Chevy to reveal electric vehicle at NAIAS

On Sunday, January 7th, Chevy will reveal an electric concept vehicle at the North American International Auto Show. While GM has been accused of killing the electric vehicle, the automaker has recently claimed that the future is electric. In addition to an electric concept vehicle, there is great speculation that GM might also debut a plug-in hybrid at the Detroit show. Or, perhaps the Chevy offers both possibilities?

GM already toning down its i-Car campaign?

About two weeks ago I made a post about GM's i-Car, a car many believe will be some type of plug-in hybrid vehicle. According to unconfirmed sources at that time, the i-Car campaign would be launched some time before the end of the year as a challenge to Toyota and its hybrid cars. Then, earlier this week, Bob Lutz told the AutomotiveNews that the future was all electric vehicles powered by fuel cells. In the interim, Mr. Lutz claimed a plug-in hybrid would probably be the best solution, and the reality of the i-Car campaign seemed, well, real.

Suddenly, it seemed GM was preparing to completely reinvent itself. Finally, I thought, finally.

Perhaps, I got a little too excited a little too quickly.

While the LA Times is reporting that GM is going to launch an electric vehicle prototype next year, there are already questions about how serious GM actually is about the i-Car program, at least in the short term. Maybe, now that Democrats have control of Congress, GM believes it can rest on E85 and flex-fuel vehicles for several years rather than actually doing something great.

GM set to go hybrid, then all electric?

So, GM is canceling their hydrogen fuel cell program? Well, not exactly, but it appears GM is finally beginning to understand that the world doesn't have to wait for hydrogen fuel cells before getting serious about fuel economy and pollution.

"What started as a fuel cell project is now an electric vehicle project," GM's Bob Lutz told the Automotive News recently.

"A series hybrid could run primarily on electricity from lithium-ion batteries, with an engine as backup to replenish batteries, Lutz says. The backup engine could be a diesel or gasoline internal combustion engine. Backup energy also could come from a fuel cell."

Of course, Toyota has claimed this same idea for a number of years, although their approach is a bit different. Even fuel cell makers have been calling for plug-in hybrid vehicles because they make a smaller, cheaper fuel cell stack much more cost effective to add to a vehicle.

Still, the costs of the batteries, fuel cell stacks, etc for either an all-electric fuel cell vehicle, or a plug-in hybrid fuel cell vehicle, will probably be very high for several years and maybe even a decade or longer. Which is why current hybrid technology is so important.

If not for current hybrids, GM wouldn't even be having this conversation. If not for current hybrids, plug-in hybrids wouldn't even be a buzzword in the auto industry. If not for current hybrids, there wouldn't be enough upside to develop lithium-ion batteries for automobiles.

Today's hybrid vehicles, with today's hybrid technology, are an investment in lithium ion batteries and in fuel cells, in addition to being a way to begin to reduce foreign oil dependency and global warming emissions. With today's hybrid vehicles we can begin changing the world TODAY.

It's about time GM has gotten with the program. Let's just hope this revelation isn't just hot air! America, the world, needs GM to do the right thing now more than ever.

GM's I-car Campaign set to challenge Toyota on hybrid vehicles?

According to unofficial sources cited by the Detroit News, GM is ramping up to challenge Toyota's lead in hybrid vehicles. So, are they serious?

Last year, Toyota sold more than 235,000 hybrid vehicles. GM, on the other hand, has yet to sell one single full hybrid. Sure GM offers a few mild hybrids, but mild hybrids are not going to challenge Toyota's hybrid vehicle sales lead.

Still, GM might have a secret weapon, the I-car.

The I-car isn't just a hybrid vehicle, but a plug-in hybrid vehicle. If Toyota were to develop a cost-competitive plug-in hybrid vehicle before Toyota, I think it could be a game changer. While some hybrid critics have argued that plug-in hybrids are even more of a niche product than current hybrids, poll after poll has demonstrated that Americans are very intrigued by plug-in hybrid technology.

Still, it won't be easy. Toyota hasn't been particularly bullish regarding plug-in hybrids thus far because of costs and battery issues. So, does GM have a secret weapon? Is their past experience with electric vehicles going to finally pay off? Is GM demonstrating even more vision than Toyota regarding the potential of hybrids?

Simply building plug-ins won't be enough, however. If current hybrids are too expensive for most consumers, imagine adding $6000.00 to the price tag. Americans aren't going to buy. Sure, the technology will probably pay for itself over the life of the vehicle, but that isn't the way American consumers think.

Consequently, the success of the I-car program will come down to cost. Can GM convince the Feds to not only offer tax incentives for hybrid technology, but also extra incentives for plug-in technology? Obviously, the government is probably much more interested in adding new incentives that could help an American automaker, unlike the government's lack of interest in helping Toyota hybrid buyers.

Such incentives might make a plug-in hybrid cost-effective, especially an American-made plug-in hybrid. Many Americans want to do something about foreign oil dependency, but many Americans refuse to buy a hybrid from Toyota or Honda. Unlike Toyota and Honda, GM has real power to really rally this customer segment around not only supporting GM and American workers, but fighting foreign oil dependency, pollution and global warming.

Can GM play this hand correctly, or will they just fold amidst a temporary drop in gasoline prices?

Even better than GM going green, are the choices that would open up to American consumers interested in green options. A hybrid battle between GM and Toyota would force every automaker to get very serious about clean technologies, and this competition for green supremacy would make hybrid technology not only better, but cheaper.

Before the end of this year, GM is supposed to announce this new strategy. Let's hope GM isn't just serious, but ready to launch this program as soon as possible. This could change everything for GM, and for America.

Make me a believer, GM, make me a believer!

Saturn Vue hybrid, mild hybrid, debut begins

Buy a Saturn Vue hybrid and you can 'Go green without going broke' according to GM.

I've long been a critic of GM's hybrid efforts and I am not terribly fond of the Vue hybrid, simply because it is a mild hybrid. Ultimately, I just cannot take GM's green efforts seriously until they offer a full hybrid vehicle.

Full hybrid vehicles, unlike mild hybrids, offer the ability to function on electric power alone at low speeds, such as stop-and-go and slow-and-go conditions. Such driving conditions produce the worst fuel economy and result in the most global warming causing emissions. Fortunately, such conditions are also the optimal conditions for full hybrid performance.

Consequently, mild hybrids just don't quite cut the mustard.

Earlier this week LA Times auto critic, Dan Neil, called the Vue hybrid "a maximally minimal venture in hybrid powertrain technology that would seem less about fuel economy and more about securing coveted hybrid badges on the doors."

But his praise of GM's hybrid efforts didn't end there. "As much as I hate to diss any hybrid, this seems a pretty desultory effort." I could go on, but I won't, but you can read it all on Dan's LA Times article.

Mitsubishi to offer hybrid for American market?

Mitsubishi plans to sell a small electric car in America, possibly based off of the Concept-CT Miev or the next generation Colt. Though no official timeline has been provided, it probably won't be offered until around 2010. Moreover, since the vehicle will utilize lithium-ion batteries, production would be limited as supplies of such batteries are extremely low. Mitsubishi also added that it might offer a hybrid version of the vehicle as well, similar to the hybrid Mitsubishi showcased at the Detroit Auto Show.

Astrolab: First solar hybrid available for sale

For EUR92,000 you can purchase an Astrolab solar electric hybrid vehicle according to BusinessWeekOnline. The Venturi Astrolab can achieve a top speed of about 70 mph and its performance is "remarkably close to that of a petrol-engined vehicle". While the two-seater can be fueled completely be the power of the sun, it also functions as a plug-in hybrid, so it can also be fueled by standard electricity. Sure this solar hybrid is expensive, but it clearly demonstrates what CAN be accomplished. Maybe the 'solar economy' makes more sense than the 'hydrogen economy'.

GM's naive, monopolistic and capitalistic fuel cell vehicle plans?

"Hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles could hit showrooms as early as 2011 and the technology will revitalize General Motors, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said as he delivered a hydrogen concept car to be test driven by Camp Pendleton Marines over the next few months." (more)

Hmmm. So, why will fuel cells revitalize GM more than any other automaker?

For decades GM has successfully lobbied the government not to increase fuel economy standards because such a move would interfere with GM's fuel cell development. For decades, GM has told the government, zero emission fuel cell vehicles were just around the corner. Now, once again, GM's fuel cell vehicles are just around the corner - at least according to GM execs.

Should we believe them this time, or has GM cried fuel cell one too many times?

Every major automaker on the face of the planet is working on fuel cell vehicles, and most of these automakers, as well as most automotive experts, claim that cost-effective fuel cell vehicles are still more than a decade away, at least. Other experts claim it will take at least two decades or more. Some experts claim it might never happen.

I think it'll happen and here's why.

Recently, fuel cell developers have started to dig the idea of plug-in fuel cell hybrid vehicles. For years now, Toyota has claimed that its hybrid vehicles were the beginning of their fuel cell vehicle platform. Even GM engineers have admitted that their fuel cell vehicles will also be fuel cell hybrid vehicles. This is because fuel cell vehicles will almost certainly require an electric drive, and hybrids offer that electric drive.

Yet, hybrid cars are too expensive for GM, but we are to believe that in a couple of years GM's fuel cell hybrid vehicles will not be? I'd like to see the numbers behind that kind of bean-counting!!

In fact, the idea of plug-in fuel cell hybrid vehicles might call into question the entire idea of the 'hydrogen highway' - and the foundation of GM's fuel cell vehicle program.

O.K. current hybrid vehicles are not the answer to the world's problems. I'll willfully admit that as FACT. Still, next generation hybrids, such as those powered by lithium batteries will almost certainly, easily, achieve over 100 mpg, and plug-in capabilities could extend this efficiency even further.

More important, plug-in hybrid vehicles could receive additional power from small fuel cells. Utilizing a small fuel cell would be far more cost-effective than using a large fuel cell - at least in the short term. Consequently, this could be the quickest way of both ending foreign oil dependency and investing in fuel cells, but the upside doesn't end there.

If you can have a fuel cell in your car, why not in your home? Such a fuel cell could be powered by natural gas, or, in many areas of the U.S., by solar power.

Imagine all of California's homes and vehicles powered by solar-powered fuel cells with excess energy stored in advanced lithium-ion batteries? Would places like California really even need a hydrogen highway?

Why not dare to dream? Why does GM only envision the future as just a subtle offshoot of today's world, of today's energy paradigm? In reality, does America really need a new multi-billion dollar hydrogen highway? Maybe GM does, but America might not.

I'm sure the monopolistic, capitalistic, corporate-lobby-controlled politicians can easily be sold on this idea, but we THE PEOPLE, should demand more. The hydrogen highway might be great for corporate America, but is it really so great for the people of America?

Utility company backs plug-in hybrid vehicles

So, now California's largest utility company is getting on the plug-in hybrid bandwagon (more)? And why not? It's just more business for the utility companies, right? Maybe, maybe not.

An even more important issue for many; however, is whether electricity is cleaner than gasoline?

On the face of it, maybe not, but that isn't the real point. The point is, today, hybrid cars are more efficient than conventional vehicles due to technologies such as regenerative breaking which creates electricity stored in batteries. This electricity can be used to fully power some hybrids at lower speeds, such as in the daily slow-and-go commutes of the average urbanite.

And that's where plug-in technology comes in.

Effective plug-in hybrid vehicles will need new battery technology, such as lithium-ion technology. Lithium batteries could increase the efficiency capabilities of hybrids, enabling them to act almost as electric vehicles. Still, if battery power isn't sufficient, gasoline is always available as a backup.

But let's get back to the clean energy debate. Next generation hybrid technology and software, coupled with next generation batteries, means that hybrids can generate even more of their own electricity. Consequently, the vehicle doesn't have to plug-in for all of its fuel - just to top off the batteries. Eventually, this model could even incorporate a small fuel cell, which would make the vehicle even far more efficient.

Already, labs such as Argonne, have studied the clean energy debate and their studies indicate that plug-in hybrids - ALL THINGS CONSIDERED - are cleaner than gasoline powered vehicles. Moreover, over time plug-in hybrids will achieve greater and greater efficiency.

Oh yeah, and we could end foreign oil dependency. Even if plug-in hybrids were ONLY as clean as gasoline vehicles, wouldn't ending foreign oil dependency still make them worth it?

Hybrids only 9% more efficient than regular vehicles?

Are hybrid vehicles only 9% more fuel efficient than conventional vehicles? That's what J.D. Power claims, according to the Detroit News. While noting that interest in hybrids is growing, J.D. claims that hybrid buyers have unrealistic expectations in terms of performance.

While I agree that some buyers have unrealistic expectations, I have to question the 9% figure. Other studies have claimed the same, but those studies were done using track testing. For the majority of drivers, track testing is about as accurate for gauging real world fuel economy as are EPA estimates of hybrids.

Moreover, saying 'hybrids' are only 9% more efficient than conventional models is completely deceptive. For example, some hybrids were not produced to achieve the highest fuel efficiency possible. The Honda Accord hybrid, for example, is really a performance hybrid, though it achieves excellent fuel mileage for that performance. The same is largely true of both the Lexus RX400h and the Toyota Highlander hybrid, though these vehicles are - for their class - more fuel efficient than the Accord hybrid.

In terms of fuel efficiency, both the Ford Escape hybrid and the Toyota Prius hybrid, are the two hybrids most designed for fuel economy. While the Civic hybrid is a very fuel efficient vehicle as well, so to is the standard Civic. Additionally, the Civic hybrid doesn't offer as much electric assist as the hybrid Escape or Prius.

Consequently, comparing some hybrids is about as accurate as comparing apples to oranges. Thus, averaging their fuel economy is completely useless.

Even worse, if the Silverado hybrid was also included in the 'hybrid class' by J.D., then the results are completely skewed against hybrid fuel efficiency. The Silverado hybrid isn't even a mild hybrid in my book. In fact, its not even a hybrid in my book.

Consequently, the class of current hybrid vehicles are actually a very diverse group of vehicles. To average their fuel economy is misleading at best and, ultimately, deceptive. Studies by both Consumer Reports and Edmunds very much call into question the number, 9%.

Some hybrids are more fuel efficient than other hybrids. Some hybrids offer more power than other hybrids. Some hybrids perform better on highways compared to other hybrids, and some hybrids perform better in urban slow-and-go or stop-and-go traffic than other hybrids. Inevitably, hybrid fuel efficiency can ONLY be assessed vehicle by vehicle. Even then, two different drivers of the same hybrid can still achieve vastly different outcomes.

So, don't take this 9% very seriously. It might be true for some hybrids, but it certainly isn't true for all hybrids. If you want to read more about real world fuel economy from real world hybrid drivers, check out these hybrid testimonials.

More juice for plug-in hybrid vehicles

Recently, I was doing some research on the Tesla electric car. 0 - 60 in around 4 seconds, 250 miles per charge at a fueling cost of about 1 cent per gallon - how awesome is that? Sure the vehicle costs $100,000 and will probably only be an option for the Hollywood elite, but it still demonstrates that the days of gasoline are nearing an end and that we definitely don't have to wait for hydrogen to save the world.

Even better, especially in the short term, flex-fuel-plug-in hybrid vehicles could be made for less than half the cost of the Tesla. Such a vehicle would extend the range of the vehicle and make it easier to fuel on long distance trips. Additionally, it would allow owners to choose the fuel of their choice.

While gas-guzzlers and their producers consistently talk about consumer choice, wouldn't real choice include not just the size of the vehicle, but the choice of fuel? Let me decide if I want ethanol, gasoline or electricity. Now that's real choice.

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?

Hybrid Vehicle Technology Spawning Innovation, Competition

Back in the 90's the Big 3 were given a billion tax dollars to develop the next generation of fuel efficient technologies. They developed hybrid cars and electric cars, but Detroit quickly decided that such vehicles just weren't profitable enough.

Japan, on the other hand, showed a bit more vision and determination, eventually producing the Honda Insight hybrid, followed by the Toyota Prius hybrid. Still, things didn't really get going until the 2nd Generation Prius, which quickly became a hot seller and put hybrids on America's radar.

Now Detroit is finally taking the hybrid game seriously - at least a little bit.

While Ford has stated that it firmly believes in the future of hybrid cars, GM has continued to state that hybrid vehicles are little more than a public relations effort. Nonetheless, GM and Chrysler are developing hybrids - of course their hybrid technology is, ultimately, better for trucks and highway driving, rather than the congestion that is predicted to be a major problem in the next couple of decades.

Moreover, the Army recently announced a program converting Ford Escape hybrids into hydrogen hybrids, and there are also Prii running on hydrogen. Suddenly, the 'hydrogen highway' might not require fuel cells at all, rather just current hybrid vehicle technology. Besides, if fuel cells do become cost-effective, most engineers believe that fuel cell automobiles will be fuel cell hybrid vehicles.

But back to today's technology.

