Is there an issue more important than energy independence, right now?

Oil dependence aids terrorists, funds dictators and gives millions around the world a reason to point their finger at the imperialist, capitalist and evil American empire. Gas guzzling greed has produced complacency and ignorance that has stunted automotive development by focusing on speed and power rather than than on efficiency and clean technology. This greedy, ego-driven focus - produced by cheap oil dependence - has severely weakened the U.S. auto industry and now threatens the U.S. economy.

And for what? So, that yours is bigger than mine?

American automakers, their unions and representatives in Washington complain about imports and outsourcing, yet turn a blind eye to our extremely dangerous oil imports. How can one import be so good, yet another so bad?

One political party protects the oil industry, the other political party protects the gas-guzzler builders. Yet, our environment and National Security continue to deteriorate as politicians blame each other for a problem each party has contributed in creating.

Now politicians on both sides of the aisle are preparing to make energy independence the core issue for 2008 - at least in terms of political soundbites.

Why are waiting until 2008? I don't care about the next election, right now. I don't care about lame ducks, right now. I care about today, right now.

Right now, Congress could renew tax credits for Toyota hybrid cars. Right now, we could give small business owners the same tax incentives to buy clean vehicle technologies that we currently give small business owners to buy the worst gas-guzzlers.

When America went to the moon, it inspired the development of so many technologies and industries. Right now, striving for energy independence could do the same, while increasing National Security and fighting global warming.

Why isn't America doing more? Shouldn't we be doing everything we can, right now?

--> More on hybrid tax credits, etc.

Democrats appear ready to focus on alternative fuels as answer to foreign oil dependency

As I stated earlier today, when it comes to foreign oil dependency, don't expect any real change from Democrats. Rep. John Dingell, whom will become chairmen of House Energy and Commerce Committee in January, has been a strong proponent against increased CAFE standards and he appears to see E85 and alternative fuels as the main solution to foreign oil dependency. (more)

Hopefully, Democrats will extend a few crumbs towards hybrid cars and plug-in hybrid cars, but that might offend the UAW too much, so don't expect any new tax credits for hybrids.

This is the big change America voted for? Excuse me for not being overly excited. When push comes to shove, politicians are just politicians and Democrats aren't really much better than Republicans.

It all comes down to the people. Politicians don't lead revolutions, people do, and voting for Democrats is no revolution.

Some interesting quotes

"In recent years, attempts to increase fuel economy standards have been met with broad bipartisan opposition and we're hopeful that that opposition continues," said Charles Territo, a spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

"Energy policy and fuel economy standards for the past 20 years have been a bipartisan failure," said David Friedman, research director for the Union of Concerned Scientists' Clean Vehicles Program. "The next year will tell us a lot about how serious people are."

Civic and Escape hybrid sales up big in October

Sales of the Honda Civic hybrid were up 890% in October compared to October 2005, reaching 2,288 units sold. The Ford Escape hybrid and the Mariner hybrid hit 1,602 units combined, up 30.6% compared to October 2005. The sales of all other hybrid vehicles were down in October 2006 compared to October 2005.

So what is the story? Why are sales of the Toyota Prius, for example, down while the Civic hybrid is up? Or why are sales of the Highlander hybrid down, while sales of the Escape hybrid are up?

Well, I'd bet it all comes down to tax incentives. October was the first month that tax incentives for Toyota hybrids were cut in half.

While Prius sales were down about 12%, Toyota still sold 8,733 of the hybrid vehicles - far more than Honda's Civic hybrid. Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see what happens over the next couple of months. If gas prices begin to again go up, I think Prius sales will be fine despite the lower tax incentive. If gas prices remain stable, this downward trend might continue.

(Source: Green Car Congress)

Re: Direct Injection Ethanol Boosting

Yesterday, I briefly touched on a story about MIT's direct injection ethanol boosting system. I didn't cover the topic in any depth because I was annoyed by the anti-hybrid spin the article took. Anyway, if you want to check out an interesting discussion about direct injection ethanol boosting, check out Green Car Congress.

The Scuderi Air Hybrid Vehicle

The Scuderi Group is set to show off its air hybrid vehicle at the SAE Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress and Exhibition Oct. 31- Nov. 2.

"The innovations in the design of the Scuderi engine reduces the cost of diesel systems by eliminating or dramatically reducing three of the most expensive and complex parts of a diesel system - turbo charging, injectors and exhaust treatment," said Sal Scuderi, president of The Scuderi Group. "Because of the inherent design advantages of the Scuderi Air-Hybrid diesel engine, we estimate that this engine can lower the cost of diesel engines by as much as 40-50 percent. We strongly believe that the Scuderi Air-Hybrid engine is the diesel engine design of the future."

The Scuderi group also believes that Air diesel hybrids are more effective than electric hybrids because of the complex technology required by electric hybrid cars. I say, perhaps in the short term, but not in the long term. Whether gasoline or diesel, the world needs to get off oil. The air hybrid is nowhere near accomplishing that goal.

(Source: Business Wire)

Forget plug-in hybrid vehicles - For Now

Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today. That's the sentiment that plug-in hybrid vehicles are beginning to cause me.

Over the weekend, as I was catching up on some news I read two hybrid stories. The first by Green Car Congress discussed Hymotion, a hybrid to plug-in hybrid conversion company, and their plans to add solar panels to their conversion process. Now this is an idea I completely support and I totally support Hymotion.

So, why am I beginning to have plug-in angst? (Full Story)

Flex-fuel lies, foreign oil dependency and hybrid vehicle tax credits: Rate Congress

"A public advocacy group on Thursday said Ford Motor Co. has avoided as much as $135 million in fines by marketing vehicles that are supposed to run on the gas-ethanol mix E85 that don't work and accused the company of running misleading ads." (more)

Moreover, aside from the obvious, the fact is that for years the majority of flex-fuel vehicles sold by both Ford and GM have not ever filled up with E-85. Yet, each company has avoided millions and and millions in fines by selling these vehicles.

"Public Citizen and other environmental advocacy groups have long complained that automakers get credits to meet federal fuel economy regulations by building flexible-fuel vehicles that are hardly ever filled with E85, since it's available at just 900 of the country's 170,000 pumps."

So, Congress gives small business owners huge tax incentives to buy the worst gas-guzzlers, provides huge tax incentives to oil companies, enables the big three to avoid 100's of millions of dollars in fines for violating fuel economy regulations - increasing our foreign oil dependency, and limits tax credits for Toyota hybrid vehicles because they are too successful.

That sure sounds like the right path towards achieving energy independence.

Even the President says hybrids are possibly the most important way to change consumer behavior. Yet, Congress hasn't passed proposed legislation to provide small business tax incentives for buying hybrid cars or other fuel efficient vehicles, nor has Congress passed proposed legislation to extend hybrid vehicle tax credits.

Good work, ladies and gentlemen!

We live in a country that blames the President for quite a lot these days. Fair enough. Let's extend at least as much blame to the current - do nothing, partisanship is more important - Congress.

Flex fuel lies, foreign oil dependency and hybrid vehicle tax credits - Congress is failing America.

Bush believes hybrid cars one of the best paths to foreign oil independence

"I believe so strongly that this country has got to use its talent and its wealth to get us off oil," Bush said. "Probably the fastest way we can begin to change the consumer habits -- is to promote hybrid vehicles."

President Bush made that statement earlier today in response to falling gas prices.

"My worry is, however, that a low price of gasoline will ... make us complacent about our future when it comes to energy," Bush said at a government-sponsored renewable energy conference in St. Louis.

I couldn't agree more. Already one new study has demonstrated that consumer interest is dropping significantly as gas prices are dropping, while interest in gas-guzzlers is rebounding.

Bush, who has asked Congress to extend the tax credit for hybrids earlier this year, again brought up tax credits today. Unfortunately, Congress has not addressed this issue. Perhaps, hopefully, once the elections are over an extension will be enacted. Otherwise, with dropping gas prices and smaller tax credits for Toyota hybrids, interest in hybrid vehicles could drop significantly.

(Source: Reuters via Yahoo)

Russia puts Western oil 'supplies at risk'? Join the hybrid revolution.

"A former government adviser has warned it is "only a matter of time" before BP or Shell faces a bid from a Russian state-owned group such as Gazprom which could threaten western oil supplies. Professor Peter Odell, an energy economist, says ExxonMobil is also vulnerable to a Chinese takeover as the large UK and American stock-listed oil groups lose their influence in global markets." (more)

If it isn't OPEC seeking a bottom cap of $55.00 per barrel, it's China and Russia and state-owned oil companies threatening the price of gasoline.

Fortunately, Congress has passed tax incentives for hybrids that protect GM and Ford, rather than incentives that seek to achieve change as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, protectionism isn't what GM needs, it needs a good kick in the ass. GM's biggest problem these days, apparently, is a lack of Hummers according to Bob Lutz, not tax incentives for hybrids.

Hummers are far more important than foreign oil dependency.

Besides, what would ending foreign oil dependency accomplish anyway? A less complicated Middle East? Putting an important part of the American economy back in the hands of Americans?

Obviously, achieving oil dependency wouldn't be easy, it would require the kind of technological revolution which would create new jobs, new industries and new markets. What a waste!

The technology behind hybrid cars offers such a revolution. Hybrid technology can make any vehicle 20 - 30 percent more fuel efficient, today, whether that vehicle is fueled by gasoline, diesel, ethanol or even hydrogen. New software and new batteries will double the fuel efficiency of today's hybrids in just a few years. Then plug-in hybrids could also increase hybrid performance while creating an ideal platform for the introduction of small fuel cells into the automobile.

Unfortunately, hybrid production doesn't result in the huge profit margins many automakers covet - hybrid vehicles only make the world a better place. And Hummers, it seems, are much cooler than making a better world.

Gasoline and oil costs might drop in the short term, but the long term is filled with too many risks not to act as quickly as possible.

Full Tax Credits For Toyota Hybrids Almost Over

The full tax credit for hybrid vehicles is almost over for Toyota hybrids. Starting Oct. 1, hybrid cars produced by Toyota will only qualify for half their current tax credit. While President Bush has asked Congress to extend these credits for 1 more year, Congress has not complied. It's hard not to wonder if the Toyota Prius, by far the best selling hybrid automobile, had been produced by GM instead of a Japanese automaker, would the credit still be expiring?

Government loans to help Big 3 develop hybrid vehicles, etc.

"The Big Three automakers could get up to $20 billion in federally backed loan guarantees to speed the development of "green technologies," including hybrid electric engines, flexible fuels and clean diesel under a bill to be introduced this week in Congress." (More)

Will the Big 3 even care? It's not free money - they will have to pay it back. Besides, with gas prices falling, will the Big 3 just return to business as usual - hoping that SUV sales will again pick up?

Who cares? Clinton and his hybrid vehicle

I'm sorry. I don't really care about Bill Clinton and his new Mercury Mariner hybrid (more). I say, it's long over due. I say the Clintons, and EVERY single member of Congress, should have been driving a hybrid vehicle for several years now. Instead, a few members drive flex-fuel vehicles - that rarely see a drop of E85. That is not a worthy statement.

Too many members of Congress and many other politicians make bold statements about the price of gasoline, foreign oil dependency and the environment - yet, they drive gas-guzzlers. These people cannot only afford hybrid vehicles, they have the greatest responsibility to drive them.

Congress: Plug-in hybrids or extended tax credits for hybrids?

O.K., even oil man, President Bush, says we gotta end our foreign oil dependency, and I think the majority of Americans agree. Consequently, the big talk lately has focused on plug-in hybrid vehicles, and even the largest utility in California is now promoting plug-in technology (more).

I say, 'hold on'.

Plug-in hybrids are an excellent direction to push automotive technology towards, and getting the government involved is both wise and necessary. However, the current tax credit for hybrid vehicles is a far more important issue - for now.

Right now, the market for hybrid cars is dominated by the Toyota Prius. Yet, the Prius and every other Toyota are going to soon see smaller tax credits, quickly followed by no tax credits.

This is how Toyota is rewarded for doing the right thing? This is how consumers are rewarded for doing the right thing? But, back to plug-ins.

Plug-in hybrid technology just isn't cost-effective - at least not mentally - for most Americans. While the technology might pay for itself in the long run, Americans think about today, maybe tomorrow, not 7 years from now.

Plug-in hybrid technology just isn't there yet. Current hybrid vehicles are a hard enough sell for most with tax credits, but without.....?

That doesn't mean we shouldn't strive for plug-ins. We absolutely should strive for plug-in hybrid vehicles, and nothing pushes automobiles towards plug-in technology faster than current hybrid vehicles. The more current hybrids that sell, the faster plug-in hybrids will hit the market.

Plug-in hybrids are a great idea, a great idea that might never see the light of day if tax credits for hybrid vehicles are not extended.

Almost certainly, millions of small business owners have received far more tax incentives for buying gas-guzzling SUVs, so I think the government can afford tax incentives for foreign oil dependency fighting hybrid cars - even if they are Japanese.

Join our campaign for extending the tax credits on hybrid cars.

The Automobile: A case study in American stupidity?

The other day I was at a restaurant. As I looked through the menu, I knew I already knew what I really wanted, fish tacos and garlic fries. Ultimately, however, I ended up with a cup of soup and a salad. Since I knew that I was going to have a couple of beers – I was at a microbrewery for crying-out-loud – I thought I should at least eat healthy.

Yet, in America, we don’t seem to ask the question of cost-to-benefit very often, especially when it comes to automobiles. The only question that seems to matter is 'Do I look cool?'

As Americans, far too often, we do what we want in the whim of the moment and deal with the consequences later – if at all.

Consequently, I couldn’t help but laugh when I read some of Rick Wagoner’s comments at the auto industry's Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City. For example Wagoner stated, “Some of the things that we all believe are necessary to ensure the continued strength of the (manufacturing) sector, which I think is just vital ... we just don't see the leadership,” stated Wagoner regarding the White House and Congress.

Leadership!? Give me a break, Mr. Wagoner. When the country was attacked by terrorists supported by America’s foreign oil dependency, when hurricanes destroyed oil refineries and demonstrated America’s overly stretched oil addiction, what was GM’s leadership? (Completed in Comments)

Bush plugs plug-in hybrids again

"We're working on battery technologies," President Bush said in Washington at a speech to the National Association of Manufacturers. "They say we're pretty close to a breakthrough in a battery where you can drive the first 40 miles on a battery, and your car doesn't look like a golf cart." (more)

Sure, he might be an oil man, but when it comes to hybrid cars, President Bush deserves a few kudos. Bush has now been on the plug-in hybrid vehicle bandwagon for at least year and he has been lobbying Congress to extend the tax credits for buying hybrid cars. Hopefully, Congress will take a little action.

