Prius Smackdown: Cheap versus plug-in

Already too expensive?

Let's pretend its some time in the near future. Lithium-ion battery technology is now powering some hybrid vehicles but, as will probably be the case at first, it is still expensive. Thus, the Toyota Prius now comes in multiple battery packages.

The base Prius continues to be NiMH powered, but more stripped down - a real base model. Years of NiMH production and less amenities results in a $17,000 price tag and an average 50 mpg. The second Prius comes in the same base package, but utilizes a lithium-powered battery. This lithium powered Prius achieves about 40 percent better fuel economy than the NiMH Prius, but begins at $22,000. That's $5000 more for an average of 70 mpg. Finally, the lithium-powered base plug-in Prius starts at $30,000 and achieves more than 100 mpg.

Which Prius would you purchase? Which Prius would most Prius buyers choose?

US automakers are "deserving" of $50 billion in loans?

Lutz claims Big 3 "deserving" of $50 billion in loan guarantees

I want the Chevy Volt to succeed. I want the Big 3 to survive, but I want them to survive because they are solid, quality businesses. But are they?

'We make what consumers want,' the Big 3 have maintained, as their market share has perpetually declined as millions of consumers switched to more fuel efficient vehicles from the likes of Honda and Toyota.

And while hybrids didn't make sense to US automakers, despite tax payer funding, Toyota turned their hybrid cars into a long term business model, even though "nobody could have foreseen $4.00 gas prices."

Perhaps the Big 3 are deserving of these loans, but aren't the American people also deserving of some honest accountability? Some real responsibility?

Toyota to launch plug-in Prius in 2009

Coming a year ahead of schedule

Due to rising fuel economy concerns, Toyota is going to "quickly and flexibly" respond according to reports coming out of Japan. Thus, Toyota will launch a plug-in Prius for fleet customers in late 2009, a year ahead of schedule. It will also speed up development on pure electric cars as the hybrid king increases production on hybrid vehicles.

4 different Fisker Karma plug-ins

The Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid

By 2012 Fisker Automotive hopes to have 4 different Fisker Karma plug-in hybrids available for sale. By late 2009, Fisker will launch the Karma sedan, and by 2012 Fisker will "add a convertible, coupe and possibly a four-door sport-utility vehicle", according to AutoWeek. And, an under $60,000 plug-in might also be in the works.

In 2010 Fisker hopes to make 7,500 Karmas at a price of $87,000, increasing production to 15,000 units by 2011. When it adds the 3 other Karma variants, Fisker hopes it can take over 3.3 percent of the US luxury vehicle market.

Do hybrid tax credits still make sense?

Tax credits have helped Altima hybrid sales

The Toyota Prius has not qualified for a tax credit in some time, yet demand far outweighs supply. The demand supply ratio is so out of whack that dealers are adding as much as $5,000 to the MSRP, in addition to thousands worth of dealer add-ons - and they are still selling.

Many other hybrid cars, such as the Honda Civic hybrid and the Toyota Camry hybrid, are selling as fast as they can be produced - also with dealer markups. While a few hundred thousand new hybrids will be added to the hybrid supply starting some time in 2009, if gas prices remain high, these hybrids will probably not just sell easily, but many will sell with dealer markups.

So, are hybrid tax credits still necessary? For what, to help justify dealer markups?

Hybridcarblog has been an advocate of hybrid tax credits for years, but isn't new thinking required? For example, perhaps the focus should be on plug-in conversions, EVs, or vehicles that achieve at least 80 mpg. Of course, it's hard arguing against hybrid tax credits when, unbelievably, gas guzzlers STILL qualify for small business tax incentives.

Nonetheless, should Congress create new hybrid tax incentives and, if so, what should be the focus?

Fuel economy: Double jeopardy for tax payers?

Just let Congress manage our economy?

Yesterday, I blogged on how the city of Flint is providing millions in tax breaks to GM to help fund the Chevy Volt, and GM is also seeking millions from the state as well. Likewise, GM is also requesting part of $50 billion in low interest, government backed loans to help in the conversion to vehicles with better fuel economy, such as smaller vehicles and hybrid cars. And, when GM finally starts selling the Volt, it will probably need large tax incentives for consumers in order to make these vehicles affordable.