Even far different hybrid technology, such as a hydraulic hybrid, is being developed and tested right now. For example, UPS is testing a diesel hydraulic hybrid this year. Hydraulic hybrids offer significant fuel economy improvements without the high costs of electric motors, hybrid batteries and software.

Single mode hybrids, dual mode hybrids, hydrogen hybrids, hydraulic hybrids - suddenly, oil dependence seems more manageable.

Recently, I read the article, Energy policy without the fear factor that states, "We cannot continue to go the way we've been going. It is not a matter of "car guys'' versus "tree huggers,'' liberals versus conservatives, truck lovers versus truck haters. It is an acknowledgment that, if we as a global community fail to examine and answer "What if?'' and refuse to accept or implement the changes required by the answers, the question may answer itself.....And the answer could be one none of us could live with."

Today's hybrids are not just the beginning of an automotive revolution, but a technological evolution. When we believe we can do more, a funny thing happens, we find out we can. Suddenly, utopian dreams aren't so utopian when the power of technology is used to benefit people, rather than just profit from people.

"What if" we dare to dream is a great question. 'Why not dare to dream', I think, is an even better one with today's technology.

Is GM heading down the wrong hybrid path?

When the 2008 GM Chevy Tahoe hybrid hits the streets it will add a new page to the technology behind hybrid cars, the Two Mode Hybrid Powertrain. GM's two mode powertrain gives GM hybrid vehicles the ability to optimize performance based on driving conditions - highway versus city.

Toyota's Single Mode hybrid powertrain, on the other hand, is more optimized for city driving. Essentially, Toyota and Ford hybrids utilize larger electric motors and hybrid batteries than will GM hybrids.

So, which is better?

There is no doubt that GM hybrids will have an advantage when it comes to power tasks, such as towing compared to Ford or Toyota hybrids. Additionally, GM hybrids will compete with Toyota and Ford hybrids on the highway.

In the city, in the congestion that is predicted to become significantly worse and more common in the future; however, Toyota and Ford hybrids will dominate. Thus, it is not surprising to hear rumors that GM is intensely studying the Toyota hybrid powertrain.

Inevitably, the real potential of hybrid vehicles lies completely around electric motors and, more importantly, hybrid batteries. It now seems inevitable that lithium-ion batteries will soon replace the current NiMH batteries that power hybrids. This will produce lighter hybrids with significantly greater storage capacity resulting in better performance, cheaper costs and significantly improved fuel economy.

If NiMH batteries are replaced by lithium-ion batteries, hybrids such as the Toyota Prius and the Ford Escape hybrid could achieve massive gains in fuel economy, while costing less. Additionally, these hybrids could accommodate plug-in capabilities as well, resulting in even far greater fuel economy - we're talking 100 mpg +.

GM's dual mode hybrid technology can also utilize lithium-ion battery technology, but not nearly to the extent that Toyota and Ford hybrids can. This could really give Ford and Toyota a huge advantage over GM - at least with consumers that drive in any type of congestion. Since congestion will be the future for most Americans, GM's current hybrid path could be headed into the wrong direction.

What would be the ultimate hybrid vehicle?

In the last year there have been some very interesting hybrid concept vehicles. Two of my favorites are the Ford Reflex hybrid and the Mazda Senku hybrid.

The Reflex is a diesel hybrid 'muscle' car that looks cool, but is an even hotter performer. How hot? How about 0 to 60 in under 7 seconds while achieving 65 mpg? Sure this hybrid requires next generation lithium-ion batteries - the same batteries which could power the Toyota Prius to almost 100 mpg - but if you are going to dream, why not dream big?

That's why I like REALLY like the Senku hybrid. Yes, the styling of this vehicle is incredibly futuristic and some people don't like that, but I do, boy, do I. But the thing that really makes this hybrid special for me is the use of solar technology. By embedding solar cells into the roof, this hybrid vehicle could actually act like a solar-powered plug-in hybrid vehicle. That means that the next-gen 100 mpg Prius could perhaps become a 140 mpg Prius with solar power.

In Southern California - where I live - the constant sunshine could provide a huge source of clean electric energy - making trips to the gas station much less frequent. In the future, make it a solar-powered fuel cell hybrid vehicle and hydrogen gas stations might not even be needed.

The technology behind hybrid cars makes such dreams seem possible.

What would be your ultimate hybrid vehicle?

UC Davis hybrid prepares for Challenge X

UC Davis has strong history with hybrid cars, especially plug-in hybrids, so it comes as no surprise that students from the University will enter Challenge X. "UC Davis is the latest entrant to the upcoming Challenge X, a competition to develop a fuel-efficient SUV sponsored by the Department of Energy and General Motors. The UC Davis team's entry, called Trinity, is a modified Chevrolet Equinox whose batteries solely power the SUV for 50 miles before switching to the gasoline-electric hybrid system. A fuel cell powers secondary electrical systems such as air-conditioning." (AutoblogGreen)

Is Silicon Valley the Next Detroit, but Cleaner and Greener?

Sometimes I just don't think that Ford and GM are going to find the light at the end of the tunnel. They simply seem to be lost in the past and unable to find a new vision for the future.

While I hope that changes, as the technology behind automobiles evolves from motors and gasoline into computers and batteries, perhaps Silicon Valley is better positioned for the future than is Detroit. That's the point of the article, A car that could save the planet—fast.

This movement, "a growing cluster of engineers, startups, and investors, most of them based in Silicon Valley, that believe they can do what major automakers have failed at for decades: Think beyond the golf cart and deliver an electric vehicle (EV) to the mass market."

"Beyond that, startups are forming to equip new "plug-in" hybrids that run almost entirely on their electric motors. And around the country, a handful of other exotic EVs are showing up on the road -- including George Clooney's new ride, a $108,000 commuter coupe that's just 3 feet wide."

Hybrid cars, such as the Prius, have demonstrated that automakers can do better, much better. If Detroit can't be the place for this automotive revolution, let's hope that Silicon Valley can.

Hybrid Technology: One Mode Versus Two Mode

Soon, the first hybrid cars from GM and Chrysler will be available for sale, and so too will a new type of hybrid technology.

The New York Times notes, "the new technology is different in some crucial respects. It has the potential to operate much more efficiently at highway speeds, with a greater boost from the electric motors. The components are lighter and more compact and can be readily adapted to different types of vehicles. It is particularly well suited to large trucks and S.U.V.'s — the biggest gas hogs in Americans' garages — where it will have the greatest impact on overall fuel consumption."

Wouldn't going from an SUV to a hybrid car, rather than a large hybrid SUV, "have the greatest impact on overall fuel consumption"?

Still, if consumers have to have a "gas hog", a hybrid "gas hog" will be 25% less piggish - and that's at least a good start.

Saturn Vue Hybrid: The Right Kind of Hybrid?

The Saturn Vue Hybrid is almost set to go on sale, and at $23,000, the Vue Hybrid will be significantly cheaper than other hybrid SUVs.

However, unlike the Ford Escape hybrid and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, the Vue hybrid will offer less hybrid technology, which is why the price is cheaper.

"But the Vue Green Line's electric motor can't actually drive the vehicle on its own at low speeds, the way, for example, a Ford Escape Hybrid's can." Additionally, "the Ford Escape Hybrid can go up to 25 miles per hour without starting its gasoline engine at all. In the Vue Green Line, however, the gasoline engine starts running the moment the driver's foot lifts off the brake pedal." (Money)

If you are a highway driver, the Vue hybrid might be a good buy. If you drive in an urban area, however, the Vue hybrid probably isn't your best choice.

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.

CNW Hybrid Vehicle Efficiency Study?

Don't buy that hybrid!

Hybrid cars actually use more energy than gas guzzlers. At least, that is what CNW Marketing Research Inc. would have you believe. If every American drove a Hummer, instead of a Prius, America would use less energy overall! (P.S. - I also have some great land I'd like to sell to you.)

What nonsense.

It has been demonstrated that if every American drove a Toyota Prius hybrid car, for example, America could stop importing foreign oil.

If every American; on the other hand, drove a Hummer we would significantly increase foreign oil dependency. Yet, CNW would have Americans believe that a Hummer is actually more efficient than a hybrid.

CNW derives its Energy Cost by totaling the "energy necessary to plan, build, sell, drive and dispose of a vehicle from initial concept to scrappage. This includes such minutia as plant to dealer fuel costs, employee driving distances, electricity usage per pound of material used in each vehicle and literally hundreds of other variables."

Well, since hybrids aren't mass produced at the same level as conventional vehicles, this automatically creates extra SHORT TERM costs. If hybrids were produced in the same quantities as conventional vehicles, many of these extra costs would not exist. Moreover, over time the production of any vehicle becomes more efficient.

Additionally, the electric components of hybrids - many of which are the foundation of fuel cell vehicles - are expensive to dispose notes CNW. While this might also be true, this again is largely due to the newness of the technology. Many of these components will eventually be recycled. Anytime there is an emerging technology, different processes are required and take time to develop. Furthermore, the advancement of hybrid batteries alone will change dramatically in the next decade.

Not long ago, computer parts were not recycled, now huge businesses are being built around recycling computer components. Perhaps, computers were also a bad invention compared to the efficiency of pen and paper - a computer is less energy efficient!

Using CNW's logic, America's answer to foreign oil dependency and to pollution is simply to do nothing, as every experimental vehicle, such as hybrids or fuel cell vehicles, will always take more energy to produce in the short term. Obviously, since there are fewer hybrid suppliers, for example, chances are those hybrid supplies will have to be shipped further - taking more energy.

Using CNW's logic, invention and technological advancement are evil things. Since supply chains for new technologies seldom exist, their creation will ALWAYS, INITIALLY, be less efficient. Therefore, the status quo is always best, well, at least in the short term, but who really cares about the future?

Nonetheless, I cannot help but wonder how much CNW determined that it costs the U.S. to maintain a military presence in the Middle East every year to protect our oil habit? How much energy do all those destroyers and air craft carriers cost the 'overall efficiency' of conventional vehicles?

Did CNW also add the billions and billion of dollars of medical costs that can be directly attributed to vehicle emissions - the same emissions that hybrids SIGNIFICANTLY reduce?

I won't even get into the ultimate costs of global warming.

So get out there and buy a Hummer, it's an investment that can save America from foreign oil dependency while protecting the environment! (Now about that land.)

Army converting Escape hybrid into hydrogen hybrid

The Army is going to convert the Ford Escape hybrid from a gasoline electric hybrid vehicle into a hydrogen electric hybrid vehicle. "The idea is to start using hydrogen with internal combustion engines because the alternative, fuel cells, is still cost prohibitive."

Speaking of hydrogen hybrids, Toyota also has a fleet of Prius hydrogen hybrids. Just more proof of the potential of hybrid cars.(MSNBC)

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.

Consumer Reports and Hybrid Cars: What you need to know

What's the word on hybrids?

Consumer Report's Annual Auto Issue is one of the most important sources for unbiased ratings and reviews of automobiles. So, what can we learn from Consumer Reports when it comes to hybrid cars.?

First, we learned that the Toyota Highlander hybrid is the best SUV over $30,000 and that the Toyota Prius hybrid is the Best Green Vehicle.

Second, we learned that the Prius is the Most Satisfying vehicle according to owners. A whopping 95% of Prius owners would buy another Prius (more).

Third, we learned that hybrid vehicles have thus far proven to be extremely reliable. In fact, the Prius and the Honda Civic hybrid topped CR's rankings of Most reliable, with just 4% of owners reporting problems. In addition, the Highlander hybrid, Lexus RX400h hybrid and the Accord hybrid also did very well in reliability.

Of course, the long term reliability of hybrids is still a question, a question that can only be answered once enough hybrids have been on the road for more than a decade. Ultimately, the reliability of hybrids is extremely important as it is the factor in determining the overall value of hybrids, which brings us to our final point.

Fourth, are hybrid vehicles worth the cost?

According to Consumer Reports, only two hybrids can save you money after the first five years: the Prius and the Civic hybrid. Of course, once the capped tax credits for hybrids expire, these vehicles will then cost more than their conventional counterparts, well, maybe.

The article, Hybrids: Save gas, lose money, notes that "six hybrid gasoline/electric vehicles, will lose 2 percent to 3 percent more in value over five years of ownership than otherwise identical non-hybrid vehicles." While the Prius can save $406 after 5 years and the Civic hybrid saves $317, the rest of the hybrids lose money after five years: Ford Escape Hybrid ($1,883), Honda Accord Hybrid ($4,263), Lexus RX400h ($4,171) and Toyota Highlander Hybrid ($5,508).

Of course, as in life, few things are ever black and white.

To start, there is no "identical non-hybrid vehicle" to compare to the Prius. If the Prius were simply a hybrid Corolla, it would be called the Corolla hybrid. Quite simply, the Prius is a unique vehicle and when you consider performance, reliability and customer satisfaction, the Prius is a unique, awesome vehicle.

As for the rest of the hybrid vehicle segment, it is true that cost is an important concern. Still, for those that care, can you really put a cost on foreign oil dependency or a cleaner environment? Sometimes doing the right thing is neither the cheapest nor easiest thing to do.

Furthermore, the Consumer Reports study makes several important assumptions. For example, it assumes that your auto insurance will cost more. Overtime; however, this might not be true, especially when you consider that some insurance providers have already offered discounts to hybrid drivers.

CR also assumes extra financing costs for hybrids. Already, Ford has begun to offer incentives and better financing deals on its hybrid vehicles, so this 'cost' might not remain an extra cost.

The most important assumption affecting the costs of hybrids; however, is extra depreciation, which CR claims could range from $2,900 to 6,300 after 5 years. These are huge numbers that cannot, at this point in time, be backed by fact.

For example, if hybrid batteries generally last the life of these vehicles, which Toyota engineers claim is quite possible, then these numbers will be horribly wrong. Additionally, as more hybrids are built, hybrid battery costs will come down.

Moreover, it could turn out that replacing the battery packs of older hybrids could make hybrids twice as fuel efficient as before with new battery technology, such as lithium batteries. Not only would this reverse depreciation costs, but it would double fuel savings costs.

In 10 years, it could turn out that replacing the hybrid battery pack on an old hybrid actually results in a better hybrid than when new. Imagine the effect this would have on resale value.

Additionally, "Hybrid supporter and Prius owner James Bell, publisher of the automotive guide IntelliChoice, recently sold his two-year-old Prius for just $4,000 less than he originally paid for it -- a remarkably low rate of depreciation." (more)

So, hybrid depreciation is a complete wild card.

Furthermore, "We really like hybrids in terms of their overall performance" and environmental benefits, says Doug Love, a spokesman for Consumers Union.

In conclusion, the CR study does demonstrates that hybrid vehicles do pose some risk when it comes to long term value; however, the CR study largely assumes the worst case scenario. If hybrid batteries are very reliable and/or new battery technology could cost-effectively make old hybrids twice as fuel efficient, then hybrids could end up as long term bargains.

Help us, Detroit....

Yesterday, I read an article that bothered me a bit. Daniel Howes, an auto reporter for the Detroit News, wrote an article, Help us, Mr. President, that really got under my collar.

Now, I like Howes as a reporter because I think he's pretty fair, especially compared to some of the other auto writers at the same paper. Still, you can't blame Howes for trying to save Detroit. What other choice does he have? In many ways, his job is probably dependent on the success of Detroit automakers.

What really angers me, I've realized, is Detroit automakers, especially GM.

Mr. Howes notes the legacy healthcare and pension costs of GM and Ford, while also complaining that Asian automakers have enjoyed unfair trade barriers. While I have sympathy for these issues, it isn't much.

Then, Howes states, "Nearly 20 GM models deliver 30 mpg or more; the first gas-electric hybrid SUV is a Ford; and Chrysler's Jeep Liberty is the U.S. industry's first diesel-powered SUV."

"Did Toyota and Honda set the standard in hybrids? Absolutely, and more models are coming. Same with Ford, GM and Chrysler. And GM and Ford have millions of ethanol-capable vehicles on the road today, a precursor to the ethanol-powered fleet that you say would free us from Oil Sheikdom."

Smoke and Mirrors

These statements are pure Detroit - deception and lies and the art of advertising.

First, in real world driving, GM doesn't have 20 models that achieve 30 mpg. Sure hybrid cars don't achieve EPA estimated fuel economy, but in reality almost every car misses their EPA numbers. In fact, the Jeep Liberty Howes mentions actually achieves 50% less than what the EPA estimates in city driving according to Consumer Reports.

Second, these faulty EPA numbers are used by GM and Ford to deceive CAFE. Consequently, many Ford and GM SUVs would not pass their CAFE requirements, if not for the EPA's inefficiency. Since this fact is well known by the government and industry alike, I'd call that U.S. protectionism - especially since SUVs have been Detroit's savior the last few decades.

Third, America's ethanol fleet, please! This one is the one that really sets me off, especially since I've seen at least 20 ads promoting how green GM now is because it has more than a million ethanol vehicles on the road.

Go Yellow? Go to hell GM! It has been a long running joke that almost everyone who drives a flex-fuel vehicle - one that can run on ethanol - doesn't even know it.