More on the obstacles regarding plug-in hybrids.

Congress "examines" more hybrid vehicle incentives

"Congress today will examine ways to entice more people to buy and use hybrid vehicles as the list of government-issued perks to gas-electric hybrid owners grows longer." (DetroitNews)

While there will probably be little immediate action today, let's hope Congress, minimally, ends the cap on tax credits for hybrid vehicles. Besides, isn't it about time America get's serious about fuel efficient technology?

Toyota hybrid vehicle tax credits running out

Thanks to a protective and short-sighted U.S. Congress, tax credits for Toyota hybrids are running out. While the President and some members of Congress have suggested extending this credit, Congress doesn't seem very interested at this point. Check out the NYTimes article, U.S. Hybrids Get More Miles Per Congress on this issue. Why isn't Congress acting? Congress constantly harps about high gas prices and the threat of foreign oil dependency, yet they do so little - other than TALK, TALK, TALK. I say fighting oil addiction is more important than protecting the U.S. auto industry if they can't or won't compete. Let's extend the tax credits for hybrid cars! (MORE)

Do oil companies control hybrid vehicle battery production

I was just reading an article about a new hybrid vehicle battery supplier, GS Yuasa at Green Car Congress. In the posts to that entry, there is an interesting thread about oil company conspiracies, such as how oil companies bought old trolley lines and dismantled them in favor of freeways. Additionally, there are some that claim that NiMH battery technology, which powers today's hybrid cars, is being controlled/limited by oil companies. While there have been patent infringement cases, I've heard that NiMH battery production has been largely minimized by limited availability of Nickel, not by oil companies. Still, great thread.

Fuel cells, ethanol and hydrogen: GM's bag of excuses?

For decades, GM has lobbied Congress and the White House not to increase fuel economy standards. In fact, it is rumored that even Rick Wagoner has lobbied the White House, stating that increased fuel economy would hinder fuel cell development.

Now that it's obvious that fuel cells are still decades away, GM has switched to ethanol - not just as an alternative fuel, but as a bridge to hydrogen. "Even some of the initial steps in the processing of the biomass -- whether to make it hydrogen or ethanol -- will be one and the same, so it is an important step toward an alternative pathway for energy," he said. "And it allows us to use our existing internal combustion engines as we transition to hydrogen in the future." (AutomotiveNews)

And they don't have to stop making gas-guzzlers. The more ethanol GM uses, the more they are helping farmers, right?

Back to Reality

Scientist after scientist - many of whom are working on ethanol - claim that even cellulosic ethanol will not help America much if we don't create more fuel efficient vehicles. Yet, it seems that GM comes up with excuse after excuse not to become significantly more fuel efficient.

Perhaps ethanol can help create a path to hydrogen, but hybrid cars can also use ethanol and hydrogen. Moreover, since GM's current fuel cell vehicles are fuel cell hybrid vehicles, the more hybrids we build today, the faster we can build tomorrow's fuel cell hybrid vehicles.

Oh yeah, and in the interim we can at least end foreign oil dependency.

So why doesn't GM care about foreign oil dependency? What can't GM help make America stronger?

GM needs to stop making excuses and start taking the realities of the new world more seriously. Millions of Americans will support GM to the very end, yet millions more would support GM if they acted like they truly cared about the environment and about America's foreign oil dependency.

Take on the Toyota Prius, GM, and you could attract millions of new customers. Follow the current path and you'll lose many of us forever.

High gas prices: Don't just blame Republicans

O.K., so Republicans have ties to big oil, that's obvious. But can you really blame high oil prices completely on Republicans, especially when the price of oil is decided in the open markets by traders trading future shares of oil every single second of the business day? How do you manipulate that? Still, Republicans deserve criticism for their close oil ties.

In addition to oil, Democrats ridicule the President's minor CAFE updates, and they are minor. In fact, they are essentially worthless. Yet, less than a year ago, when Congress had a chance to significantly update CAFE, did Democrats make a stand? Heck no. How would Democrats funded by the labor unions that 'protect' autoworkers explain this to the Union leadership, to the workers that would lose their jobs - and to a huge endorsement and source of campaign money?

In reality, when it comes to high gasoline prices, Democrats are very dirty. (Finished in Comments)

GM and E85: Fool's Gold?

Flip, flop. Mandates on the oil industry are bad, mandates on the oil industry are good - that's the position of Hillary Clinton on mandating that the oil industry put E85 pumps in half of America's gas stations. Hillary Clinton, like all good politicians, has learned to stand for votes, rather than convictions. While she has publicly stated that ethanol mandates would hike fuel prices and VOTED against them, now she knows ethanol mandates will hike auto worker votes in her direction. Convictions or votes? Votes or convictions?

Despite Hillary's strong convictions, I say, E85 is Fool's Gold for GM. (Full Story)

Japan versus Detroit: Who acts more American?

Automobiles versus fuel?

When automakers have faced Congress over the last week, there has been a striking contrast in style. Toyota, for example, has focused on incentives for building more fuel efficient automobiles, such as hybrid cars. Detroit, on the other hand, has focused on new fuels, such as ethanol, for their gas-guzzlers.

While ethanol holds great promise as an alternative fuel, the automotive technology to utilize ethanol is already complete. What isn't complete are new vehicles, such as flex-fuel hybrids, for example, which could make inefficient burning ethanol much more efficient. Fortunately, Ford has at least proposed such a vehicle.

Still, shouldn't GM focus on being a better automaker? If they want to be an energy company, maybe its time to sell the auto business? For decades GM has used fuel cell vehicles as an excuse not to compete with Japanese efficiency, now they are using ethanol. At a time when foreign oil dependency is causing so many problems for America, why is it that Japanese companies are doing so much more to alleviate the problem? You make cars, Detroit, not energy. (Sources: AutomotiveNews)

Congress and Detroit: The Dangers of E85

It will take years before ethanol, especially E85, makes a noticeable dent in America's gasoline consumption. Still, in a decade, if 10% of gasoline consumption were reduced in favor of ethanol, would it matter?

Perhaps not as much as first thought. First, in 10 years demand for fuel is going to go up. Second, without subsidies ethanol offers little in terms of free market competition, it simply isn't cheaper than gasoline. Sure, it does reduce foreign oil dependency, but how much and is that enough?

(Finished in Comments)

GM's Rick Wagoner is a hypocrite

Rick Wagoner lobbied members of Congress today for help with ethanol, noting that because Detroit automakers believe in free markets, "Incentives rather than mandates are the way to go." Yet, aides to Wagoner admitted that mandates would be required for energy companies. I guess there is nothing like free markets, huh, Mr. Wagoner? Why should we expect anything less than hypocrisy and deception from a man whom admits that his company's efforts to develop hybrid cars are purely about image?
(Source: AutomotiveNews)

New hybrid technology plugged to Congress

Yesterday, a number of scientists promoted plug-in hybrid vehicles to Congress whom might offer $250 million in incentives for such a program. (MORE)

Foreign Oil Dependency: It all comes down to clean vehicle tax incentives

High gasoline prices are only the most obvious, negative result of America's foreign oil dependency. The worldwide geopolitical crisis that America is facing in an effort to maintain its dependency on oil is the real, but less visible, problem.

Now that CAFE is essentially dead, or at least rendered useless, the only thing that can make a difference are tax incentives. Congress must give consumers strong tax incentives to buy hybrid cars or to use bio-diesel, for example.

If automakers don't want to develop such technologies - they don't have to - but let consumers reward those that can and will.

It is simply ridiculous that vehicles, such as the Hummer, can receive a $25,000 small business tax deduction - a tax incentive far greater than any hybrid receives. When the Hummer achieves 35 mpg, then it might deserve such a deduction.

It's time for Americans to make a stand and demand that we stop giving so many incentives to oil companies and the likes, and that we give those incentives to consumers that reduce their oil use, or that move beyond oil.

American automakers have thus far failed America, oil companies have failed America, and if Congress doesn't pass a strong set of tax incentives for consumers, not corporations, to buy clean technologies, they will continue their failure of America.

Let's not let it happen. (More)

Congress and CAFE: Two Peas in a Pod

Not long ago I referenced a story that ridiculed Congress and its conservationist policies. On a day members of Congress went to a gas station about a block from their offices to speak about high gas prices, almost every member was driven, spoke as their vehicles idled, and then was driven back one block to their offices. Even worse, most members were in gas-guzzlers. As if that were not enough, most members regularly drive gas-guzzlers.

This is Congressional leadership? Reminds me of what my old football coach used to say, "Anybody can talk the talk, but only champions walk the walk.

Apparently, there aren't many champions in either Congress or the White House these days, maybe there hasn't been in a long time. In today's world LEADERS would be driving hybrid cars, bio-diesel cars, or maybe flex-fuel vehicles fueled with E85, not Tahoes, Escalades, and BMW 760's. Maybe a REAL leader would even - dare I say - walk!?

Today, Congress is focused on CAFE, something they didn't act on just a year ago, but it's good politics now that Americans are angry about high gas prices. It seems success in Congress is driven by doing little and blaming someone else for the problem.

While I am an advocate for increasing CAFE, the plan is really going nowhere. The boldest move that has reasonable support - although probably not enough support - is to raise CAFE by 10 mpg in 10 years. In 10 years, with millions more Americans driving longer commutes while in more congestion, 10 mpg will basically accomplish, well, nothing.

The best case scenario for this plan is that we'll only be importing as much oil in the future as today. Whooohooo!

Nothing short of an automotive revolution is going to change America's oil addiction, and 10 mpg is far from a revolution. Unfortunately, only dire catastrophe will wake Americans up to such a realization, and without REAL leadership coming from Congress and the White House, such a catastrophe appears inevitable.

Gas guzzling: Tax incentives versus CAFE

Gas guzzling kills

I love discussing the connection between gas-guzzling, wars in Iraq, 9/11 and other forms of terrorism.

"There is no connection between Iraq, 9/11 and gas guzzling," so many often say.

Really? So, why do we care so much about the Middle East, but not other areas of the world? Why did we stop Saddam in the first Persian Gulf War? Was it about human rights? If so, why didn't - and why don't we - care about the slaughter of millions in Sudan, or Rwanda?

Do we really care that much about people from Qatar?

One only need listen to Bin Laden's own words to understand that there is a clear connection between America's need, or greed, for foreign oil and 9/11.

But back to the point. Whether it is the cost of gasoline, fear of foreign oil dependency, or a desire to protect the environment, many realize that America's oil addiction cannot continue.

So, which is a better tool to fight this dependency, CAFE or tax incentives?

I say put the power in the hands of the people. Congress and corporations have had decades to make a difference and the only thing they've accomplished is perpetually increased foreign oil dependency.

I say let Ford and GM do whatever they want. Put the power in the hands of the people!!

Instead of increasing CAFE, take that high CAFE number and give a huge tax incentive to EVERY customer that buys a vehicle that meets that CAFE number. That's the best way to promote technologies, such as hybrid cars.

Increase CAFE and automakers will just find some kind of loophole to do nothing.

If you want to buy a gas guzzler, no problem, but you'll pay high gas prices and receive no tax credit. Buy a Prius, buy an Escape hybrid, even a Tahoe hybrid and you get a HUGE tax credit - as long as it meets that high CAFE number - plus you'll you use less gas.

Tax incentives for Hummers? Please!!!!!! This must end, as must any other corporate welfare and loopholes for automakers, as must tax incentives for oil companies.

Give this money to the people and let the corporations fight for customers. By, of and for the PEOPLE, not the corporations!!!!

Fickle consumers underscore need for hybrid technology

Most Consumers Still Demand Performance and/or Size

Hybrid technology is just emerging and still evolving, but already there are mild hybrids, full hybrids, one-mode hybrids, two-mode hybrids, gasoline hybrids, diesel hybrids, hydrogen hybrids, plug-in hybrids, flex-fuel hybrids, etc.

Another class of hybrids, performance hybrids, have often been the source of much media ridicule because they are as much about performance as fuel efficiency. Such hybrids include the Lexus RX400h and the Honda Accord hybrid. Additionally, other hybrids, such as the Toyota Highlander hybrid, could have been made to be more fuel efficient, but Toyota figured Highlander drivers, and many SUV drivers, still favored a certain level of performance more than fuel efficiency. Much evidence seems to show that Toyota is right.

According to a CNN/Kelly Blue Book study, almost 25% of consumers are willing to give up performance and size for better fuel economy; however, 25% refuse to give up anything for better fuel economy. The other 50% will give up a little size, or a little performance, etc.

Along those same lines, an AutoWeek article notes, Loyalists won't quit big SUVs; hauling power, improved fuel economy help move vehicles . "Arguably, Americans insist on SUVs. It's unique to their lifestyle and utility."

Additionally, while Congress is going to finally address CAFE, it now appears that the new regulations will still protect Detroit's SUV domain. It is just too obvious in Congress that Detroit probably cannot survive if CAFE is pushed too high.

Unfortunately, performance and size are simply more important to most Americans than is fuel efficiency. Nonetheless, ever rising oil prices, ever more realizations of the connection between foreign oil, terrorism and American hate, will slowly force more and more Americans to take fuel efficiency seriously.

The technology behind hybrid cars enables automakers to continue to provide performance and size to Americans, while also significantly reducing foreign oil dependency. This isn't something that should be done, it is something that must be done. While Congress will probably be weak on CAFE, they should be overly aggressive in offering tax incentives to promote hybrid technology.

Join our Campaign to Make Congress Act On Hybrid Tax Incentives.

Time to Declare War on Foreign Oil Dependency?

I think America is at War, a war that most Americans refuse to acknowledge, and the fight for independence from foreign oil dependency is shaping up to be the most important war America has ever fought.

Former CIA Director R. James Woolsey has become a huge advocate for ending America's foreign oil dependency, and he is very outspoken about the dangers of America's oil addiction.

"If you want to see who's paying for all that [extremism and terrorism], next time you pull in to fill up, turn the rearview mirror a little bit so you can look at yourself for a minute as you get out with your credit card," Woolsey said during a meeting with reporters and editors of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Yet, Americans don't really think about that - to our direct connection to extremism and terrorism - instead we think about how expensive is $3.00 oil. Sadly, $3.00 oil is nothing compared to what could happen.

