fuel economy improvements, emissions reductions and maintenance cost savings that can be achieved using Azure's patented technology. Successful completion of the program will result in the company becoming a lead customer for Azure's hybrid technology on the Ford E-450 chassis. FPL currently runs a fleet of approximately 3,400 vehicles."

In the past, Azure has also signed hybrid contracts with FedEx using the same Ford E-450 powertrain, which maintains a much bigger fleet than FPL.

So, if this program continues to gain traction, would Ford and Azure include other hybrid vehicles as part of this partnership? Considering Ford's financial situation. Technology partners seem to make a lot of sense.

EPA shows off hydraulic hybrid

60 to 70 percent more fuel efficient?

Yesterday, the EPA demonstrated its UPS hydraulic hybrid delivery vehicle.

"The unique UPS delivery vehicle features EPA-patented hydraulic hybrid technology. The vehicle uses hydraulic pumps and hydraulic storage tanks to store energy, similar to what is done with electric motors and batteries in hybrid electric vehicles. Fuel economy is increased in three ways: vehicle braking energy is recovered that normally is wasted; the engine is operated more efficiently; and the engine can be shut off when stopped or decelerating."

According to the EPA, if such hydraulic hybrids were built in high-volume, the extra costs of the hydraulic technology could be recovered in 3 years. However, over the lifetime of the vehicle, the hydraulic technology could save as much as $50,000.

So build 'em then. Or is this vehicle about as realistic as the EPA's Fuel Economy estimates?

Hybrid cars: Is plugging in always the best option?

A great highway car?

In the past I have claimed the best hybrid cars are plug-in hybrid vehicles, and to a great extent, I still believe this to be the case, particularly if those PHEVs receive their electricity from renewable sources, such as solar and wind power.

Nonetheless, are PHEVs in danger of being over-hyped, at the expense of other technologies? Read more.....

Not many Hyundai hybrids until 2013?

One of Hyundai's fuel cell vehicles

It's obvious that Hyundai is paying attention to the hybrid cars segment, in addition to other advanced technologies, such as fuel cell vehicles. Still, the question remains, when will consumers be able to buy some Hyundai hybrids?

Earlier today I posted a story about the technology partnership between LG Chem and Hyundai that will bring LG Chem lithium batteries to Hyundai's hybrids. According to that story, Hyundai plans to begin mass production of hybrid cars in 2009.

Again, what does mass production mean? Does it mean 10,000 or 20,000 hybrids for the Korean market for the first few years? Possibly. According to AutoWeek, Hyundai does not have any serious hybrid plans for America until 2013.

Hyundai picks LG Chem for hybrid batteries

Hyundai hybrids in 2009

When Hyundai begins mass-producing hybrid vehicles in 2009, it appears that some, or all, of those hybrids will be made using lithium-ion batteries produced by LG Chem. LG Chem is also producing batteries for GM's Chevy Volt.

Prius on MSN's Top 10 Most Searched

The Prius has caught America's attention

When you consider that the Toyota Prius is one of the 10 Best Selling Cars in America so far in 2007, then it should also come as no surprise that the Prius is also one of the Top 10 most searched vehicles on MSN.

New York City to add 850 hybrid buses

Give us your hybrids

New York City awarded Daimler with a contract for 850 new hybrid buses. The Orion VII Next Generation diesel-electric hybrid transit buses, powered by BAE Systems' Hybri Drive® diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system, will be delivered by 2010.

Likewise, the city of Ottawa also ordered 202 buses.

According to Daimler, "Compared to standard diesel propulsion, these hybrid buses deliver up to 30 percent better fuel economy while greatly reducing emissions: 90 percent less particulate matter, 40 percent less NOx and 30 percent fewer greenhouse gases. Drivers and riders enjoy a quieter, cleaner and smoother ride."

Interestingly, a number of these hybrid vehicles will utilize lithium-ion battery technology

Yukon hybrid picks up best engine award

Another award for GM's hybrids

GM's hybrid SUVs are on a role. First, the Chevy Tahoe hybrid picked up the Green Car of the Year at the LA Auto Show, then it was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year. Now Ward's has named the GMC Yukon hybrid a 10 Best Engine for 2008.

Focusing on engines that improve fuel economy without compromising performance, the 6.0-liter OHV V8 hybrid that powers the Yukon hybrid was the only hybrid engine on the list. Both the Tahoe hybrid and the Yukon hybrid will be coming to a dealer near you soon.

A rumor about Tesla

Over promised, under delivered?