Why?

Ethanol is expensive most places it's offered, and ethanol isn't offered in very many places. Thus, a flex fuel vehicle really isn't much of a benefit to most, except Detroit automakers.

Adding flex-fuel capabilities to a large SUV only costs a few hundred dollars, but it enables vehicles that wouldn't pass CAFE to pass CAFE - EVEN THOUGH NO ONE IS USING THE FUEL. Thus, GM spends a few extra hundred deceiving the government - whom enables this deception - on vehicles it makes thousands of extra dollars in profits.

Who wouldn't take that deal? Here, you give me $500.00 and I'll give you $5000.00.

Thus, I'm supposed to be proud of GM for lies and deceit? Lies and deceit that don't reduce foreign oil consumption at all, but instead increase foreign oil consumption - this is something GM is spending millions bragging about?

Disgraceful.

How many more loopholes does the government need to give Detroit? I mean there is already a $25,000 tax deduction for the most offensive, gas-guzzling and polluting SUVs - which was only just reduced and doesn't even include depreciation deductions.

How much more does Detroit need?

Ford used to anger me as much as GM, but at least Ford has admitted the error in its ways and has taken a step in the right direction. Still, Ford needs to do much more, but I'm a huge advocate of the Escape hybrid.

If GM, on the other hand, wants my sympathy or wants my money, then GM needs to come clean. Since 9/11 GM has continued to promote it's most fuel inefficient vehicles as its marquee product. This is irresponsible and un-American.

Get with the program GM. Take some real responsibility. Admit some mistakes and talk to the people about the effort it will take to change. Tahoes, Escalades and Chargers aren't the answer. Help America - lead America - towards ending not just foreign oil dependency, but oil dependency and global warming emissions - not in some mystical future world of fuel cells, but today!

Let's Dare to Dream!

When GM shows some vision and some real leadership - first by accepting its failures and then with new products - I'll be the first in line to buy a GM.

Ultimately, GM has no one to blame but themselves, and forgiveness cannot begin without first accepting responsibility. Until then, I'll hope for bankruptcy.

Nationwide campaign for plug-in hybrids launched

Nationwide grassroots campaign of cities, public utilities, etc. promote plug-in hybrids

"Plug-in hybrids represent a real near-term solution to America's over-reliance on foreign oil imports and energy prices that escalate the cost of everything and threaten the very economic life of our nation," says Austin Mayor Will Wynn, who pledged $1 million in city rebates to help citizens and businesses purchase the first wave of plug-ins to roll off assembly lines. "The technology exists today," Wynn says. "This campaign will demonstrate to automakers that the market is also there." (Mototrend)

Many plug-in hybrids currently achieve 80 mpg and significantly reduce pollution caused by vehicle emissions. Even when adding the extra emissions from electricity plants, plug-in hybrids still offer 50 - 75 percent cleaner emissions. Additionally, the cost of the 'electric gas' is just 75 cents per gallon.

Why not make all hybrids, plug-in hybrid vehicles?

I have had enough "hybrid hype"

I am so tired of the phrase "hybrid hype".

Today, I read the article, Amid Hybrid Hype, a Lonely Advocate of Fuel Cells, that finally pushed me over the limit.

"It matters not that, in the automobile industry, hybrids generally are regarded as an interim step toward cleaner, more fuel-efficient technologies, such as hydrogen fuel cells."

"Gas-electric and diesel-electric hybrids are of the moment. The news media love them. Toyota Motor Corp., the biggest purveyor of hybrids, gets lots of greener-than-thou credit for promoting them. There's a buzz; and where there's buzz, there are politicians; and when you mix buzz and politics together, you get policies, which beget certain permutations in business."

Wow, not long ago, GM's Bob Lutz also called hybrids a poor business case, which he now admits was a mistake. Ironically, GM has also admitted that its fuel cell vehicles will inevitably be fuel cell HYBRID VEHICLES.

If hybrid technology is an integral piece of fuel cell vehicle technology how can you call hybrids an "interim step"? If GM and Toyota, the two biggest automobile companies, are going to develop fuel cell hybrids, then hybrid technology cannot be labeled "interim".

Of course, there is a buzz around hybrids. Why shouldn't there be?

9/11, Katrina, global warming, and high gasoline prices have made many people decide the time for action is now and hybrids provide that action today. It isn't just about what the Toyota Prius hybrid or the Ford Escape hybrid can achieve today, but what they could achieve tomorrow.

Plug-in hybrids can achieve 80 mpg and other experimental hybrids, with advanced lithium-ion batteries, have achieved more than 250 mpg. If we invest in today's hybrid vehicles, this can be the future for tomorrow's hybrid vehicles.

And, speaking of hype, where are the real world fuel cells vehicles? They aren't even a reality yet. Today, the average fuel cell vehicle costs $1,000,000.00 and there are still technology barriers, not to mention fueling obstacles. Yet, GM has lobbied the government since the Nixon administration not to raise national fuel economy regulations because fuel cells were just around the corner.

Let's face it, it isn't implausible to suggest that it might be 2 more decades before cost-effective fuel cell vehicles are available - if ever. If hybrids are hype, then fuel cell vehicles are pure fantasy.

So,we should wait two decades before taking foreign oil dependency or global warming seriously because fuel cells will save the world in two decades? Nothing like putting all your eggs in one basket.

Still, even if you want fuel cell vehicles to develop as quickly as possible, short term investing in hybrid vehicles might just be the best way to make that happen, unless of course GM and Toyota aren't going to be part of the fuel cell revolution.

Perhaps gasoline and diesel hybrids are a bridge to fuel cells, but to call them an "interim technology" simply doesn't make sense.

Inevitably, hybrid technology will also help power fuel cell vehicles, and it might just turn out that advancements made in gasoline and diesel hybrids help make fuel cell hybrids a reality much sooner than expected.

Re: AutoWeek's Newest Diesel versus Hybrid Vehicle article

"Heavy-duty diesel pickups have proved popular here, but hybrid-powered vehicles dominate the market for fuel-efficient cars, in part because they generate better environmental buzz. Consumers are willing to pay a premium for the gasoline-electric Toyota Prius and Ford Escape Hybrid." AutoWeek

Sometimes it's very hard to take AutoWeek seriously, especially when they write things that don't make sense.

First, I'm willing to admit that clean diesel achieves 20 percent better fuel efficiency than conventional gasoline engines, but the technology does cost more.

Second, in Los Angeles, where I live, the price of diesel is almost a dollar more than standard unleaded. So, how exactly is a clean diesel going to save me any money, even if it is 20% more efficient?

Third, in Los Angeles, almost all of my driving is stop and go driving. In such conditions, a hybrid vehicle like the Toyota Prius will perform much better than a Jetta Diesel.

Fourth, the Big 3 are focusing almost exclusively on diesel trucks, not cars. So I have to wait a decade before I have a selection of diesel cars to compare to the Civic hybrid, Prius hybrid, Camry hybrid and Malibu hybrid, etc?

So in my case, in real world driving, selection and costs, how does a diesel compare to a hybrid vehicle? The facts demonstrate that it just doesn't. So, it isn't about environmental buzz, as AutoWeek states, it's just basic facts.

Granted if more petroleum were refined into diesel, the costs would go down, but that's a 'what if'.

If AutoWeek wants to play 'what if' games, let me counter with a 'what if' game.

What if new hybrid batteries become 100% more powerful at the same weight and cost as today's hybrid batteries? Such technology is completely possible within the next decade - which is the same period of time that AutoWeek speculates it would take diesels to really take off in the U.S. in a way that would drive diesel fuel prices lower.

If such hybrid technology were available, then diesels - even with cheaper diesel fuel prices - simply wouldn't compare with the capabilities of hybrid cars. The potential of hybrids has barely been tapped. In the coming decades, hybrids will become significantly more powerful, fuel efficient, and clean.

Diesel technology, on the other hand, has largely reached its potential. Yes, clean diesel technology is a good thing, which can compete with hybrids in the short term, but only in the short term. Inevitably, the best utilization of a diesel engine will be to put it in a hybrid vehicle.

Clean diesel hybrid vehicles are an excellent push into the future. To quit at clean diesel is just far too short-sighted, and a silly argument against hybrids.

Once again I just don't get AutoWeek. Why are they so afraid of hybrid cars?

Re: Snow details tax breaks for hybrid cars

Were the hybrid vehicle tax credits designed to benefit domestic automakers?

"Development and use of hybrid vehicles is a key step toward reducing gasoline consumption, emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions," U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow, said in a statement earlier today.

According to Reuters, Detroit was picked for this announcement because Mr. Snow "is aiming to boost the ailing domestic auto industry and encourage conservation, " with the "tax breaks for people who buy gasoline-electric vehicles."

Was it right to cap the hybrid car tax credit by manufacturer?

Showing off hybrid vehicles in Detroit.

In Invasion of the Hybrids, BusinessWeek states that "The auto giants are putting the spotlight on their eco-offerings at this year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit."

"Hybrid vehicles are proliferating, and not just because gas prices spiked to above $3 per gallon last year. Auto makers showing off new hybrid vehicles and plans at this week's North American International Auto Show in Detroit realize that having a hybrid vehicle lineup is valuable public relations for their images."

While this might be true, it is very interesting to note that there are some very unique and radical ideas in many of these new hybrids. For example, GM will be releasing a dual mode hybrid powertrain, while Mitsubishi is showing off its In-wheel Electric Vehicle (MIEV) hybrid powertrain, and Ford is displaying the Reflex diesel hybrid vehicle.

The autoshow isn't just about hybrid vehicles, its about new hybrid technology, and it is also about new hybrid parts suppliers. To simply call this PR is an understatement.

So what hybrids are just around the corner?

Ford will add the Mercury Milan hybrid and the Ford Fusion to their hybrid lineup by 2008, along with their current hybrids, the Escape hybrid and the Mariner hybrid.

GM will offer its mild hybrid, the Saturn Vue Greenline Hybrid, next year which will be followed by the Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid, Chevy Equinox hybrid, the Chevy Malibu hybrid, and the Cadillac Escalade hybrid.

Honda will add the Ridgeline hybrid and Pilot hybrid.

Nissan has already announced the Altima hybrid, but the Sentra and Murano hybrids won't be far behind.

Hyundai, Volkswagen, BMW, Chrsyler, Puegeot, Subaru and even Porsche have all announced they will also offer hybrids.

Obviously, Toyota, which launched the Camry hybrid in Detroit, will continue to push full steam ahead into hybrids. "I think everything will be a hybrid, eventually. It will either be a gas hybrid, a diesel hybrid or a fuel-cell hybrid," Jim Press, Toyota's North American president and chief operating officer said.

Hybrid cars aren't just critical for the public realtions of auto corporations, hybrid technology is critical for their very survival.

Mitsubishi's "groundbreaking concept for a hybrid-powered small car"

"Mitsubishi Motors North America has lifted the covers off its new Concept-CT, which it said is a groundbreaking concept for a hybrid-powered small car that “may influence development of future” models."

"The key contributor to roomy packaging, performance potential and fuel efficiency is the in-house-developed Mitsubishi In-wheel Electric Vehicle (MIEV) hybrid powertrain, which uses an electric motor in each of the vehicle's four wheels." (more)

Toyota might be the leader in hybrid cars, but that dominance is certainly not guaranteed into the future. While hybrids might dominant the future, it is also possible that competition among automakers in hybrid technology might result in a new type of hybrid technology that is cheaper and more powerful than Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive.

Naysayers can continue to call hybrids a niche, but the amount of development that is pouring into hybrids from multiple automakers and suppliers is destined to radically change the future of automobiles much sooner than naysayers believe. Competition always breeds unexpected innovations.

Hybrids, the Cobra, the Camero and the Detroit Auto Show

I've been watching CNBC's coverage of the Detroit Auto Show all day long, and I've been struck by one thing: the past versus the future.

Today, Toyota's buzz has revolved around one thing, the future and hybrid cars. This morning the Lexus LS460 hybrid was unveiled, but the real hype, the real excitement is around the launch of the new Toyota Camry hybrid. Now, not to be too biased, the launch of the new conventional Camry is also big news, but the hype around the future for Toyota is still hybrids.

On the other hand, much of the buzz for Ford and GM seems to revolve around the past, particularly around the Cobra and Camero muscle cars.

Now I know that Ford has the Escape hybrid and the Mariner hybrid, and GM will soon be launching its own hybrids, but the Detroit Show again demonstrates just how far ahead Toyota is pulling into the future.

And, regarding GM hybrids, some are even questioning 'how hybrid' GM hybrids are really going to be. "What GM is talking about in my book are not hybrids," said David Healy, an auto analyst with Burnham Securities. "These are trucks with humongous starter motors." (more)

What also struck me, unfortunately, was how much horsepower drives America, which clarifies why not only Ford and GM are hyping the Cobra and Camero, but why Toyota is hyping the Lexus LS460 hybrid.

Horsepower is even driving Toyota hybrids.

Phil Lebeau of CNBC noted how hybrids have become focused on horsepower as much as fuel efficiency. Therefore, the Toyota Highlander hybrid gives you V6 performance with V4 fuel efficiency, but the focus is not purely on fuel efficiency. In fact Mr. Lebeau noted that new hybrid batteries, combined with new micro-processors and software, offer hybrid vehicles the ability to be even more fuel efficient, but that efficiency would come at the expense of horsepower.

So, fuel efficiency isn't even the pure driver of hybrids, yet. If gas prices spike in the coming years, that might change; however, if a breakthrough in hybrid batteries occurs, it might not even matter. Such a breakthrough would afford hybrids the ability to offer significant horsepower coupled with unbelievable fuel efficiency.

While gasoline electric hybrids might not dominate the future before fuel cell electric hybrid vehicles, I wouldn't bet against them if I were an automaker. Since computer technology has essentially become the driver of hybrid success, betting against hybrids is like betting that computers don't have any room for improvement.

Toyota will again dominate the hybrid buzz in Detroit

Yesterday, I wrote about how GM's dual mode hybrid system would finally make its debut appearance at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit via gasoline electric hybrids from GM, Chrysler and BMW. While it is nice to finally see some serious hybrid cars from these automakers, Toyota will once again dominate the buzz in Detroit.

Why?

The Toyota Camry hybrid. While there hasn't been a lot of official news regarding the hybrid version of the Camry, according to MotorTrend, "The Camry Hybrid will deliver the highest level of Camry performance ever achieved in both fuel efficiency and low emissions and also achieve impressive power."

Additionally, the whole line of Camrys is being redesigned and reengineered to greatly improve performance and comfort. Thus, the hybrid Camry will also benefit from these "significant" improvements.

So, will the Camry hybrid be as popular as the Prius hybrid car?

Probably not; however, pricing will largely determine the success of the Camry hybrid. While the Camry hybrid is certain to be a top hybrid seller, I'm certain that Toyota isn't yet ready for the hybrid Camry to out-sell the conventional Camry, so pricing will be set to lure early adopters, not average buyers.

Yes, GM, Chrysler and BMW will get some good buzz from their new hybrids, but the Camry hybrid is the real show-stopper.

GM, Daimler and BMW to showcase hybrids at Detroit Show

GM, DaimlerChrysler and BMW will launch GM's dual mode hybrid technology in their respective gasoline-electric hybrid powertrains at this year's North American International Auto Show.

The three automakers formed an alliance in an attempt to catch up with Toyota, the leading seller of hybrid cars. The dual mode hybrids offered by these companies will offer very different performance compared to Toyota's hybrids.

GM's dual mode hybrid technology should be cheaper; however, it won't be as efficient at Toyota's technology, especially in urban driving. GM's technology, on the other hand, could offer advantages in certain areas of performance, such as towing.

Still, Toyota has some huge advantages regarding hybrids. Already Toyota believes that it can cut its hybrid costs in half when it releases its third generation hybrid drive in just a couple of years. If this is true, it will wipe out GM's cost advantage, while also offering significantly better fuel efficiency

Nonetheless, the competition that is developing in the hybrid segment will be good for all consumers. While Toyota and Ford hybrids utilize very similar technology, Honda has succeeded with its own technology, and now comes GM's hybrid technology. Additionally, both Volkswagen and Hyundai shouldn't be far behind with their hybrids.

This competition will increase hybrid supplies, which will make all hybrid vehicles cheaper. Moreover, the competition between hybrid technologies will, inevitably, lead to affordable, extremely fuel efficient vehicles.

Additionally, this competition is leading to other hybrid experiments. Ford isn't just going to offer gasoline electric hybrids, such as the Ford Escape hybrid. At Detroit's Auto Show, they will showcase the Reflex diesel hybrid vehicle, according to the DetroitNews.

While the Toyota Prius hybrid continues to dominate hybrid sales, the second generation Honda Civic hybrid has also been a hot seller, and with all this new development into technology, a true Prius topper could be just around the corner.