Aside from the problems in Iran, Nigeria, Venezuela, aside from hurricanes, aside from rapidly growing oil demand in China and India, an attack on Saudi oil refineries could have an even greater impact on gasoline prices.

How bad?

Today oil is at $70.00 per barrel, but if Saudi oil refineries were damaged - not destroyed - oil could easily climb to over $150.00 per barrel. Add intensified problems with Iran, or another major hurricane and who knows how high oil prices could climb.

What would a year of $7.00 gasoline do for the American economy? How high would $7.00 gas push the cost of groceries and other commodities? How would $7.00 gas help your commute?

What We Can Do

Fighting this war isn't a battle between ethanol versus biodiesel, or clean diesel cars versus hybrid cars. All of these technologies and alternative fuels MUST be utilized. Conservation MUST be utilized.

While politicians can blame one another, and citizens can blame politicians, automakers and the drivers of gas-guzzlers, blame will not win the war. While many in Congress blame other members, or the President, how many members regularly drive a hybrid car, fill up with ethanol or biodiesel, or maybe even walk a little more? Not very many according to recent reports. What about citizens?

Ultimately, little can be done in the short term to fix gas prices or to reduce foreign oil dependency. Today, average citizens must try to conserve, buy hybrid cars, use ethanol where available, or give bio-diesel a try. Moreover, we have to think about the future. We must make Congress and the President create more tax incentives for clean automobiles and clean fuels, not for Hummers and for oil companies.

Finally, we need to let automakers and politicians know that if they can't, or won't, help us fight this war, we'll find alternatives to them.

Join our campaign to make Congress Act.

Is raising CAFE worth bankrupting GM?

When Congress failed to pass legislation that would have increased CAFE less than a year ago, hardly anyone cared. Today, 10 states - essentially Democratic strongholds - are suing Bush for the problem.

Yes, the last time CAFE came before Congress, the majority of Republicans were against the legislation; however, enough Republicans did vote to change CAFE, if not for Democrats loyal to the auto unions also voting against CAFE increases. Ultimately, America's oil addiction has been perpetuated by both parties - even if one party is more at fault.

Still, can you blame some of these politicians? Their constituents probably would have lost even more jobs, and the entire American auto industry could have been pushed into bankruptcy if CAFE had been significantly increased.

On the other hand, Detroit should have beat Japan to hybrid cars, for example, but American leadership in automobiles has been missing for decades. Still, we can't wait forever for American automakers to get with the program.

So, all politics aside, if raising CAFE meant bankrupting GM, would the ends justify the means? Might bankruptcy finally be what is needed to get the American auto industry focused correctly, or is this going to far?

A Prius in Every Pot? Mrs. Dowd smoking too much pot?

"It's taken over five years, but George W. Bush finally made a concession speech to Al Gore.

He conceded that America needs to conserve, by buying hybrid vehicles and developing new energy sources."

This is the lead to Maureen Dowd's A Prius in Every Pot editorial originally posted in the NY Times, in which Mrs. Dowd blames the entire gas crisis on Republicans, particularly Dick Cheney.

Just to be clear, Bush has been on the hybrid band wagon for at least year, even promoting plug-in hybrids last year, but why haggle over facts?

So, Mrs. Dowd would have us believe that Republicans like Cheney, Bush etc. would screw over Americans to make their oil co-conspirators rich at the expense of the entire Republican Party? So, these very rich Republicans are not only selling out their Presidential legacies, but the entire Republican Party, for a little more money?

That's just silly, especially since the current price of oil is decided in the open markets.

Certainly, Republicans deserve a great amount of blame for not helping to promote alternative fuels or alternative technologies, such as hybrid cars earlier. Democrats, on the other hand, deserve considerable blame for protecting the Unions of inefficient, gas-guzzling producing American auto companies.

For decades many Democrats have regularly joined Republicans, including recently, to prevent an increase in CAFE because they knew union members would lose their jobs.

More important, American citizens deserve much blame for not being more fuel efficient. When Europe pays $5.00 for a gallon of gas, did we really believe we could pay just $2.00 forever while always increasing our demand?

And to be fair, just what did President Clinton accomplish to reduce America's average fuel economy in his 8 years? According to statistics, nothing.

O.K., since gas prices weren't that high then, Americans didn't really care about this issue, so we just guzzled more gas. Was this also Bush and Cheney's fault?

Let's not forget, gas-guzzler sales really took off during the Clinton Administration, when Dowd's hero, Al Gore, was in office.

Inevitably, too many Americans, including most members of Congress, waste energy and guzzle gas. Earlier today I posted an article about how the members of Congress contribute to gas-guzzling. Most members of Congress are horrible conservationists and most drive gas-guzzlers, regardless of party.

With this kind of leadership to follow, is there really any wonder why America is in this energy crisis?

Inevitably, Democrats, Republicans, automakers, and many American citizens share the blame for America's oil problems. Too bad professional mudslingers, such as Mrs. Dowd, can't be more open-minded, dare I say fair-minded, for it is precisely this type of myopic, provincial vision that has caused this crisis in the first place.

Gas-guzzling Congress Drives ONE Block to Protest Gas Prices!

Congressional Hypocrisy?

When members of Congress went ONE block to a gas-station news conference to sound off on high gas prices, almost all of them drove, and the majority of them drove gas-guzzlers.

One Senator did drive a Prius hybrid car and John McCain actually made the extremely difficult, one block journey, on foot - an amazing feat!!!

"Since George Bush and Dick Cheney took over as president and vice president, gas prices have doubled!" charged Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), standing at an Exxon station on Capitol Hill where regular unleaded hit $3.10. "They are too cozy with the oil industry."

"She then hopped in a waiting Chrysler LHS (18 mpg) -- even though her Senate office was only a block away." (Washington Post)

So, Mrs. Boxer's plan is to drive one block, stop and wastefully idle, and then drive one more block? Now that's the way to fight high gas prices!

The actions of both Democrats and Republicans demonstrate why gas prizes are too high: Americans drive gas guzzlers and they are lazy.

At least these politicians could have driven some more hybrid cars, biodiesel or ethanol cars on this huge 2 block journey to help promote the kinds of technologies that can fight these high gas prices.

Apparently, most in Washington just talk about making a difference, instead of actually making a difference. It's people like Mrs. Boxer that are causing high oil prices. She who live in a glass house should not throw stones.

With such leadership, is the current state of America really that surprising?

Bush asks Congress to limit cap on tax credits for hybrid vehicles

Tax incentives for clean vehicles, such as hybrid cars, are great legislation. Unfortunately, tax credits for hybrids are capped. Consequently, before the end of this year, Toyota hybrids will not qualify for the full tax credit.

At least for this year, that could change.

"The easiest way to promote fuel efficiency is to encourage drivers to purchase highly efficient hybrid or clean diesel vehicles," President Bush said in an address to the Renewable Fuels Association summit in Washington.

"If the automakers sell more than their limit, new purchasers are not eligible for the full tax credit.

"And so here's an idea that can get more of these vehicles on the road, and that is to have Congress make all hybrid and clean diesel vehicles sold this year eligible for federal tax credits," he said. (DetroitNews)

Congress shouldn't stop with the clean vehicle credit. Congress should also add hybrids to the $25,000 small business tax deduction, which currently only applies to the worst gas guzzlers.

Would Hummers Sell Without $25,000 Tax Deduction?

You would think that sales of GM's Hummer would be almost non-existent with $3.00 gasoline, but Hummers are actually selling quite well.

So What Gives?

It's ironic how many Hummers I see that advertise some kind of service, or maybe it isn't. It seems quite obvious that many Hummer buyers are taking full advantage of the $25,000 small business tax deduction.

If not for this deduction, I assume many of these advertisers/buyers would buy something else

How can the government justify this deduction in light of terrorism, Iraq and America's growing dependence on foreign oil? How can the government cap smaller tax credits for hybrid cars and other clean technologies, yet not cap much larger deductions for the worst gas-guzzlers?

In fact, while I feel bad for GM's business story, if the only way GM can survive in today's world is via tax-subsidized gas-guzzlers, then it's time to let GM go under.

Congress can do much better. We must make Congress act. Join the Hybrid Car Revolution Campaign.

Gas-guzzling SUVs hot, thanks to the government

The last minute tax rush is demonstrating that many small business owners have taken advantage of the $25,000 tax deduction that the government offers for the biggest gas guzzlers according to the Orlando Sentinel.

"The deduction was not put in place for people to buy Cadillac Escalades or [Hummer] H2s," said Charlie Fitzgerald, a principal with financial planning firm Spraker, Fitzgerald, Tamayo & Moisand.

Yet, to stimulate the economy, the federal government wants businesses to spend money on big-ticket items. So, "there is a loophole that continues to be there for these particular kinds of vehicles," Fitzgerald said.

Even worse, there is no cap on these deductions, unlike the credits for hybrid cars, which are capped by manufacturer, meaning that by next year Toyota hybrid purchases will no longer qualify for a tax credit.

While there is a proposal in Congress to add hybrid vehicles to the small business tax deduction, it has not yet been approved.

Let's make Congress act. Join the Hybrid Car Revolution for Tax Incentives.

Energy Secretary Disses Hybrids?

U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman called on Americans to embrace ethanol, but did little to promote hybrid cars or clean diesel at the SAE conference in Detroit.

"It should be our common goal that E85 become a nationwide fueling option," Bodman said. "In the coming days, I will be asking that we do more to make consumers aware of the flex-fuel option both when they are considering a new car purchase and for existing owners of flex-fuel vehicles."(DetroitNews)

Additionally, the Secretary plugged electric cars and hydrogen fuel cells as the 'answer' to America's energy problems.

It's ironic that since GM, Ford and Toyota fuel cell vehicles will be hybrid vehicles, that the Secretary didn't promote hybrids, minimally, as a bridge to not just fuel cell vehicles, but electric vehicles as well. Plug-in hybrid vehicles, for example, can function as electric cars, while also providing gasoline, diesel, ethanol, biodiesel or even hydrogen as a supplementary or primary fuel source.

On the other hand, there is a good chance that if someone buys a flex-fuel vehicle, especially if they live on either coast - they will never fill it up with E85, since they won't be able to find any gas stations that carry ethanol.

In fact, if you are worried about the environment, or foreign oil dependency, many flex fuel vehicles cause much more harm than good. Since many flex fuel vehicles are large trucks and SUVs, flex fuel capabilities were only added to avoid penalties for missing CAFE requirements. Consequently, flex-fuel technology is often only serving as a loop hole that increases foreign oil dependency and pollution.

And the government is good at loopholes. According to some, Bush's new CAFE requirements - intended to make more fuel efficient trucks and SUVs - might lead to bigger, more fuel inefficient trucks and SUVs thanks to another loophole. (AutoWeek)

Why should we be surprised since the government already gives unlimited, $25,000 tax deductions for small business owners to buy the most pollution and foreign oil dependency causing vehicles, yet gives much smaller, capped tax incentives for hybrids?

It seems the government and the Energy Secretary are either ignorant, incompetent, or too focused on protectionist legislation designed to protect American corporations, rather than to actually make America a safer place. Apparently, only gigantic, inefficient corporations can save America.

Yes, ethanol is important, but so to is clean diesel, biodiesel, and even clean gasoline. More important, hybrid technology can make any of these fuels much more efficient, while clearing the path to fully electric cars and/or fuel cell hybrid vehicles.

Let's put the power in the hands of the people, not the corporations. Join the campaign for hybrid vehicle tax incentives.

Can automakers do the right thing? Join the hybrid revolution

Talking 'bout a revolution

Recently, IBM held a think tank calling on business leaders to lead the green revolution, before the government forces them to do it with messy and expensive regulations.

Automakers need to heed this call.

Let's face it, can we really afford to wait much longer before taking oil dependency seriously? Political tensions in Iran, Venezuela, Nigeria, the War in Iraq, bomb attacks on Saudi oil refineries and increased hurricane activity over the next decade are already great reasons to act, but they are only the beginning.

New evidence suggests that global warming is picking up fast. In less than 100 years, Miami could be a memory as oceans rise as much as 20 feet (NewScientist).

Additionally, yesterday I blogged about the potential of a billion new drivers from Asia and asked, "Where will the oil come from?"

Today, even China is beginning to tax SUVs and other gas guzzlers in an attempt to spur the sales and development of efficient automobiles.

Yet in America, we can only propose new fuel efficiency standards on large SUVs, but not on trucks - a huge source of gas-guzzling - because we wouldn't want to upset the American consumer or the American auto industry. (MORE)

We must do more, much more.

Even Flex fuel cars, hybrid cars, and plug-in hybrid cars are not enough. We need even better cars. We need to make automobiles smaller, and we need to make them flex fuel, plug-in hybrid vehicles. We need the best technology that the entire auto industry has to offer and we need it to be affordable. Most important, we need it NOW!

Yet, AutoWeek questions, "Do consumers even want plug-in hybrids?"

Since when did consumerism become more important than health or national security? So, what about smoking? What about seat belts? What about the Dubai port deal?

Ultimately, consumers will mostly do what is in their best interest, however, national security takes priority over consumer choice - ALWAYS. Still, if consumers know they can reduce fuel costs by 50%, they will gladly plug-in their vehicles.

Imagine the competition that could be created by flex-fuel plug-in hybrids for fuel choices. Ethanol, diesel, bio-diesel, gasoline, hydrogen, clean coal-powered electric, solar-powered electric, wind-powered electric, etc. all could play an important part in the new energy revolution that can fundamentally change the world. Ultimately, the green revolution and energy independence are not about protecting America, it's about liberating the people of the world.

The green revolution can be driven with the automobile. If the auto industry cannot focus on creating green choices for the world, then eventually the government will have to, and that won't be good for either consumers or businesses. Starting now might already be too late, but waiting any longer is simply suicidal.

Let's Revolt!

Congress doesn't need to build the green revolution, they need to inspire the green revolution with intelligent tax incentives. Let's keep the pressure on Congress and Business to do the right thing. Join the Hybrid Car Revolution Campaign.

Do hybrids need more tax incentives?

Earlier today I referenced a Business Week article, which noted that hybrid cars are going to need more marketing and more tax incentives to keep pushing sales. While there are tax credits for hybrid vehicles, those credits are capped and will quickly run out.

Hopefully, a new budget will include more tax incentives for hybrid cars. Recently, there has been a push in Congress to make hybrids eligible for the Small Business Tax Deduction. Currently, only the biggest gas guzzlers qualify for this $25,000 tax deduction, but soon hybrids could as well, if Congress acts.

