Toyota FT-CH hybrid concept

The next member of the "Prius Family"

Toyota wants to capitalize on the success of the Toyota Prius. Consequently, a family of Prius hybrids is being developed, and the FT-CH hybrid concept could be the first new family member.

The FT-CH is about the size of a Toyota Yaris - almost two feet shorter than the Prius - and lighter as well as more fuel efficient than the Prius.

According to Jim Lentz, President of Toyota USA, the FT-CH is just one of a number of new Prius-based concepts. And, within the next 3 years, Toyota will launch 8 new hybrid vehicles.

100+ mpg, cheap, 2-seat hybrids: Would you?

The VW L1 concept

Inevitably, if America is to end its foreign oil dependence anytime before 2040, it's going to take some serious out-of-the box thinking. And two-seat vehicles could be one bright breakthrough.

While Aptera has some cool thoughts on two-seat vehicles, the reengineered VW One-Liter L1 concept - potentially available by 2013 - might be the most compelling idea thus far.

Thanks to its 838 ponds and a slim 0.195 drag coefficient, the L1 diesel hybrid achieves a whopping 170 mpg.

Certainly, two-seats won't work for many, but for plenty of other commuters, couldn't such a vehicle be a hit if priced right?

Peugeot's diesel hybrids set for 2011

A diesel hybrid concept from Peugeot

Peugeot will begin selling hybrid cars in 2011 according to new reports. Accordingly, Peugeot will partner with Bosch to build a number of diesel hybrid vehicles. InsideLine reports, "Bosch will supply Peugeot with electric motors and the electronic systems for PSA Peugeot Citroën's four-wheel-drive diesel hybrids. The company will also supply the anti-lock braking system and electronic stability program to maximize energy recovery."

Volvo bringing diesel hybrids to US in 2012, plug-in soon after

Can diesel work in America?

Just because the king of hybrid cars, Toyota, isn't interested in bringing diesel hybrids to the US, doesn't mean all other automakers agree.

According to Mototrend, Volvo will start bringing diesel hybrids to the US in 2012. With a focus on larger SUVs, crossovers, and sedans, Volvo will utilize a 5-cylinder turbodiesel motor to drive the front wheels and an electric motor to power the rear wheels. This full hybrid configuration will enable Volvo's diesel hybrid vehicles to function purely on electric power at low speeds.

Likewise, Volvo will also bring diesel plug-in hybrid vehicles to the states shortly thereafter.

Toyota not interested in diesel hybrids

Not unless diesel fuel costs go down

Toyota is not interested in developing diesel hybrid vehicles due to the high cost of diesel fuel according to Green Car Congress. Even though diesel is the dominate fuel in Europe and many competitors are preparing diesel hybrids for the European market, Toyota believes gasoline hybrids still are more cost effective.

Give Detroit the money, but....

Toyota's very fuel efficient Tundra?

The Big 3 continue to increase their efforts to acquire as much as $50 billion in loans from the US government - $25 billion of which was written into CAFE increasing legislation, and momentum is gaining in Congress.

Thus far, I've been against this bailout, but I think I've changed my mind. Perhaps the bailout can be the impetus for desperately needed change.

Finish: Give Detroit the money, but....

Citroen Peugeot ramping up diesel hybrid efforts

Hypnos hybrid concept shows Citroen's future

200-horsepower, coupe-like performance, the elegance of a sedan, and the room of an SUV - that is what Citroean is trying to accomplish with its 53 mpg Hypnos diesel hybrid concept according to AutoWeek.

The Hypnos Concept will join a Peugeot hybrid concept at the upcoming Paris Auto Show, and while the Hypnos is purely a concept, it represents a car that will soon exist, and it demonstrates Peugeot Citroen's plans for the future: high end diesel hybrid vehicles to help cover production costs. Then, if the market develops, the technology will make its way into "more conventional products" and small cars.

Indian diesel hybrid set for 2009 launch

A Mahindra truck

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

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

BMW has high hopes for efficiency

Survival means hybrids and other clean technologies?

Next year BMW plans to begin selling its first hybrid vehicle under its EfficientDynamics program. Down-sized engines, start-stop technology, regenerative braking, higher roll resistance tires and hybrid technology help the EfficientDynamics program, well, become more efficient. "With EfficentDynamics, we have created a clear competitive advantage for ourselves," Stefan Krause, BMW's head of sales and marketing said in a statement recently.

Hopefully, this is a sign of the things to come from BMW and we'll see a bunch of BMW hybrid vehicles on the road soon.

Hybrid tax credits: A necessary evil?

Would tax credits speed plug-ins?

Tax credits for buying hybrid cars have long expired for Toyota, the hybrid sales leader. Likewise, a tax credit for plug-in hybrids was dropped from the House's energy bill, essentially, at the request of oil companies.

Yet, a huge gas-guzzler can still qualify for a tax deduction? What the hell? Finish......

First Mercedes Hybrid Truck hits the streets

A Mercedes-Benz Atego Blue Tec vehicle

Mercedes-Benz handed over the first Blue Tec hybrid truck to Deutsche Post World Net for a real world trail. The 7.5 diesel hybrid should be about 20 percent more efficient than similar-sized gasoline or diesel vehicles (more).

Why hybrids are more important than diesel

The hot Mercedes diesel hybrid at the LA Auto Show

I just finished posting a comment to the Kicking Tires story regarding the Rand study which calls hybrids and clean diesel more beneficial than ethanol. Kicking Tires, however, focused on an element of the Rand study (earlier post) which, according to Wired Magazine, suggests diesel vehicles are better than hybrid cars.

Whether the world likes it or not, the world will eventually move beyond oil. As both diesel and gasoline require oil, both diesel and gasoline are dying fuels. So, how can diesel be a solution for the future? Are we going to start using tar sands that will make today's pollution seem like the good old days (1980s) of clean air? Please. (Finish)

A couple more Chinese hybrids in the works

Hybrid vehicle plans from Dongfeng and FAW

Two Chinese automakers have announced plans for a few new hybrid cars. The Dongfen EQ7200HEV hybrid is planned for 2009 and is expected to cost around $30,000. Additionally, FAW is planning a hybrid version of the Besturn, pictured, also for around $30,000. (more)

Consumer Digest picks best hybrids

Ford dominates best hybrids?

According to consumer reports, the best hybrid vehicles based on behind-the-wheel testing, safety ratings, ownership costs warranty, price, comfort, ergonomics, styling and amenities, are the Ford Escape hybrid, Mazda Tribute hybrid, Mercury Mariner hybrid and the Toyota Prius.

(Source: DetroitNews)

Lucky Europe: Clean diesel hybrids

The E300 BlueTec diesel hybrid

Diesels versus hybrids? Nonsense! The best diesel vehicles will be clean diesel hybrid vehicles, and by 2010 a number of them will be hitting the streets, well, at least in Europe.

While the Ford Reflex diesel hybrid was probably the first diesel hybrid to really get me excited about such vehicles, a number of other players have recently entered the hybrid fray.

At the Frankfurt Auto Show, Peugeot announced that it would begin production on diesel hybrids, such as the Peugeot 308 HDI diesel hybrid, in 2010, but it is the diesel hybrids from Mercedes that really have my attention, such as the Mercedes E300 BlueTec diesel hybrid.

A 46 mpg luxury hybrid? Are you kidding me?

Clean diesel hybrids are coming, ladies and gentlemen, let's just hope they find their way into America!