After the debut of the Chevy Volt, Tesla's CEO Martin Eberhard aggressively and viciously attacked the Volt calling it a marketing gimmick, while claiming the $100,000 Tesla Roadster was the real deal. While I was a fan of what Tesla was trying to accomplish I thought Eberhard's statements were groundless and dumb.

Less than a year later, after multiple product delays, Eberhard is no longer with Tesla and not by his choosing. Ultimately, at least in terms of sales and marketing, Eberhard's attack on Tesla set up Tesla to over-promise and under deliver.

Now comes the rumor, and I reiterate, this is only a rumor, but from a very reliable source. A media-friend, whom now refuses to write about the Tesla until orders are delivered, told me that one of his contacts had put a deposit on a Roadster. A little disappointed, he stopped by Tesla to find out what was going on and took another test drive. Then asked for his deposit back.

Pelosi is a comedian and CAFE is the joke

Will Americans go from SUVs to small cars?

Nancy Pelosi has called the new CAFE standards "a shot heard around the world". Please.

There is no doubt that the new CAFE standards will lead to more fuel efficient vehicles, such as hybrid vehicles and more alternative fueled-vehicles. However, when you consider America's energy consumption, which almost always increases year-after-year, CAFE is not a solution - it's a dud heard 'round the world. Read more.....

Volvo and Saab to collaborate on plug-in hybrid program

PHEVs will be a bit larger than this Volvo C30 PHEV concept

Saab and Volvo will partner on a pilot project to test 10 plug-in hybrid vehicles in Sweden according to GreenCarCongress. A number of other Swedish companies are also involved, such as ETC Battery, which will contribute lithium-ion batteries for the project.

Aside from trying to create a market for PHEVs in Sweden, the program will also “demonstrate what a simple, marketable, full solution for plug-in hybrids would look like”.

Does the Tahoe hybrid deserve a vehicle of the year award?

Worthy of a North American Truck of the Year Award?

For some fans of hybrid vehicles, a hybrid like the Chevy Tahoe hybrid is hard to support. Many hybrid fans just cannot help but question whether such a large SUV is necessary, even if it is a hybrid.

In the past, I would have criticized the Tahoe hybrid, but I have had a profound shift in my thinking. If you read the Hybrid Car Blog often, then you know that I think the Tahoe hybrid is a great vehicle based on my Tahoe hybrid test drive - a great vehicle that I would never buy. However, you also know that when I realized that the Tahoe hybrid can achieve Mini Cooper like city fuel economy at the LA Auto Show, I had to get behind this vehicle.

While I would still prefer that SUV drivers downsize their vehicles, if SUV consumers - which make up a sizable percent of auto buyers - need or demand such vehicles, then let them at least be hybrid vehicles like the Tahoe hybrid or the Yukon hybrid. Thus, I gladly support the Tahoe hybrid as the North American Truck of the Year.

Mitsubishi hybrid vehicles closer to reality

A Mitsubishi hybrid vehicle concept

Now that Mitsubishi has developed Lithium Energy Japan to developed lithium-ion batteries for hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles, some new plans for such cars should be forthcoming.

Mitsubishi has recently debuted some interesting hybrid concepts, and now it appears some of these hybrids might just put a little rubber to the road.

Toyota is "a hybrid company"

A Toyota Prius hybrid car

Despite the fact that Toyota has received a lot of criticism from some environmentalists regarding its alliance with US automakers over CAFE, Toyota claims it was worth it.

"We have taken hits because of our alliance," U.S. president of Toyota, Jim Lentz, said of the unified stance with U.S. companies on the No.1 regulatory issue to face auto companies in years. "We were willing to take those hits to get a standard the industry could live with."

Nonetheless, Toyota isn't afraid of the new CAFE standards coming out of Congress.

"We're a hybrid company, especially on the passenger car side," Lentz said, noting that in addition to the conventional hybrid cars that Toyota is now selling, such as the Prius and Camry hybrid, Toyota will continue to test plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Paris in a hybrid, almost makes me want a Hummer

Paris going green

Boy, when stars like Paris Hilton start buying hybrid cars, I want to be supportive, but I just can't. I'm sure it won't be too long before Paris has her own green show telling us little people how to live.

(Source: Autobloggreen)

Chris Paine tells Green Hollywood Who Killed the Electric Car

Is the electric car really dead?

Yesterday, I was at the Hollywood Goes Green forum, and one of the most interesting sessions of the day was one titled Easy Rider: Fuel Usage, Energy Efficient Vehicles and Freight Options. Chris Paine, a member of the panel for this session, and his movie Who Killed the Electric Car took center stage.