So do hybrids need more tax incentives? If you think so, join our Hybrid Car Revolution Campaign.

Oil: Why are Americans so irresponsible?

CNN did a very interesting survey on oil.

"Although Americans don't believe the country faces an imminent energy crisis, most believe there are "major problems" --- from potential oil shortages to possible terrorist attacks -- and they are harshly critical of the leadership on the issue from the White House, according to a new CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll."

Yet, only 1 in 4 Americans believe consumers brunt any responsibility and only about the same amount blame automakers. While Bush receives much of the blame, oil companies are the most hated.

So, what are Americans doing about? Buying more oil.

In reality, what can Bush really do? Most energy experts note the majority of the problem is refinery capacity. Yet, there has been little support the last few decades to build new refineries and even if Bush said, build ten more, they wouldn't be online until long after he's out of office.

Yet, Dems like Hillary Clinton complain that Bush isn't being tough enough with Iran, at the same time Iran is devising plans to use oil as a weapon against the U.S. If problems with Iran escalate, gasoline prices would easily surge beyond $4.00 or $5.00 per gallon.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't

Lame duck Bush simply can't win, even though there is little he, or anyone, can really do about short term oil prices. All we can do in the short term is conserve.

Then there are the oil companies. I'm tired of this one. Too much of the oil industry is controlled outside of the United States. We, the consumers, need to buy less oil - that's it.

Of course that's hard since automakers haven't provided a lot of choice when it comes to fuel efficiency. GM still doesn't have any hybrid vehicles on the road - no their 'mild' hybrid doesn't count. Additionally, GM's 'GoYellow' compaign is complete B.S., since there aren't any gasoline stations with E85. So, who is GM kidding?

Apparently, most Americans!!! It's too expensive for GM to build hybrids, but not too expensive to spend $3 billion per year on advertising lying about ethanol and other 'professional grade' technologies.

In reality Congress deserves far more blame than the President and if any President deserves blame for oil, you'd have to blame Clinton, the first Bush, or Reagan.

Ultimately, however, Americans should blame automakers and themselves for buying the billions of dollars of propaganda that the big 3 have been selling to America. The right to gas guzzle isn't about American freedom, it's about American stupidity.

And these people laugh at us for buying hybrids.

Re: Hybrids: Seven worries, seven answers

CNNMoney.com has posted the article, Hybrids: Seven worries, seven answers to cover a survey that was done by Harris Interactive, Kelley Blue Book's Web site, and KBB.com gauging the consumer concerns of hybrid cars.

Potential hybrid consumers are concerned about 1.) Expensive technology repairs, 2.) Reliability of the battery pack, 3.) Technical problems like stalling, 4.) Cost effectiveness, 5.) Performance, 6.) Resale Value and 7.) Real world mileage.

According to CNNMONEY, most of these concerns are not founded in fact; however, cost effectiveness and resale value are potential, real concerns for buyers. Also, real world gas mileage is a point worth noting.

Most of these issues were also covered by Consumer Report's Best of 2006 Auto Survey (more).

While there are legitimate concerns regarding hybrids, they are concerns, not facts. For example, Consumer Reports predicts big losses in resale value, but they admit to a worst-case scenario prediction. This may or may not hold true. If hybrids prove reliable over the long term, then resale value should be much better than CR predicts. Additionally, if gas prices continue to rise AND hybrids prove reliable, then hybrid values will only increase as gas prices increase.

Moreover, if resale value ends up better than CR estimates, then the other main concern, cost effectiveness, will also prove to be a non-issue. Again, if resale value is strong on hybrids AND gas prices continue to rise, hybrids could easily end up as an excellent long term value.

In terms of fuel economy, according to CR, hybrids are the most fuel efficient vehicles. Yes, the EPA estimates are wrong, but they are wrong on all vehicles.

Inevitably, there are legitimate hybrid concerns for buyers; however, everyone of those concerns might ultimately be proven to be unfounded and incorrect. Furthermore, for those who care about the environment or the importance of dealing with foreign oil dependency, a little risk is worth the cause.

Of course, Congress could take most of this risk away. So, join the hybrid car revolution.

China: The number one reason for hybrid cars

As I was watching CNBC today, one segment included an interview of the CEO of Ramada Hotels who was explaining why his company was going to experience huge growth in the future; new hotels in China.

The CEO explained that China was going through the same infrastructure changes that the U.S. went through in the 50's and 60's. Today, he went on, it isn't easy to drive from city to city or from town to town to city in China - highways and freeways just aren't that common.

That; however, is going to change quickly as miles and miles and miles of highways and freeways will soon connect China, the way highways and freeways now connect America.

If you build it, they will come

Why have highways and freeways if no one drives? Of course in the 40's and 50's in America, no one needed a car either. Thus, it isn't just hotels that are going to explode in China as the country becomes more connected, but automobile sales as well. In fact, the potential of the automobile in China is far greater than what America will ever achieve.

So, where will the fuel come from?

The advancement of hybrid cars and other alternative technologies simply cannot advance fast enough. Quite simply, there isn't enough oil to fuel China's development.

While new reports show that gasoline prices are the highest since November, and 30 cents higher than the same time last year, gas prices are going to go much higher. Even without increased oil demand from China, or India, gas prices in America have no where to go but up.

The days of cheap gas are over.

But that is only the beginning. In 10 years Chinese demand will have grown so significantly, that oil will not meet the energy needs of the world.

How expensive will gas be then?

We must act now. Join the hybrid car revolution!

The ABC Act and hybrid cars

The ABC's of Hybrid Vehicles

On the first of this month, Senator Charles Grassley, introduced the America's Business Choice (ABC) Act to provide the same tax benefits to hybrid cars that large SUVs receive.

"The tax code shouldn't favor SUVs over alternative energy cars for business owners," Grassley said. "Some business owners will want to use SUVs and some will want to use hybrid cars. The choice should be theirs and the tax code should be consistent. The purchase of either kind of vehicle will help business growth, especially for small businesses, which create most of the nation's jobs."

For small business owners, the Grassley Bill could make the purchase of all hybrid vehicles far more cost effective than buying their conventional counterparts. Such an incentive could significantly and immediately increase the demand for hybrids. Consequently, America could more quickly and seriously start addressing American dependence on foreign oil, while cleaning the environment.

Tell your Congressperson to mind their ABC's!

Join the Hybrid Car Revolution Campaign to push Congress on the ABC Bill.

The hybrid car revolution: Time to get Congress to Act

$25,000.00 Small Business Tax Deduction for Gas Guzzlers, but not hybrid cars? And how about a plug-in hybrid tax deduction?

Why are we giving huge tax deductions to small business owners that buy vehicles which cause the most pollution and offer the worst gas mileage? Why do we reward American automakers for continued complacency and incompetence?

Sure, Congress offers tax credits for hybrid cars, but they are capped. Yet there is no cap on how many extreme gas-guzzlers can receive a $25,000.00 tax deduction.

Why?

Even worse, the caps on hybrid cars are limited by manufacturer, which means that some manufactures, such as GM, can essentially sit on their credits for a couple of years. Why aren't these credits controlled by consumers, rather than greedy corporations?

Why?

Is this how Congress rewards technological innovation, or protects inept auto corporations?

We worry about the Dubai Port’s Deal and national security, even though numerous security experts say this is political issue, not a security issue. Yet, we don’t care that the security of the American economy is in the hands of terrorist-harboring countries that aren’t helping with the War on Terror, but countries which have explicitly exclaimed their hate for America and against the War on Terror.

Why?

But I don’t want to get too political. The point is, Congress can create real momentum towards a cleaner environment and towards energy security. The small business tax credit should immediately include hybrid vehicles and other forms of clean, alternative transportation.

Plug-in Hybrid Tax Incentives

Additionally, there should be some tax incentives for consumers that are willing to convert their hybrids into plug-in hybrid vehicles. Plug-in hybrid technology extends the benefits of hybrid vehicles, in addition to promoting more hybrid battery research.

The People, not the Corporations

Let's also move towards tax incentives on the buyer side, not the producer side. We’ve already given GM hundreds of millions of tax dollars to develop hybrids, instead, we got professional grade gas-guzzlers.

Put the power in the hands of consumers, not corporations.

Join the campaign to make Congress act on tax credits and deductions for hybrid cars.

Slow hybrid sales push Ford incentives

Ford's hybrid slump isn't a surprise

So far this year Ford has sold about 1000 hybrid vehicles, as sales for both the Ford Escape hybrid and the Mercury Mariner hybrid have slowed. Ironically, as Ford has increased hybrid marketing, sales have simply not kept pace and this has resulted in incentives as high as $1000.00 for Ford's hybrids (more).

Why?

I remember my first Escape hybrid test drive, which left me very unimpressed. It wasn't that I didn't appreciate the vehicle - I did - I just thought the cost was simply far too expensive.

I felt the same away about the Toyota Highlander hybrid, which I also love, but the price difference between the Highlander hybrid and a conventional Highlander, is the definition of sticker shock.

That doesn't mean I wouldn't buy either of these vehicles, I would, if I had to drive SUVs, but I'm not an SUV driver. This highlights the main problem of hybrid SUVs: Who are the customers?

Fans of hybrids are driven mostly by two factors: the environment and foreign oil dependency. Most, but not all, of this customer segment is not interested in hybrid SUVs (I'm not saying hybrid SUV drivers aren't just as committed!!). While there are many others that are concerned about these same issues, they are not driven by these causes, and these people are inevitably going to be driven by cost when it comes to buying a hybrid versus a conventional vehicle.

Many of these hybrid buyers will buy a Prius without thinking about it because there isn't a conventional comparison -I don't buy the Corolla comparison. Every other hybrid, other than the Honda Insight, forces this compare and contrast mentality.

Consequently, until hybrid vehicle costs are more competitive, only unique hybrids such as the Toyota Prius will be hot sellers. There could be exceptions, such as the Toyota Camry hybrid, but that won't be the norm until hybrid battery technology advances.

Of course, all of this could change if the 3 ton SUV small business tax deduction were applied to hybrid vehicles. Let's hope the momentum for this in Congress keeps rolling.

New Energy Bill to include plug-in hybrid vehicles?

Plug-in hybrids, just like a regular hybrid, only better

Senator Ken Salazar of Colorado was on CNBC's Morning Call this morning to discuss a panel that had been convened to discuss America's energy situation. He indicated that there is broad bipartisan support in Congress for a new energy bill that further pushes the country towards energy independence. Congressman Salazar noted a two step approach to make this happen: 1.) Alternative fuels and 2.) A whole new generation of plug-in hybrid vehicles.

I say excellent idea, but make them flex-fuel plug-in hybrids. Click here to help.

The price of gasoline could get ugly in 2006

In 2005, before Katrina, the price of gasoline had already been on the rise. According to experts unexpectedly higher demand for oil from China disrupted the delicate balance of world wide oil supply and demand. Consequently, when Katrina hit the Gulf, disrupting the even more delicate balance of U.S. refining capacity, gas prices skyrocketed.

If a cold winter followed, energy analysts warned, things would not only get scary regarding natural gas and other heating oils, but the gasoline problem could also worsen.

So, was America lucky we've had a mild winter? That depends.

According to weather forecasters, the same weather patterns that have kept our winter warm, are the same weather patterns that breed hurricanes.

With gas prices already up more than 50 cents compared to last year, what happens if Chinese demand again exceeds expectations, or another hurricane wipes out a number of Gulf refineries?

As if that were not enough, Nigerian 'rebels' are attacking oil platforms in that country, the fifth largest exporter of U.S. oil (more).

But that's an insignificant problem compared to Iran.

Last week, Manouchehr Takin, of the Centre for Global Energy Studies, argued that crude prices could hit $100 a barrel if Iran stopped exporting. "Supply and demand are very tightly balanced," he said.

When it comes to energy, America is now playing Russian Roulette, and chances are America is going to get burned.

Unfortunately, it won't be just high energy costs affecting drivers and slowing the economy if all these events unfold. Sustained $100.00 oil could have devastating consequences for both Ford and GM. Even today, several years since 9/11, the success of these two auto companies is still intrinsically tied to the sale of gas guzzlers.

Sure Ford has the Mercury Mariner hybrid and the Ford Escape hybrid, but GM has yet to put a full hybrid on the road, thus, they can put out about 25,000 hybrids combined.

How many warning signs does it take to realize the world has changed and gas guzzling is no longer acceptable?

In the 90's Congress perceived this problem, that's why they gave the Big 3 a billion dollars of TAXPAYER money to develop fuel efficient vehicles. The Big 3 even developed hybrid cars, but decided they had no future. I guess when you're making $10,000 in profit per gas-guzzler sold you don't think much about the future.

Ironically, even today, both companies are still pushing muscle cars in an attempt to generate new buzz around their companies.

Are the Big 3 still that blind?

How many more times can they pull the trigger before their luck runs out, and will Americans be willing to stop the bleeding if gas hits $4.00 or $5.00 per gallon. Will it be too late then?

When it comes to gasoline, 2006 could get real ugly.

The EPA enabled Automaker lies

So, the EPA is probably going to change their methods for determining the fuel efficiency of automobiles. I say about time. What's sad; however, is the fact that automakers have designed their lines to achieve their best fuel efficiency in EPA laboratories, not in the real world. If consumers had known the truth about just how fuel inefficient their automobiles were, there probably would have been a lot more consumer interest in diesels and hybrid vehicles in America much sooner. For the last decade or two, we could have been fighting our foreign oil dependency, instead of increasing it at an obscene rate. Thanks Congress! More on the EPA's Fuel Economy Testing and Hybrids.

The future of Ford's hybrid vehicles

Even Ford didn't really buy the concept of hybrid cars when the first Toyota Prius and Honda Insight hit the streets, but they are much more serious now.

Bill Ford has become a very vocal proponent of Ford's hybrid vehicle program and has been lobbying media and Congress to create more tax incentives to develop these vehicles. Hybrids represent automotive innovation, and Bill Ford wants Ford to be the industry's most innovative auto company.

How serious is he? While some skeptics might think it's all just talk, Ford appears to be very serious.

