Detroit must "think anew"

Last week I questioned an editorial by the Detroit News regarding fuel economy because of its complacency, and it's inability to foresee and realize that change must be realized by American automakers. Today, however, Daniel Howes of the Detroit News is singing my tune, telling politicians to give up the blame game while also telling Michigan and the Big 3 that it's time to change.

"The only questions are how and how quickly. Not, why us? Nor who's to blame for tampering with what U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow likes to call "our way of life" -- as if Detroit's automakers, their unions and others are immune to the laws of supply and demand. They aren't, no matter how freely some politicians may be willing to manipulate reality to suggest otherwise."

"Apologies to Sen. Stabenow, but "our way of life" is strangling Michigan because it was never designed to adapt to a changing world, much less accept that the economy and competition would change."

Evolution is often driven by small constant changes. Toyota, for example, is driven by small constant changes focused on increasing efficiency. This process, or Kaizen, led Toyota to hybrid cars - a new platform to increase efficiency. Inevitably the efficiency potential of hybrids has barely been tapped. Moreover, hybrids are adaptable to flex-fuel, hydrogen, gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, or even electricity, and they can lead to advanced batteries and fuel cell development.

Ultimately, hybrids exude change and flexibility. Today's hybrids are gasoline-electric, but tomorrow's might be flex-fuel plug-in hybrids and not long after that they might by hydrogen hybrids, or plug-in fuel cell hybrid vehicles. Hybrid technology is changing rapidly, adapting to the future.

Today, Democrats and the Big 3 appear very close to becoming fixated upon ethanol, a fuel which requires little change for the Big 3. Ultimately, ethanol won't really make the Big 3 any more adaptable, and it just might lead to another decade of complacency. Alternative fuels can help America, but not enough. Only significantly more fuel efficient automobiles can lead to real change.

Detroit must "think anew", and ethanol just isn't new enough.

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.

Foreign oil dependency makes America stronger!

Do you think foreign oil dependency makes America stronger? In today's world, isn't that a stupid question?

Yet, it seems many Americans either believe that cheap foreign oil is good for America or that it poses little threat to America's National Security. Otherwise, how can the continued purchasing of gas-guzzlers be justified? How can the lack of hybrid vehicles from 2 out of 3 of Detroit's automakers be explained?

I often criticize GM for its lack of leadership in fighting foreign oil dependency. Does my criticism stem from my perpetual hate of anything GM? Absolutely not. It stems from the immense power GM has to take a leadership role in fighting oil dependency coupled with GM's refusal to do so.

Ultimately, I would gladly buy a GM hybrid vehicle - as long as it was a full hybrid vehicle. Unfortunately, GM just doesn't have any full hybrid vehicles available yet.

Why?

Well, just a few years ago important GM executives, such as Bob Lutz, publicly ridiculed hybrid vehicles and those automakers investing in them, which is particularly offensive since billions of taxpayer dollars were given to Detroit to develop similar vehicles back in the 90s.

Sure, GM has been claiming the future will be fuel cell vehicles, but they've been saying this for decades and they might be saying it a few more decades before it is a reality. Still, everything that can be done to fight oil dependency today, needs to be done today.

Quite simply, today, the hybrid vehicle is the best course of action in the war on oil dependency. The hybrid powertrain by itself is already efficient and will become even far more efficient. More important, however, the hybrid powertrain enables the integration of clean diesel, flex-fuel, electricity, hydrogen and fuel cells into the same powertrain.

Today's technology, such as a clean diesel hybrid, could produce vehicles that are 50 percent more efficient than today's vehicles. What are we waiting for? Too expensive? No way! There are enough subsidies already being wasted on big oil and other pork barrel legislation to provide the tax incentives needed for consumers to make clean diesel hybrids cost effective.

But, clean diesel hybrids are just one slice of the potential hybrid pie. In areas where ethanol makes sense, flex-fuel hybrids could be built. Add plug-in technology to both diesel hybrids and flex-fuel hybrids and you might only have to fill up on trips greater than 40 miles.