And, if Ford and Chrysler ever develop real plans to address fuel economy, they'll need just as much help.

Yet, the pain doesn't stop there. Automakers claim that CAFE will increase the price of all vehicles significantly. Thus, not only are tax payers committing billions in loans and tax breaks to Detroit, they're also going to have to pay more for the products their tax dollars are helping to fund.

Without doubt, US automakers provide great jobs for many Americans, but how did things get so screwed up? More important, can the US auto industry really be saved, or are we just delaying the inevitable?

Gustav: The end of gas guzzlers

Another Gulf Coast oil killer?

Hurricane Gustav is building and the latest reports suggest that it could be a Katrina-sized hurricane as it heads into the Gulf. Obviously, we all remember the horrible devastation caused by Katrina. Yet, even if Katrina doesn't again flood New Orleans, it could still be just as destructive upon Gulf oil rigs and refinery facilities.

And if Gustav does hit hard, gas prices will move well beyond $4.00 gas. $5.00 or $6.00 seems quite plausible.

How cost-effective will gas guzzlers then be, regardless of many thousands in incentives? How about hybrid vehicles? Are you ready?

City of Flint to help fund Chevy Volt. Next?

How much will those outside GM pay to fund the Volt?

GM needs a massive amount of money, or at least extremely cheap, government backed loans, to make the Chevy Volt a reality. But in addition to the Feds, the City of Flint has now committed millions in tax breaks to GM to help build a new plant for the Volt in Flint, despite the fact that many in Flint have already lost GM jobs. GM is also seeking millions from the state of Michigan as well. And, just to top it off, Congress will almost certainly provide tax credits for plug-in hybrids like the Volt as well.

Is this all a necessary evil? Is it not even evil, but standard for the auto industry? Is it just another example of the sad state of the US auto industry?

Chinese quickly getting into hybrid game?

More Chinese hybrids to launch this year

BYD Auto and Chery Automobile will both begin selling hybrid vehicles in China later this year according to new reports. The BYD F3DM is a dual mode plug-in hybrid that utilizes a lithium-ion battery pack and will go on sale later this year for about $14,500. The Chery A5 Hybrid is priced a little lower, but is only a mild hybrid that is expected to go on sale in October.

Quite quickly the Chinese auto industry is growing and it appears to be quickly embracing alternative technologies, such as hybrid cars. Some day soon, Chinese hybrids will be coming to America, and such vehicles might just be the camel that broke the back of the US auto industry, unless the US auto industry can better embrace the fuel economy-driven future, as in NOW.

Most cost-effective gas savers according to Intellichoice

The most cost effective mid-sized gas saver

According to Edmunds, most hybrid vehicles are not good buys because they cost more. Accordingly, a Honda Fit without air conditioning or cruise control and little more than a cheap AM/FM radio is a better deal than the Toyota Prius, simply because the Prius costs more. I won't even get into keyless entry, etc, for example, because such features have even far less value to Edmunds.

However, others, such as Consumer Reports, have perpetually picked the Prius as one of the most cost-effective vehicles to own. And it isn't just CR.

Finish: Most cost effective gas savers

Hybrid rationale: Oil-rich Arabs to buy Hummer?

Where gas guzzling is free

Since, according to Boone Pickens, the famous oil man, America's foreign oil dependency has led to one of the greatest transfers of wealth in world history, a few Gulf Arabs are interested in buying the most iconic gas-guzzling brand, Hummer. Ohhh, the irony.

And yet people that drive hybrid cars are the foolish ones, but sending the Gulf all our money and subsidizing their gas at our expense isn't a problem?

Big price increase for third gen Prius?

Bigger, faster, pricier than this?

When Toyota announced that it was going to raise prices on some of its hybrid cars in Japan last week, it was hard not to wonder if more price increases are looming for Toyota's hybrids sold in the US. Since Toyota can't keep up with demand at current prices, a price increase seems logical.