Re: "GM drawing on the past as it attempts to speed development of hybrids"

I was just reading AutoWeek's article, GM drawing on the past as it attempts to speed development of hybrids, and it seems that GM is even more dysfunctional than I have previously thought.

Saying something like that can be dangerous because, in America, there are many devout GM followers. While I criticize GM quite often, it's not because I think GM is technologically inept. I think GM is corporately inept. When it comes to technology I think GM is just as capable as any other auto maker. It's vision where GM is lacking, and that boils down to corporate leadership.

Having said that, I think that GM is even more dysfunctional than previously thought because of the double talk coming out of Detroit. How can GM's Bob Lutz state that hybrid cars don't make economic sense when GM's Larry Nitz, a 30-year GM veteran and executive director of GM's global hybrid powertrains states, "Fuel cell vehicles are always fuel cell hybrid vehicles because they have battery packs. The same people that work on the hybrid batteries work on the fuel cell batteries. The same people that do electric motor controls for the hybrid system do motor controls for the fuel cells, too."?

So, the future IS hybrid vehicles, even to GM? So, why the lies and deception? Is this the model for corporate America? Is this the model for success?

Perhaps GM is just too old of a company, run by an ancient belief in the good ole boy's network. The rich might still run America, but average Americans aren't as blind as we used to be, and change is inevitable.

Toyota has been making the fuel cell argument in support of its hybrid vehicles since it started selling the Prius hybrid car. I've often stated that Toyota is laying out the fuel cell vehicle future right now, with every hybrid it puts on the road.

On the other hand, hybrid critics have long stated that fuel cell vehicles, not hybrid vehicles, are the future. Yet hybrid technology is integral to the fuel cell vehicle. Thus, the more work that is done on hybrids - even gasoline electric hybrids - the faster fuel cell vehicles become reality.

So, what exactly is the point of hybrid critics?

Let's be clear about another thing. Pure hydrogen vehicles ARE NOT the future, and if GM believed, or still believes, its path to fuel cells would begin with pure hydrogen vehicles as an interim step to fuel cell vehicles, then GM really sucks.

Pure hydrogen vehicles just aren't all that fuel efficient. That's a fact. Ford has noted that the best way to create fuel efficient hydrogen vehicles would be to create hydrogen hybrid vehicles. Once again hybrid technology is a critical component.

Yet, GM's boldest hybrid move to date has been hybrid lies.

Now I realize that GM has legacy costs that make R&D more difficult, and that is a serious problem, so serious that it's going to cost at least 30,000 their jobs. Nonetheless, GM has a multi-billion dollar yearly marketing budget. Couldn't some of that have been used for R&D, especially after 9/11?

Let's face it, in hindsight, GM and Ford should have started taking fuel efficiency seriously in the 80's and 90's - not just because of gas scares, or political problems in the Middle East, but because of simple market share. When does year after year of declining market share finally make you think, huh, maybe we should try something different?

Yet, even after 9/11, GM is still barely doing things different. In many respects, GM's very survival is still dependent upon gas-guzzling vehicles. High gas prices, too bad. Foreign oil dependency, too bad. Helping to finance terrorism, too bad. Polluting the environment, too bad. That's GM today.

Unfortunately, it's average Americans, not rich shareholders and corporate executives, that will pay the real price for this ineptitude.

Mitsubishi ready to go hybrid?

There is some speculation that Mitsubishi has a new hybrid vehicle that is ready to go, if it has a good showing at autoshows.

"The Concept-CT MIEV has four doors, all-wheel drive and a 1.1-liter gasoline engine. Each wheel has its own electric motor. The car will be shown at the Detroit auto show."

More

2nd Gen. Civic hybrid available this month

The 2nd generation Honda Civic hybrid should be available across the U.S. this month. Built on Honda's second generation hybrid drive, the new Honda will act a bit more like the Toyota Prius hybrid in city driving - able to function on just electric power in some conditions. Still, the Honda won't offer quite as much electric power as the Prius, but it will still offer better fuel efficiency, more power, and sleaker styling than the first generation Civic hybrid. Ultimately, this should really heat up the competition in the hybrid cars segment.

AutoWeek and Hybrids: Makes me wanna laugh

I know that AutoWeek is a horsepower magazine and that many of their fans are the American-made, period, type of crowd. Still, sometimes the magazine is just plain silly.

I've noted in the past that any time a hybrid graces the cover of their website, it also includes some sort of negative caveat. Currently, things are slightly different this time on the home page of their website which includes a story about the Honda Accord hybrid.

"At $1.50 a gallon for gas, few Americans seemed to care about fuel economy, but how quickly apathy turns into concern when prices reach $3 per gallon. Suddenly, the word "hybrid" is on every lip. So the funny thing is, actual owners of hybrids - those who responded to our AutoFile survey on the Honda Accord Hybrid - seem to defy any real monetary motivation in their purchase decisions."

No, actually it isn't that funny. The funny thing is the way that AutoWeek plays dumb.

There are different kinds of hybrids vehicles. For example, Toyota hybrids, such as the Prius and Highlander hybrid, and Ford's hybrids, such as the Escape hybrid, are quite different than either Honda or Lexus hybrids.

Honda's hybrid technology increases fuel efficiency on the highway, where as Ford and Toyota achieve their best performance in the city. Ford and Toyota hybrids have the ability to function on just electric power during congestion and stop-and-go traffic, the same conditions that make conventional vehicles - even Honda hybrids - perform their worse. This is set to change with the upcoming second generation Civic hybrid, which will act more like Toyota and Ford hybrids. Still, there is a vast difference between Toyota and Honda hybrids.

The Accord hybrid, like the Lexus RX400h hybrid, is a performance hybrid. Sure the Lexus hybrid still offers excellent fuel efficiency in congestion compared to the conventional version, but it was not built for fuel efficiency, it was built for performance.

Both the RX400h hybrid and the Accord hybrid are about a second faster from 0 to 60 than their conventional counterparts, yet they achieve this performance while also achieving better fuel efficiency than their conventional counterparts. Of course, the RX400h excels at urban driving, while the Accord hybrid excels at highway driving. Nonetheless, you don't buy either one of these vehicles because you are on a budget trying to save money on gas.

Thus, contrary to AutoWeek, classifying the owners of the Accord hybrid with owners of the Prius hybrid, for example, is just plain silly. They are not hybrid owners from the same tree. So, why does AutoWeek do it? Is it because Forum members of AutoWeek are offended that some hybrid owners question their gas guzzling, so this article makes hybrid owners seem confused and silly?

I don't have the answer, but I know that AutoWeek knows fully well that comparing the Accord hybrid to the Prius hybrid is about as effective as comparing apples to oranges - they are fundamentally different. So, I can only guess that this appeals to their core audience - the hybrids just don't really makes sense audience.

Ultimately, there are different kinds of hybrids and consumers buy for them for many different reasons. Perhaps, one common thread of hybrid buyers is that hybrid consumers believe that buying hybrids sends a message to the auto industry that fuel efficiency is important, especially in light of the problems that foreign oil dependency so obviously has caused and continues to cause to America.

Let's be real, even Bill Ford believes that foreign oil dependency is important for America.

Hybrid vehicles, such as the Engima, and other experimental hybrids demonstrate that hybrid technology can lead to unbelievable gains in fuel efficiency and performance - something to which AutoWeek should be able to relate.

Until then, sometimes when I read AutoWeek, I guess all I can do is laugh.

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.

A major American failure: The hybrid vehicle

I was reading the article The Hot Hybrids published by E: The Environmental Magazine that was reposted by MotorTrend.

The article opens, "With $1 billion in taxpayer money poured into the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles in the 1990s, Detroit's Big Three developed a trio of hybrid vehicles (with both gasoline and electric drivetrains for maximum fuel economy). The resulting prototypes were shown off at auto shows, but the domestic automakers were steadfast in their refusal to actually produce these consumersubsidized eco-cars."

Always good to see tax-payer dollars hard at work! So, it took a billion tax payer dollars for Detroit to decide there was, "No market for them," and they were, "too expensive to build"? That's just great!

Well, a decade later, U.S. monthly Toyota Prius sales can surpass Audi, Volvo or Saab monthly sales, and the sales potential of the Prius still hasn't fully been tapped. Currently, supply simply cannot keep up with demand.

So what, the critics of hybrid cars say, it's just all the treehuggers and that market will soon run dry. It's just marketing hype they claim.

Fine, maybe it is hype, but couldn't GM use a little marketing hype?

The DetroitNews published an article this weekend called Black October: How one month changed the course of the auto industry. "It was the pivotal event in the month that may be remembered as the industry's Black October, when the vulnerabilities of Detroit's automakers were laid bare in dramatic fashion."

The American auto industry is in serious trouble and that trouble will resonate - has resonated - throughout the American economy, and the worst is yet to come.

Hybrid cars might not be the dominant vehicle of the future; however, in light of the connection between terrorism and foreign oil, global warming, hurricanes, and high gas prices, average Americans have become interested in hybrids. This interest takes them to Toyota and Honda dealerships because consumers are starting to feel like maybe they do have a choice. Maybe there is a difference.

Ultimately, hybrid technology might be expensive, but it is expensive because it requires some of the most advanced automotive technology - it demands invention and innovation. Since the potential of technology, quite simply, has few limits - technology can and will advance.

Hybrid cars utilize this kind of technology that can and will advance. Sure diesel, or biodiesel might compare fairly well with hybrids today, but hybrids are only an emerging technology. Experimental hybrids prove that the potential of hybrid vehicles has barely been tapped. Additionally, hybrid technology can also utilize the advancements made in diesel, biodiesel, hydrogen, or even fuel cells - in addition to hybrid advancements.

In today's world the potential of technology must be chased, and it must be chased ALL the time. For too long the American auto industry has succeeded at maintaining the status quo, rather than driving the technology of the future.

Some might say GM is a fuel cell leader - they are pushing the future, the real future. Maybe, but GM has been promoting this fuel cell future since the Nixon administration. When are real results required? The future cannot always be an excuse for doing nothing today.

When it comes to technology there is always a better, more efficient way to do things. If always finding a better way to do things isn't driving the core of a business, then that business might use technology, but it isn't a technological leader.

For too long, Detroit has used technology to maintain the status quo, not to innovate automaking. The success of the Toyota Prius has changed everything, and the bar has been raised. There is no status quo, there is only innovation.

GM's Bob Lutz once said that GM could have developed a competitor to the Prius by simply diverting a fraction of ONE year's marketing budget to such development. Actually, GM should have just used it's share of the billion dollars of tax payer money with which it was paid to do this.

If hybrids are just hype, why will EVERY major automaker be offering a selection of hybrids within just the next few years? That's a pretty expensive exercise in futility if they are just chasing hype.

Inevitably, hybrids demonstrate the complete failure of the American auto industry. Let's hope they can change, they OWE it to us.

GM dealers in mad hybrid push with Sierra / Silverado

According to AutoWeek GM dealers are trying hard to push the green factor of the Sierra / Silverado hybrid truck. While GM has been one of the industry's staunchest hybrid critics, its dealers are trying hard to utilize the frenzied interest in hybrid cars. And who can blame them when they are in the midst of a horrific sales slump?

Unfortunately, the Silverado hybrid barely qualifies as a hybrid. In fact, 'mild' hybrid is almost too strong of a word for this vehicle.

I would almost argue that the first generation Honda Civic hybrid and the Honda Accord hybrid are 'mild' hybrids because these Honda hybrids cannot function on primarily electric power, as do Ford and Toyota hybrids in certain driving conditions (fortunately, the 2006 Civic hybrid will offer more hybrid performance). This ability makes the Toyota Highlander hybrid and the Ford Escape hybrid extremely efficient in city driving.

The Silverado hybrid, on the other hand, lags far behind Honda hybrid performance.

As AutoWeek notes, "The trucks' big selling point is not the hybrid powertrain, but their capability as mobile power generators."

Ultimately, the GM Silverado hybrid is a baby hybrid and isn't scheduled to join the hybrid big leagues until 2008. That's too bad, because a full hybrid truck would sure be a great product right now.

Lithium-ion battery maker making major hybrid vehicle breakthrough?

I received an e-mail from A123Systems regarding their new line of Lithium-ion batteries. According to the e-mail, the new batteries will offer as much as 5 times the power, 10 times the life, and significant improvements in safety compared to current lithium-ion batteries. Additionally, A123Systems is currently working with the government to provide batteries for the government's hybrid vehicles program.

Currently, hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius, Toyota Highlander hybrid, and the Ford Escape hybrid use NiMH batteries to power their electric motors. Recently, I wrote that in a few years all hybrids will use Lithium-ion batteries, rather than NiMH batteries. The kinds of innovations that A123Systems and other battery developers make will have a profound effect on the performance of hybrid cars and they demonstrate the barely tapped, emerging potential of hybrid technology.

Hybrid technology poised for major evolution?

AutoWeek has posted a couple of intriguing articles regarding the future of the technology behind hybrid cars. First, Drive-by-wire braking technology could find a home on hybrid vehicles points to the possibility that one of the hybrid powertrain's key functions, regenerative braking, could possibly be significantly improved with drive-by-wire braking. Steve Brown, director of North America programs for SKF Automotive Division stated that such a "brake system would offer better regeneration of the vehicle's battery than a conventional hydraulic system because it is electronic."

Second, and even more significant, Japan's largest battery maker says lithium-ion will be hybrid battery standard of the future notes that one of the most critical hybrid components is about to be replaced. Currently, hybrid vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius or the Ford Escape hybrid, utilize NiMH, or Nickel-Metal Hydride, batteries to help power and store energy for their electric motors.

In the future; however, Lithium-ion batteries will be the standard and once those batteries become standardized the potential for significant gains in the fuel economy of hybrids will truly emerge. Each new generation of battery technology will become lighter, yet capacity will increase. This would enable a Toyota Highlander hybrid, for example, to make the daily commute of many city drivers utilizing mostly electric power.

Combined with more efficient regenerative braking, such as could be offered by drive-by-wire braking, the potential of what hybrid technology could achieve truly begins to emerge.

While today's hybrid vehicles can be very fuel efficient, critics counter that clean diesel can be just as efficient. While that might be true on the highway, it isn't true in the city, where a hybrid can simply shut off its gasoline engine and run on electric power only. Diesel vehicles must continue to burn fuel.

Still, as clean diesels become more popular, especially in Europe, the costs of that technology will become cheaper and that technology could then be utilized to make clean diesel hybrid vehicles. Such vehicles, combined with better and better hybrid batteries and other innovations, such as drive-by-wire breaking, demonstrate that amazingly efficient automobiles are within grasp as long as consumers demand them.

Imagine a flex-fuel-clean-diesel-plug-in hybrid vehicle. A highly fuel efficient vehicle that could use diesel, biodiesel, or even solar power as its fuel. A vehicle that could achieve 100 mpg, or even more, at a tiny fraction of the cost of fuel cells. A vehicle that could be a reality with just today's technology, while offering even better performance with tomorrow's technology.

Updated

I was sent an e-mail from A123Systems, a lithium battery maker that is also working with the government on hybrid vehicles. According to their representative, they have developed a lithium-ion battery that will offer 5 times the power of current batteries and 10 times the the life. Obviously, such increases could DRASTICALLY improve the performance of hybrids.

Are Toyota hybrid truck plans an opportunity for GM hybrids?

Sure GM offers a mild hybrid, but the Silverado hybrid truck barely offers any gains in fuel economy. Really, the best thing about the Chevy hybrid is the ability to plug some tools into the standard electric outlets it offers.

By 2007; however, GM should offer much better hybrid trucks - in terms of fuel efficiency. Of course, so to will the king of hybrid vehicles, Toyota.

Offering the best selling Prius, Toyota sells far more hybrids than any other automaker, but Toyota also sells two hybrid SUVs, the Highlander hybrid and the Lexus RX400h, but what about hybrid trucks?

Currently, Toyota is working on a feasibility study to determine if a Toyota Tundra hybrid can meet consumer demands. According to AutoWeek, because "many truck owners require their vehicles to tow or haul heavy loads over long distances. Hybrid battery power is nearly useless in that aspect. As a result, a pickup cannot scrimp on engine displacement without sacrificing towing performance. That hurts fuel economy, the main benefit of a hybrid."

Only time will tell if Toyota can overcome this issue. For many hybrid truck consumers, towing might be a non-issue, but this could be an area for GM to capitalize. GM's dual-mode hybrid will not rely as much on batteries as much as Toyota hybrids. Thus, GM trucks will not face these towing problems; however, GM trucks might not be as fuel efficient as Toyota trucks. Nonetheless, the hybrid truck segment could offer GM a real window of opportunity.

In addition to Toyota, Ford hybrids, such as the Escape hybrid, or the Mercury Mariner hybrid, also use a powertrain very similar to Toyota, which means that Ford will also face many of the same towing issues as Toyota with Ford hybrid trucks.

Trucks are a huge market in the U.S. and a top selling hybrid truck could be a real winner for GM. I expect the marketing hype to really begin to heat up around this market segment towards the end of 2006, early 2007.