Imagine only filling your vehicle up a couple of times per year.

In the Southwest, such plug-in hybrids could make solar power far more cost-effective, enabling homeowners the ability to power their homes and their automobiles. Imagine never paying an electricity bill nor to fuel your automobiles. How's that for fighting global warming?

Of course these vehicles could also eventually develop into hydrogen powered hybrid vehicles, or fuel cell hybrid vehicles, but foreign oil dependency could be ended without either of these innovations. We don't have to wait for the holy grail, fuel cells. We just have to start demanding action right now.

To be fair, it's not as if GM is evil and Toyota is a saint. Neither automaker is doing enough. Nonetheless, considering the trends of the last few decades, such as previous oil embargoes, Katrina, global warming, and 9/11 isn't it finally time to say enough is enough?

And I say, it's especially time for GM, the most important automaker in America and one of the most important American companies, not to just act, but to take the lead. GM has the kind of loyal following to buy these war-effort vehicles and the political power to force the government to assist with subsidies and tax incentives for these war-effort vehicles.

Instead of using that billion dollar GM marketing budget to market gas-guzzlers, market the fight against the war on foreign oil dependency and global warming. It's our GM hybrid vehicle, it's our national security.

I don't think there is a company that could do more for America than GM if GM began to look at foreign oil dependency and global warming as a war, a war that GM was leading the battle against at ALL costs - even bankruptcy. That is simply a battle that GM would not and could not lose today.

Bob Lutz has admitted that GM could have taken a FRACTION of their YEARLY marketing budget to develop a hybrid to rival the Toyota Prius. Yet, they willfully continue to chose to spend that money marketing gas-guzzling - even AFTER 9/11. Stop!

Before 9/11 most Americans had their heads buried in the sand regarding the consequences of America's addiction to oil. Sometimes when something is so good, it's just better not to ask questions. After 9/11, however, there is no excuse not to act. Now America needs GM to do the right thing more than ever.

If 9/11, Katrina, Iraq and all the threats about global warming are not enough to get America to realize it is time to change, what will it take? Would the deaths of 10,000 or 100,000 citizens be enough? Do we need a third world war, or the loss of a major city, such as New York? Would that finally be enough?

Then again foreign oil dependency has nothing to do with 9/11, Iraq or global warming, right? Foreign oil dependency makes America stronger!

Over $5 billion in 2006 to subsidize ethanol as hybrid tax credits run out

"A recent study conducted by the Swiss-based group called Global Subsidies Initiative revealed the total cost of the tax breaks and subsidies that go into U.S. production of ethanol to be in the whopping range of $5.1 to $6.8 billion for 2006." (more)

While I'd rather use my tax dollars to subsidize American industries, such as ethanol producers, rather than foreign oil companies, I'd rather subsidize hybrid cars and other clean vehicle technologies more than ethanol. Give GM and Ford $5 billion per year to perfect hybrid cars, plug-in hybrid vehicles, fuel cell hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles.

If lighter materials and smarter automobile designs were coupled with next generation batteries, fuel cells and hybrid technology, the U.S. could easily end foreign oil dependency. Sure it would be expensive, but not too expensive if we simply made better use of current tax subsidies - Not by adding new ones.

Another reason alternative fuels are not enough? Go hybrid!

"Our whole farming system really contributes a lot to global warming, and it could be made to be much more sustainable," claims Francis Thicke, an organic dairy farmer from Fairfield, Iowa, who has a Ph.D. in soil fertility.

Thick also believes subsidies for farmers to grow corn and soybeans should end because of their global warming contribution. (more)

On the other hand, synergistic technologies, such as lithium batteries, fuel cells, and hybrid vehicles will soon create autos that might need very little fuel, regardless of whether it is oil, ethanol or hydrogen. By the end of the decade, new hybrid technology combined with next generation lithium batteries might easily achieve more than 70 mpg. Plug-in technology could be added to these hybrid vehicles and most urban drivers might rarely, if ever, need any fuel other than a little electricity. Additionally, adding small fuel cells might make such hybrids even more efficient, requiring even less fuel or electricity.