More interesting, what does this mean for the next gen Prius, which should be in dealerships by this time next year? As the new Prius will be longer, wider, faster and more fuel efficient, in addition to highly coveted, a price increase seems almost required.

Can a company like Tesla become a player?

Has it already changed the auto industry?

GM's car guru, Bob Lutz, has stated that Tesla was a factor in the decision to move aggressively towards the Chevy Volt. Thus, if not for Tesla, would there even be a Volt?

Possibly, but without doubt, Tesla motivated GM to move faster towards vehicles such as the Volt. But back to Tesla.

Thus far, the automaker has over-promised and under delivered, though there are signs the company has turned a corner with deliveries finally reaching some consumers. Still, making a few thousand cars per year is far different than making hundreds of thousands per year.

Even if a company such as Tesla perfects its technology and manufacturing, can such an automaker become a major US automaker? Or is a buy out the only future for such companies?

Prop10 - Has California gone hybrid crazy?

A $5 billion bond for clean energy

A few times per hour I'm seeing Yes on 10 commercials on CNBC. What is Yes on 10?

"Proposition 10 is a five billion dollar bond measure which will reduce California’s dependence on foreign oil; clean our air of asthma and cancer causing chemicals; and create thousands of new green technology jobs in California."

These objectives will be achieved with consumer rebates on hybrid cars, EVs and other vehicles capable of achieving 45 mpg. Additionally, it will help retire old diesel vehicles, add more renewables to the electric grid and fund research.

Hybridcarblog wants to support this measure, but with a $22 billion budget shortfall, we wonder if such a proposition good for California right now, or should bond measures be limited until this massive deficit is under better control?

US automakers need $40 billion

A Ford plug-in hybrid at NAIAS

There is an interesting article, The Next Bailout: Detroit,
that covers the latest talks the Big 3 US automakers are having with some members of Congress. Apparently, the Big 3 need about $40 billion to both survive and to develop next generation hybrid cars and electric vehicles.

This blog has covered automaker bailouts in the past, and most that have commented seemed to be against any bailout. Nonetheless, feel free to again express your opinion for or against, but how likely do you think an automaker bailout is, regardless of your bailout opinions? Is it a sure thing? Is it dependent upon the race for President?

GM's future: A convergence of synergies

Volt and Cruze will share engines

There has been a lot of buzz about GM's commitment to the Chevy Cruze, a small vehicle that could achieve 40 mpg on the highway.

I know. I know.

Highway fuel economy is far over-rated. The real question is, can this car get 30 mpg in the city?

Still, I don't want to hammer or to focus on the Cruze. It's a step in the right direction, but it's more than a step. The direct-injected, turbo-boosted engine that will power the Cruze, will be the same engine that powers the Chevy Volt. Likewise, it might also power the Vue - the same Vue that will soon come in a dual mode hybrid version and a plug-in hybrid version.

Finish: GM's future - A convergence of synergies

$20.00 more per day to rent a hybrid?

Only if you are considering a purchase?

About a year ago I needed to rent a car, so I thought I'd check out which hybrid cars were available for rental in my area of the world - Northeast Los Angeles. I couldn't find one available.

The other day a friend of mine was in need of a rental car following an accident, and she had the opportunity to rent a Toyota Prius - for an extra $20.00 per day. As most major rental companies are trying to add more and more hybrid vehicles to their fleets, it seems there are plenty willing to pay this hybrid surcharge, but such a fee seems a bit excessive to me.

Peugeot RC - Here comes another luxury hybrid

Great for the rich, but what about the rest of us

Peugeot is showing off its RC hybrid concept in advance of the Paris Motor Show. When the actual hybrid does debut at Paris, it won't be called the RC. It will, however, come with a 313 horsepower hybrid powertrain according to early reports.

While I'm in favor of any automaker's hybrid efforts, why is it that every automaker, other than Honda, is afraid to take on the Toyota Prius?

Hyundai Sonata hybrid coming in 2010

Ready to take on the Camry hybrid?

InsideLine is reporting that Hyundai will debut the Sonata hybrid at the LA Auto show this coming November. In addition, Hyundai would only confirm that the Sonata hybrid would be launched by 2010, and that it will utilize a parallel hybrid drive coupled with a lithium-ion battery.