The future of hybrid vehicles

I was recently interviewed for an article regarding hybrid cars and the question posed to me was, "Will the hybrid powertrain be the dominant powertrain by 2012?"

While I said that it would not, I noted that analysts currently predicting total hybrid sales achieving just 5% of the market by 2012, were just as wrong in that prediction as they were when they predicted the complete failure of the Toyota Prius.

Just today the article, Forget hybrids, America; diesels will provide economy, performance argues that America should focus on diesel, not hybrids, especially because Ford is a leading player.

So now diesel is the answer to America's oil problems? Please!

According to Ken Miller, an oil industry analyst with Purvin & Gertz in Houston, "New environmental rules for diesel will go into effect on Jan. 1 that are expected to add a few more cents per gallon to the cost of diesel. The day when diesel was cheaper than gasoline is probably over." (AutoWeek) Yet, diesel is the answer?

Others might say that bio-diesel can make diesel vehicles cheaper to run, but I doubt this to be true if a significant percentage of Americans begin to drive bio-diesel. Where will the fuel come from? What if severe weather causes drought or storm that destroys fuel crops? Bio-diesel can absolutely help end foreign oil dependency, but it cannot do it alone.

I say build flex-fuel hybrids because doing so could save America as much as a trillion dollars (more).

There was a time when technology was the strength of America, yet today, the strength of America seems controlled by whether oil is cheap or not. Additionally, many automotive writers, probably the ones who refused to use a computer for as long as possible, continue to wear blinders.

How many more conflicts in the Middle East, how much more evidence of pollution and global warming, how much more evidence that America is continually losing its technological stronghold, will it take before America embraces the future - a future that will be dominated by technology, not cheap oil?

America has for too long chosen the easy path, a path that has been enforced by military power and executed with a complete disregard for the environment. Suddenly, however, the easy path is neither so easy, nor cost-effective.

While hybrid cars might not dominate the future, hybrid technology is just an emerging technology that can lead to 100 mpg fuel efficiency within 10 years if automakers create bio-diesel hybrids, plug-in hybrids, or even solar-powered plug-in hybrids - while also helping hydrogen, electric, and fuel cell vehicle development.

Can diesel achieve that in a decade?

The future of the world, especially the automotive world, will not be driven by cheap oil, but by technology and that technological advancement needs to begin now. Sure America can wait, but the longer it waits, the more technologically obsolete America will become.

Besides, isn't it time America invests in America, rather than in filthy rich oil companies?

Prius hybrid vehicle stalling update

Toyota will send out a letter to about 75,000 Prius owners asking them to take their vehicles to their dealer to fix a potential software glitch, according to Reuters. Some Prius drivers have reported sudden stalling or stopping. According to Toyota, "if the gasoline engine stalls, the electric motor in the vehicles will have enough power to allow the driver to pull the vehicle over and away from the traffic."

The software update is free and is intended for 2004 and 2005 Prius models. While the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration started an investigation into the problem several months ago, a recall has not been issued. Still, it is better to be safe than sorry, even though only a minimal number of Prii have experienced the problem.

It is also important to note that at last report, there have been no reported injuries or accidents from the potential software problem. As hybrid cars are an emerging technology, such software bugs really aren't surprising, and are becoming more common, even in conventional vehicles.

Toyota hybrid vehicle supply running on empty

According to Reuters, Toyota is now buying additional electric motors from Hitachi to meet the increasing demand for its hybrid cars. Recently, it was announced that the supply of Toyota's Prius hybrid car is now down to hours, and the situation isn't much better for the Highlander hybrid. Everything seems to indicate that Toyota will still not be able to catch up to demand even with this new deal.

As Ford has also had problems finding hybrid parts for its Escape hybrid and Mariner hybrid, the problem of hybrids parts - or the lack of - is becoming a serious problem that will require massive restructuring of auto suppliers.

Still, despite the hybrid critics, hybrids are hot and only getting hotter.

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.

Re: Hybrids: Don't buy the hype

My boys love the movie Napoleon Dynamite, and it was Napoleon that I thought of when I read the article Hybrids: Don't buy the hype.

"Idiots."

"There may be reasons to buy a hybrid vehicle right now, but they aren't financial reasons," says Peter Valdes-Dapena .

Really, Peter?

"A hybrid Honda Accord costs about $3,800 more than the comparable non-hybrid version. Over five years, you'll make up that cost in gasoline money if the price of gas goes up immediately to $9.20 a gallon."

Nice one, Peter, the Accord hybrid? First, the Accord hybrid isn't a top selling hybrid. Second, it's a performance hybrid, not a hybrid built for fuel efficiency. Third, there is a huge difference between Honda hybrids and Toyota hybrids. In city driving, Toyota hybrids offer far more fuel efficiency because of their ability to function on electric power only.

"For the Ford Escape hybrid, the difference is less stark. To make up the difference between the Escape hybrid and a Ford Escape SLD, gas prices would have to rise to $5.60 immediately after you purchase the vehicle or you would have to drive 37,000 miles a year. Still an unlikely scenario." At least based on Edmunds.com data, Peter notes.

How about some investigative journalism, Peter?

The Edmund's study was largely based on EPA data, and is therefore unreliable and over-generalized. For example, in city driving, the EPA is off by as much as 50 percent in its fuel economy ratings according to Consumer Reports (more on this). Additionally, Edmunds, like the EPA, assumes that most drivers drive mostly on the highway.

Not me, Peter, and not millions and millions of other Americans that live in cities and suburbs.

Then you mention diesel as a more viable option. Peter, did you know that according to CR, the Jeep Liberty Diesel, estimated to achieve 22 MPG in the city, actually only achieves 11 MPG. Is that the kind of real money savings you are talking about Peter?

Then you state that "driving more gently" can save up to the 30 percent.

C'mon, Peter, driving more gently can also make the Ford Escape hybrid more fuel efficient as well as the Toyota Highlander hybrid and the Toyota Prius - of course that wasn't how Edmunds tested their hybrids, was it Peter?

And why didn't you cover the Toyota Prius in your article, since it is by far the best selling hybrid vehicle? Instead, you chose the least 'hybrid' of the hybrids to make your argument. Nice objectivity.

Since the Department of Transportation and numerous University studies claim that city driving, or congestion, is not only the new American norm, but a major American problem, shouldn't that be the standard for testing fuel efficiency?

According to Consumer Reports, not only are 3 hybrids the most fuel efficient vehicles available, but in city driving - the new American norm - the Prius is without rival. For example, the Prius is more than 150% more fuel efficient than the Ford Focus in congestion.

Hmm, Peter. So 45 MPG versus 17 MPG isn't good enough? And if I drive "gently" in the city, my Prius can achieve even 50 or 60 MPG. Still, not worth it, huh, Peter?

More important, hybrid vehicles are an emerging technology and the best is yet to come. Plug-in hybrids and experimental hybrids have been demonstrated to achieve as much as 250 MPG.

Not worth the investment Peter? Instead, we should drive more "gently"?

Buying a hybrid can save money, more important; however, it can help fund a technological revolution that can significantly help the environment and end foreign oil dependency - without finding some miracle to make million dollar fuel cell vehicles more cost effective.

Of course I guess we could just drive more "gently" to fix these problems, huh, Peter?

Hybrid Cars and Fuel Efficiency: The most important point

Hybrid cars are leading an automotive revolution. Yet, critics are everywhere. Hybrids cost too much, they don't achieve EPA estimates, diesel and biodiesel are better, fuel cells are the future and on and on.

On Friday Consumers Reports sent out a press release regarding the inaccuracy and inefficiency of the EPA's fuel economy ratings. Of course, even Consumer Reports had to take a stab at hybrid cars, noting that the Honda Civic hybrid missed its EPA estimated city fuel economy - utilizing CR's testing methodology - by a whopping 46 percent.

Of course CR did have to admit that hybrids still fill the top 3 most fuel efficient vehicles slot - not bad considering only a handful of hybrids are available.

In city driving, according to CR, 9 out of 10 vehicles - not just hybrids - miss their EPA estimates by as much as 50 percent. 9 out of 10 of the worse offenders were NOT hybrids. The Jeep Liberty Diesel estimated at 22 mpg city, actually achieves only 11 mpg. Chrysler's top selling 300C estimated at 17 mpg, actually achieves 10 mpg. A couple of Dodges only achieve 8 mpg in the city.

That's right just 8 mpg, yet we're worried that the Civic hybrid only achieves 24 mpg? Of course on the highway, the Civic hybrid does much better, as do all vehicles.

Still, this is an important point, especially when it comes to hybrids. Hybrids are not all the same. The Honda Accord hybrid and the Civic hybrid are built upon the same hybrid technology, but not the same hybrid technology as the Toyota Prius hybrid. Toyota hybrids, such as the Prius or Highlander hybrid, can actually function on electric power only at low speeds. This means that in city driving, where congestion creates stop-and-go traffic, Toyota hybrids can use much less gasoline, as can the Ford Escape hybrid.

Honda hybrids do not benefit from this gain. The second generation Civic hybrid, due out in October; however, will offer this capability, but its electronic component will still not equal that of Toyota hybrids.

Thus, all hybrids are not created equal and viewing hybrids as one class is as inaccurate and misleading as utilizing EPA fuel economy data. While the Civic hybrid only achieves 26 mpg in the city according to CR, the Prius achieves 45 mpg. The Ford Focus, for a conventional comparison, only achieves 17 mpg.

At today's gas prices, driving 15,000 miles per year, the Civic hybrid would save you $1500.00 in gas versus the Focus, the Prius would save $4500.00 per year in gas savings versus the Focus. Of course, not everyone drives in these conditions all the time, but for those that live in large cities, the cost-benefit of hybrids like the Prius is pretty dramatic.

Additionally, if you HAVE to drive an SUV and you drive mostly in the city, driving a Highlander hybrid or Escape hybrid will probably save close to $700 - $1000 per year. For many hybrid drivers, gasoline savings in the real world ARE enough to cover the cost of hybrid components, plus you are helping to clean the environment - can you really put a cost on that?

Ultimately, hybrids are not all the same. Currently, the Prius is best in class - at least until the second generation Civic hybrid. Still, it isn't the fuel economy of hybrids that should be in focus, rather is should be the incredible fuel inefficiency of conventional vehicles.

GM's missing hybrids at Frankfurt Auto show

There has been a great amount of news regarding hybrid cars at the Frankfurt Autoshow.

"In the future, the cars you see from Toyota will be 100 percent hybrid," Kazuo Okamoto, executive vice president, told reporters in Frankfurt Monday, without giving a specific timetable. (NYTimes)

An AP auto writer noted, "At the Frankfurt auto show this week, German automakers Volkswagen AG, Audi AG and Porsche AG said they were forming an alliance to develop hybrid engines. Last week, BMW AG joined General Motors Corp. and DaimlerChrysler AG in a similar partnership."

Additionally, "French automaker PSA Peugeot-Citroen also wants to develop hybrid technology and may join forces with another company to share costs, Chairman and Chief Executive Jean-Martin Folz said." And, "Audi unveiled the first gas-electric hybrid vehicle from a European automaker at the show, a version of its new Q7 sport-utility vehicle that will go on sale in 2008."

Even, DaimlerChrysler, one of GM's hybrid partners, "also said it will release its first hybrid Mercedes before the next Frankfurt auto show, which will be held in 2007."

Yet, it was GM that was missing at the hybrid party.

A European Auto Correspondent wrote, "Record fuel costs pushed hybrid cars to centre stage at the world's biggest car show this week...", while noting that GM was "one of the seemingly few companies at the Frankfurt show not to trumpet a new hybrid offering or highlight its plans to make one."

It is particularly ironic that GM told the European autowriter that the U.S. government made a mistake by giving hybrids favored treatment, rather than setting environmental standards to let the market decide how to meet them.

GM lobbyists have for decades convinced the government NOT to address fuel efficiency because GM has claimed it would interfere with fuel cell development. Additionally, the government has created loopholes, even tax incentives, enabling GM to create larger, foreign-oil guzzling trucks and SUVs. Essentially, GM has paid the government to handcraft its perfect market.

GM is an important American company because it employs a great number of Americans. Still, GM has become the least 'American' acting auto company. In the wake of 911, two wars in Iraq, and Katrina, GM plans to push its large trucks and SUVs full force ahead, even at the expense of some new, more fuel efficient sedans according to a recent AutoWeek article.

Perhaps hybrids aren't the only answer, or even the best answer, but they are a positive action. Consumers, or market forces, have expressed strong interest in this automotive development, yet GM offers only criticisms.

GM is an automaker, not an auto critic, and it's about time GM focuses on innovation rather than excuses.

Hybrid Car Price Wars Coming Soon

When it comes to humans, change is the most constant force in the Universe. 100 years ago humans traversed the planet on horses, camels, and donkeys. Today, we use automobiles and airplanes.

As automobiles have evolved, they have changed greatly, but the internal combustion engine has always ruled. That is; however, beginning to change.

Electric cars, hybrid cars and fuel cell cars are already on the road today. While electric vehicles still fall a bit short of consumer expectations, and fuel cell vehicles are ridiculously expensive, hybrid vehicles are just right.

Just five years ago, most Americans knew very little, if anything, about hybrids. Today, the far majority of Americans are not only aware of hybrid automobiles, they believe that hybrids are the future, and they are willing to buy a hybrid, if not for the costs, according to a recent Polk Study.

While I agree that there are issues with hybrid vehicle costs, I think the Toyota Prius hybrid is a vehicle well worth the money. In fact, I think ALL hybrids are worth the price. Sure the costs of knowing that you are helping develop a new technology, that you are helping clean the environment, that you are helping reduce foreign oil dependency, are not easily measured. Still, for those that are deeply concerned about such issues, the additional costs of hybrid technology are well worth the price.

Still, the average American is mostly focused on price, which means that costs must go down for hybrids to successfully compete with conventional vehicles. This is on the verge of happening.

Already, Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe has ordered engineers to reduce the costs of hybrid technology by 50 percent according to USA Today. Such a move would make buying a Toyota Highlander hybrid, instead of a conventional Highlander, much easier for the average buyer. With the Camry hybrid and as many as 10 new Toyota hybrids soon reaching market, hybrid costs will be extremely important.

But it isn't just comparing Toyota hybrids to conventional Toyota vehicles that will be important. The new Honda Civic hybrid, for example, is set to provide a real challenge to the most popular hybrid, the Prius. According to early reports, the second generation Civic hybrid will be more powerful, more fuel efficient, and better styled than the previous Civic hybrid.

Honda hybrids are not Toyota's only challenge either. Essentially every major automaker is now developing hybrid technology. This will eventually lead to better and cheaper hybrid parts, such as batteries, as more and more automobile suppliers begin developing this technology.

Additionally, hybrid technology will evolve. Already Honda anticipates that it will be able to challenge Toyota hybrid pricing because its hybrid system is simpler than Toyota's. Thus Toyota will strive to simplify its hybrid powertrain, or to make it more powerful and more fuel efficient than Honda's to justify the price difference. Or, perhaps, the next Prius will be a plugin-biodiesel-electric hybrid vehicle.

Inevitably, hybrid vehicle competition will lead to price wars, and it will help end foreign oil dependency while protecting the environment. What more could consumers ask for?

GM's skewed vision of Saturn Vue hybrid, Volkswagen hybrids in 2008

I laughed as soon as I read the title of AutoWeek's article, Saturn says its upcoming Vue hybrid will be less-expensive than competition.

While any drive towards fuel efficiency is a welcome one, let's get real for a second. The Saturn Vue really won't have much competition, as it will mostly be in its own class. The Saturn Vue will be a 'mild' hybrid, meaning that it cannot be powered only by its electric motor.

The Vue hybrid's "competition", on the other hand, such as the Ford Escape hybrid, or the Toyota Highlander hybrid can be powered by just the electric motor at low speeds. It is this feature which makes these hybrid suvs so fuel efficient in urban and stop-and-go traffic.

Thus, the Saturn Vue Hybrid will be less expensive than the "competition" because it offers less than the "competition". Boy, you'd think GM could be a little more innovative with its $3 billion advertising budget.

Volkswagen hybrids in 2008

Volkswagen will begin developing hybrid cars with its Chinese partner in 2008, with full-scale production set for 2010. The Volkswagen hybrids will be built upon a proprietary hybrid powertrain that Volkswagen will work alone to develop. (More)

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.

Fuel cell vehicles versus hybrids, Part 1

The'Hydrogen Highway' has been touted by American automakers, especially GM, as the answer to America's energy problems. Unfortunately, the hum of hydrogen and fuel cells has been in the air for decades, yet the reality of the hydrogen highway might still be decades away.

Even worse, lobbyists from GM, on numerous occasions, have coaxed American Congresspeople not to enact stricter fuel economy regulations because such actions would interfere with the development of fuel cell vehicles. Essentially, the huge profits margins that GM makes on foreign-oil guzzling SUVs would be reduced and this would cut into fuel cell development.