As a fan of electric cars, I agree with Chris that, if you drive an electric vehicle, then you know that electric cars are the cars of the future. Nonetheless, I don't agree with Chris that anyone killed the electric car, nor that the electric car was killed by "resistance to change" from consumers, automakers and energy providers. Read more....

Bob Lutz: Why the Volt will not be delayed?

The Volt is Bob Lutz's defining moment

There has been a soft whisper among some journalists that GM's Bob Lutz was losing his passion for his role at GM. Considering his 75 years of age, that's no surprise. However, Bob Lutz isn't your average 75 year old, in fact, you'd almost swear he's more like 60, not 75.

Anyway, I've believed, since the Chevy Volt debut, that the Volt would be Bob Lutz's defining moment in the auto industry, and that the Volt could keep Mr. Lutz around at GM. At the debut of the Volt at NAIAS, Lutz alluded to such a fact.

Now, Mr. Lutz is officially talking retirement, but he is again confirming that he would like to retire after the Volt launches in 2010. "I'd like to see the Volt launched because I think that is an absolutely critical product," Lutz said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Sadly, I wouldn't be surprised to see Lutz leave GM before 2010, but I hope he sticks around. With his legacy on the line, Lutz might be best guarantee that the Volt won't be delayed, and I think Lutz's legacy is worthy of being defined by a game-changing vehicle like the Volt.

Ener1 says its lithium batteries ready before 2009

"That the Lithium-ion battery is the Holy Grail is now a given"

Ener1 told Fox News yesterday that its lithium-ion batteries will be ready to be incorporated into hybrid cars, plug-in hybrid vehicles and pure electric vehicles by the end of 2008.

"Our batteries have already been tested by the United States Advanced Battery Consortium, which is General Motors, Ford and Chrysler," Charles Gassenheimer, chairman of Ener1, Inc. told viewers of the Fox morning broadcast "CEO Corner." "We are the only battery company today using this Lithium-ion technology, which has met or exceeded all of the Big Three's requirements, especially and most importantly best-in-class in safety."

Interestingly, Mr. Gassenheimer also claimed that NiMH batteries simply are not, will not, every really be cost-effective, whereas lithium will be incredibly cost-effective.

Maybe it was the battery that really did kill (stall) the electric car?

Toshiba wants a chunk of the hybrid market

A future hybrid vehicle battery

In March 2008, Toshiba will launch the SCiB, or Super Charge ion Battery, that can recharge to 90 percent in less than 5 minutes. According to Toshiba the battery will last more than 10 years, even under the harshest conditions. Toshiba is planning on selling these batteries for use in hybrid cars and, eventually, electric vehicles.

A spin through Hollywood in the Malibu hybrid

Man, I wish this was a dual mode hybrid

I've never bought an American car. Of course, I've only owned a few cars in my life, so I've not had many opportunities. Nonetheless, anytime I've looked for a new vehicle, I've always checked out the U.S. automakers, except in recent years.

While I have checked out Ford's hybrid vehicles, I only go to dealerships that sell hybrids. Thus, I haven't been to a GM dealership in some time. Finally, that is about to change. The Yukon hybrid, the Tahoe hybrid are all worth a look for hybrid shoppers interested in SUVs. Sadly, the hybrid that GM could sell me, however, is only a mild hybrid, the Chevy Malibu hybrid, but I insist on a full hybrid vehicle. Read more....

A few more baby steps toward the Volt

The buzz keeps growing

GM has now opened a design center for the Chevy Volt and, eventually, other E Flex vehicles. Unfortunately, this really isn't much of a story, as this was planned. What's more interesting, however, is just how much interest there is in the Volt, even though this plug-in vehicle is still a couple years away from reality.

Anyway, if there is anything interesting about this Volt update, it's that designers have cut some aerodynamic drag out of the Volt design. At the LA Auto Show, Bob Lutz admitted that the Volt had performed pretty poorly in initial wind tunnel tests. Nonetheless, GM has plenty of time to finalize aerodynamics. Right now, it's all about the batteries.

The next big story regarding the Volt will be the first fully functional Volt - one that uses one of its potential battery packs, and that should be happen sometime in the first quarter of 2008.

If green tech is so great, why does it need subsidies?

Securing foreign oil dependency isn't a subsidy?

I was watching CNBC's energy bill coverage this morning when I wanted to throw my shoe at the TV. A view was presented on the segment which I often hear, 'If green technology, such as hybrid cars or solar power, is so great, why do these technologies need subsidies'?

