Camry hybrid: Toyota bucks the trend again

Outselling all other hybrids combined, minus the Prius

I have to laugh a bit. Since the launch of the Toyota Camry hybrid, I've been claiming that consumers will buy hybrid vehicles based off conventional models - it's not just about unique-looking hybrids. It's about value, and the Camry hybrid has been proving this since its launch.

Now that the Camry hybrid is outselling the V6 conventional Camry, others are also starting to take notice.

Still, Toyota sold almost 55,000 Camry hybrids last year. This year it might be 60,000. So, it's not as if the Camry hybrid is just starting to sell. More interesting, if the Camry hybrid had qualified for the full hybrid tax credit for as long as the Prius hybrid, I'll bet Camry hybrid sales would have been, and would be, much higher. Nonetheless, once again, Toyota is bucking the hybrid trend and proving that smart hybrids with conventional counterparts can sell.

Economists SLAM gas tax holiday

Too bad he drives an SUV

“Unless the goal is to temporarily boost profits for petroleum refineries and foreign producers, the proposal makes no sense,” stated Len Burman, director of the Tax Policy Center, regarding the gas tax holiday proposed by John McCain and supported by Hillary Clinton.

When it comes to foreign oil dependency, I'm giving all three candidates a vote of no confidence. Has Ron Paul gone Independent yet? I have to vote for somebody.

Could electric vehicle EMF be dangerous?

Not the right fuel for cars?

Since it is known that electromagnetic fields can be unhealthy for people, there are some whom wonder whether the EMF created by hybrid cars and other electric vehicles might be bad for drivers. Toyota and Honda claim their tests show their is no harm. Others say not enough research has been done. (Kicking Tires)

Plug-in hybrids: Will electricity be cheaper?

Electric rates to rise 15 percent this year

There is a common belief among many fans of plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles that such vehicles can save a lot of money in fuel costs. Yet, even before plug-in hybrids are added to the automotive mix, there are many reasons to believe that electric rates could be on the verge of large increases.

Already, the Department of Energy believes that 2008 electric prices will be 15 percent higher this year compared to last year. Additionally, the electric grid needs massive updates and the addition of smart grid technology. Perhaps even more concerning, in the next few decades much more power will be required to prevent black and brown outs. Obviously, someone will have to pick up these costs, and you can bet consumers will pay the lion's share.

Can you say 'solar roof'?

3rd Gen Prius hype: Time to get over it?

Third generation Prius will still be great

I'll be honest. For a long time I've been hoping beyond hope that somehow Toyota would find a way to integrate lithium into the third generation Toyota Prius, or at least into some Toyota hybrid car, but it just isn't going to happen for a few more years.

Still, the latest third generation Toyota Prius rumors indicate that the next Toyota Prius will be a little bigger than the current Toyota Prius, a good bit quicker, especially off-the-line, and about 10 to 20 percent more fuel efficient.

Sure, this isn't the revolutionary lithium hybrid that some fans - including this writer - had hoped for, but if Toyota can offer these improvements at the same price as the current generation, I'm a buyer. Plus, inevitably it seems, lithium will eventually power the 3rd generation Hybrid Synergy Drive.

Nonetheless, I can still hope that Toyota might also offer a Prius-derivative next year, especially a smaller, city Prius - that could easily temper my lithium disappointment, for now.

Californians buy hybrids to fight high gas prices

Hybrids love congestion

80 mile commutes. Congestion-caused 30 minute miles. $4.00 gas. What does it mean?

That Californians are quickly moving to hybrid vehicles according to Yahoo, but it's not to look as cool as a celebrity.

"The celebrities do it because it keeps their names in the news," said Roger Cowan, general sales manager of the Community Chevrolet Dealer in Burbank, "but the average Joe in the street will buy one because it saves them money on gas."

Aptera: Something to get excited about?

Now I'm really excited

It's taken me a while to warm to the Aptera plug-in hybrid vehicle, but now I'm hooked, especially after watching the great Popular Mechanics video by Ben Stewart.