Sure it would be nice to fill these next generation hybrids with ethanol instead of gasoline, but the focus should be on as little fuel as possible. In fact, whether ethanol is every viable in America shouldn't even be a primary concern for Detroit's automakers. Making the most efficient vehicles possible, should be their only concern.

Go hybrid, Detroit, go hybrid.

A giant bug for the hydrogen economy?

I used to believe absolutely in the hydrogen economy. I wanted it to happen as fast as possible. As a result I've read a lot regarding fuel cells, hydrogen storage, etc. Suddenly, I began to realize that the hydrogen economy probably wasn't going to come as quickly as I'd hoped.

More distressing, I read statements by some scientists whom claimed that the vapor exhaust from billions of fuel cell vehicles might have unintended, negative consequences. Not long ago, for example, CO2 emissions were deemed just as harmless.

Still, it seems hard to believe that H20 vapor emitted from fuel cell vehicles could cause any problems, right?

Well, according to a new study, if the percentage of oxygen in our atmosphere increased, so to might the size of many bugs, such as hawk-sized dragon-flies. What if this also means hawk-sized locusts, or parrot-sized mosquitoes? How would that affect crops and disease?

Perhaps there are many other downsides to increasing hydrogen and oxygen emissions into our atmosphere.

Maybe this time around we shouldn't allow huge corporations and their cronies in Washington to bet the farm on hydrogen as they once bet the farm on petroleum. The welfare of the people, not just corporate profit, has to be a major consideration.

Maybe a solar hybrid fuel cell vehicle is a better goal than a hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicle.

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

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

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

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

Hummers are far more important than foreign oil dependency.

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

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

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

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

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

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?

Hybrids are "basis" for fuel cells

"The hybrid is the basis," said Robert Stempel, chairman and CEO of Energy Conversion Devices Inc., which develops batteries used in hybrid cars. "It gets the electric drive on the vehicle. Once you have the electric drive there, then you really don't care if you have the gasoline engine or diesel or fuel cells. The key is that electric drive." (more)

So, why haven't American automakers been more bullish on hybrid vehicles? If hybrids help create the necessary powertrain for fuel cell vehicles, doesn't hybrid production ultimately help reduce the costs for fuel cell production? Moreover, other fuel cell makers have argued that plug-in fuel cell hybrid vehicles could also speed fuel cell development by enabling smaller - thus cheaper - fuel cells to help power the vehicle.

Are American automakers really going to compete in the world auto market by focusing on alternative fuels?

I say technology is the only answer, and it seems American automakers are already missing the boat. C'mon GM and Ford, it's OUR future! Give us foreign-oil dependency, fuel cell investing American-made hybrid vehicles and ask those jackasses in Washington to help foot the bill.

Isn't it ironic? GOP tells Detroit 'Drop Dead'

I like Daniel Howes of the Detroit News, but I think he wrote an absolutely ridiculous article, Top GOP leaders sending message to Big 3: Drop dead.

"But meet with Detroit's automakers? Nah, why should the president care whether U.S.-owned automakers, burdened by fierce foreign competition and cumulative decisions that threaten to swamp them, are fighting for their collective lives? Instead, key Republicans and the White House are reprising President Ford's message to New York back in the mid-'70s: "Drop dead."

Wow! So, was it Democrats that have protected Detroit's fuel inefficiency for decades? Was it Democrats that forever blocked increased fuel economy standards? Was it Democrats that protected SUVs for decades?

Give me a break, Daniel. If not for Republicans preventing the Carter administration from ending the SUV craze, before it even started, Detroit would already be a very different place.

Detroit should have realized that cheap gas couldn't last forever - that warning bell has been ringing, quite loudly, for decades. Sure the auto industry is important for America, but not at the expense of our National Security. America is literally spending trillions of dollars to maintain cheap oil.