As if oil, for example, is subsidy free. In the 1990's America spent, on average, about $10 billion per year on Persian Gulf oil, however, the costs to secure that oil (non-war costs), such as securing shipping channels, coast guard security, etc., cost between $50 billion and $150 billion PER YEAR depending upon the study. This cost, however, is not paid for at the pump, instead it is subsidized with hidden military taxes.

When the real costs of oil are accounted for, the oil energy paradigm has been the recipient of - almost certainly - more than a trillion $'s in subsidies. So, let's get real. Green tech is nowhere close to receiving, or needing, such subsidies. In fact, if Americans started paying the real costs of fuel at the pump, hybrids, for instance, wouldn't need ANY subsidies. PERIOD.

Small car sales: Why large hybrids are important

Buyers still want vehicles like the Yukon

High gas prices have caused declines in the sales of some large vehicles, but that decline has not significantly increased the sales of small cars. According to the DetroitNews, small car sales are only up .04 percent so far in 2007.

Apparently, it is going to take far more than $3.00 gas to cause serious shifts in consumer vehicle preferences, which is all the more reason that larger hybrid vehicles are important.

While some might think SUV drivers should just downsize, such an idea just doesn't seem possible any time soon.

Can GM turn SUV drivers green?

The face of the devil according to environmentalists?

Following the Detroit Auto Show last January, my hosts, GM, gave me a ride to the airport in a Cadillac Escalade. As an SUV-hater, this simple trip to the airport was a profound moment. I realized that I had probably never been more comfortable in a vehicle as I was in that Escalade.

I had a similar moment, again provided by GM, when I was asked to test drive the Chevy Tahoe hybrid back in August, after which I penned my thoughts in the post, The Devil Drives a Tahoe hybrid.

Now I didn't come up with such a title because I think such full-sized SUVs are evil, which I kind of do, rather I compared the Tahoe hybrid to the devil because the Tahoe hybrid had caused me temptation. Like the Escalade, the Tahoe hybrid was a joy to drive, unlike the Escalade, however, the Tahoe was a hybrid SUV. Read more......

Where are Hertz's Prius rentals?

No Prius hybrids in Los Angeles?

Back in June, Hertz announced that it would be adding some 3,400 Toyota Prius hybrid cars to their fleet. And, recently, Hertz has increased its ads for its green fleet and vehicles such as the Prius. After seeing another commercial today, I thought I would check out my local Hertz to find out the cost per day to rent a Prius. Sadly, I couldn't find one Hertz location in the greater Northeast Los Angeles-Pasadena area that offers a Prius rental - at least according to their websites.

So, what's the deal? Has anybody rented a Prius, or any other hybrid cars, from Hertz lately?

Suddenly, foreign oil dependency gets more dangerous

Oil exporters now need a lot more oil

Wow! I was flipping through all my favorite news sites today, just looking for something entertaining to read when I came across the NYTimes article, Oil-Rich Nations Use More Energy, Cutting Exports.

"The economies of many big oil-exporting countries are growing so fast that their need for energy within their borders is crimping how much they can sell abroad, adding new strains to the global oil market," the article opens.

"Experts say the sharp growth, if it continues, means several of the world’s most important suppliers may need to start importing oil within a decade to power all the new cars, houses and businesses they are buying and creating with their oil wealth."

Can you say tar sands? Democrats, Republicans - it really doesn't matter. The paddles are lost and the canoe is moving too fast.

Malibu hybrid: Not coming to a dealer near you?

Will only be available in 11 markets

According to AutoWeek, due to limited supplies, GM's Chevy Malibu hybrid will only be available "11 key U.S. markets in the Northeast and the West Coast, with none in the Southeast, Deep South or Midwest." And, don't expect this to change until the Fall of 2008, when the 2009 model begins hitting dealerships.

In terms of hybrid cars, I'm not always a big fan of mild hybrid technology, such as will power the Malibu hybrid. However, considering how hot the Malibu is going to be, I would much rather have consumers buy the Malibu hybrid than the conventional Malibu. Unfortunately, many consumers might not have such an option.

A hybrid plug-in hybrid vehicle?

A conventional hybrid vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle

I just finished reading an inspiring MotorTrend article about the Challenge X - a competition to find the next generation of hybrid vehicles. Of course diesel hybrids and other biofueled hybrids, in addition to fuel cell hybrids, were developed by various universities to compete in this competition. However, one of the most interesting hybrids came from UC-Davis. Finish....