While I'm not a big fan of two-seaters, I'm making an exception for the Aptera hybrid. Actually, I'm not making an exception. I don't favor two-seat cars, but two-seat motorcycles - that's a whole different matter.

Finish: Aptera plug-in hybrid vehicle: The automobile will never be the same

Foreign oil: Democrats just as pathetic

No leadership in Congress

It's easy for many to find too comfy of a relationship between Republicans and Big Oil. Nancy Pelosi and Democrats, however, continue to be just as disappointing. Leading Democrats want to start a witchhunt into high pump prices - as if $120 barrels of oil don't say enough. Pandering, pandering pathetic Democrats. Maybe Nancy should call up John McCain to see if they can work out a bi-partisan 'gas is free for the summer' campaign.

Thanks to high gas prices, consumer behavior is changing - something Congress has failed to do for decades. Congress should be focusing on what else can be done to reduce foreign oil dependency, not what else they can do to lower fuel prices and INCREASE dependency.

Will we ever have elected officials that can handle the truth, or are pandering, pork-loving liars forever inevitable?

EnerDel lithium batteries test well in Prius

Ready to power the hybrid revoltuion?

EnerDel has been testing it's 1.1 kWh lithium-ion pack with the help of Argonne Labs. The current test simply replaces the NiMH battery pack of a Toyota Prius with EnerDel's 1.1 kWH battery pack, and the results have been fantastic: 77.41 mpg in urban driving. Basically, the lithium battery offers twice as much power as the NiMH battery, wider states of charge, less internal resistance and more charge. Thus, the lithium battery can be half the size and weight of a NiMH battery while offering the same power, and even better performance, according to EnerDel. Most important, their battery will cost significantly less than a comparable NiMH battery.

While the batteries are being tested on conventional hybrid vehicles, the batteries also offer potential for plug-in hybrid vehicles as well.

Battery-powered Chevy Volt being tested: Still vaporware?

Time to start believing?

I've never doubted the Chevy Volt. Of course, maybe GM is only developing the Chevy Volt to protect SUV sales (more), but that's a whole different story. Anyway, now that GM is testing the first Chevy Volt with a lithium-ion battery pack, should all critics finally stop calling the Volt 'vaporware'?

Finish: Battery-powered Chevy Volt being tested: Still vaporware?

Time to take Nationalism out of auto buying?

It's a global market, deal with it

"Toyota vs. GM shouldn't be about countries of origin. Today, Toyota vs. GM is no different than Toyota vs. Ford or GM vs. Ford. Fact is, in the global auto market, Toyota is winning. Given the prospects for auto sales in the U.S. for the rest of the year, the automaker with less dependence on our market will easily remain in first place." (MotorTrend)

There are many out there whom have avoided hybrid cars, well, because most hybrids are made by foreign automakers. Well, stop it. I'd rather buy an efficient foreign car so that I can buy less foreign oil than an American car that guzzles way too much foreign oil. Ultimately, I'd rather give my money to Japan than to Hugo Chavez or to the Saudi royal family - and I'd like to give us little money as possible to Chevron more than anything else.

Volt no hoax: It's a large SUV bargaining chip?

GM's critics have it all wrong?

There are many whom believe that GM's Chevy Volt is a publicity stunt, and that it will never see the light of day. According to WSJ, GM is absolutely sincere about the Chevy Volt, but for all the wrong reasons. GM will develop the Chevy Volt, but only as a bargaining chip to work with Congress to develop CAFE in a way that protects GM's SUVs. In a way, as ethanol credits fade, Volt credits will kick in. Read more....

Aptera Typ-1 e ready for sale later this year

An early Aptera design

Popular Mechanics is reporting that the Aptera Typ-1 e is on schedule for its late 2008 release. The Typ-1 e is expected to fetch about $30,000 and achieve 120 miles per charge. The company is also planning a hybrid version that achieves 300 mpg. Check out PopMechanics for more pictures and a video.