"Anyone who thinks or attempts to convince you that it's business as usual at Ford is wrong and would best serve us all by pursuing their interests elsewhere," Bill Ford said in an audio message e-mailed to workers Monday afternoon. "Our heritage of innovation must be reclaimed and renewed or the greatness of our company will become part of our past. It's that simple."(DetroitNews)

And according to AutoWeek, Ford is pushing far into the hybrid future, already working on its third generation hybrid drive, even though their second generation hybrid drive is still years from reality. Because, "We are not going to be rolling on a very long technology cycle. It's going to be much shorter," states Ford's hybrid head, Nancy Gioia, "Once you get it out there and you have proof of concept that things work, you can miniaturize and take advantage of the things technology can bring. We already have an idea of what Gen III will look like, and we even have ideas for what comes after that."(AutoWeek)

In the short term, Ford is focusing on developing a supply network for hybrid parts, while also finding partners for battery development, or even powertrain development.

One thing is clear; however, it isn't business as usual at Ford. Complacency can no longer survive in the auto industry, and the Ford Escape hybrid and the Mercury Mariner hybrid are just the beginning of the new Ford.

Tax the hybrid car drivers

The Chamber of Commerce has a problem, not enough revenue to maintain the system's highways. One idea, tax the drivers of hybrid cars and other alternative fuel vehicles because they are being too efficient notes the Detroit News.

I'd like to know which moron on the Chamber came up with that one. Is that the way government works? Congress spends money to get people to do one thing, then another area of government wants to take that money away. Here, we'll pay you to do this, then we'll tax you for doing it. That makes sense, right?

With hybrids comprising just one percent of the U.S. automarket, how do hybrids even come up on the radar? Does someone have an axe to grind?

Whoever is getting paid to come up with ideas like that needs to be fired.

Ford pushes increased tax incentives for hybrid vehicles

Yesterday, I wrote about how Bill Ford, CEO of Ford Motor, was appealing to the American people to stand behind the American auto industry.

Well, he also appealed to the government to help the American auto industry again become innovative, urging Congress "to offer a package of tax incentives to make the country less dependent on foreign oil and to drive innovation in the struggling domestic auto industry," according to the LATimes. Citing hybrid cars and ethanol, Mr. Ford stated, "If we put our heads together and keep in mind our shared interest in America's future, I'm confident that we can innovate our way toward the right solutions."

While I agree that the government should help, it is very disappointing that Ford and GM didn't take more proactive action a decade or two ago. Yes, we probably should help bail them out through quality tax-incentives, but these auto companies and their executives owe a lot to the American people. Instead of leading America, their lack of innovation has lead to the firing 10's of thousands of people, helped imperil the Nation's pension system, and now they are asking for more handouts.

We gave them a billion just a decade ago to produce an American Prius, and they accomplished almost nothing. What a shame.

This time, there can be no more excuses.

Hybrid vehicles: The end of the automotive industry as we know it.

Back in the 1990's Congress gave a billion tax dollars to Detroit to create America's next generation of clean and efficient vehicles.

They failed.

Though they developed electric and hybrid prototypes, Detroit refused to push the edge of technology forward, citing numerous excuses for not better utilizing the billion dollars we taxpayers gave them.

Toyota and Honda; however, built on an industry always striving for efficiency, took a different take on the same technology and proceeded with their hybrid programs to the ridicule and scorn of Detroit.

Fast forward to today and no one in Detroit is laughing any more. Delphi and GM are facing bankruptcy, as shares of GM have dropped to the lowest levels in 18 years. Ford takes two steps backwards with each step forward. American automaking just isn't going in the right direction.

Toyota, on the other hand, is on the verge of becoming the world's largest automaker as it sits on a pile of massive profits.

Sure, Detroit has been in this kind of predicament before, and it survived. This time; however, it is different.

In the 70's and 80's, when high energy prices pushed many Americans into Japan's economy cars, there was one main difference compared to today: Japan's vehicles were fundamentally no different than America's vehicles. Sure, they were smaller and built better than expected, but they functioned just like any other automobile. This converted many Americans into Toyota and Honda owners, but SUV popularity gave Detroit a product that Japan just didn't have.

Today; however, things are far different. This time there will be no SUV to save Detroit. Even worse, hybrid vehicles have come full circle to haunt Detroit's arrogance and incompetence. I mean, Detroit had a billion tax dollars and what did they do with it? Nothing!

Many analysts, such as J.D. Power, believe that by 2012, hybrid sales will achieve around 600,000 total units. I'm here to tell you that sales will easily surpass twice that number by 2012. Toyota will sell 600,000 hybrids per year - by itself - starting around 2008, but that's just the beginning of the bad news for Detroit.

Around that same time, when Toyota starts to make J.D. Power analysts look silly, Toyota will be utilizing its third generation Hybrid Drive, a move that is going to make hybrids more fuel efficient, more powerful, and CHEAPER, possibly cutting hybrid costs in half or more.

As Toyota achieves this level of production, Ford hopes to ramp up development of its hybrid program to 250,000 vehicles per year. That's good news for Ford, but will Ford hybrids compete with Toyota hybrids then? If Ford is using the same hybrid drive at the same costs in 2008 as they are today, how will they compete with cheaper, more fuel efficient, and better performing Toyota hybrids?

Then there is GM. GM is still a bit of a wild card in the hybrid game because, well, they don't yet have any full hybrids. GM's hybrid technology is going to vary significantly from the technology of both Ford and Toyota - yet early reports seem to indicate that the core of GM's hybrid technology will achieve its greatest improvements in highway driving.

Twenty years ago, Americans did do the majority of their driving on open roads and highways, but we no longer live in that world. Not only do the majority of Americans live in urban areas, they drive in significantly more congestion than 20 years ago - even those that live in suburban and rural areas. Stop signs and street lights have turned even the small town commute into stop-and-go traffic during the morning and evening commutes. According to transportation studies by government and university alike, the problem isn't only going to get worse, it's going to get significantly worse.

City driving, not highway driving, MUST become the standard by which fuel efficiency is determined. In such driving, conventional vehicles and even clean diesel vehicles simply cannot compare with hybrid vehicles, and hybrid technology is just emerging. For example, second generation hybrid technology turned the first generation Prius into a second generation superstar. Toyota's third generation hybrid drive will make the Prius, and all other Toyota hybrids, even faster, more powerful, more fuel efficient, and cheaper than current Toyota hybrids.

By the fourth generation such gains will again be achieved. By that time hybrid vehicle costs might equal conventional vehicle costs. At that point, it becomes very hard to justify the costs of conventional technology, not hybrid technology.

Yet, GM might barely be on the map by then. Ford, with its similarities to Toyota - in terms of its hybrid drive - might be able to capitalize on Toyota's success via better supply channels, but could they ramp up production quickly enough to match Toyota? Maybe.

Regardless, the automotive world as we know it, is over. GM and Ford might compete in this new world, but without developing their own Prius, it's not going to be easy.

Exxon oil profits, Saudi oil supply questions: More reasons for hybrids

Hybrid cars are not the answer to today's oil problems. Sure, everyone could drive a Toyota Prius and America could end foreign oil dependency, but one vehicle isn't going to save America from foreign oil. Even if everyone wanted to drive a Prius it would still take years before that many hybrids could even be produced.

Thus, critics dismiss hybrids as hype, noting that today's hybrid technology costs do not justify the savings in fuel economy. As if investment never leads to cheaper costs and better technology - I mean look at computers, what a wasted investment!

Instead, America would rather rely on big energy, such as Exxon Mobil. That's right, the same Exxon Mobil that "said Thursday high oil and natural-gas prices helped its third-quarter profit surge almost 75 percent to $9.92 billion" according to the AP. The same Exxon Mobil that is going to be given tax payer money to help alleviate the oil shortage in America.

Now, that's a plan!

And we're going to need more oil, a lot more oil, not only in the U.S., but worldwide. Unfortunately, that oil might not exist. According to an extremely interesting NYTIMES article, Doubts Raised on Saudi Vow for More Oil, Saudi Arabia might have far less oil than they have been proclaiming to the world, and a serious oil crunch could be just around the corner.

Don't worry, I'm sure Exxon will use some of its profits and tax payer incentives to help out the average American!

If oil supplies do stagnate, where is the oil going to come from to run all the diesels that are going to save America according to the Detroit News? Nothing like putting all your eggs in one basket.

Why not invest in technology?

Experimental hybrid vehicles have already been built that can achieve more than 100 mpg, some even achieve as much as 250 mpg, and others have claimed that a flex-fuel plug-in hybrid could achieve as much as 500 mpg. Additionally, flex fuel plug-in hybrids could utilize gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, electricity or even hydrogen. Is that too many options?

What the hell are we waiting for? Why does America continue to provide tax dollars to the oil industry? Why do we allow automakers, including Toyota, to continue to sell gas-guzzlers? Why not subsidize the cost of a fleet of Ford Escape hybrids and Toyota Highlander hybrids that achieve at least 50 mpg? That technology exists right now, yet instead we give billions to oil companies?

Oil, not technology, is the solution to America's problems, at least if you ask Congress. I guess almost 10 billion in profits provides a lot of favors.

So yeah, 100 mpg hybrids are too expensive and hybrids are just hype, but spending billions and billions on oil companies, oil refineries, the hydrogen highway, and fuel cells is a bargain - at least for Exxon Mobil it is.

Flex fuel, biodiesel, or hybrids: Which is America's answer to oil dependency?

When the Iranian Revolution in 1979 caused massive gas lines in the United States, many Americans turned to small Japanese vehicles. Eventually, however, oil prices stabilized, gas prices dropped, and many Americans returned to gas-guzzling as SUVs became an expression of American freedom.

But the Iranian Revolution wasn't only felt in the U.S., and the problems of oil dependence, particularly foreign-oil dependence, pushed Brazil to do more than just buy a few small Japanese vehicles. By 1985 almost every vehicle produced in Brazil was designed for alcohol as fuel transportation and gasoline stations were updated to handle this new fuel.

So did Brazil kick the oil habit? Not exactly. According to an interesting article, Ethanol: Is it the answer?, a combination of cheap oil and droughts - which caused poor harvests and less ethanol - led Brazilians back to oil.

Today in Brazil, flex-fuel technology has changed everything. Able to run on both gasoline, ethanol, or a mixture of the two, flex fuel vehicles allow Brazilians to take advantage of which ever fuel they choose. Thus, drivers are hedged against either drought, or skyrocketing oil prices.

So should America just focus on flex-fuel vehicles as the solution to America's oil problems?

Absolutely not.

Flex-fuel vehicles definitely are part of the solution, but even Brazil hasn't been able to kick the oil habit. More important Brazil consumes SIGNIFICANTLY less fuel per year than the U.S.. Additionally, Brazil uses sugar to produce its ethanol fuel, the U.S. uses corn, which is far less efficient than sugar.

Of course new grains, etc., might offer better efficiency, but how long will it take to create enough fuel? Brazil produces only about 5 billion gallons of ethanol per year, U.S. demand is around 140 billion gallons per year. And what about drought, or another natural disaster?

The key to Brazil's struggles and successes boil down to one thing, flexibility. Flex-fuel vehicle technology should be the standard in America, but it shouldn't stop there. Hybrid technology, or even better, plug-in hybrid technology, offers even far more flexibility.

Hybrid cars, or better yet, flex-fuel hybrid cars, could significantly improve fuel efficiency, while opening up new fuel possibilities beyond oil. In reality; however, fuel competition alone won't be enough to handle the oil monster, and that's why hybrid technology is so important.

Plug-in flex-fuel advanced diesel hybrid vehicles could offer fuel efficiency of more than 100 mpg with today's technology - even for SUVs. Sure the technology is somewhat expensive today, but it is FAR less expensive than fuel cell technology. Additionally, a national fleet of 100 mpg vehicles would end the need for foreign oil in about 5 years, which I've argued could save America more than a TRILLION dollars (more).

Even better, plug-in power could lead to another revolution in the automotive world, the utilization of solar power. Already solar power is cost-effective to power a home - if you are going to live in that home for at least 15 years - but what if you could also help power your car with your home energy system, with totally clean energy? Even more interesting, garage mechanics have already created plug-in hybrids with solar panels and Mazda is now showing a solar hybrid concept vehicle that includes embedded solar panels in the roof of the vehicle.

Ultimately, the good old days of the U.S. auto industry are over. Constant innovation and the best technology are an absolute requirement, and the best technology requires fuel flexibility, as well as the best possible fuel economy. It isn't just about saving money at the fuel pump, or protecting the environment, it is about protecting the security and welfare of Americans and the American economy.

Neither ethanol, bio-diesel or hybrids alone are going to take the oil monkey off America's back quickly enough, but combined, these alternative choices could radically change America within a decade.

Instead of subsidizing the cost of a foreign-oil-dependency-ending fleet of vehicles, America is going to build more oil refineries, drill in Alaska, and give billions of tax payer dollars to filthy rich oil companies, as GM increases production on the Hummer.

Is that really an investment in the future? Isn't it time to start investing in real American freedom, instead of investing in companies that can profit as much as $23 billion in just one quarter?

I guess it is pretty clear who Congress represents, and it isn't the majority of Americans.

Top 3 Reasons to buy a hybrid car

To save money

O.K. this isn't the best reason to buy a hybrid, but it isn't as impossible as many critics would have you believe. If you live in a city, hybrid cars offer the best ability to save money on gasoline; however, not all hybrids are equal in city driving.

Honda hybrids are not the best for city conditions. Unlike Ford and Toyota hybrids, Honda hybrids do not function on electric power only at low speeds.

In city driving, the Toyota Prius can easily achieve 45 mpg or more. Something like the Ford Focus, achieves just 17 mpg. In fact, in the city, the far majority of ALL conventional vehicles are going to achieve less than 20 mpg. Even worse, many trucks and SUVs will achieve less than 10 mpg in the city. Here again, the Toyota Highlander hybrid or the Ford Escape hybrid offer their best gasoline savings. The Lexus RX400h does its best here as well, but who buys a Lexus to save money?

To reduce pollution

Pollution, like fuel economy, is a tricky subject. For example, why does smog develop in cities? Is it just because of the large number of cars, or are driving conditions an important factor?

Congestion, stop-and-go, and idling bring out the worst in our vehicles, except for hybrids. A Prius or Escape hybrid will function on mostly electric power in these conditions, and in these conditions, conventional vehicles simply offer no competition. Overall, hybrids produce far less pollution than conventional vehicles, and in the conditions that produce the most pollution, hybrids perform their best.

To help end foreign oil dependency

Why do people buy Hummers, Cadillacs, and BMWs? Why do people put rims on their cars? Don't they want to make a statement?