BorgWarner to help GM on EVs?

Ready to make transmissions for the Volt?

The CEO of BorgWarner was just on a CNBC segment titled 'Turbocharging the Auto Industry'. While discussing various technologies for improving fuel economy, the CEO also addressed technologies for hybrid cars and electric vehicles. During this part of the interview, the CEO said the company was on the verge of a major announcement regarding EV transmissions for range extended EVs.

Thus far, the only OEM close to needing such transmissions is GM for the Chevy Volt. Of course, the CEO didn't say, but GM seems the most likely recipient of such transmissions. Since the first editions of the Volt are going to be quite expensive as there are no suppliers for many major parts, adding a new member to the supply chain would be great news.

I hate gas guzzlers

Gas guzzler.

Gas guzzler, gas guzzler, gas guzzler.

You see them everywhere. Huge SUV gas guzzlers. Luxury sedan gas guzzlers. Sports car guzzlers. Gas guzzlers everywhere.

But driving a gas guzzler is fun. It's about more than transportation. It sends a message. It tells people you can afford the gas. It makes you feel powerful. It can make a dork feel cool. A short person tall. A poor person rich. An impotent man virile. It's not about driving. It's about perception. And, since life is so short, why shouldn't you just do what you want, drive what you want?

Finish: I hate gas guzzlers

750,000 miles in a hybrid - How far have you gone?

Is it possible?

I was reading the latest Honda Civic hybrid testimonials, and I was surprised to read about a Civic hybrid with 750,000 miles. Owner, Skip, states "That is not a misprint. I have never gotten less than 40 mpg with the a/c on at 70 mph. I love this car."

Now, we have no reason to doubt Skip, but we're sure many will, and we are trying to verify this information.

Anyway, there are many older hybrid cars with well over 100,000 miles, even 200,000 miles. Anyone else out there with some crazy hybrid mileage?

Buy the car. Lease the battery.

Is this the way to sell PHEVs and EVs?

Quite regularly, I am contacted by people inquiring about the reliability of the batteries in hybrid cars. As the auto industry moves further towards the electrification of the auto, the importance of batteries will increase significantly.

Would a battery lease be the best way to handle this issue?

Bob Lutz has already suggested such a plan for the Chevy Volt, for instance. Likewise, GM is already contemplating what to do with used batteries, which would still retain some, or even much, of their capacity. Thus, even after an EV is retired, the battery might still be valuable. Considering the considerable upfront costs of this technology, could leasing help spread that cost?

Buy the car. Lease the battery. Is this a business model that you would accept?

Ford Hybrids: Safer than Toyota

A 5 Star Safety vehicle

The 2009 Ford Escape hybrid and the Mercury Mariner hybrid are both 5 star rated vehicles according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And Ford hopes to use this rating as a way to promote its hybrid vehicles over Toyota. Both the Toyota Prius and the Highlander hybrid received 4 stars.

Soon, Ford will launch the Ford Fusion hybrid and the Mercury Milan hybrid, and the automaker hopes to double the sales of its hybrid vehicles.

That's four hybrid vehicles. Yet, Ford is only hoping to sell 50,000 hybrids?

The Chrysler, Ford and Chevy Volt?

America's hybrid?

According to Reuters Chrysler views manufacturing alliances with other automakers as the key to Chrylser's success. And, if fuel economy remains a significant factor for American consumers, Chrysler's alliance with GM on dual mode hybrid vehicles will only increase in importance.

Might this lead to an alliance with GM and its E Flex technology that will power the Chevy Volt? Considering that Chrysler showed off a similar range extended EV technology concept at the last Detroit Auto Show, such a move seems quite plausible.

Likewise, there are rumors coming out of Ford, which currently licenses hybrid technology from Toyota, about a possible licensing agreement with GM on the Volt's E Flex technology.

Obviously, such alliances would be great for GM, but would they make sense for Ford and Chrysler as well? Considering each company's approach to hybrids thus far, such a move seems very real. And, it would probably simplify things for US auto suppliers.