Thus, America's national fuel economy is no better now that it was in the 1980s, and with more and more Americans driving, our need for foreign oil regularly increases.

When Toyota and Honda began developing hybrid cars, American automakers laughed and ridiculed them. Only about a year ago, GM's Bob Lutz joked that hybrids make a nice marketing story, but a poor business story. Since, GM spends almost $3 billion per year on marketing, I'll assume Mr. Lutz knows a lot about marketing.

Yet, I wonder if Mr. Lutz still thinks hybrids are a poor business story? Toyota continues to rack up month after month of great sales - without incentives - as the Toyota Prius hybrid and Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive rack up 100,000's of sales. GM, on the other hand, loses more than $1000.00 per vehicle when averaged across its fleet.

Don't worry, GM tells us, fuel cell vehicles are just around the corner to the save the day. Never mind the fact that fuel cell vehicles cost almost $1,000,000 per vehicle, that they won't work in cold climates, that there isn't any place to fuel them, and numerous other issues.

Still, GM says don't worry.

The hybrid leader, Toyota, also believes very heavily in fuel cells, but Toyota believes hybrid vehicles are a natural transition to fuel cells. In fact, Toyota hopes that much of its current hybrid powertrain will be the foundation of its fuel cell vehicles.

Still, lately, I find myself wondering, are fuel cell vehicles even that important?

While current hybrid technology isn't enough to solve America's oil crisis, what about the next generation of hybrid technology? Plug-in hybrids, for example, can make current hybrids, such as the Ford Escape hybrid or the Toyota Highlander hybrid, significantly more fuel efficient. Moreover, other experimental hybrids have been demonstrated to achieve as much as 250 mpg, at a cost that is significantly less than fuel cell vehicles.

This has prompted cities such as Austin, Texas and states, such as Pennsylvania, to seek ways to help fund experimental hybrid vehicle development.

Yet, GM is still at least a couple of years away from hybrid passenger vehicles. While GM still has time to get into the hybrid race, I cannot help but wonder if they are even serious about the move. Rather, it seems that GM has risked its entire future on proprietary fuel cell technology.

Hopefully, GM will succeed, but what if they fail? GM is not just risking the failure of GM Corporation, but of an important source of American jobs, and an incredibly important part of the American economy.

Katrina, the strong likelihood of future hurricanes, and the threat terrorism - let alone rising global demand for oil - demonstrate the extreme vulnerability of America's energy sector and the dangers of gas-guzzling.

Can fuel cell vehicles really be developed quickly enough to solve this vulnerability, or must America - in the short term - focus on second generation hybrid technology, plug-in's and other experimental hybrid vehicles?

This will be the focus of Part II.

Pennsylvania Legislation would promote plug-in hybrid vehicles

Pennsylvania State Rep. Mark Cohen, D-Phila., announced today that he is seeking co-sponsors for three bills he will introduce to promote and increase the use of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in Pennsylvania.

In one of the first legislative proposals in any state legislature to specifically promote plug-in hybrids, Cohen’s bills would exempt sales taxes on the conversion of existing hybrids to plug-in hybrids, or on the battery portion of a mass produced plug-in hybrid for three years; establish a state task force with representatives from the state Environmental Protection, Transportation and Revenue departments, along with the Public Utility Commission, to examine how this technology can be promoted within the Commonwealth; and a resolution asking car makers with plants in the United States to make, market and sell plug-in hybrids here.

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.

Do American Automakers suck?

Did 9/11 change everything?

It didn't change American automakers. It didn't change gas-guzzling auto consumers.

Why is there such a disconnect?

Why is America in the Middle East - the root of Bin Laden's American angst? Do we love the sand? Do we just like Arabs better than Africans?

Obviously terrorism and Iraq have nothing to do with oil.

Thus, GM will spend almost $3 billion - $3 BILLION - marketing gas guzzlers because foreign oil dependency is a good thing.

Hybrid cars, electric cars, and fuel efficiency, on the other hand, are too expensive - they are bad things.

American automakers and their Unions have told Americans for decades that buying foreign cars is bad for America, yet buying more and more foreign oil is good for America?

That sucks.

What will it take for GM to make foreign oil dependency their top priority? A WMD terrorist attack? WWIII? When will they take all their eggs out of the cheap foreign oil basket and put them into the stronger America basket?

Ultimately, 9/11 changed almost everything, except American automakers and America's dependence on foreign oil. Oooops, that's not exactly correct. America has changed its dependence on foreign oil - we've increased it.

That really sucks.

American automakers owe Americans the most fuel efficient automobiles. While I think they should focus on smaller cars, the Toyota Highlander hybrid and the Ford Escape hybrid prove that even SUVs can be made significantly more fuel efficient.

Can't GM just take a billion out of their marketing budget for a few years to help make a more secure America? Isn't that a better investment than marketing gas-guzzling Hummers?

I guess not, and that really, really sucks.

Ford hybrids cheaper in 5 to 7 years

Ford's Vice President of Product Creation believes the cost of Ford hybrid cars could come down in 5 to 7 years, according to MotorTrend. He also noted that he believes diesel electric hybrid cars will ultimately be more popular and fuel efficient than gasoline electric hybrids.

Ford has been selling the Ford Escape hybrid for almost a year now, and will probably sell about 20,000 of the hybrid SUVs. While Ford has also started selling the Mercury Mariner hybrid, only a few thousand units will be available for sale.

On the other hand, Toyota will easily sell more than 7 times that amount of hybrids. Thus, if it takes Ford 5 - 7 years to reduce hybrid costs, it isn't unreasonable to assume that Toyota could reduce hybrid costs significantly faster.

AutoWeek editors hate hybrid cars

Check out the homepage of autoweek where the main story is on the Lexus RX400h hybrid, and the caption states, "Most of my driving was on the highway, so this fuel mileage number would be disappointing if I owned this. Maybe the excessive heat this weekend had something to do with it; the engine rarely shut off. When I drove this at the launch we actually motored around parking lots at slow speed on the electric motor alone. The steering seemed off on this car, heavy with a pretty bad feel. This car also had a hard time on the grooved freeway pavement, jumping all over."

Yet, if you read the whole article, another AutoWeek test driver really liked the Lexus hybrid.

Every time that Autoweek puts a hybrid vehicle on its cover, it focuses only on negatives, yet it can put the H3 on the cover and only find reasons for praise. Obviously, AutoWeek has an agenda and is not an objective company.

How can AutoWeek justify its smear campaign of hybrid cars? Obviously anything objective might offend advertisers.

AutoWeek is definitely not the place to go for objective automotive research. If you are interested in objective automotive research, especially regarding hybrids, don't waste your time with the hacks at AutoWeek. The blatant bias of their editorial staff is simply unprofessional and unacceptable.

Honda is high on natural gas

Before I rip on Honda, let me start out by acknowledging that Honda is the greenest auto company in the world, and they deserve kudos. Additionally, they produce excellent vehicles, and the Honda Civic GX is the cleanest vehicle on the road and it doesn't depend on foreign oil. Nonetheless, natural gas vehicles are not going to take over the American automarket, and anybody who thinks they will is just plain silly.

Thus, John Mendel, senior vice president of automobile operations of American Honda Motor Co., seems to have inhaled a few too many natural gas fumes. "We'll do hybrids as it makes sense, but I do not think they are the best solution. Right now hybrids don't make sense economically," Mandel was recently quoted as saying as he expressed his vision that natural gas vehicles are more important than hybrid vehicles.

I don't even know where to start on this one. First, natural gas simply isn't going to replace gasoline as the new energy infrastructure. The savings simply are not that great, and while Honda can sell home fueling systems, most consumers simply are not going to buy into the concept.

Second, while natural gas vehicles do offer independence from foreign oil, and burn cleaner than gasoline vehicles, new technologies - particularly hybrid vehicles - could easily outweigh every positive aspect of natural gas vehicles. One significant upgrade in hybrid batteries ends natural gas's cost effectiveness. Two upgrades and, well, you get the point.

Third, the hydrogen economy is the future. While it will probably take a few decades to achieve it, the hydrogen economy will be built upon fuel cells and those fuel cells will work in coordination with batteries. The hybrid powertrain can evolve into fuel cell-electric vehicles and help move the world entirely from fossil fuels. Natural gas is a fossil fuel.

Fourth, Mandel states, "you can use the car pool lane (in California)." Yes you can in the short term, but don't expect this privilege to last, if sales start numbering in the 1000's.

Additionally, if natural gas capabilities were to be added to trucks and SUVs, or even cars, which demand greater horsepower, the lure of natural gas begins to tarnish rather quickly. In terms of the future natural gas is already dead. In reality, the most interesting natural gas vehicle would be a natural gas-electric hybrid vehicle.

So, what is Honda's deal? I don't know. While Honda has been much more bullish on hybrids than the Big 3, they are still far behind Toyota. The Civic hybrid is a great vehicle, nothing flashy, but a quality vehicle. Still, in terms of hybrid technology, it really isn't Best of Breed. The Accord hybrid is the best Accord ever,but it also is a mediocre hybrid at best.

In terms of pure hybrid technology, Toyota and Ford stand above Honda. The Prius is simply the best hybrid vehicle. The Lexus RX400h, the Highlander hybrid, and the Escape hybrid demonstrate that very fuel efficient hybrid SUVs are possible - as more efficient batteries are developed. This, while frustrating for environmentalists, is simply an important aspect of the American automobile market.

Natural gas is a new fuel for a dying technology. While it offers great potential for fleets, it does not offer the same for the average consumer.

Hybrid technology, on the other hand, is a step towards the future, a future that can offer unlimited horsepower without foreign oil, without pollution. More important, hybrids can work within the current energy infrastructure and the technology can naturally, transparently accommodate fickle consumers afraid of change, as the industry adapts and evolves into the hydrogen highway.

Yes, hybrid technology is a bit expensive, but not as expensive as the first calculators, cellphones, and computers.

NY Times hybrid vehicle bias or ignorance?

I just finished reading the article, Hybrid Cars Burning Gas in the Drive for Power, published in yesterday's NY Times. What is it with journalists? Do they do any research, or do they just set out to make a point, whether it is founded in fact or not? It isn't very surprising when political journalists use bias, in fact, I expect it, but yellow journalism seems to be the norm in today's mainstream publications.

Anyway, the point of the article is to demonstrate how new hybrid vehicles are less about fuel efficiency and more about horsepower. To an extent this point is correct, which is why I was interested in the story. Nonetheless, the article ended up as a complete waste of time, as it focused almost entirely on comparing the Honda Accord hybrid to the conventional Accord. Please!?

Honda hybrids are just not in the same league as Toyota or Ford hybrids. The most important and innovative feature of Toyota and Ford hybrids is the ability to power their hybrids with electric power only. This means that an SUV, such as the Ford Escape hybrid, can sit in LA traffic using almost no gas and causing almost no pollution. Conventional vehicles, and even Honda hybrids, are least efficient and most polluting in these conditions.

While the Civic hybrid is a very fuel efficient vehicle, in city driving, it simply doesn't compare to the Prius hybrid.

The NYTimes is correct that new hybrids, such as the Toyota Highlander hybrid, the Lexus RX400h hybrid, and the upcoming Camry hybrid seem to be focused on horsepower as much as efficiency. Nevertheless, these vehicles do offer significant gains in both fuel efficiency and pollution compared to their conventional cousins, especially for urban drivers, or anyone whom drives in any type of congestion.

Yet, the Times doesn't even touch upon this distinction or point. This is important because while the Highlander hybrid or the Lexus RX400h hybrid could have been made more efficient if V4's, rather than V6 engines, were used, these vehicles still could become much more efficient - even with V6s - in their second, third and fourth generations. Ultimately, the electric motors of these vehicles, if coupled with more efficient batteries - which WILL be developed - could significantly increase their fuel efficiency with each new generation of hybrid battery, without losing any power.

When discussing HEVs, or hybrid electric vehicles, it is the electric components which are key, and Honda has invested the least in the electric portion of their current hybrid electric vehicles.

At this point in time, the only objective way to focus on the point of horsepower versus efficiency is to use either the Highlander hybrid or the Lexus RX400h. By using the Accord hybrid, the NY Times is either demonstrating a bias against hybrids, or just plain hybrid ignorance. Either case is inexcusable for such an esteemed publication.

If you are still confused about which hybrid is right for you, check out Soultek's Hybrid Buyer's Guide.

Consumer concerns of hybrid vehicles

In the past few weeks there have been a few interesting studies regarding hybrid vehicles. Last week, I mentioned the R. L. Polk & Co. study which found that 97 percent of consumers have heard of hybrid vehicles and 78 percent would consider buying one; however, cost would still limit the majority from taking such action.

Another study - if you can call it that - by Kelly Blue Book cited by Money notes that "a majority of consumers are skeptical of hybrid technology even though they feel that hybrid vehicles, which use electric motors in addition to gasoline engines, are likely the future for the American automobile."

So what is the cause of hybrid skepticism according to Kelley? "The two most important causes of consumer skepticism, according to the survey, were the potential costs of servicing a hybrid vehicle and maintenance over its lifetime."

Nonetheless, while Jack Nerad, the editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book, thinks that consumers still need convincing of the viability of hybrid cars, the supply of hybrids still trails demand.

More important, the 425 individuals comprising the Kelley survey, while somewhat skeptical of hybrid technology today, are still very optimistic for the future of hybrids. In fact most believe they will replace conventional vehicles.

Besides, change always brings fear, but there is little evidence - if any - to demonstrate that hybrid technology is anything but reliable. Recent studies of the Toyota Prius, for example, show that almost every Prius owner would buy another Prius.

Still, the early adopters of any technology always take some risk when helping to usher new technology into the mainstream. The success of the Toyota Prius; however, bodes well for all Toyota hybrids, as Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive is pretty much the same in the Prius, Highlander hybrid, Lexus RX400h hybrid, and the not-to-far off Camry hybrid.

The Honda Civic hybrid also has a solid track record.

The Accord hybrid and the Ford Escape hybrid are very new to the market, but have been reliable thus far.

While the long term life of the hybrid battery is a justified concern for consumers, most hybrid batteries are guaranteed for 8 to 10 years. Yes, replacing the hybrid battery in 10 years could be expensive, but if hybrids continue to increase in popularity, hybrid battery production will also significantly increase. This will not only add to supply, but create better batteries, which could increase the value of older hybrids - making them more efficient - instead of decreasing their value.

Early adoption and risk go hand in hand, but risk can also offer unexpected rewards. For example, should terrorism ever lead to decreased reliability of foreign oil, the fuel savings of hybrids could instantly diminish all skepticism.

Honda hybrid confusion?

Yesterday, I posted an article, Honda taking its hybrids to another level, in which I stated that Honda hybrids will be increasing their fuel efficiency by 20%. Instead, it appears Honda's new hybrid powertrain will increase the efficiency of their hybrids by just 5%, while increasing engine output 20%.

In addition to changing the gasoline engine part of the hybrid powertrain, Honda's new hybrids will also be able to run on electric power only at low speeds. This feature enables Toyota hybrids, such as the Prius and the Highlander hybrid, to achieve considerable fuel efficiency in traffic and congestion.

If Honda; however, is only going to achieve a 5% gain in efficiency with its new hybrid powertrain, then it appears that the electric components of Honda's hybrid cars will still not be as advanced as Toyota's.

In fact, I now think that in congestion, or stop-and-go traffic, Toyota hybrids will probably still be superior. Unfortunately, I'm a little inclined to believe that Honda's new hybrid developments are more hype than bite, but it is still to early to know for certain.

Still, Honda's new engine should lead to cheaper, faster Honda hybrid vehicles.

Honda taking its hybrids to another level

Honda has announced that it will be making its entire fleet of vehicles more fuel efficient, but none more so than its hybrid vehicles. Honda's improved i-VTEC engine technology will enable all Honda vehicles to increase their fuel efficiency by a few percent. However, this technology, combined with Honda's new hybrid powertrain, will enable gains in fuel efficiency of 20% for both the Civic hybrid and the Accord hybrid.

In fact, Honda's new hybrid powertrain, much like Toyota's hybrid powertrain, will enable the Civic and Accord hybrids to run on electric power only at low speeds. This ability has made the Prius hybrid, for example, extremely efficient in urban, or stop-and-go traffic. Other than Toyota hybrids, only the Ford Escape hybrid offers such capability.

While Honda has been in the shadow of Toyota hybrids, this development has the potential to enable Honda to challenge Toyota as hybrid king. Coupled with Nissan, Hyundai, GM, and Chrysler hybrids on the horizon, the hybrid competition is really set to heat up.

And as the energy crisis heats up, starting with today's Gulf tropical storms, hybrid interest is set to intensify.