Screw the unions, screw trade barriers. It all comes down to product. Ultimately, GM and Ford blew it. The first hybrid cars should have been American, without question. No country has more to gain by increasing fuel efficiency. More important, if fuel cells are the holy grail for Detroit, then hybrids make fuel cells happen sooner.

I say Detroit should drop dead until it starts acting like an American company - you know - a company that fights for freedom, not increased foreign oil dependency.

Plug-in hybrid vehicles are ideal for fuel cell development

For years I have been promoting hybrids, not just to reduce foreign oil dependency or to clean the environment, but to push the evolution of the automobile. As it turns out, plug-in hybrid vehicles might just be the perfect platform for the utilization of fuel cells. (More)

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.

Army: Forget fuel cells for now, hydrogen hybrids are better

Because of the cost barriers around fuel cells, the U.S. Army is working with Quantum Technologies to convert today's hybrid cars into hydrogen hybrid cars. Currently, the project is using the Ford Escape hybrid platform. Since most engineers believe fuel cell vehicles will be hybrid vehicles, I wonder if Bob Lutz still thinks that hybrids don't make business sense?(More)

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?

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

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

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

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

Back to Reality

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

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

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

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

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

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

CNBC's Hydrogen Hybrid Video

Are you interested in the future of hybrid cars? Well, one potential path is hydrogen hybrids. These are not fuel cell hybrids that are fueled by hydrogen. There are no fuel cells in these hybrids. Hydrogen hybrids could help reduce foreign oil dependency, clean the environment, and build the fueling network for future fuel cell hybrid vehicles. (Watch)

Hybrid Vehicles: Neither an interim technology, nor a bridge to the future

The time for the hybrid car revolution is now

I regularly note that one of the best things about hybrid cars is the potential of hybrid technology. For example, the second generation Toyota Prius hybrid made great gains in efficiency and performance compared to the first generation Prius.

Ultimately, hybrids are an emerging technology and the best is yet to come.

Ironically, earlier today I noted that GM regularly tries to downplay hybrids, yet also admits that its fuel cell vehicles will be fuel cell hybrid vehicles. So, is this just deceptive marketing by GM, or don't they really believe in the future of fuel cells?

Inevitably, I don't care. The future will emerge - with or without GM. (More)

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.

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)

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.

Are hybrid vehicles forever marginal or a step into the future?

Over the weekend I've been contemplating the article, Despite car show hype, hybrids, diesels will remain marginal.

Not only does the article dismiss hybrid cars, diesels and small autos, but even fuel cell vehicles, which is contrary to the typical hybrid critic. Many critics call hybrids an interim step to fuel cells - a distraction if you will - but they do see a changing market. While I disagree, seeing hybrids as an essential step toward fuel cell hybrid vehicles, that's not the point.

Mr. Winton, the author of the article, seems to think nothing will change and that America will forever be dominated by the size of the motor, not fuel efficiency. Now Mr.Winton does note that gas prices have to remain at $2.00 per gallon for his future to take place.

I say the days of $2.00 gas are long over, which immediately calls into question the entire logic of Mr. Winton.

This year, $3.00+ gasoline will become commonplace in many parts of the U.S. for an extended period of time - possibly forever - and the possibility of spikes as high as $4.00 or $5.00 are almost a certainty. This alone could significantly affect demand for hybrid vehicles and other alternative fuels, etc.

With significant hurricane activity expected the next several years, combined with limited oil refinery capacity and ever-increasing world demand, higher gasoline prices are inevitable for America.

But that isn't the whole story.

Environmental concerns and foreign oil dependency could also push many more Americans to completely rethink their vehicles and the relationship their vehicle has to world politics. Still, that isn't even the whole story.

I'm a Gen-X'er and I've grown up around computers. The way computer technology has advanced and become 'dirt' cheap in the last 20 years is truly mind-bending.

Well, hybrid technology is largely dependent upon the very same computer technology.

Hybrids will become cheaper; however, they will never match the cost of conventional vehicles. That is probably a fact. Nonetheless, as hybrid technology becomes cheaper, it will also become significantly more powerful.