Solar hybrid vehicles versus battleships

A Solar Prius from Solar Electrical Systems

The technology to develop a solar assisted plug-in hybrid Toyota Prius exists today, in fact Solar Electrical Systems has already helped integrate the technology into such hybrid vehicles. Sure, such hybrids are expensive, maybe not even cost-effective, but that is only because gasoline prices are artificially low.

When the U.S. spends more than $100 billion per year - NOT including war costs - just to secure oil from the Middle East, it becomes obvious that the real cost of gasoline is significantly higher than paid at the pump - we pay most of our gasoline costs as taxes to fund the military-industrial complex that is securing our oil.

The technology to fundamentally change the world, via replacing our corrupt energy paradigm, exists today, it is just economies of scale that are needed to bring down the costs. Yet, when all of the costs of securing and maintaining our current energy paradigm are considered, it seems to me that the costs of developing a clean and green future are easily worth the investment.

Volt brings out the Hollywood fanatics

Volt's California tour stops by Hollywood

GM's Chevy Volt is finishing off its tour of California, and it stopped by the Chinese Mann's Theater in Hollywood last night. While the hand prints of stars like Marilyn Monroe seemed to shock more of the tourists than did the Volt, a number of Volt crazies also showed up.

"What do you think of this little beauty," some guy asked me as I shot a picture of the Volt.

"It's cool."

"No," he responded. "It's better than cool. Do you get the technology behind this car? I mean, do you understand how this car works?"

Turns out the man and a couple of his engineering friends drove down from Burbank just to have a look at the car, and they weren't the only ones. While the Volt might have looked just like another car to most of the tourists on Hollywood Blvd, to the car fans that came by, the Volt might as well have been the Holy Grail.

Hybrid vehicles dissed by Energy Bill?

$100 million per year for hybrids and electrics?

At first glance one might think the proposed energy bill coming out of Congress includes some great incentives for advanced technologies, such as hybrid cars, plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric cars, but if compared to corn-based ethanol, the numbers are pathetically low. Finish.....

The Toyota Prius: The truth about hybrid cars

It's not just a niche vehicle for environmentalists

I just finished reading Karl On Cars' take on the Toyota Prius, and how the Prius outsold entire brands like, Acura, Audi, Buick, Infiniti, Lincoln, Mercury, Mitsubishi, Saturn, Scion, Subaru, Suzuki and Volvo. Not bad for a niche vehicle.

So, why aren't other hybrid cars selling as well?

Because there really isn't any competition. That's the plain and simple truth. Finish....

Will Americans really buy plug-in hybrids?

Would consumers flock to 100 mpg $30,000 plug-in Prius hybrids?

In several recent posts, I've made some negative statements regarding plug-in hybrid vehicles. So, have I changed my mind about something I've called a revolutionary technology?

No. I'm still a huge advocate of plug-in hybrid vehicles. Still, I'm a bigger fan of lithium than of plug-in hybrids. Ultimately, I have serious concerns about the electric grid in terms of reliability, security and greenness. Thus, a lithium hybrid with some kind of capacitor might actually make better sense in terms of fuel economy, cost, emissions, etc - at least for some drivers. Finish.....

The Chevy Volt takes another baby step towards reality

Enough batteries for 2 Volts

GM, in theory, now has the ability to develop two fully operational Chevy Volt prototypes, as that is now how many batteries GM currently has in its possession. Recently, Compact Power delivered its 2nd battery to GM. A123Systems should soon be delivering its first battery to GM as well.

At the LA Auto Show, Tony Posawatz, vehicle line director for the Volt and the E Flex Drive, told me that GM would have a few fully functional Volts by the end of the first quarter of 2008. However, in a separate interview, Denise Gray, director of battery technology, confirmed that such a date would be difficult to achieve, but that her team was committed to making it happen. Finish....

Does Toyota's plug-in hybrid prototype matter?

A plug-in hybrid from Hymotion

When I was at the LA Auto Show, there was a protest across the street demanding that automakers start making plug-in hybrid vehicles. While much focus has been placed on lithium batteries for plug-in hybrids, demonstrators converted a NiMH powered Toyota Prius into a plug-in NiMH powered Prius - as proof that today's batteries were ready for plug-in technology.

But really, is there a point to such a conversion? Thus, is there a point to Toyota's current PHEVs that utilize NiMH battery backs?

Without lithium, what advantage does plug-in technology offer? Wouldn't capacitor-powered hybrids, for example, be a better focus for achieving increased fuel economy and reduced emissions?