Toyota hybrids on track and in line with fuel cell vehicles

Toyota's Dave Hermance, executive engineer of Environmental Engineering, told AutoWeek that Toyota hybrid cars are on track for meeting the company's hybrid sale's goals. Additionally, Hermance stated, "Our fuel cell vehicle uses the same battery that's in the Prius. All the learning you do today, all the parts you develop today, except for the gasoline engine, will directly be used on future fuel cell vehicles." (AutoWeek)

The reality of fuel cells drives hybrid vehicles

There is an interesting AutomotiveNews article, Honda continues work on cold start, range issues with its fuel-cell vehicles, that demonstrates the great importance of hybrid cars.

"If all goes well, Honda hopes to sell 50,000 fuel cell vehicles a year in the United States by 2020. Toyota wants to sell 12,000 fuel cell vehicles annually in the United States in the early 2010s," the article states.

Why so few vehicles?

One of the biggest problems, aside from extreme cost, is that fuel cell vehicles cannot operate in cold weather. While significant gains are being made, the necessary gains are at least a decade or two away.

Quite simply, fuel cell vehicles will not take over the automotive market for at least two decades. Can America continue its SUV love affair amidst foreign oil dependency and global warming for another two decades?

Not with current technology.

Imagine a Toyota Prius that is significantly more powerful and twice as efficient as today's model. Such a vehicle is possible within a decade or less, and that technology will also be available for SUVs, such as the Ford Escape hybrid, or the Toyota Highlander hybrid.

Hybrid technology is simply the best automotive investment any American can make if you don't believe in supporting foreign oil dependency, high gas prices, or destroying the environment.

Demand nothing less than hybrid vehicle efficiency.

Jetta 'mild' hybrid within two years?

The Automotive News has reported that "VW is considering a so-called mild hybrid vehicle. A mild hybrid uses an electric motor to assist a gasoline-powered engine, but the motor alone does not drive the vehicle. The Honda Civic Hybrid is an example."

In the past, Volkswagon has been very bearish regarding hybrids, stating many times that VW was going to invest in clean diesel rather than hybrids. Even though VW is focusing on a 'mild' hybrid system at this time, the move does represent a change in consumer perspective that hybrid cars have brought to the market, forcing automakers to change their views.

Essentially every major automaker has now announced intentions to build some sort of hybrid vehicle, after years of naysaying. Nonetheless, this is good news for consumers.

Is Wall Street Wrong on Fuel Cells?

Is Wall Street wrong on fuel cells? That's what Ballard Power Systems, CEO Dennis Campbell, recently told Autoweek. "Wall Street has very short vision. All the fuel cell stocks have been hammered. I can't explain it."

Still, even under the best, best, best case scenario, fuel cell cars are at least a decade away from reality. At that point they will still be very expensive, and fueling stations could still be a major issue. Even if Ballard does perfect a fuel cell stack, integrating them into automobiles is another important obstacle and demonstrates the vast upside of some hybrid vehicles.

Toyota hybrid vehicles, such as the Highlander hybrid and the Prius, have only begun to achieve their potential. Both these vehicles serve as platforms for gasoline-electric hybrids, but more important, they serve as the platform for fuel cell vehicles as well.

Hybrid vehicles can help make fuel cell vehicles a reality much faster, and they can help us deal with today's oil-dependency problem, today. Can America really afford to wait another decade or two before taking action?

Fuel your Prius and other hybrid vehicles from home

"EDrive Systems LLC, a consortium of vehicle technology companies, has developed technology that enables hybrid vehicles to be plugged in and charged by a conventional three-prong, 110 V home electrical outlet." According to an article by MotorTrend, the technology has been demonstrated with the Toyota Prius and, after installation the EDrive "uses one-half to one-third the gasoline used by a conventional hybrid." (MotorTrend)

More on plug-in hybrid cars.

Toyota and GM talks: Hybrids, fuel cells, or both?

When the Asian Wall Street Journal speculated that GM and Toyota might discuss sharing hybrid technology, GM went out of its way to quash such thinking. The meeting to discuss fuel cell technology was set over a year ago, GM immediately shot back while reaffirming its hybrid partnership with DaimlerChrysler. Still, Toyota has stated that its fuel cell vehicles will be hybrid vehicles. Toyota hybrids, such as the Prius, Highlander hybrid, and the Lexus RX400h hybrid are simply the beginning of a technological bridge to affordable fuel cells. Thus, isn't a meeting that involves Toyota fuel cells also a meeting about hybrids?

Traffic getting worse - Another reason hybrids rule!

"Gridlock is getting worse. Congestion delayed travelers 79 million more hours and wasted 69 million more gallons of fuel in 2003 than in 2002, the Texas Transportation Institute's 2005 Urban Mobility Report found." (AP Via Yahoo)

Traffic and Terrorism

Conventional gasoline engine vehicles achieve their worse fuel efficiency and cause the most pollution in traffic, and traffic is only going to get worse across the U.S. - requiring more foreign oil and further contributing to terrorism.

Most hybrid cars, on the other hand, achieve their best fuel efficiency and pollute the least in these conditions. In such conditions, hybrids might not just meet EPA estimates, but surpass them. In traffic hybrids save a significant amount of fuel, rather than wasting 69 million gallons.

On the other hand, conventional vehicles, even econoboxes, do not come close to their EPA estimates in traffic, and for SUVs, it only gets worse. The scandal of the EPA isn't hybrid fuel efficiency, it's the inefficiency of gas-guzzlers that is hidden by EPA numbers.

Of course not all hybrids are as efficient in congestion. Honda's Accord hybrid, as well as the Civic hybrid, do not rely as much on their electric motors, forcing the Honda vehicles to use more gasoline.

In stop-and-go traffic, Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive rules - especially with SUVs, the Ford Escape hybrid, Toyota Highlander hybrid, and Lexus RX400h each perform their best in the worst driving conditions of conventional vehicles. Hybrid technology is simply far more advanced than just a gasoline or diesel engine technology.

I know change is scary, but it's the only certain thing in life.

GM and Toyota partner for hybrids?

Multiple reports are coming out indicating a possible partnership between Toyota and GM for hybrid cars. According to Reuters "details of the discussions, which would enable the companies to offer a wider range of gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles sooner than if they worked on their own, remained sketchy."

According to the AP, GM is denying the reports. "There is no truth to that whatsoever," Scott Fosgard, GM's spokesman for advanced technology, told The Associated Press on Sunday (AP).

Already the red hot technology behind the Toyota Prius is being utilized by the Ford Escape hybrid, and will also be utilized by the Nissan Altima hybrid.

GM has stated its interest in hybrid SUVs, so such a partnership might make sense. In addition to the Escape hybrid, Toyota recently launched the Lexus RX400h and the Toyota Highlander hybrid will be released next month.

How long can GM possibly afford to wait?

Plug-in hybrid? Where are the batteries going to come from?

I love plug-in hybrids. Not only could they end foreign oil dependence and significantly clean the environment, but they could also spark a revolution in energy, helping create a distributed energy platform across America via home solar and wind systems, etc.

Still, there is a hybrid car battery shortage. Does this make plug-in hybrids obsolete? (More)

Plug-in hybrids and electricity emissions

I think plug-in hybrids are one of the best concepts floating around in the automotive world. Add some extra battery power to your Toyota Prius or Ford Escape hybrid, and a plug. Charge your batteries over night and most people will be able to go to work and back without using hardly any gasoline. Many have liked this idea, but questioned the gain in emissions since electricity is made with coal. Recent studies; however, by both the Electric Power Research Institute and the California Air Resources Board demonstrate that plug-in hybrids would drop total energy use per car by 45%, while reducing pollution and carbon dioxide emissions by 50% - after accounting for the additional electricity required to power the hybrid vehicles.

Electric car speed test and hybrids

A British team will try to top 245 mph in an electric car today, the current record for an electric car weighing more than 2,200 pounds. Early tests indicate the car might top 300 mph. (AP)

There are a lot of things to like about electric cars, and the possibility of cheap electric cars isn't far off. Hybrid cars, just as electric cars, will benefit greatly from battery development. For now hybrid cars are an easier sell to more consumers, and hybrid car success will lead to electric car success as well. Moreover, it might just turn out that hybrid car innovations lead to much better electric vehicles.

Sadly, the very real potential of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles calls into question America's 'Fuel-cell or Bust' attitude regarding the automotive future.

GM just needs to innovate

Is Kirk Kerkorian's move for $28 million in GM shares, "Just what GM needs Needs"? That's the headline of BusinessWeekOnline this morning. Obviously, GM has some serious financial issues that Kerkorian's move could help shake out, such as Union concessions, selling off its financial arm, or closing a few factories.

Still, I say poppycock. GM needs to do just one thing, innovate.

Just 10 years ago, most hadn't heard of the Internet, and E-mail was used only by geeks. Technology is advancing beyond comprehension, and as Mr. Bill Gates has recently advocated, technology can change the auto industry.

Hybrid cars are the greatest real-world automotive innovation in decades and the electric portion of these vehicles utilize the kind of technology that is going to advance rapidly in the next decade. Toyota believes hybrids such as its, Toyota Prius and Highlander hybrid will evolve into fuel cells.

To discount hybrids is to discount Toyota and the financials speak for themselves on that one.

Hyundai takes on hybrid vehicles

In the Fortune article, Last Laugh Hyundai is called a "powerhouse" that "is shaking up the world's auto industry."

Why? An "extraordinary improvement in vehicle quality" coupled with low prices are two leading reasons that instead of being a "laughingstock", Hyundai is now, "dictating trends that others must follow."

Even Toyota's Fujio Cho has stated, "It's a company we must watch out for."

So it will be interesting to see what approach Hyundai takes with hybrid cars, but the fact that such an up-and-comer is announcing the quick output of two hybrids in just over a year promises to add an interesting element to the hybrid segment.

The conventional Accent starts at $10,000, so the future pricing of the Accent hybrid is going to be very, very interesting. With such a low base price on the conventional model, the Accent hybrid appears that it will easily be the most economical hybrid available.

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Check this link out to see some of Hyundai's concept cars, such as their fuel cell and hydrogen vehicles. The last concept car on the page is an electric hybrid SUV. Perhaps some of this technology will end up in the Accent hybrid? (More)

Detroit's problem with hybrid cars

I know most people don't hate hybrids, in fact, I'm sure most Americans don't even know such cars exist. That's why it seems so funny that some automotive writers, pundits, and consumers seem to hate hybrids.

John McCormick of the Detroit News writes today in his defense of the Detroit auto industry, "Critics who deride Detroit for missing the boat on hybrid vehicles also miss the point. It's true that certain Japanese automakers have scored a public relations success with their hybrid models, but whether their sales penetration will ever amount to more than a few percent of the market is doubtful, according to respected industry forecasters."

The truth is that there are many respected industry forecasters forecasting a wide-range of scenarios, including predictions of hybrids becoming 30% or more of the market. Everyone knows the future is unpredictable.

Additionally, I don't think any critic believes hybrid cars are THE REASON for Detroit's problems, but an example of the lack of Detroit's technological leadership - decades of declining marketshare predate the spawn of hybrids.

Even GM's Robert Lutz has noted how GM could have taken a small chunk of their advertising budget per year and funded their own hybrids. The sad truth is that GM's R&D investments indicate that GM values marketing more than technology.

In reality, almost every critic has focused on the legacy costs of health care and pension funds as one of the most important problems with Detroit, in addition to an over-dependence upon badge-engineering - the antithesis of technological innovation. Ultimately, it is a known fact that Japan reacts to market conditions much faster than Detroit in production and upgrades.

The only thing that reacts quickly in Detroit is the Union anytime fair concessions are mentioned, or when a Marine with a Bush bumper sticker parks, legally, on a Union lot.

But let's get back to the point.

Recently, Bill Gates told an audience of automotive executives to focus on technology to solve the problems of the automotive world.

Hybrids have pushed automotive technology to another level. Yes, it is very true that other technologies might emerge, but it is also possible that the hybrid powertrain will be the key to fuel cell vehicles - while significantly reducing pollution and foreign-oil dependency TODAY.

Even Mr. McCormick states, "Microsoft founder Bill Gates, in Dearborn last week, was right when he said that technological expertise would be critical to Detroit's future."

While gasoline-electric hybrids might be an interim technology to the automotive future, there is an excellent chance that other hybrid vehicles, such as diesel-electric, hydrogen-electric or fuel cell-electric, might be the hybrids of the future.

Hybrid vehicles are an emergent technology with the potential to make huge gains in efficiency and power compared to gasoline, diesel, or hydrogen engines by themselves.

Sure, hybrid vehicles are a technological gamble, but hybrids are only one battery breakthrough away from instantly making today's gasoline engine technology completely inferior.

That's not that much of gamble, and it is certainly a better gamble and investment than new a line of SUV advertisements.

Laptops and mobile phones were once crude, slow, and offered little battery life. Yet, much of the same technology that is revolutionizing mobile computing and communications, is the same technology that can revolutionize hybrids.

Case in point, the first Toyota Prius does not compare with the current Prius. Huge advancements have already been made in Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive in just the last few years, and the next few years will bring many more advancements. In 10 years it is easy to imagine hybrids twice as efficient and twice as powerful as today's hybrids, at cheaper costs - and that's probably a conservative estimate.

Then again, gas will probably drop back down to $1 per gallon as peace in the Middle East erupts into prosperity for the entire world, and no one ever questions the reign of the SUV again!

More hybrid vehicles.

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.

EPA, hybrid efficiency, and the "gas scare"

Yesterday I read a Honda Accord hybrid thread that discussed EPA gas mileage numbers and real world numbers.

EPA numbers are a poor estimate - the point has been beaten into the ground.

The real point is that hybrid technology is diverse, and it is only going to get more diverse. The Accord hybrid is a performance hybrid optimized for highway driving. Think of it as a turbo-charged V6 Accord, except its turbo chargers increase fuel efficiency and significantly reduce pollution, in addition to providing quicker acceleration.

Nonetheless, if your goal is pure fuel efficiency, this hybrid vehicle is not for you. If you live an urban lifestyle, with lots of stop-and-go traffic, the Accord hybrid is not going to be especially fuel efficient.

The Ford Escape hybrid and Toyota Prius hybrid, on the other hand, are most fuel efficient in these conditions because they are able to function using mostly electric power generated just by driving the Prius or Escape hybrid - free, regenerative energy.

Toyota's next hybrids are going to diversify hybrid technology even further. Currently, the Escape hybrid SUV utilizes a 4 cylinder engine in its hybrid powertrain. Both the Lexus RX400h and the Highlander hybrid will utilize 6 cylinder engines. Thus, as with the Accord, both new Toyota hybrids will also be performance hybrids.

Still, both new Toyota hybrids, unlike the Accord hybrid, offer significant fuel saving tools. In urban driving both the RX400h and the Highlander hybrid can function on mostly electric power, just as the Prius. On the highway, both new hybrid SUVs can still achieve significant improvements in fuel efficiency, but assistance from the driver is required. Here the Accord hybrid probably has an advantage.

Does it all really matter? Is gas really that expensive?

That was the point in the article, "Gas price scare is just that" by John McCormick of the DetroitNews. AAA recently reported that the average consumer is spending just under $1300 per year on gasoline. Mr. McCormick states, "That's a round of drinks at the bar, a cheap bottle of wine in a restaurant or your co-pay at the doctor's office. Sounds like a deal to me."

Maybe in Detroit people only pay $1300 per year, or $25 per week, as Mr. McCormick states, but averages are always confusing. My friend has a long Southern California commute, like many Californians, and it used to cost him $35.00 per day to go to work and back. Recently, however, he bought a small Toyota and cut his gas bill in half. Still, half is almost $90.00 per week, not including weekends.

That is pretty scary to my friend and many others.

Hybrid cars can help people like my friend, and as gas prices and commute times increase, as predicted by many experts, they'll help much more.

More important, the thing missed by hybrid-haters - especially the Big 3 - hybrids create a covenant between buyer and seller that stands for making the world a better place. That's a pretty strong customer relationship. While a hybrid purchase might only be a step, it is a significant step for many consumers.

Detroit missed this opportunity.

Instead of spending 100's of millions to market gas guzzlers, Detroit could have said, "Make America stronger, buy American-made fuel efficient technology. Help fight the War on Terror and foreign oil-dependency."

The sell isn't that hard is it?

Pennsylvania citizen rebate for hybrid vehicles

The Pennsylvania Environmental Protection has announced the creation of the new Hybrid Electric and Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate Program which offers a $500 rebate to assist Pennsylvania residents with the incremental costs of purchasing a new hybrid-electric, bi-fuel, dual-fuel or dedicated alternative fuel vehicle. "To qualify for the $500 rebate, the automobile must be registered in Pennsylvania and operated primarily within the Commonwealth. The rebate will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the calendar year as long as funds are available." more


Click here to review your hybrid car choices.

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.

The Synergy of Hybrid Cars and Solar Power

I've been interested in a solar power system for my home since I've owned a home. The new solar shingles are very intriguing because they are so sleek and simple, but they are still very expensive.

In the long run, the solar cells are probably worth it, paying for themselves in a decade or two, but could they be made to be more cost-effective with today's technology?