For many hybrid buyers, buying a hybrid is a message that says, 'I am willing to fund fuel efficient technology.' This message is especially aimed at automakers whom have contributed to America's yearly increase in foreign oil consumption - automakers that have for decades successfully lobbied Congress not to raise fuel efficiency standards nor to make the EPA accurate.

How do you put a cost on foreign oil consumption? How much does it cost to maintain a military presence in the Middle East to protect America's oil addiction? How much money does it cost to influence the politics of the Middle East? How much money does it cost to try to stop the flow of money that moves from oil into the hands of terrorists?

How much? How many lives?

If the real costs of foreign oil dependency were added into the price of gasoline, the question of hybrid costs would immediately be over. Since oil wealth largely runs America, should we be surprised those costs are separated?

Only in America can Hummer ads fill the advertising slots of articles criticizing the costs of hybrid cars. Only in America is materialistic ignorance more acceptable than intelligence.

Prius supply down to hours

Interested in a Toyota Prius? Good luck, the supply of the Prius used to be measured in days, now it's down to a couple of hours according to a Reuter's article.

"Toyota sold 72,849 Prius hybrids in the first eight months of 2005. That was a 132.0 percent increase over the same period of 2004." And Highlander hybrids are hot as well. In just a few months, Toyota has sold over 8,000 hybrids - as many it could make.(AutoWeek)

For those interested in hybrid cars it is; unfortunately, a seller's market. Hopefully the new, redesigned Honda Civic hybrid can help with the shortage of hybrids. Still, Katrina, Rita, and $3.00+ gasoline has created a lot of interest in hybrid vehicles and in fuel efficiency. So much so, that CAFE has become a hot topic for the constituents of many members of Congress (more).

In the short term, hybrids simply won't have enough inventory.

Oil refineries versus hybrid cars

I saw a Congressman from Arizona this morning on CNBC that is sponsoring a bill to make it easier to create oil refineries in the United States to help reduce energy costs. While I am open to the idea, isn't politics about giving to get?

Just adding more refineries is going to do nothing to help reduce America's dependency upon oil, especially foreign, terrorist-supporting oil. In fact, more refineries will simply increase our dependency on foreign oil.

Shouldn't the focus be reduced oil dependency?

As the cost of gasoline continues to rise, GM is fast-tracking its most gas-guzzling, foreign oil-hogging vehicles to market, at the expense of more fuel efficient sedans. GM can keep talking about its hydrogen cars that won't be available for decades, but actions speak louder than words, and the actions of GM are pathetic, even unAmerican.

I'd be more than willing to support reduced requirements for fast-tracking some oil refineries, if Congress got serious about fuel economy, and force the likes of GM to start acting like it cares about gasoline prices, the environment, and foreign oil dependency.

Hybrid cars PROVE that a significant increase in fuel economy is achievable with TODAY'S technology - even for gas-guzzling SUVs. Yes, it might be expensive, however, since the government wastes tens of billions on pork spending, why not fund the best, most fuel efficient automotive technology, instead of giving more money to the oil industry?

Investing in diesel hybrids, biodiesel hybrids, plug-in hybrids and experimental hybrids will not only end foreign oil dependency and clean the environment, but make America's auto industry the best in the world (more).

More gas-guzzling Tahoes and Yukons will never do that.

In the wake of Katrina, Iraq and terrorism, in the face of Rita and the possibility of many more such hurricanes this year alone, isn't it time for real action?

RE: Challenges ahead for Toyota hybrids

Challenges in the hybrid space are not for Toyota, the real challenges belong to Toyota's hybrid competitors

The coolest thing about the article Challenges ahead for Toyota hybrids was the statement, "With Hurricane Katrina pushing American gas pump prices above $3 a gallon, Toyota Motor may find itself yet again in the right place at the right time, with a new, half-mile-long assembly line capable of producing gasoline-electric hybrid Prius cars at the rate of one a minute."

The rest of the article isn't bad, but the title is just wrong. What challenges, exactly, is Toyota facing?

First, an "increasingly competitive marketplace may prove to be the biggest for Toyota." The article argues that it isn't necessarily the competition, but the nature of tax credits that will cause the headache for Toyota by helping the competition. Ultimately, each manufacturer is only allowed 60,000 tax credits. Obviously, Toyota will run out of credits almost immediately, and this is seen a challenge to Toyota and a benefit to the competition.

Still, while the tax credits are a bit unfair, is this really a problem?

If each automaker, aside from Toyota, is only interested in selling 60,000 hybrid cars, then hybrids are already dead. Quite simply, this is a non-issue. With or without tax incentives, the Toyota Prius hybrid, for example, is a great vehicle at a reasonable price. The same should be true for the soon-to-be-released second generation Honda Civic hybrid. These vehicles will sell, regardless of tax credits, and the challenge will be for Ford, GM and Chrysler to compete against these products.

Hybrid SUVs, on the other hand, such as the Ford Escape hybrid or the Toyota Highlander hybrid, are questionable buys in terms of cost. Tax credits definitely help close the deal on these first generation, expensive hybrid vehicles. Nonetheless, it is the cost of hybrid components that elevates the price of these hybrids. As more and more hybrid vehicles are developed - by all manufacturers - the costs of these components will be reduced. More important, hybrid components will become more fuel efficient and powerful, offsetting more and more the price of hybrids.

Second, the Times questions consumers' willingness to buy hybrid vehicles that aren't as fuel efficient as expected and that fall "short of federal economy ratings".

HMMMM. Yesterday, AAA lobbied Congress to make EPA fuel economy ratings more accurate (more). Was this because the EPA does such a bad job of predicting hybrid car fuel efficiency?

NOOOOOOO!!!!!

This was because, ALL VEHICLES DO NOT MEET EPA FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS, which is a big problem in terms of foreign oil dependency. Consumers need to know the truth.

One of the biggest problems with the EPA is that it assumes that most drivers do the majority of their driving at 55 mpg on wide open highways. Anyone that lives near LA, San Francisco, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Chicago, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Boston, etc, knows that 55 mph driving is a rare luxury, not the norm.

Conventional vehicles not only achieve far less than their EPA fuel economy ratings, they also pollute far more in the conditions of day to day urban driving. On the contrary, hybrids - even the much criticized Lexus RX400h - achieve their best fuel economy while emitting the fewest pollutants in these same conditions. In actuality, studies have shown that most vehicles - NOT HYBRIDS - achieve about 20 to 30 percent less fuel efficiency than the EPA estimates.

In real world driving for a majority of Americans, hybrids are much more fuel efficient than conventional automobiles, PERIOD.

I'd say Toyota is facing the fewest challenges when it comes to hybrids. If Toyota hybrids aren't successful, then hybrids - by all manufacturers - will not be successful. Toyota has already faced the toughest challenges, challenges which GM, Chrysler, and BMW have yet to face.

AAA urges Congress to act on fuel economy in wake of Katrina

"Too many gasoline blends, an outdated fuel economy test and too many large vehicles, have contributed to making the nation's gasoline supply vulnerable in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina", according to AAA. (Full Press Release)

If automakers are unwilling to make more fuel efficient vehicles, then AAA urges Congress to force automakers to act via stricter CAFE requirements, which have become a loophole for the most fuel-inefficient vehicles. "As Hurricane Katrina has reminded us, we are never more than a disaster away from this type of crisis."

Of course don't expect changes anytime soon from the likes of GM, which "delayed some mid-sized car programs in order to speed the launch of its full-sized SUV and pickup programs, code-named GMT900," according to AutoWeek.

Good to know GM is doing its share in the aftermath of Katrina.

I couldn't believe how many Hummer commercials I watched this weekend. The Nation is facing a gasoline crisis, the President has asked Americans to conserve gasoline, yet GM advertises the Hummer. How about advertising their fuel economy vehicles for a few weeks in the wake of Katrina? How pathetic.

Congress refuses to act on this issue claiming market forces will resolve the problem. If so, why is GM still a couple years away from its first hybrid cars? Ohh, excuse me, its first hybrid land yachts.

Plug-in Prius Hybrid Vehicle Power

Why not a solar-powered Toyota Prius hybrid?

The picture to the right shows a prototype of a partially solar-powered hybrid vehicle created by an engineer in Canada that was featured by the Green Car Congress. Experimental hybrid cars, such as this Prius, demonstrate what thinking outside of the box can accomplish.

While critics counter that solar power is highly inefficient, those inefficiencies will, ultimately, be overcome. Those companies and countries that develop these new technologies will benefit greatly in the long run.

America, as the world's oil hog, must be at the forefront of these technologies. Unfortunately, so far, America is much more concerned with looking cool, rather than acting intelligently.

Fortunately, some private companies are trying to change this. For example, Razor Technologies put out a press release today that it will form an Advanced Hybrid Vehicle Development Consortium "to work together with participating automobile manufacturers to coordinate the development of key components and demonstrate these advanced technologies in a "next generation", electric motor dominant, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle."

Fight the robber barons of the energy industry, demand nothing less than hybrid vehicle efficiency.

State's emissions rule will cause a hybrid car explosion

Oregon and Washington are set to adopt California's new vehicle emissions standards - a move that is sure to push hybrid vehicles to the forefront of the automotive world. Since Congress is controlled by rich lobbyists that protect special interests, rather than the people's interests, states are taking action.

"People realize that having more advanced-technology cars on the road will enhance our oil security and begin to address global warming issues," says Rob Sargent of the Boston-based National Association of State Public Interest Research Groups. (more)

Plug-ins and experimental hybrids: Let's make Congress end foreign oil dependency

Enough pork-barrel legislation

So experimental hybrid vehicles can achieve 250 mpg, and a plug-in Prius offers significant gains in fuel efficiency compared to a standard Toyota Prius hybrid. All of these developments in hybrid cars prove that foreign oil dependency can be ended with today's technology.

So why do we give billions to an oil industry that profits billions per month to end foreign oil dependency? Nice job Congress!

We don't need to make million dollar fuel cell vehicles more cost effective and we don't need a brand new energy infrastructure. Instead of making a few oil barons, CEOs, and shareholders trillionaires, why not just make America stronger by giving automakers billions to utilize TODAY's technology to begin ending foreign oil dependency TODAY?

Since Congress only represents lobbyists, the 'People' must be the difference. Thus, Soultek.com and HybridCarBlog.com are launching HybridCarRevolution.com to focus on the politics of foreign oil dependency and the role of Congress in ending that dependency.

Terrorism is largely rooted in oil, and if the War on Terror doesn't include ending foreign oil dependency, then the War on Terror is simply an Iron Triangle money making scam.

Let's start a revolution! Aside from voter mobilization to pressure Congress, what can we do?

California's hybrid vehicle carpool lane policy

Last Friday I called California's carpool lane status for hybrid cars "hype" (more). Today the LATimes added to that hype when it announced that California will only be giving hybrid status to 3 vehicles, the Honda Civic hybrid, the Honda Insight, and the Toyota Prius hybrid. Of course this caused angst for Ford.

"The U.S. Congress determined the formula for hybrid vehicles in [carpool] lanes with single occupants, and in that law, the Ford Escape hybrid is equal to the Toyota Prius," said Mike Moran, a spokesman for Ford Motor Co. in Washington, D.C.

Boohoo, Mike.

First, giving carpool lane status to hybrid vehicles as a fuel efficiency incentive was simply a lazy plan by Congress, and more fuel for hybrid haters. Why not just raise fuel efficiency standards? Using the carpool lane to help fight foreign oil dependency can only be called one thing, a joke. It's like using a band-aid to cure a severed artery.

Second, California is only planning on giving the carpool lane exemption to 75,000 total vehicles. Within a year all of the hybrid exemptions will be gone, so the whole move really has limited impact.

For argument's sake, California is trying to clean the air and that is why other hybrids, such as the Ford Escape hybrid, Toyota Highlander hybrid, or the Lexus RX400h were not included. While these hybrids offer improved fuel efficiency and much less pollution than their conventional counterparts, they are not as fuel efficient as the leaders. With only a limited number of exceptions available, the greatest impact had to be the priority.

Vehicles, such as the Prius hybrid and Civic hybrid offer the kind of fuel efficiency that can end foreign oil dependency. Yes, hybrid SUVs are better than conventional SUVs, but they aren't 'there' yet. Ultimately, while hybrid technology can significantly improve fuel efficiency, it can also significantly improve performance, such as with the Accord hybrid and the Lexus RX400h. That is not the trend to be supported.

In the future hybrid SUVs could become as efficient as today's Prius. A few software tweeks here and a new hybrid battery development there and today's hybrid SUVs might achieve 45 mpg in their next generation.

Nonetheless, the point is that the hybrid carpool lane exemption is nothing but hype, as are the clean vehicle tax credits. Once again Congress is protecting the status quo, while offering a few 'token' programs - programs that taxpayers, not automakers - are funding.

The real focus should be on the fact that oil topped $67.00 per barrel for a number of reasons, including oil refinery problems (more). Moreover, according to a new poll, two-thirds of those surveyed said that rising gas costs were going to create a "financial burden" within the next few months.

Let's just hope terrorists don't watch the news. It's pretty obvious that choking America's oil supply would cause significant problems to the American economy, and doing that wouldn't be very hard.

Good thing Congress is taking the issue so seriously. They're the biggest joke of all - is it really any wonder so many Americans have given up on voting?

Tired of automaker deception

I'm really tired of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturer's deceptions and distortions. While I realize that is the role of lobbyist organizations, such as the Alliance, I've still had enough.

"We do not have control over the miles people drive, population growth, increasing congestion, commuting distances and other factors that cause fuel use to increase," said Eron Shosteck, spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers in Washington.

Yes, but you do have the ability to offer fuel efficient and emission's reducing technology. Obviously, the technology behind hybrid cars proves this is possible.

It's too expensive, the Alliance would counter.

Really? How expensive was 911, the first war in Iraq, the second war in Iraq, Afghanistan and the War on terror? All of these incidents are a direct result of American foreign oil dependency.

But consumers want big vehicles and horsepower, the Alliance responds from its Big 3 arm.

Really? Why have the Big 3, for decades, lost marketshare to companies selling mostly small cars and sedans?

The truth is fuel inefficient vehicles, particularly trucks and SUVs, were a buoy for the Big 3 because of ridiculous profit margins - sometimes as much as $10,000 or more on some vehicles. In reality, the Big 3 have not been able to compete in the quality, fuel efficient technology market.

Judging by hybrid vehicles, they still can't compete. Yes, Ford offers the Escape hybrid, but Ford was years behind Toyota in developing hybrid technology, and it will take years for Ford to offer a large number of hybrid vehicles.