This means that hybrids will not only offer significantly more fuel efficiency than their conventional counterparts in the next generations - more easily justifying the cost difference - but they will offer far more speed and power at the same time. That is the nature of computer technology.

Mr. Winton can continue to write about the marginality of hybrid cars on his typewriter, but hybrids, just as personal computers 20 years ago, are simply a young, barely-tapped, emerging technology. In 10 years hybrid technology will evolve significantly. Gasoline engine technology; on the other hand, will have changed about as much as, well, typewriter technology in the last 20 years.

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.

Is clean diesel better than hybrid vehicles?

DaimlerChrylser is nowhere to be seen in the segment of hybrid cars. Why? They say clean diesel is better (more)

So is hybrid technology less important than clean diesel technology?

An interesting place to find an answer to that question is Europe. Europe is all about diesel, and in France, diesel is seen as the short term answer, but diesel hybrid vehicles are seen as the next step before fuel cells. (more)

Why? Because diesel hybrids would still be 20 - 30 percent more fuel efficient than clean diesel engines, and that is just with today's technology.

What the critics of hybrids are missing - in a huge way - is that experimental hybrids already demonstrate that is quite possible to achieve more than 200 mpg. When lithium-ion batteries take over NiMH batteries for use in hybrid cars, everything will change.

To assume that won't happen would be like assuming computers wouldn't overtake calculators.

The fact is, hybrid technology is just emerging, and the potential of hybrid technology has barely been tapped.

In reality, in the next decade, a diesel hybrid that achieves more than 200 mpg is completely feasible and cost effective. Within this same period, a completely feasible fuel cell vehicle will still cost more than $100,000.00.

In a decade, the potential of clean diesel technology simply won't be in the same league as hybrid technology.

Still, even if clean diesel is 20 or 30 percent more efficient than standard gasoline engines, diesel still costs almost a $1.00 more per gallon in California.

How cost effective is that?

Hybrid cars versus biodiesel

Diesel, then diesel hybrids, then fuel cells states PSA Peugeot Citroen

Recently PSA Peugeot Citroen announced it will begin developing hybrid cars in connection with a call to do so by French President Jacques Chirac (more). Yesterday, Puegeot announced that it has also made significant gains in its fuel cells, yet the company still believes that fuel cell vehicles are still a long way from commercial reality.

"SA Chairman Jean-Martin Folz told a news conference that the best way to save on fuel consumption of cars in the short term was by boosting the use of diesel and by adding bio-fuel to diesel."

"For the medium term, hybrid diesel engines would offer further reduction in consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, while fuel cells, which release energy from the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen with a catalyst, were for a later stage, he said." (more)

PSA Puegeot Citroen going hybrid too!

In the past there has been a lot of indifference coming from Europe regarding hybrid vehicles, but that sentiment seems to be changing. According to Reuters, "France's second-biggest carmaker said on Thursday it would show off a Peugeot 307 and a Citroen C4 demonstration car with a hybrid diesel system on January 31."

"The announcement coincides with a call by French President Jacques Chirac to develop such cars within 10 years."

Both GM and Ford have both developed diesel hybrids and Toyota has announced numerous times that their hybrid vehicles can function with gasoline engines, diesel engines, or even hydrogen engines.

If hybrid technology is just hype, why is automaker after automaker investing more and more into hybrid development?

I think it has become obvious that hybrids are not hype, as hybrid technology will also be important for fuel cell vehicles. Hybrids are more than just an interim step to fuel cells. In fact, hybrids are even more than a bridge to fuel cells, for hybrid technology is an integral piece of fuel cell vehicle technology. At this point in time, fuel cell vehicles WILL also be hybrid vehicles.

Those automakers calling hybrids hype are simply trying to buy time as they recover from their lack of leadership and vision. The days of hybrid hype are over.

What IS the point of hybrid vehicle critics?