Prius conversions: 24 miles of electricity for $20,000?

Plug-in Conversions proves electricity is expensive?

There are a number of 3rd parties that will convert your Toyota Prius into a plug-in Prius. Many of these companies use lithium-ion batteries for their conversions. Others, such as Plug-in Conversions, use NiMH batteries.

For $10,000 you can add 8 miles of electric power. For 16 miles $15,000, and for 24 miles its $20,000 according to AutoWeek. However, unlike the Chevy Volt, these NiMH plug-in hybrids can only use electric-only power at speeds less than 34 mph. Still, that can mean up to 100 mpg for the first 50 miles.

Ready to plug-in?

A way to invest in the hybrid car craze

Your Fast Money trade

I often receive e-mails regarding ways to invest in the technology powering hybrid cars. Today, Commander Planet, a segment on CNBC's Fast Money designed for Earth Week, gave two stock picks to play the hybrid car craze: Energy Conversion Devices and Enersys.

As a bonus, ECD is both a hybrid battery pick and a solar pick.

Cheap, small cars versus hybrid vehicles

Do you really need AC?

For those concerned about fuel economy, but with limited funds, small cars seem like a great option. But, can you buy a small car with air conditioning, power windows, and a CD player for less than $15,000? Not according to some analysis by Cars.com, which finds that small cars don't have such small price tags. Instead, most small cars with 'standard expected equipment' are going to cost more like $17,000 or $18,000.

A larger Toyota Prius, for example, still costs a few more thousand than these small cars, but it offers much better fuel economy, especially for urbanites. And with gas prices at $3.00 or higher, the Prius can quite quickly recover this technology investment for average urban commuters.

For car buyers, the Prius has become a much better bargain for most commuters than most small cars. Smart hybrid cars make sense - even for those who don't care about the environment.

Just the beginning? Attack on oil tanker spikes gas prices

$4.00 gas: Calm before the storm?

An attack on a Japanese oil tanker caused oil prices to surge over $117 per barrel as retail gas prices hit an average $3.50 per gallon. Is the attack just a taste of things to come? (more)

China could be key to hybrid revolution, but...

Only $38,000 in China

We've all heard it before. The future of the automarket will be determined by Asia, especially China and India. Unfortunately, even as the automarket begins to emerge, China is already the world's largest polluter, and if the Chinese start embracing the automobile as do Americans, that pollution will increase exponentially - as will Chinese foreign oil dependency.

Thus, automakers are showing off their hybrid cars at this year's Beijing Auto Show. According to the WSJ, GM CEO Rick Wagoner believes that China could be the key to effective economies of scale for hybrid vehicles.

Still, the Chinese government will play a big role. Hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic hybrid, are being sold in China, but at almost twice the cost as in America, largely because of government duties.

Without government intervention, gas-guzzler sales will boom in China, as hybrid sales falter. That can't be good for either China or the world.

Hybrids: All about California

Prius sales up 38 percent in 2007

When it comes to cars, it has often been said, as goes California, so goes the rest of the Nation. If true, then hybrid cars have a very sunny future.

There used to be a time when I would go from my home in Northeast Los Angeles up to Pasadena, and I would be shocked by how many hybrids I'd see on the street. They were everywhere. But that was Pasadena, not my working class neighborhood.

Today, however, hybrids are now everywhere, even in my neighborhood. Hybrids are no longer just about rich people.

According to MSNBC, over 26 percent of all hybrid vehicles are sold in California. Florida was second at 5.5 percent. So, if California still leads the future of the auto market, expect a lot more hybrids in your state soon.

It's the 70's show: The gas thieves are back

Gas lines - That other great 70's moment

With oil futures setting records practically by the minute, the cost of gasoline just keeps going higher and higher. Gas prices appear primed to hit $4.00 or more everywhere this summer. And, that high cost has made gasoline a valuable commodity - valuable enough for thieves to drill into gas tanks to steal gas out of cars in Massachusetts (more).

Are you ready for $4.00 gas? How about $5.00?