Nonetheless, let's get back to consumer wants and automaker responsibility and affordability. Not long ago, it was reported that GM spends more on marketing every year than Toyota spent creating the Prius hybrid production line.

That's right, GM could have developed fuel efficient, emission reducing hybrid technology, but it chose to spend that money on marketing the fuel inefficient, pollution-causing virtues of large trucks and SUVs.

Companies like GM and Ford marketed the concept that trucks and SUVs were an expression of American freedom, while providing safety.

Safety, such as the rollover scandal? Freedom, such as 2 Iraq wars?

The Alliance is the purveyor of lies and the ramifications of those lies are becoming too big to go left unchallenged. How many American GI's have to die to protect the incompetence of the American auto industry and their well financed cronies in Washington?

Issues such as pollution and fuel efficiency should have been addressed and acted upon decades ago for national security and economic reasons.

Now there are no more excuses left. American automakers and the American Congress have proven time and time again that money, not American citizens, is the only thing that counts.

Hybrid tax credits and carpool lane privileges: It's all hype.

Early last week I wrote that Congress was blowing tax credits for hybrids because of caps. I followed that train of thought with the article The Energy Bill, hybrid critics and American political ineptitude, in which I wrote, "Ultimately, the clean vehicle tax credits and much of the energy bill promotes and endorses complacency, rather than technological innovation."

Then on Friday it was announced that hybrids would qualify for the carpool lane. This set off a fury of resentment at sites like autoblog.com whom didn't think such a move was fuel efficient. I posted an entry to autoblog letting them know fuel efficiency isn't the only reason for carpool lanes.

Ultimately, carpool lanes were created to move traffic because idling traffic causes the most air pollution. It is the fact that hybrid cars are super clean that has given them carpool lane status.

Nonetheless, according to a great article in the Mercury News, the California DMV will only be giving 75,000 total hybrids car pool lane status. So the whole issue is somewhat of a mute point.

All of this goes back to the ineptitude of the American Congress.

To promote fuel efficient technology in this time of oil and terrorism wars, Congress refuses to address fuel efficiency,even though - according to the EPA - the Big 3 are abusing fuel efficiency loopholes that result in 1980's fuel efficiency in 2005 America.

Instead, Congress has provided capped credits for hybrids that are really just protectionist tax credits that reward an industry that is failing America and failing in the war on terror. Ultimately, the clean vehicle tax credits were just pork for the Big 3. One way or another tax payers are paying for the incompetence of the Big 3.

The hybrid tax credit and carpool lane privileges for hybrids are nothing but hype and might hurt, rather than help, the move towards clean, fuel efficient technologies. Ultimately, the energy industry and their cronies in Congress - which represent a majority of members - do not represent America.

I'm really starting to wonder, who is more dangerous, terrorists or the American Congress? Actually, I'm starting to believe the answer to the question is, unfortunately, blatantly obvious.

Vote them ALL out. It couldn't get any worse.

Hybrid cars and EPA estimates: This is War

Are some journalists ignorant, liars, or just plain biased?

How many articles have you read about hybrid cars, such as the Toyota Prius, and how they don't achieve EPA estimates?

For the record, the Prius CAN meet EPA estimates. If you are on the highway you have to drive 55 mph, without air conditioning, without excessive wind, and on flat roads. However, in city driving, the Prius can achieve 60 mpg, even with the AC on, but that isn't the point.

The real point is the gross inaccuracy of EPA estimates on ALL vehicles. According to some studies, the average CONVENTIONAL vehicle - not hybrid - falls short of its EPA fuel efficiency ratings by as much as 35%!

In fact, according to the Detroit News, the latest effort to fix the EPA fuel efficiency ratings wasn't prevented by Toyota to protect its hybrids, rather it was blocked by Detroit. HMMM, I wonder what Detroit has to hide? Are Detroit's gas guzzlers even far more gas guzzling than the EPA rates them? YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's really annoying to hear about how Japan, or China, don't act fairly towards the U.S. in the automarket because of protectionism by those countries. Yet, what is it when Congress refuses to increase fuel efficiency standards, refuses to make EPA estimates actually reflect real world driving, hides EPA reports demonstrating how the Big 3 utilize loopholes to avoid making their vehicles more fuel efficient, and adds diesels and silly caps to the clean vehicle tax credit that punish Toyota?

That's playing fair?

For decades the U.S. Congress has protected and continues to protect the gross inefficiencies of the Big 3, and what has it given America? Rollover scandals, 2 wars in Iraq, extreme American hate throughout the Middle East, and a War on Terror.

That's the real issue.

So, the next time you read a journalist start to discuss the shortcomings of hybrids by noting that they don't achieve EPA estimates, realize you are dealing with either an ignorant journalist, or a biased media whore.

The energy bill, hybrid critics and American political ineptitude

The energy bill isn't a complete waste, but the amount of pork-barrel legislation that becomes part of any legislation is truly astounding.

Anyway, the clean vehicle tax credits were initially meant to reward technological innovations that provide clean energy and reduce foreign oil dependency. The original intention of the clean vehicle tax credits was to reward expensive and advanced technologies, such as hybrid cars and fuel cell vehicles, as an incentive for greater production and development amidst high costs.

Since neither GM nor Chrysler have any hybrid vehicles, they successfully lobbied Congress to add clean diesel vehicles to the tax credit as well.

At first glance this might seem fine. Shouldn't any clean technology be able to utilize the clean vehicle tax credit?

That might be OK if not for the caps on the amount of vehicles that can qualify for the tax credits. Under the clean vehicle tax credit, not everyone who buys a hybrid car, for example, will be able to utilize the tax credit. Additionally, Chrysler and GM can utilize the tax credits to promote diesel, instead of hybrids. In fact, tax credits for diesels offer GM and Chrysler incentives NOT to produce hybrids, since there are only a limited number of credits available.

So what? Diesel can achieve the same fuel efficiency as hybrids at a cheaper cost, some diesel advocates will reply.

Hogwash. The only way a super clean diesel engine will match the efficiency of true hybrid vehicles is by utilizing EPA fuel efficiency testing methodologies.

Well, the Toyota Prius hybrid doesn't achieve EPA fuel efficiency estimates the critics will clamor.



The truth is, very few vehicles achieve EPA fuel efficiency ratings. This isn't a hybrid vehicle issue. In fact, in real world driving it is large trucks, SUVs, and overly-horsepowered cars that miserably fail to achieve their EPA estimates. I'm still waiting for the hybrid-hating editors at AutoWeek to address this one (more on this).

There are number of problems with EPA fuel efficiency estimates, but the biggest is the EPA's assumption that Americans do most of their driving on the highway going 55 mph.

This simply isn't true. Congestion is becoming more and more commonplace in America, and the problem is only going to get worse. Don't believe me? Check out what the Department of Transportation has to say on the matter (click here).

In congested traffic, hybrid vehicles achieve their best fuel efficiency and, in such conditions the Toyota Prius, contrary to its many critics, can achieve the EPA estimated 60 mpg, or even higher. On the contrary, conventional vehicles perform their worst in these conditions, and that is the problem with clean diesel.

In congestion, clean diesel does not perform as well as hybrids. If not only congestion, but increased congestion, is the future for the American driver, then diesels luster truly beings to tarnish.

More important, in terms of congestion, hybrids offer significant untapped potential. Plug-in hybrids and new hybrid batteries will offer the potential for hybrids to become significantly more fuel efficient. A 100 mpg Prius is possible with today's technology. Even a 100 mpg Ford Escape hybrid SUV, or a 100 mpg Toyota Highlander hybrid SUV, isn't that far off if hybrid batteries continue their current gains in efficiency and size and/or if plug-in capabilities are added.

Ultimately, the technology that has made computers faster, more powerful, smaller and more portable is essentially the same technology that is key to hybrid vehicles. Equally important, this same technology will ultimately be key to fuel cell vehicles.

Quite simply, diesel technology will never be the answer to foreign oil dependency, but advanced hybrids can not only end foreign oil dependency, but they could do it almost pollution-free.

While I agree that diesel technology offers important gains in fuel efficiency and can be a good buy today, diesel technology simply doesn't compare to the potential of hybrid technology. With a limited number of tax credits available, and a Congress that refuses to address fuel efficiency - even in the midst of oil wars in Iraq and oil-driven terrorism - technology offers the only hope for change.

Thus, only the most promising technologies should be rewarded with tax credits. Otherwise tax credits for clean vehicles become another loophole for the Big 3 to increase our foreign oil dependency, as a new EPA report - withheld until the passage of the energy bill - is going to show (Read).

Sure GM can continue to assure Congress that cheap fuel cell vehicles are just around the corner, as GM has done for decades. Nonetheless, too many smart people have noted that this simply doesn't seem possible, and how many decades does it take to get around the corner?

How long will Americans continue to tolerate such unAmerican leadership from one of America's most important American companies. Neither consumers, nor citizens, but shareholders, are the only concern to GM.

Ultimately, the clean vehicle tax credits and much of the energy bill promotes and endorses complacency, rather than technological innovation. With such political and corporate ineptitude leading America, is it really any wonder that America continues to fall further and further behind in the technological battlefield?

Congress and corporation, an American disgrace.

Automakers abusing fuel efficiency loopholes

The NYTimes is reporting that the EPA is not going to release a new report about how automakers are abusing fuel efficiency loopholes, setting America back 20 years in the fight against foreign oil dependency. Thus, Congress can pass another loopholed energy bill that actually provides incentives to companies, such as GM and Chrysler, to avoid developing hybrid cars in favor of diesel. While clean diesel offers some advantages over gasoline, the potential of hybrid vehicles is significantly greater than the potential of diesel. Just another example of how badly Congress sucks. Even in time of foreign-oil wars, and oil-driven terrorism, Congress still rewards auto companies and oil companies for making the problem worse. FIRE CONGRESS!

Congress blowing hybrid tax credits?

Congress is a joke. The only legislation they can adequately accomplish is pork-barrel legislation. Tax credits for hybrid vehicles are going to be limited to only 60,000 vehicles per manufacturer and it's not just hybrid cars. All 'fuel-efficient' vehicles will qualify, including diesel vehicles - due to the arm twisting of GM and Chrysler. "It's all about having the marketplace, not regulation, driving the move into cleaner cars," said Rep. Dave Camp, R-Midland, sponsor of the car-tax credits. Yeah, right. So, taxpayers have to pick up the tab for the inefficiencies of the Big 3, as well as the terrorism and war costs of foreign oil dependency?

Oil glimpses $60.00, is Congress watching

The trading day started off O.K., but when oil hit $60.00 today, the Dow dropped triple digits. In the next few years, America is going to walk a fine line. If a hurricane knocks out Gulf of Mexico production, gasoline prices could spike significantly, especially if it appears this winter will be cold. Then there is always the specter of terrorism.

Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that either the government, nor American business, will offer any solutions for Americans.

So what can you do? Hybrid cars are one of the greatest free market choices consumers can make. The purchase tells automakers that consumers want clean, efficient automotive technology.

While I think the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic hybrid are the best overall choices, there are more choices than ever. The Ford Escape hybrid and Toyota Highlander hybrid can fulfill your SUV needs, while the Lexus RX400h while fit the luxury-motivated consumer, and if you need a highway vehicle, the Honda Accord hybrid is a nice choice.

Things will get worse before they get better in the world of oil - if they ever get better. Since the government doesn't appear capable of intelligent legislation, it's going to be up you, the consumer.

You can make a difference.

Inevitable gas price surge will increase hybrid cost effectiveness

"Our dependence on foreign oil is a direct threat to national security," Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska)

The U.S. Energy Information Administration on Tuesday revised its estimate for average U.S. oil prices upward, yet again. Compared to last year, Americans are consuming 1/4 million more barrels of oil per day than last year.

Recently, a Washington Post article pointed out an alarming trend, significantly less oil is coming from American oil fields.

"The implications for U.S. energy policy are profound. At a time when President Bush and members of Congress are talking about the need to be less dependent on foreign oil, the country is becoming even more dependent. As U.S. production declines, demand has been increasing."

Recently, I criticized an Edmunds.com study that claimed hybrid cars were less cost-effective than believed. I absolutely disagree and find the Edmunds study fundamentally flawed (My Edmunds critique). Nonetheless, the price of gas is going to rise dramatically sometime this year, perhaps as early as this summer. And if the winter is really cold, or a hurricane affects the Gulf of Mexico, things could get ugly fast.

So, don't worry, the cost effectiveness of hybrid vehicles is only going to increase. Soon automobiles, such as the Toyota Prius hybrid car, will become investments compared to conventional vehicles.

Hybrid cars and marijuana!

O.K. there really isn't a direct connection between marijuana and hybrid cars.

Still, yesterday, I wrote an entry Marijuana, Hemp, and Hypocrisy discussing a perspective of the Supreme Court ruling affirming federal jurisdiction over state's rights and marijuana.

Essentially, I argued that the issue should have never come before the Supreme Court - this is an issue for Congress and I discuss the hypocrisy behind government campaigns, such as Hemp for Victory and the continued law against growing hemp in America. Basically, since hemp is almost like marijuana - even thought it can't get you 'high' - it still has to be illegal because it is related to marijuana.

Yet, I find myself amused about stories of Henry Ford growing fields of Hemp to fuel his automobiles. And how Dupont and Mellon, Treasury Secretary of the U.S., and petroleum supporter and investor, conspired against hemp - in the guise of marijuana - to eliminate not only a competitor of the petroleum industry, but cotton, tobacco, and almost every other important industry of the day.

Then there are stories of how tire, petroleum, and auto industries bought out the original Los Angeles light-rail system, dismantled it and created freeway sprawl as well as today's most important automotive market - certainly no motive-driven collusion.

Ultimately, the story claims that Ford was against petroleum because it was so dirty - even then, in the early 1900's, oil was dirty and polluting. Ford was interested in biodiesel, hemp-biodiesel, but the robber barons were interested in petroleum.

And where has petroleum taken us?

The damage that foreign oil dependency has caused to America is beyond measure - SMOG, 911, and multiple wars in Iraq are nothing compared to the coming environmental costs.

Yet, Ford sells Ford Explorers and receives a tax advantage from the government because those Explorers 'could' fill up with ethanol gasoline, but don't. Thus, Ford receives a tax credit for fuel efficiency, even though it isn't. Good to see the government hard at work!