New lexus hybrid could come as a convertible

A Prius with a different body?

While Toyota won't offer the Prius in different variants when it launches the third gen. Prius next year, it will use the Prius as the basis for a new Lexus hybrid. Little is known about this new luxury hybrid, other than it will use the third generation Hybrid Synergy Drive found in the Prius, and that it will be outfitted with solar panels on the roof. Today, MotorTrend has a sketch of what they think the new Lexus hybrid will look like, and they are reporting that the new hybrid might also come in a convertible variant.

Silverado: A very smart GM hybrid

Finally, a hybrid truck

I just finished reading an InsideLine review of the GM Silverado hybrid. Basically, the Silverado hybrid is going to use the same dual mode hybrid technology powering the Chevy Tahoe hybrid and the GMC Yukon hybrid, which means fuel economy in the low 20's, depending on wheel drive - either two or 4 wheel drive. Most important, the Silverado maintains full size truck towing and payload capabilities.

So what? So what, unless you're a contractor, a construction worker, or a farmer, for instance. Such hybrid trucks can double city fuel economy, while still providing nice gains in highway fuel economy, even when towing or carrying large payloads. This isn't a big hybrid that eases big vehicle guilt, this is a big hybrid that provides much needed fuel economy gains in a vehicle segment much needed by many American workers.

Now that's an American revolution. Too bad this new Chevy hybrid truck still won't hit the streets until mid 2009.

Only 1 body style for next Prius

At least not for now

By January of 2009, the world will finally know almost everything it needs to know about the next generation Toyota Prius. That's when Toyota will debut the Prius at the Detroit Auto Show. What we already know is that it will be longer, wider, quicker and more fuel efficient. And, we also now know that it will come only in one body style.

Overall, the new Toyota Prius will look pretty much like the old Toyota Prius. Prius-derivatives, or Prius hybrids with different body styles, are still "under study" according to Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager for the Toyota division at Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A..

Also expected in Detroit is a new, unique Lexus hybrid with a "completely different design than the Prius."

Volt's aerodynamic design means 80 cent charges

Latest picture of Chevy Volt's front end

Several months ago, much to the surprise of GM engineers, it was realized that reducing aerodynamic drag, rather than shedding some pounds, was going to be the key to the Chevy Volt's ability to achieve 40 miles of pure electricity. After months of wind tests and modeling, the Volt's design is almost complete and GM is showing off some design elements on the GMNext site.

Anyway, GM is hosting an open chat with GM's chief Volt designer, Bob Boniface on August 19 at 3:00 PM. Click here to register.

Also, check out this Volt video covering issues like charging costs and more. GM figures it will cost $.80 cents per day for 40 miles of electricity.

Fuel economy, cars and politics

Large gas-guzzlers still qualify for tax incentives

Democrats are the party for greens, right? So, why are solar tax credits set to expire? Why are tax credits for hybrid cars expiring while tax incentives for huge gas guzzlers are not?

We shouldn't be surprised according to an interesting chart The Fast Report sent to Hybridcarblog. The chart shows a strong correlation between gas prices and the ratio of small to large vehicle sales. Overall, higher gas prices lead to less guzzler sales, more small car sales and greater US fuel economy. Great for greens, right?

And yet Democrats want to tap into oil reserves, grill oil executives and whatever else to try to lower gas prices, an event that will only lead to more gas-guzzler sales and decreased fuel economy. Contradictions?

Republicans couldn't run Congress and now Democrats can't either. Talk, talk, talk. Spend, spend, spend. Man, I gotta run for office. What a job!

Chrysler, Cherokee Hybrid and the future

Chrysler's next big hybrid move?

Chrysler is on the verge of launching a few large hybrid SUVs. Great news, right? Not when production is in numbers that will barely show up on Chrsyler's monthly sale's sheet. Thus, to learn that Chrysler is also going to develop a Jeep Grand Cherokee hybrid for 2011 leaves me feeling, well, unimpressed.

Doesn't Chrysler need to take a much more serious stab at fuel economy to brighten its future? Why not do something no other US automaker has yet done, such as announce a unique, conventional hybrid car to challenge the Toyota Prius?

