Toyota Camry natural gas hybrid in works
Fill this hybrid up with natural gasToyota plans to debut a Toyota Camry hybrid concept at the LA Auto Show that uses natural gas rather than gasoline according to reports coming out of a Toyota Conference in Oregon. Toyota doesn't have concrete plans to build natural gas hybrid vehicles yet, but if US interest in natural gas continues to increase, Toyota would then consider developing such hybrids.
Labels: Hybrid Vehicles, natural gas, toyota camry hybrid
posted by Dahcredyns at
6:04 AM
8 Comments:
It's about time.....these types of hybrids should have been offered long ago! I would love to have one!
Toyota hasn't yet committed to these hybrids. They are willing if the US becomes more aggressive on adding natural gas to the mix.
I think we'll know more on Nov. 5th...?
Possibly, although Boone Pickens has stated that he still believes both candidates still aren't fully there when it comes to energy. Each side, he believes, is still too beholden to special interests within their respective parties.
Of course Pickens has a lot invested in his plan, so he's beholden to his special interests as well.
Nonetheless, I think his idea to move the trucking industry to natural gas is definitely worthy of consideration. As for making it a stop-gap replacement for foreign oil - I just haven't done the research.
Was watching GOPCNBC yesterday, and Maria Barforomo was interviewing Bill Clinton. Was a bit disappointed that Bill acknowledged we should drill more off our Coasts...that sort of defined the main difference between the Dems and Reps on the Energy Deal for me. He just closed that gap with that comment.
two thoughts on that point:
1.) Politicians know what resonates with the people, at least in terms of words and sound bytes. A majority of Americans, especially moderates, believe we should drill. Whether they agree with it or not, politicians can't ignore this popular opinion in a close election.
2.) I have heard energy analysts claim that drilling would take pressure off the margins of the oil market which would reduce speculation. It wouldn't solve the problems with oil, just reduce the problems with oil. Considering that, even if we put all our resources into alternative energy, it would take decades just to replace our current fleet of automobiles, for instance. The problems we face are massive, so some see taking pressure of the margins as a piece of a huge of puzzle that will have many pieces and take many, many years to solve.
However, I heard it could take up to 10 years to really get all the new 'domestic' oil flowing (finding it, drilling it, trasporting it, refining it, getting it to the pumps). Ten years we could have quite a head start on alternate resources. Instead, it will come too late, and vast resources will have been used to create a band aid (waste of energy if you will just getting it going to a capacity that will do little). Nat Gas? Okay, that's doable.
well, to build up an infrastructure for natural gas would take at least 5 years, if everything goes well, for the pickens plan - and that's a plan only focused on servicing long and short haul trucking, not conventional vehicles. so it isn't turn key. now, maybe you could focus on home refueling as well, but are consumers interested? not many so far here in california where such vehicles and home-refueling is offered.
as for the oil, what you say is true, but a large part of the oil markets is speculation and much of it is speculation betting on the future. if we open up drilling, so the hypothesis goes, any major amounts will take years to have an effect, but knowing that its coming could take speculation out of the market in terms of futures trading. many have claimed this impact would be felt immediately, not just when the oil goes online.
now, i'm not arguing we should do this, that's just what many analysts have argued, and maybe they are right. i really don't know.
regardless, i don't mind high gas prices, even if caused by speculation, it forces smarter consumerism. if speculation drives what Congress is afraid to accomplish, that's fine with me.
still, if a little drilling could bring Dems and Repubs together to create a very aggressive alternative energy program, i could, potentially, accept more drilling.
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