Let's just hope bin Laden doesn't have any oil refinery vacation plans for this summer!

PHEVs could eliminate foreign oil dependency - study

Maybe even end petroleum dependence

According to an MIT study, plug-in hybrid vehicles could “reduce or eliminate the transport sector’s reliance on petroleum.” However, without better energy production, PHEVs offer few benefits for reducing global warming emissions. In fact, according to the study, without better power generation, plug-in hybrids offer no gains over today's hybrid vehicles in terms of CO2 reductions.

Indian diesel hybrid set for 2009 launch

A Mahindra truck

Already Indian automaker Mahindra has announced a diesel hybrid truck. Now the automaker is also announcing that it will launch a diesel hybrid version of the Scorpio SUV for Indian and other Asian markets beginning in 2009.

Seems very interesting how quickly automakers from India and China have pushed towards developing hybrid cars.

China gives US smack down on pollution

LA's smog just can't compete with China's

New studies demonstrate that China is now the world's largest polluter, and the worst is yet to come, as the automobile takes over China. Thus, it's no surprise that emerging Chinese automakers are quickly embracing advanced technologies like hybrid cars.

Still, no worries America. All we need is a John McCain gas tax break to bring down gas prices and we can go right back to number 1, baby!

PHEVs: Toyota versus GM

SAE explores the differences of plug-in hybrids

GreenCarCongress has a great summary of papers presented yesterday at SAE regarding different plug-in hybrid vehicles - plug-in parallel hybrids versus series hybrids.

Basically, Toyota believes that, in the near term, plug-in parallel hybrids will achieve more cost-effective performance than series hybrids, or range extended vehicles, as GM prefers to call the Chevy Volt.

GM seems to accept this possibility, which is why GM is building both types of plug-in hybrids concurrently. Still, GM and GreenCarCongress believe range extended vehicles offer the greatest long term potential.

Tesla sues Fisker

Supposed to have been White Star?

Tesla has filed a lawsuit against Fisker Automotive. According to InsideLine, "The action contends that Denmark-born designer Henrik Fisker's company fraudulently agreed to take on Tesla's $875,000 design contract for the White Star sedan to gain access to confidential design information and trade secrets, according to media reports. Afterward, Fisker announced the Karma, a competing vehicle."

I thought White Star was supposed to be a an affordable electric sedan, unlike the Roadster? The Fisker Karma design certainly doesn't appear to be a design built for affordability.

Tesla has been an inspiring story, but the company has way over-promised and way under-delivered. I continue to wish them luck, but......

Is McCain insane?

Off his rocker?

So, Hillary will bail out the US auto industry if needed as President, and John McCain wants to reduce the price of gasoline this summer to help oil the economy.

Isn't this the worst kind of pandering? Cheap gas is threatening American security, the economy - dare I say the health of the world - and McCain wants to make gas cheaper? Am I missing something? And what about all the deteriorating highways and bridges across America that need that tax money?

When politicians pander to the people, rather than deal with reality, what hope is there for the future?

35 mpg by 2020, 75 mpg by 2030

Fuel cell cars only way forward?

While automakers are already complaining about the technological feasibility of 35 mpg by 2020, things could get far worse. In order to meet greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements currently being proposed, automakers would have to achieve 75 mpg by 2030 according to a top EPA official.

"There are a lot of strategies you need to consider -- both engines and fuels," Margo Oge, director of the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Transportation and Air Quality recently said in an interview. Automakers "need to be thinking of those investments for the long term basis," beyond the energy bill, Oge said.

Sure automakers will need to use long term vision, which is scary, but how realistic is it to expect automakers to achieve such a massive increase in fuel economy when many members of Congress are still trying to figure out how to make gas cheaper for Americans?

Will Nissan offer dual mode hybrids?

Nissan and Chrysler partnership opens more possibilities

The new partnership between Nissan and Chrysler opens an interesting opportunity for Nissan to obtain the necessary technology for full performance hybrid pickup trucks and SUVs. While Nissan already licenses hybrid technology from Toyota for the Nissan Altima hybrid, the dual mode hybrid technology that Chrysler shares with GM and others offers more capability, especially for large vehicles like trucks.