Hybrid cars make up around one percent of total automobile sales, yet hybrid hype could almost make you believe that hybrids are dominating automobile sales.

So, is it the hype that makes critics sound off?

Do hybrid critics just hate change, or do they hate hybrids because most of them aren't built in America?

I just don't get most hybrid critics.

Some hybrid critics claim hybrids won't save money. In some cases this is true; however, even in these cases, hybrid vehicles still pollute far less than their conventional counterparts, but you can't put a cost on that. It means everything to some people, nothing to others.

Anyway, why are some so concerned with criticizing those that stand up and use their money to cause less pollution? Why is acting on one's beliefs a bad thing? What are critics acting on anyway?

Besides, many hybrids can save money. There is no doubt that hybrids like the Toyota Prius and the Ford Escape hybrid can save money and can achieve significantly better fuel economy than their conventional comparisons. Yes, you will have to drive differently, but if reducing your fuel consumption is important, hybrids offer the greatest and most convenient tools available for achieving this goal.

Of course, driving habits aren't the only concern. While the Honda Accord hybrid is regularly ridiculed by hybrid critics, the Accord hybrid is built for the open highway. If you are driving in urban traffic, this car will not achieve great fuel efficiency. If you regularly drive between Temecula and Fontana, California every day, then an Accord hybrid can be a great buy.

So, again, what is the point of hybrid critics?

Many educated hybrid critics claim that hybrids are just a distraction along the path to fuel cell vehicles. Interesting point except for the fact that even GM has recently admitted that fuel cell vehicles will be fuel cell hybrid vehicles, as has Toyota (more on this). Thus, purchasing a hybrid vehicle helps invest in the fuel cell future. These critics see no value in that?

Even without fuel cell hybrid vehicles, current hybrid technology offers the ability to easily achieve 100 mpg with today's technology, and experimental hybrid technology goes even further, at far less costs than fuel cells.

So what? Well, achieving 100 mpg across America's fleet would easily end foreign oil dependency.

So, these critics don't think that foreign oil dependency, in addition to pollution and global warming, are important issues? These critics don't find it interesting that the Chinese are now building hybrid vehicles as they scour the Earth for oil deals?

Besides, so what if some want to invest in the future, without necessarily profiting from it personally. Is that really a waste of time? Instead, selfish gas-guzzling greed is a better use of resources?

Does this all come down to guilt? Is that what is it about?

Perhaps hybrid vehicles don't ultimately save every consumer money, but only help reduce oil dependency, help reduce pollution and help invest in the future. How pathetic.

Is this the point these hybrid critics are making?

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.

Fuel cell vehicles: Toyota versus GM

The AutoWeek article, GM's r&d guru says 'cooperation would make sense' in drive to create hydrogen-powered vehicles really bothered me when I read it this weekend. In fact, it made me research Crain Communications to see if they were somehow corporately connected to GM.

O.K., I couldn't find any connection. Nonetheless, AutoWeek is just one piece of Crain Communications and it is obvious that Crain Communications is about one thing - advertising. While there isn't a corporate connection between Crain and GM, there is certainly a huge relationship - advertising budgets.

But all automakers spend advertising dollars, why would Crain care the most about GM, you ask? Well, in the past several years, GM has spent about twice as much as any other automaker per year, and we're talking billions.

So, what was it that bothered me so much about the GM article?

I love the idea of fuel cells and I've read hundreds of articles about fuel cells and fuel cell vehicles. Ultimately, however, there are many issues regarding the functionality of fuel cells, especially in the near term - which is decades long. Just because GM has been promising fuel cells since the Nixon administration doesn't mean their fuel cell technology is the best.

Perhaps, as the article suggests, there should be cooperation between automakers regarding fuel cell vehicles, but any implication that GM is the fuel cell leader is a huge stretch at this point in time.

I'd say that GM, in fact, isn't the leader.

Toyota's approach to fuel cells is a good bit different than GM because Toyota fuel cell vehicles are hybrid vehicles. The fact that Toyota's gasoline electric hybrids can adapt into diesel electric hybrids, hydrogen electric hybrids, and -finally - fuel cell electric hybrids, offers something that GM doesn't offer - flexibility.