Absolutely.

The basic definition of synergy is the "joint action of different substances producing an affect greater than the sum of the individual effects of the substances" according to my Funk and Wagnalls desktop dictionary. So, how can solar power be synergized to make it more cost-effective?

Many solar-powered home owners receive 100% of their home's power from the sun, and some of those home owners also receive 100% of their auto fuel from the sun. That's right, some homeowners with solar roofs are not only fueling their homes, but their automobiles as well, via solar power.

Of course, these electric vehicle owners have limited range with their driving, but daily commuting is typically not a problem.

Some have looked to this example and created gasoline electric hybrid plug-ins. For example, one takes a Prius, adds more batteries and a plug adapter, so that the batteries that power the electric motors can be charged, significantly reducing gasoline need.

The good thing is, the Prius gasoline electric plug-in vehicle can always function like a regular old gasoline car. Hybrid cars, however, offer even more synergistic potential for increasing the use of solar power.

Why not take that same Prius plug-in and add solar panels to its hood, roof, and trunk? Solar races throughout the world are proving the solar-powered vehicles are possible. Can they produce enough power to propel a passenger vehicle? Not even close, but solar power could become a supplementary source of electric power, and as it becomes more efficient, perhaps it could eventually power the vehicle.

Imagine sitting in stop and go traffic on a hot summer day. No problem, the solar panels will keep your hybrid moving and your A.C. humming and it won't cost you a thing. Oh, yeah, it won't cost the environment a thing either - with today's technology.

And it doesn't just have to be the Prius. Already PHEV, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, have been created from not just cars, but trucks and SUVs as well. Today's technology is already capable of turning Ford Escape hybrids and Toyota Highlander hybrids, into SPHEVs.

That kind of synergy could revolutionize both transportation and energy, but it could make enough profit?

Official Highlander hybrid pricing

Manufacturer's suggested retail pricing for the Toyota Highlander hybrid has been released by Toyota. The 3.3-liter V-6 will come in both two-wheel drive and electric four wheel drive.

The 4x2 base Highlander Hybrid will carry an MSRP of $33,030, while achieving 33 mpg city, 28 mpg highway. The 4WD-i base Highlander Hybrid will carry an MSRP of $34,430, while achieving 31 mpg city, 27 mpg on the highway.

The 4x2 Highlander Hybrid Limited will start at $37,890, and the Highlander Hybrid Limited with 4WD-i will carry an MSRP of $39,290.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is expected to hit dealers in June 2005, and should face direct competition with the Ford Escape hybrid.

More on hybrid cars.

Prius 'plug-in' hybrid car, the best hybrid car?

Back in January I wrote a story about gasoline electric hybrid plug-in cars. I was inspired by stories of electric cars powered by residential solar systems. Clean energy that powered home and 2 cars for less than a previous home energy bill. And it's not just electric cars, owners of electric trucks have done the same. Yes, charging can be an issue on long trips, that's why a gasoline electric plug-in hybrid is so tempting. Already several Prius have been converted into plug-in hybrids by various different organizations. Fuel cells will be great, but hybrids are here today and they can begin changing the world, today - not in a decade or two when fuel cells mature. Isn't today just as important as tomorrow?


Read my original hybrid plug-in story.

Honda hybrid sales versus Toyota hybrid sales

At one time, there wasn’t much difference between the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight. Most consumers really didn’t care about either one as hybrid cars were not yet on America’s radar screen.

The 2004 Toyota Prius; however, changed everything. The Prius was the first hybrid to perform as well as a conventional vehicle, while significantly reducing pollution and fuel efficiency. And, the Prius does it with style. For a $20,000 family sedan, the Prius is without rival.

Of course, Honda didn’t quit its hybrid foray with the Insight, adding both the Civic hybrid and the Accord hybrid. Now Honda stands as the only automaker with 3 hybrid cars on the market.

Last year, Toyota sold around 54,000 Prius hybrids, and it could have sold more had the supply been available. This year Toyota plans to sell more than 100,000 Prius hybrids. Yet, Honda sold only about 26,000 Civic hybrids, and is hoping for the same number this year with the Accord hybrid.

Toyota has also already sold more than 11,000 Lexus RX400h hybrids, even though the vehicle is still weeks from market, and that's not the end of the buzz. Demand for this summer’s to be released Toyota Highlander hybrid has been nothing short of phenomenal.

So, why the big difference between Honda and Toyota hybrid sales? In one word it’s, technology. The technology behind Toyota hybrids is a good bit more sophisticated than Honda hybrids. Toyota hybrids are a more direct step towards fuel cell vehicles than are Honda hybrids, and this gives Toyota much more incentive to promote hybrids – which have been expensive to produce.

Honda hybrid cars, at this point in time, are more of an interim technology to Honda fuel cell cars, not the future of Honda.

For Toyota, every hybrid sale is another step, another investment, in Toyota’s vision of the automotive future. Today’s gasoline electric Prius, might be tomorrow’s diesel-electric Prius, hydrogen-electric Prius, or fuel cell-electric Prius.

For Toyota, the future is already here.

Lexus GS 450h hybrid update

Early reports indicate that the Lexus GS 450h hybrid will achieve almost 30 mpg and offer some of the lowest emissions of any hybrid, while exceeding 300 hp. Electric motor torque will help the car achieve 0-60 mpg in under 6 seconds.

According to an MSNBC.com article, "The system's massive electric motor is capable of delivering maximum torque, immediately upon demand." Lexus added. "This unique power delivery characteristic is most noticeable — and most useful — during 30-to-50 (mph) passing and merging maneuvers. It is an experience that must be felt to be fully appreciated."

Hybrid cars? All about the fuel cell according to Toyota

One of the biggest critics of hybrid cars has been GM, claiming that hybrid cars are just buzz and nothing but an interim technology to fuel cells.

So, when fuel cells arrive, hybrids disappear?

According to a new article by AutoWeek; however, hybrid cars are about one thing, fuel cells. "To the extent that the future is fuel cell, it's a hybrid fuel cell," says Dave Hermance, executive engineer for environmental engineering for Toyota Technical Center U.S.A. "All the work we do today lets us be the low-cost provider to three-fourths of the fuel cell system."

To be sure, the Toyota Prius has already led to around 650 patents covering the "power flow" of future fuel cell cars. Even when fuel cells eliminate gasoline-powered engines, "the hybrid's electric motors still will propel the car, and the electronics will convert the direct-current power of the fuel cell and battery over to alternating current," Hermance says.

And, in the interim, today's hybrids can still significantly reduce both pollution and foreign oil dependency, while also utilizing the gains of clean gasoline, diesel, and hydrogen engines, as fuel cells become cost-effective.

Perhaps, it's GM, rather than hybrid cars, that is the interim aspect of the automotive industry.

Hybrid car reliability according to Consumer Reports

"These hybrid systems have been very reliable," states David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' auto test center, noting the 94% of Toyota Prius owners who would buy another Prius, according to their influential consumer survey.

Moreover, Mr. Champion called hybrids "mainstream technology" with the introduction of the Honda Accord hybrid, winner of Consumer Reports Best Family Sedan, which beat out 32 other models for the prestigious award.

While some auto analysts have criticized the hybrid car powertrain, joking that why do you need two motors to do the job of one, Consumer Reports disagreed. "It's the electric motor that really adds the power, or adds the torque to the engine, says Champion. "That allows it to really launch itself off the line."

In Consumer Report testing, not only did the Accord hybrid achieve superior fuel efficiency, it went 0 - 60 more than a half second faster than its conventional cousin.

Unique Lexus RX400h hybrid features

When the new Lexus RX400h hybrid hits dealers next month, it is going to offer features unique to only hybrids in the RX lineup. Obviously, the Hybrid Synergy Drive is unique to all hybrids produced by Toyota, but the Lexus version will offer 268 horsepower while still qualifying for the stringent Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) rating. The RX400h hybrid; however, will also offer unique 18-inch alloy wheels, electrically-powered air conditioning, electronic brake control and electric power steering, but the Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) feature is the real stand out. Utilizing a variety of sensors the RX400h will unobtrusively correct breaking and throttle control to anticipate any vehicle stability problems. While vehicle stability control systems are available in other autos, the Lexus VDIM is supposed to be Best in Class.

Why Toyota believes in hybrids - it's all about kaizen

Toyota has become the undisputed leader in hybrid cars. For years, most of the auto-industry joked about Toyota's hybrid investment. Yet, Toyota just pushed along.

Why?

OK, first, it's important to discuss one main difference between Toyota and most of the rest of the automotive universe - especially those of the western world - kaizen. Kaizen, essentially, is continuous improvement. Because things change, especially when there is competition, one must always seek to improve in order to get better and compete.

Seem obvious?

I agree. Yet, why were most SUVs built upon a truck platform, even when studies showed that a wider wheel base would make SUVs much less prone to rollover? Because it was more profitable for U.S. automakers not to improve the design of SUVs - at least in the short term.

In the U.S., profit, not improvement, is the holy grail.

More important, Toyota does acknowledge that cars require vast amounts of energy to function, i.e., trillions of dollars of gasoline, refined from environmentally destructive oil. To ignore this would be to ignore kaizen; therefore, Toyota didn't give up when the first Prius hybrid car was laughed at by automotive 'experts'.

Now Toyota is producing 100,000 Prius for the U.S. market alone this year, and the Lexus RX400h hybrid and the Toyota Highlander hybrid will be joining the Prius soon - with many more models coming.

Still, many analysts and auto executives continue to question hybrids. Diesel is better, the future is hydrogen and fuel cells, it's just too expensive.

So why then does Toyota continue?

First, diesels are not better. While new diesels are superior to gasoline engines, the Prius hybrid is much more efficient, particularly in tank-to-wheel fuel production efficiency, than diesels. More important, the gasoline engine of a hybrid could be replaced with a diesel and become even more efficient.

Second, at this point in time hydrogen powered vehicles are significantly less efficient than the Prius at well-to-tank efficiency, though some do surpass the Prius in tank-to-wheel efficiency.

The point is, hydrogen is not an efficient fuel source at this point in time - despite all the hoopla most auto executives claim. Additionally, the costs are still astronomical.

Third, even if hydrogen and/or fuel cells are the future, Toyota is already building its fuel cell cars on the Prius, Highlander, and RX400h platforms. So, every hybrid sold is an investment in Toyota's continuous improvement towards fuel cells - all the while continually and significantly improving fuel efficiency and polluting emissions.

Therefore, Toyota believes in hybrids, not only because the technology is superior to the internal combustion engine alone, but because it allows all powertrain improvements - whether gas, diesel, electric, or hydrogen - to be incorporated into its production.

Thus, Toyota believes in hybrids because the hybrid powertrain offers the most ability to continuously improve - it's all about kaizen.

Honda's hybrid future

As of late, Honda hasn't really made many public statements regarding its vision for hybrids. While Honda has been a leader in hybrid car development with its Insight, Civic hybrid, and Accord hybrid, it has been much less vocal on the subject than most major automakers

Of course, the success of Honda has declined a bit in recent years, as both the Civic and the Accord have lost marketshare. So, where is Honda going with its hybrid endeavors?

Laurent Aebi, a product specialist at Honda, largely focusing on fuel cell vehicles, told an audience at the Geneva Auto Show, "Diesel is popular in Europe, clearly, but it's a short-term trend, I give it another 10 years maximum. After that it will be the hybrid car."

Still, Aebi thinks that hybrids will also be a short-term trend. "But both the diesel car and the hybrid car are a transition as we head to fuel cell cars or pure electric cars."

The idea of the hybrid as a transition is common in the auto industry, except for Toyota, which believes that fuel cell cars will be hybrids.

Ultimately, the point is, to make hybrid cars cost effective compared to conventional cars, higher levels of production will be required. At this point in time only Toyota appears either interested, or prepared, to achieve such production levels.

Hybrids and the Geneva Auto show

While hybrid cars haven't produced quite the buzz at the Geneva Auto show as they did at the North American International Auto show, they are still an important part of the mix. Reuters is reporting that while diesels have become the vehicle of choice in Europe, hybrids aim to challenge for markeshare.

Yoshio Ishizaka, executive vice president and board member at Japan's Toyota Motor Co., the world's second-biggest carmaker, stated "Hybrid is really not an intermediate technology. We think hybrid is the technology we have to see for the future," he told Reuters in an interview, predicting it would become the global standard and even power sports cars some day.

Toyota plans to sell about 20,000 Prius hybrids in Europe next year and will also be releasing the Lexus RX400h hybrid as well.

Even Ford, which currently sells the Escape hybrid, plans on Jaguar and LandRover hybrids in the next five years.

Still, others think that fuel cells might only be 10 years away, and that both diesels and hybrids are but a short term distraction. "...both the diesel car and hybrid car are a transition as we head to fuel cell cars or pure electric cars," states Laurent Aebi, a product specialist at Honda Motor Co.

"Fuel cell technology is far, far away, maybe 10 or 20 years," Toyota's Ishizaka replied. "Even if it catches on, fuel cells will still use much of the power technology developed by hybrids," he added.

Canadian pricing for Lexus RX400h hybrid announced

Lexus Canada today announced the 2006 Lexus RX 400h, the world's first luxury gasoline/electric hybrid SUV, will be available in two trim packages with a suggested retail price starting at $62,200.

The RX400h will go on sale in Canada in April.

Hybrids helping drive new car rental companies

Renting green cars has become popular, as well as an expanding business model according to a NYTimes article.

Bio-diesel, natural gas, electric, and hybrid are now available at many car rental companies across the United States and becoming more popular. Hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius, Civic hybrid, and Ford Escape hybrid are leading the way, but demand from fleets, like consumers, far outweighs hybrid supply.

Honda hybrid buzz?

I love the Honda Accord hybrid. It's just a great automobile, and I've received numerous e-mails from very proud and happy Civic hybrid owners.

Yet, there is little Honda hybrid buzz, and I wonder what Honda's vision of the future is.

The Toyota Prius, Toyota claims, has had a significant effect on Toyota's fuel-cell car development. In fact, the success of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, driven by Prius development and production, has pushed Toyota to believe that its fuel-cell vehicles will be fuel-cell-electric hybrid vehicles.

Therefore, every hybrid purchase is a significant investment in Toyota's fuel-cell technology, as well as its future as an automotive company.

Honda's hybrid vision has taken a different path. Honda's hybrids are less a step towards fuel cells, except, arguably, the Insight. The Accord and Civic hybrids, it appears, are not as integral a step towards fuel cell development as is the Prius, Lexus RX400h or Highlander hybrids.

Toyota's Ace card is the fact that it has intertwined it hybrid development with its fuel cell development. This makes Toyota's hybrids more of a long term investment, while still solving short-term needs such as reduced pollution and global warming, or reduced foreign-oil dependency.

While I think Honda is still well-positioned for a surge in hybrid interest, the lack of buzz around Honda hybrids compared to Toyota hybrids seems to demonstrate that Toyota is far ahead of the rest of the automotive world and is setting itself up for massive, future marketshare.

Hybrid vehicle fleets wanted

According to USAToday, "Local governments, rental car companies and other fleet operators wanting to join the "green" car revolution are seeing red over long waits for popular gas-electric hybrid vehicles."

The Toyota Prius and the Ford Escape hybrid top the list of coveted hybrids by fleet managers, but both Ford and Toyota have been unable to meet neither consumer, nor fleet, demand.

Automobile alliance manufacturer propaganda

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers has been releasing the same press release before autoshows throughout the Midwest. "99% Cleaner Vehicles Now Available to Consumers in Showrooms".

While the Alliance is currently fighting clean air restrictions about to be required by California legislation, U.S. legislation, and Canadian legislation, it is apparently - once again - trying to put the blame on consumers. "We're making them, demand just isn't there. We don't need government legislation, just consumer interest. It's too expensive."

Lies, lies, lies.

Lines and waiting lists for every hybrid vehicle available. Protests against GM and Ford for ending electric car production.

Are automakers really trying to appease consumers, or shareholders?

Blinded by the fuel cell

Fuel cell, schmeal cell.

Every major auto manufacturer makes concept fuel cell vehicles and touts the 'hydrogen economy'.

Yet, many of these same new energy evangelists disregard the exorbitant costs that it will take to convert to the hydrogen economy as minor obstacles, while continually mocking hybrid cars.

Still, hybrid vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius, or the Ford Escape hybrid, could quite easily be fuel-cell-electric hybrids in the very near future, which is probably why the Highlander Hybrid is also serving as the platform for one of Toyota's major fuel cell concept vehicles. In the interim, hybrids could significantly help the environment while reducing oil, particularly foreign oil, dependency.

One significant technological advancement in NiMH batteries alone could make hybrids far more cost effective than conventional vehicles. While such a development will also help fuel cell vehicles, it won't be enough to make them competitive against standard vehicles, but it will bring them a step closer to fruition.

Hybrids are the path to fuel cells, not some distraction, and those auto-makers that embrace hybrids will the most have the greatest angle on the future.