Or, are large pickups and SUVs already DOA?

Why is gas so cheap in America?

Is $4.00 gas really expensive?

On Friday, regarding a question on fuel economy and CAFE, Bob Lutz stated, "Nobody knows how to get to 35 mpg with a portfolio of vehicles roughly equivalent to today's without loading in $6,000 to $8,000 of hybrid systems. We are not sure we can 'save' large vehicles."

Yet, if gas cost $6.00 or more per gallon, such as in Europe, $6000.00 worth of hybrid technology could easily be recovered in fuel savings. Then again, at $6.00 per gallon, how many would even want such large vehicles?

While Congress can blame automakers for not building 'relevant' vehicles and oil companies for making ridiculous profits, there is a more important question that must be asked of Congress.

Why is gas so cheap in America if it takes so much American diplomacy, military force - and blood - to secure America's foreign oil dependency? That's all free? And if gas hadn't been so cheap, overall, the last few decades, would America be so foreign oil dependent?

Big 3 dominate list of green automakers

Unfortunately, it's the wrong end of the list

Chrysler is the least green automaker, edging out GM and Ford as the least fuel efficient automaker according to Forbes. Congratulations!

The greenest automaker was Honda, followed by Toyota.

While hybrid cars helped pushed the leaders into green leadership, they were not the deciding factor. Ultimately, the Big 3's over-dependence upon flex-fuel and large vehicles dumped the Big 3 to the bottom of the list.

What's your F-OIL Footprint?

The unnecessary costs of foreign oil dependency?

I was watching a show on CNBC this morning that cited a poll that found that 80 percent of Americans think of themselves as green-minded. Holy cow have Americans become completely delusional?

Well, since Americans are now so green, I guess we don't have to worry about carbon-footprints anymore, right (hah!).

Anyway, why don't Americans talk about their foreign oil footprints as proudly as their carbon footprints? Can't we handle the truth?

Chevy Volt: The Synchronicity of Design and Energy

2 Volt battery packs undergo testing

Back in February of 2006, GM product guru, Bob Lutz, tasked GM designers to come up with a design for the car of the future. 11 months later, the Chevy Volt debuted at NAIAS 2007.

40 miles of pure electricity. Unlimited range extension via conventional fuels. 0 - 60 under 9 seconds. 100 mph+ speeds. A frugally beautiful Toyota Prius, the Volt is not. Rather, the Volt is more like an electric Camaro - a uniquely American spin on hybrid cars.

But is it just vaporware?

Finish: Chevy Volt: The Synchronicity of Design and Energy

Prius: One of 5 best cars for your Money

Will the critics ever shut up?

I don't mind if someone doesn't like the look of the Toyota Prius. I do. I think it exudes intelligence. Ultimately, it looks the way it looks to reduce aerodynamic drag. I know logic irritates some people, but geez! Still, if the Prius isn't for you, don't buy it. Nonetheless, for urban dwellers, I don't think there is a better car, period. In city driving, like my LA gridlock, the Prius can save drivers a ton of money, and that's a fact jack. Why critics can't comprehend this reality is beyond rationality.

Anyway, Money picked the Prius as one of the 5 Best Cars for the Money. According to the story, "this hybrid boasts the absolute best fuel economy of any car, period". In addition, the Prius "retains 71 percent of its value over five years."

Later, jack.

Ford also planning plug-ins

A tool to fight greenhouse gas emissions?

Ford, spurred by a coalition of shareholders, has been devising plans to decrease global warming emissions. According to MotorTrend that means emerging technologies, such as plug-in hybrid vehicles, to contend with the Chevy Volt and the Toyota Prius plug-in.

While I'm not sure how much plug-ins fight global warming, I sure hope that Ford is serious about advanced technologies like hybrids.

Likewise, similar shareholder action is expected at GM.

