2010 Contradictions: Big Trucks and Electric Cars
EVs are in, but fuel economy is out
Time to electrify pickup trucks?
Who were the biggest losers and winners in 2010? That’s a question that MotorTrend recently addressed and the results aren’t just a bit contradictory, they are kind of alarming.
Despite rising gas prices and the real world launches of a number of plug-in vehicles, fuel economy was out in 2010.
According to MT the biggest winners in 2010 were big trucks, electric cars and crossovers. The biggest losers were small cars, small trucks and ladder frames.
So, while it’s great that plug-in vehicles finally became an option for consumers in 2010, most consumers just weren’t interested in fuel economy in 2010. Sure, some consumers downsized from huge SUVs into smaller crossovers, but a lot more consumers purchased bigger-than-ever pickup trucks.
Unfortunately, the bulk of electric cars being produced and planned for production in the near future mostly fit the small car segment, one of the losers in 2010. Will adding a plug to small cars make them a winner in coming years? I sure hope so, but that’s not a prediction one could make based on the trends of 2010.
Maybe a little dose of $5.00 gas would be good for America?
As long as they keep the costs down, smurf.
I’m happy to see Ford explore ecoboost, but US automakers are really going to have to think outside of the box on trucks. Thus far they’ve really painted themselves into corner thanks to decades of creating the perception that only the biggest and most powerful trucks matter. Unfortunately, most aren’t coming close to using the functionality provided by big trucks.
A small truck or crossover that gets 22 mpg doesn’t offer much incentive over a big truck that gets only 5 mpg less, especially if they offer the big truck at the same price.
To make small trucks and crossovers more popular, the mileage will have to be significantly better than a big truck.
Perhaps this is where electric and hybrid small trucks/crossovers can make an impact. A 30-40 mpg truck will have some appeal….