Have battery powered vehicles been over-hyped? Is America's cure to energy independence and global warming really an out-of-date, coal-powered energy grid?

No new hybrid credits in CAFE, energy bill?

Where are the tax credits, Nancy?

According to the DetroitNews, many Michigan Democrats are prepared to vote against the final energy bill if certain details are not resolved. One of those issues is tax credits for hybrid vehicles. Apparently, Congressional leaders want to split CAFE requirements and incentives for achieving CAFE into two separate issues.

Some Democrats, such as Debbie Stabenow, state "The regulations are real, and the funding needs to be real."

How can you regulate something that is going to cost automakers 10's of billions of dollars without both helping struggling automakers and giving consumers incentives to change their gas guzzling ways? I'd argue that the incentives for change are MORE important that the regulations for change.

Interested in hypermiling?

Motorcycle club? Whatever.

Forget vintage car clubs and motorcycle rider's groups, it's time for a hypermiler's group. That's the thought I had watching this YouTube video on hypermiling.

Can't you see Brad Pitt and his Hollywood Hybrid Hypermiler's crew cruising from LA up PCH to Monterey? O.K. maybe not.

Anybody already in a hypermiling club?

SoCal Edison receives first Escape hybrid plug-in

Partnership to test plug-in hybrid vehicles

Ford is delivering the first of 20 Ford Escape hybrids that have been converted into plug-in hybrid vehicles to Southern California Edison. While the program is in its very early stages, it will eventually evolve into a program that will test Vehicle to Grid (V2G) and Vehicle to Home (V2H) technologies.

The plug-in Escape hybrid can achieve about 30 miles on pure electric power using a 10 kWh lithium-ion battery pack developed my Johnson-Controls Saft.

(Source: GreenCarCongress)

Toyota's hybrids continue to lift Sales

Camry hybrid continues to post strong sales

The Toyota Prius achieved a 109 percent increase in November sales compared to last year, selling 16, 737 units. The Camry hybrid achieved sales of 5,118 units, a 65 percent increase compared to last year. Even the sluggishly-selling Toyota Highlander hybrid achieve an almost 11 percent increase in sales at 2,577 units.

Did the Prius give Toyota a green halo? I don't know, but the sales of Toyota's hybrid cars continue to increase and they continue to lift Toyota.

Are plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles really green?

The Velozzi plug-in multifuel hybrid electric vehicle

X-Prize contender, the Velozzi plug-in hybrid, is a series plug-in hybrid that, in theory, will achieve 100-200 mpg. Like the Chevy Volt, the Velozzi runs on electricity, and can also use any heavy fuel to generate electricity. Unlike the Volt, however, the Velozzi isn't intended to be a heavy fuel-range extended electric vehicle. Velozzi would prefer that biofuels were used to generate your vehicle's electricity, rather than grid electricity - unless a significant percentage of the grid electricity is NOT powered by coal.

According to the company's website, "A German study recently has indicated that an electric car is as pollutant as an internal combustion engine car if the electricity to charge the electric vehicle comes from a grid that draws 49 percent of its energy from coal-fired power plants. About 57 percent of the world's energy comes from coal-fired plants."

I couldn't find a link to an actual article. While I believe in plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric cars, I do also agree that there are serious issues when it comes to America's electric grid - especially in terms of safety, reliability and global warming.

Eberhard out at Tesla

Can Tesla get focused

Martin Eberhard is no longer a member of Tesla Motors according to Straightline.

While I've not been a big fan of Eberhard and his tenure at Tesla, I will not celebrate this split. I think Eberhard is a brilliant person, he just seems to let his ego get the best of him at times.

Let's hope that Tesla can get it together and roll out its Roadster as soon as possible.

CR - Prius Most Satisfying Vehicle Again

The fourth year in a row

For the fourth year in a row, the Toyota Prius took the top spot for the Consumer Reports' 'Most Satisfying' survey. 92 percent of current owners would definitely buy one again.

The Toyota Camry hybrid was also a Most Satisfying pick in the family car category.

No other hybrid cars were on the list.

Hip hop hybrid: Tahoe dub edition?

A bling-bling hybrid vehicle

When I was at the LA Auto Show I was given an issue of Dub Magazine. I thumbed through the issue expecting to find little of interest when I came across the Dub Edition of the Chevy Tahoe.

Wouldn't it be hilarious to see a Kid Rock video, or some hip hop artist in a video featuring a Dub Edition of the Chevy Tahoe hybrid? That's when you would know that hybrid vehicles have truly gone mainstream.