2009 Toyota Prius: Cheaper, at least?

A little different than the 2008 model?

Next year Toyota hopes to increase Prius production by about 60 percent. Why?

Does Toyota believe rising gas prices will significantly increase demand, even as Honda launches its purportedly cheaper Prius-killer - providing even more selection for consumers interested in hybrid cars?

More and more it appears Toyota is not going to launch its Third Generation Hybrid Synergy Drive in the 2009 Prius. While the Prius pictured above includes a reshaped front end with new headlights, rear wheel disk brakes, and low profile tires, in addition to a few other minor changes according to recent reports, is that really enough to sell 60 percent more Prius hybrid cars?

Toyota HAS to have some wild card up its sleeve, such as a nice price reduction, right?

So what? Plug-in hybrids might not reduce global warming

A Prius prepped for plug-in conversion

I've been a plug-in hybrid vehicle advocate, well, since I started advocating for regular hybrid vehicles. Still, I have issues with PHEVs and some PHEV fans. For example, I think buying one of today's hybrids is the quickest way to make tomorrow's plug-in hybrids a reality. So, if you need a new car today, don't buy a non-hybrid because you're "waiting for a PHEV".

Still, my main issue boils down to the infrastructure to which plug-ins must connect. Quite simply, the transference of power from big oil to big electricity doesn't excite me greatly. More important, too many utilities are using antiquated technology that could actually increase global warming emissions. All this leaves me with trust issues.

Finish: So What? Plug-in hybrids might not reduce global warming

Saturn offers Vue of GM's hybrid progress

Ready to leave all other hybrid SUVs behind?

About a month before 2011, GM plans to roll out the first Chevy Volt available for sale - an event guaranteed to produce an unprecedented level of media buzz. This Volt press circus, however, has over-shadowed what will be GM's biggest hybrid launch thus far, the dual mode Saturn Vue hybrid.

At a recent Volt press event, I was able to ask Bob Kruse, Executive Director of Vehicle Integration and GM Performance Division, a few questions about the new Vue hybrid, scheduled for launch later this year.

Finish: Saturn offers Vue of GM's hybrid progress

50 mpg - Much ado about tax incentives?

America loves two-seaters, not!

50 mpg by 2020. According to automakers, such a task is almost technologically impossible. Nonsense! On the contrary, such a task is quite feasible. Such a task does, however, require a shift in consumer psychology, or financial help.

The Newsweek article, Miles to Go, points out that 50 mpg simply requires American consumers to give up either "cost, drive quality or safety", or, presumably, some combination thereof. The technology, however, is available in the form of lighter materials, smaller sizes and hybrid technology.

Still, it seems obvious that American consumers don't like to give up anything. Sure, they might down size a little, but it seems very unlikely that a Dodge Durango buyer is going to start driving something the size of a Mini Cooper. Hence, are not consumer tax credits for fuel efficient technologies the key, especially considering the government's unhealthy role in maintaining foreign oil dependence?

Chinese automaker wants Gov help with hybrids

A potenial hybrid from Chongqing Chang’An Automobile Co?

Yin Jiaxu, chairman of Chongqing Chang’An Automobile Co., said that "China’s government should consider helping automakers develop new hybrid models by offering tax breaks, financial aid or low-interest loans, as well as providing tax breaks to consumers when they purchase such cars," according to Green Car Congress.

Chevy Volt is GM's number one priority

Still planned for November 2010

Frank Weber, Global Vehicle Line Executive of the Chevy Volt, told a group of reporters today that the Volt was now GM's "number one priority", and that "several hundred engineers are now feverishly working on this project."

To prove the point, reporters were shown the Chevy Volt that has been road tested for the last 6 months with NiMH batteries, as the first lithium-ion battery packs underwent lab testing. By the end of April, however, the same road-tested Volt will be fitted with lithium-ion batteries, and by June there will be about a dozen lithium-powered Volts undergoing every type of testing imaginable.

Finish: Chevy Volt is GM's number one priority