Instead, it's just another BIG hybrid SUV. So original. So unexpected.

Isn't it time for Chrysler to distinguish itself from the pack?

When is the Volt a game changer?

GM's lithium battery pack continues to pass benchmarks

For all intents and purposes, GM's Chevy Volt is on schedule for its originally promised 2010 launch, according to the latest reports coming out of the AP. Issues are still being resolved, but everything is following expected timelines. So, does that legitimate the Volt as a game changer?

If everything goes perfectly well, GM could be producing 100,000 Volts per year by 2012 or 2013. Would that make that Volt a game changer?

When does GM's Chevy Volt become a legitimate game changer, or is it already a game changer?

Could a thermoelectric hybrid be in the works?

A key to powering deep space probes

Yesterday there was an interesting story about GM's work into thermoelectric devices to increase fuel economy. By using temperature differences to create electricity "GM researcher Jihui Yang said a metal-plated device that surrounds an exhaust pipe could increase fuel economy in a Chevrolet Suburban by about 5 percent, a 1-mile-per-gallon improvement that would be even greater in a smaller vehicle."

But that's just the beginning.

"In an internal combustion engine, only about a quarter of the total energy from gasoline is used to actually turn the wheels, while 40 percent is lost in exhaust heat and 30 percent is lost through cooling the engine. That means about 70 percent of the available energy is wasted, said GM."

Regenerative braking is already a great tool utilized by hybrid vehicles. Perhaps a little regenerative exhaust could put this waste to work?

Honda's new hybrid not as cheap as expected

Cheaper than the Civic hybrid

There has been a lot of sketchy information coming out of Honda when it comes to their new dedicated hybrid-only vehicle. And, new statements from the AP are no less clear, particularly when it comes to cost.

In a speech at the Center for Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars Richard Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co. confirmed everything we already know: Honda will launch the new 5-door, 5 passenger hybrid next Spring. Yet, in terms of costs, Colliver would only go so far as to say that it will be cheaper than the Honda Civic hybrid($22,600).

That seems a lot less confident than some of the $19,000 predictions of a few months ago. I'm betting no less than $19,999.

Has an oil change killed your hybrid's fuel economy?

Is the right oil essential?

Recently, a Honda Civic hybrid owner offered an interesting Civic hybrid testimonial. Currently, this owner has 50k miles on his 2005 Civic hybrid and he had this to say about a recent trip to the dealer.

"Watch the OIL type. they're supposed to have 0-20w oil. dealer changed our oil at 46k, wife drove it home and was appalled to see the meter showing 29 miles per gallon. way less than normal. we called the dealer back...they tried to put the blame on my new tires, but that wasn't the case as i already had 3k on them, with standard mileage we'd come to expect. today, we got the oil changed at dealer again...wife drove home and meter showed 40 miles per gallon. same car, same woman, same distance/route. three months ago after the last change: 29mpg. this time: 40mpg."

Any similar experiences?

Lithium: The right gamble?

Or too big of a bet?

Today, Toyota is dominating the the hybrid scene, and while Toyota is moving towards lithium, it's also moving beyond lithium - at least in the lab. Then again, lithium has yet to make its way out of the lab. So, does that mean anything? And, like Toyota, Honda will also embrace NiMH technology as lithium is developed.

While most other automakers will also roll out some NiMH-powered hybrid vehicles, none have offered nearly as aggressive hybrid production numbers as Honda or Toyota - not until lithium.

Just a decade ago, most automakers didn't want to embrace hybrids or electric vehicles, as fuel cell vehicles - the next big thing then - were just around the corner. Isn't this lithium or bust mentality the same kind of eggs in one basket mind set that has US automakers struggling for survival?

Loyalty: The hybrid advantage

Repeat customers are golden

A new study by Experian Automotive suggests that buyers of hybrid cars are more brand loyal than non-hybrid buyers. 47 percent of hybrid buyers will buy another vehicle of the same make compared to 35 percent of buyers overall. And 18 percent of hybrid buyers will buy again buy the same model, compared to 12 percent of overall buyers.

Toyota must be loving this study.