American automakers have become incapable of competing in the fuel efficient vehicle segment, so the government creates loopholes and tax incentives for America automakers to increase America's foreign oil dependency. Someday, they've said for decades, fuel cells will take care of the all the world's problems.

Thus, Congress - Democrats and Republicans alike - continue to ignore the importance of fuel efficiency to reduce foreign oil dependence, to help reduce funding for terrorism against the U.S., to help American auto companies become more competitive, and to help the damned environment.

If you don't believe in pollution, stop using your plumbing and just crap in the backyard for a few months and then tell me there is no such thing as pollution or global warming. What is wrong with people?

Those whom argue against global warming constantly try to say the science is not 100%. While that is true, the science? What kind of idiot can say pollution isn't a problem based on science, when the essence of science is based on the principle that for every action is an equal and opposite reaction?

Efficiency is the essence of natural science and fuel efficiency should be a national priority for America, but it isn't. Instead, the U.S. Congress rewards Ford for building gas-guzzling SUVs. Unfortunately, it is obvious that U.S. politicians and corporations represent money, not people.

Demand nothing less than hybrid vehicle efficiency and register to vote! The only thing that can change America, is the people.

23 Billion reasons to buy a hybrid car

Hybrid vehicles can change the world today.

The only question, today, is cost-effectiveness. So, we're supposed to wait until fuel cells, we're told by the American auto establishment?

How cost-effective are fuel cells?

Instead of giving billions to the oil industry with the Energy Bill, perhaps Congress should give it to GM to produce some hybrid vehicle "Freedom Fighter" fleets. Buy this hybrid car, end foreign oil dependency, make America stronger.

Instead we're asking filthy rich oil barons to solve our problems, until fuel cells?

Who does Congress represent? American automakers invested far too much of their future into SUVs because Congress made it profitable for them to do so - at the expense of America's national security.

While I believe in laissez-faire economics, foreign-oil dependency has led to two wars in Iraq, terrorism against the United States, and life-shortening pollution.

I'd say its quite clear that gas-guzzling products have put America's peace and property rights at risk, without question. America's transportation habits have significantly increased America's dependence upon foreign oil, while exposing Americans to significant physical and economic risk.

When Congress gives billions to the oil industry, an industry that saw $23 billion in profits in just the first 3 months of this year, to help, that's 23 billion reasons for me to demand nothing less than hybrid car efficiency now.

More on hybrid cars.

Is there a conspiracy between big oil's 23 billion in profits and Bush?

"My last thought goes to this...Isn't it weird that it took about 100 years for gas prices to get to about $1.25 a gallon, but in just the short five years of Bush's presidency, it's already doubled? And a lot of this guy's chums are oil mogules? Coincidence?" What about the Congress that didn't add tax credits for hybrids, or raise fuel efficiency standards? (More)

The government's SUV bias

Yesterday, Congressional investigators basically called the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's automobile crash tests, useless, because they do not accurately report the safety risks of SUVs.

SUVs are safe, as long as you are not in a rollover (30% of all fatalities), or in a car that an SUV is crashing into.

So, the government's crash safety tests hide the true dangers of SUVs, the government's EPA fuel economy ratings make SUVs seem 15% more fuel efficient than reality, and Congress refuses to raise fuel efficiency standards as foreign-oil, and oil dependence in general, become the greatest threats to American security.

Somebody's pockets must be getting lined.

Yes, some people need a large vehicle, but SUVs could be much better designed. One person's crash safety shouldn't come at the expense of someone else's life, just for a higher ride, or a false sense of security; especially, when the same hunk of steel causes the most road damage, spits out the most pollution, and guzzles tons of terrorist-supporting, economy-crushing, earth destroying foreign-oil.

Freedom of choice is important, but not more important than the welfare of the people. Hybrid cars such as the Ford Escape hybrid, or Toyota Highlander hybrid, are a step in the right direction for the American SUV niche.

Inefficient technology has many costs, and hybrids are changing the perception of what's possible. The Toyota Prius demonstrates that automobile technology can change the world today.

What are we waiting for?

America's Fight: Why Detroit must embrace hybrids

Detroit's problems are simple, American multi-national corporations.

In America, as soon as a President or Senator is elected, the next election becomes their top priority. America is only focused on right now, or the next 2 to 4 years. Yet, the decisions made today have impact far beyond just the next couple of years, when our decisions become someone else's responsibility.

Moreover, American multi-national corporations are also typically focused on 'right now' politics, as well as 'right now' profit for shareholders. Thus, responsibility is determined only by 'right now' profitability.

This is bigger than Detroit. This is about the essence of America, which is why the Senate - at the President's request - must add tax credits for hybrid cars and other clean energy technologies.

Right now is the time for change, and hybrids vehicles, including diesel-electric, plug-in, and hydrogen-electric vehicles, prove hybrids have barely tapped their potential.

This isn't Detroit's fight and they are not in it alone. Detroit, Congress, and every President since Jimmy Carter, has failed America by not taking up this fight decades ago.

This is America's fight, and many of us are demanding action RIGHT NOW. Join the hybrid revolution.

Top 5 Reasons to Demand Action Today!

1.) The Pentagon has labeled global warming one of the greatest threats to the U.S.
2.) Multiple CIA directors have labled foreign-oil dependency a serious national security threat and have actively lobbied President Bush to take action
3.) Two Wars In Iraq
4.) Profits from foreign-oil have helped finance terrorism against the U.S.
5.) Placing the strength of the American economy in the hands of the Middle East is simply silly in today's world

Hybrid car tax credits still alive?

According to CNN, President Bush is going to give another speech to outline some add-ons to the Energy Bill that Congress recently passed. In addition to new oil refineries and nuclear power, Bush will also promote his tax credit proposal for hybrid cars and other clean vehicle technologies. While the House passed on these initiatives, the Senate still has an opportunity to incorporate them into the current legislation, which the President is hoping to sign by August. Hopefully, the Senate will do a better job than the House.

More on hybrid car tax credits.

Gas prices affecting economy

According to Reuters, "U.S. consumer confidence deteriorated in April to its lowest in five months as higher gasoline prices left Americans uncertain about their economic prospects, a report said on Tuesday."

The so-called "backbone of the U.S. economy" is strongly affected by gasoline prices? Who'da thunk it?

Obviously not Congress, or some action might have been taken regarding fuel efficiency decades ago, when evidence of future problems began to mount.

Protecting inefficient, short-sighted, profit-greedy multi-national corporations is not free market capitalism, it's corrupt politics that has risked both the U.S. economy and National Security. Even after 911 - a day that changed everything(?) - nothing has changed.

Join the revolution, demand nothing less than hybrid car fuel efficiency.

Why not a bio-diesel-electric hybrid?

The hybrid vehicle powertrain is a beautiful thing because of the plethora of engine combinations with which it is able to integrate.

Currently, most hybrid cars, such as the Toyota Prius, are gas-electric hybrids that utilize both gasoline engines and electric motors. However, the future of hybrids could be dominated by diesel engine and electric motor combinations, or hydrogen engine electric motor combinations - a vehicle that Ford has already conceptualized.

Still, hydrogen doesn't offer a solution today. Diesel hybrids, on the other hand, pose some interesting possibilities today, such as bio-diesel-electric hybrids. These vehicles could utilize new techniques that could turn American crops into clean bio-diesel fuel for American vehicles.

The point is, hybrid powertrains enable the integration of the best innovations in the automotive industry to create vehicles that can have an immediate impact on the environment, economy, and foreign-oil dependency.

The only obstacle is profit. Making America a safer and more socially responsible country just isn't cost-effective for two of America's most important corporations. Or, even worse, making America safer isn't even a concern.

As an American citizen I find this completely unacceptable. While I realize more than a million jobs are at stake, the fact that these companies - and their cronies in Congress - have put the security of 100's of millions at risk with greed-driven corporate incompetence is unforgivable.

Americans do not owe either GM or Ford anything. GM and Ford owe America - not in decades when they can monopolize fuel cell technology for fat shareholder dividends - today.

More important and unfortunate; however, Congress needs to be fired for serving lobbyists rather than citizens.

Gas prices, the Energy Bill, and Congress

Since the Energy Bill passed the House of Representatives, I have scanned the media for a positive assessment of the Energy Bill.

I have been unable to find one.

A majority of Americans, ones that live near the poverty line - the ones you never hear about on the O.C. or on reruns of Beverly Hills 90210 - are coming up shorter and shorter each month because of gas prices. But, who cares about a bunch of hillbilly, disenfranchised Americans that don't vote anyway?

Definitely not Congress. Gas prices are skyrocketing and the blame falls on both Democrats and Republicans alike. The last President to really push fuel efficiency was Jimmy Carter, according to USAToday.

While it seems obvious that Republicans have oil-lined pockets, Democrats are not nearly as innocent as outspoken Nancy Pelosi-(D)California, would have us believe. Instead of blaming Republicans, perhaps she should start by questioning the UAW-controlled-Democrats that are just as complicit in protecting the status quo of the automotive industry.

Even China is raising fuel efficiency standards. Not because scientific evidence suggests a global warming connection, but because pollution is ALREADY affecting their lives and China isn't very interested in America's decades old, inefficient automotive technology.

Save that for the Americans too stupid to value substance over image.

But I don't blame those Americans because we haven't had much choice, thanks to Congress. Experts, including those from the government, tell us this is an issue of National Security, yet neither corporate America, nor Congress, is taking responsible action.

Instead, billions of tax-payer dollars are being given to rich-in-profit energy corporations to 'save' America from the problems the same corporations created.

So, when you are at the pump this summer, pumping $3.00 gallons of gasoline into your vehicle, remember to thank your well-paid Congress-person.

And, if you are interested in buying a new car, don't forget hybrid cars! Send a message to the automotive industry that you want change.

Ford and GM pushed green in China, Congress sux

I think it is hilarious that Ford and GM are suddenly realizing that in order to be competitive in China, fuel efficiency will be one of the most important standards. Stricken by severe pollution, China is raising fuel efficiency standards and levying new taxes on gasoline to temper demand for foreign-oil.

SUVs and big trucks have no chance in this market, except possibly, hybrid versions.

GM has wagered poorly in betting the future on fuel cells. They are simply not going to be cost-effective in time to reach the fast growing demand for fuel efficient technology, which is not going to be driven by tree-huggers in America, but by emerging markets such as China.

Where has Congress been?

The U.S. Congress has failed America, and continues to fail America, by not raising fuel efficiency standards - amongst other things - something that should have been done decades ago, but has been prevented by rich lobbyists from the auto and oil industries.

Ultimately, corporations serve shareholders, not citizens, and the 'right' thing isn't always as important as the profitable thing. It's not about Congress baby-sitting auto corporations, it's about Congress protecting Americans from pollution and terrorists.

More important, had Congress done its job 20 years ago, American auto companies would be the world's best, instead of one step away from junk bond status, or even bankruptcy.

House Committee 36 to 10 against raising fuel efficiency standards

"People are driving around in big cars, because they like them, because they feel safe," said Democrat John Dingell of Michigan. "You'll never get your soccer moms and soccer kids in there," said Democrat Bart Stupak of Michigan, referring to the feared subcompact vehicles. "It's not what Americans want." With leadership like this, is it really any surprise that we are in Iraq, ultimately, because of foreign oil dependency?

Click here for more on this Reuters story.

Hybrid trends according to automotive engineers

The Society of Automotive Engineers is in Detroit this week for its 100th annual congress, and "the fuel economy of new cars and trucks has become a top concern again," the DetroitNews is reporting. Today, one panel is exploring the latest trends in gas-electric hybrid powertrains. The hybrid car niche, according to experts interviewed by the DetroitNews, is now drawing the interest of companies outside of the automotive field. "There's a lot of interest out there just below the surface trying to figure out if this is real," stated Thad Malesh, an economist with the Automotive Technology Research Group.

Other top topics at the congress include alternative fuels, fuel cells, and improvements in diesel and conventional engines.

Gas prices higher, hybrid cars cheaper

Oil is currently trading above $57 a barrel, and gas prices are going to go higher. While the U.S. probably won't, when adjusted for inflation, reach record gasoline prices, higher gasoline prices are here to stay. Any event, natural or otherwise, which disrupts the tenuous oil supply will spike prices higher. Iran knows this, Venezuela knows this, and you can be sure terrorists know this as well.

And if you listen to more level-headed analysts, next year could be significantly worse.

By next year, the additional costs of hybrid cars could be offset by the high price of gasoline. In California, where gas prices might top $3.00 before year's end, hybrid cars are almost price-competitive already.

Additionally, if Congress continues its tax rebate program for hybrids, possibly even increasing it, hybrids could quite quickly become more economical than conventional cars much quicker than most automobile analysts expected.

U.S. reliance on imported oil has become "a national security imperative."

Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y., who chairs the House Science Committee, says he wants to add tougher fuel-economy standards to energy legislation. In the past two sessions of Congress, Boehlert failed in his attempt to require SUVs to meet standards for cars rather than light trucks (AutoWeek).

Reducing U.S. reliance on imported oil has become "a national security imperative", according to Boehlert, referencing a series of expert reports in the past few months.

Of course the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which represents the Big 3 and six import-brand automakers is fighting against the legislation. Boehlert says the industry seems increasingly willing to take action to help fix a serious problem. But he argues it is not doing enough.

Greenspan and private accounts

Alan Greenspan just told Maxine Waters that he supported private accounts for Social Security to protect it from Congress. Apparently, he feels that social security funds would be investments, ie, they would grow if Congress managed them correctly.

I haven't been that interested in the discussion, but if Congressional spending is part of the problem - by both sides of the aisle - maybe I would like more say in how my money is invested.

Who'da thunk Congress wasn't fiscally responsible?

$4000 Tax Credit for that New Hybrid?

Love that new Honda Accord hybrid or Ford Escape hybrid, but afraid of the extra cost?

Auto analysts note that hybrids typically cost about an extra $3000 - $4000 above the cost of their conventional cousins. Of course, the new generation of hybrids, such as the Accord hybrid, Lexus RX400h hybrid, and Toyota Highlander hybrid do provide better performance and significantly better fuel-efficiency for that cost.

Also, buyers can claim a tax credit of up to $2000 to help offset that difference. Unfortunately, that credit will be reduced to $500.00 next year, unless H.R. 626 is approved by Congress.

H.R. 626 would provide between $600 and $4,000 per vehicle in tax incentives for consumers who purchase advanced technology vehicles, depending on the vehicle.

Join the Hybrid Car Club to stay informed of this issue.