A recent press release from a Technical Insights Group at Frost & Sullivan notes, "Stricter emission standards are forcing companies to manufacture environment-friendly automobiles, with the resultant explosion in interest in hybrids and fuel cell vehicles. Automotive safety is another major concern, as advances in electronics and sensor technologies seek to make driving safer."

"Though Japanese companies such as Toyota and Honda have taken the lead in hybrid vehicle development, the growing concern over automotive pollution has led to a flurry of interest in this arena. Development is underway at all major automotive R&D houses to produce more fuel-efficient cars -- hybrid, fuel cell, or a cross between the two," notes Rajesh Kannan.

I repeat, "or a cross between the two".

Many autowriters have called hybrids just a step towards fuel cells, others have called them a bridge to fuel cell vehicles. Ultimately, however, today's hybrids can evolve into fuel cell hybrids. Today's gasoline electric Prius could be tomorrow's fuel cell electric Prius. Thus, some essential fuel cell developments are already taking place today in these hybrids and the future is that much closer.

Hybrids just might prove that billions of dollars for hydrogen fueling stations are not even needed. There could be a better way than GM's fuel cell vehicle path, perhaps even an easier, less expensive path.

AutoWeek writers work for Crain Communications and far too often AutoWeek has shown an unobjective bias against hybrids and for GM. The focus of Crain Communications doesn't appear to be an objective view of the automotive future, but rather a subjective grab for today's advertising dollars.

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.

Ford hybrid taxis; GM's Chinese hybrids: Hype or the winds of change?

Yesterday, Ford CEO Bill Ford introduced a mini-fleet of hybrid taxis that will serve New York City. Considering that the fleet will only consist of 6 Escape hybrids, it is a bit interesting that Mr. Ford chose to make the presentation.

Or is it?

With Ford's hybrid head resigning just weeks ago, there was much speculation about the future of Ford hybrids, but now Mr. Ford appears to be taking the lead on hybrids. While fuel cells might be the distant future, hybrid cars represent the near future and they are proof that the auto industry CAN and MUST change.

Isn't it ironic that on the same day that New York announced that it will begin forcing automakers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, joining California, Mr. Ford was in New York promoting his company's hybrids?

Still, the drive to hybrid technology isn't just being driven by treehuggers from both coasts.

GM is now banging the hybrid drum in China, joining at least 3 other automakers that will soon begin developing and producing hybrid vehicles in that country.

Many auto analysts have long speculated that China will be the key market for major automakers as we head into the future. And according to a recent AutoWeek article, "The Chinese government is keen to develop more fuel-efficient engines to curb its growing appetite for imported oil and reduce pollution. An automotive policy released last year suggests preferential treatment for developers of fuel-efficient technologies."

Hmmm, does "preferential treatment" have anything to do with GM's new hybrid focus?

Global forces, including global warming, terrorism, hurricanes, global petroleum demand, and consumer interests are requiring - even DEMANDING - that automakers change. The hybrid battleground is no longer just about hype, it's about business survival. With China entering the fray, the prospect of much cheaper hybrid parts becomes not just a possibility, but an obvious reality.

Ultimately, a technological revolution is hitting the world's auto industry and it isn't being driven only by speed and horsepower, but also by fuel efficiency and environmental impact. Experimental hybrids demonstrate that hybrid technology has significantly more potential than is currently being exhibited in the Prius, the Highlander hybrid, or the Civic hybrid. Huge, monumental gains are yet to be made in this emerging automotive technology.

While fuel cell vehicles might be the inevitable future, that future might not be a reality for decades. Hybrids demonstrate significant, dramatic change can be accomplished now, without fuel cells, without hydrogen. Nonetheless, today's hybrids could quite easily become tomorrow's fuel cell hybrids, as both Ford and Toyota are currently displaying (more).

The hybrids ARE coming, and they are going to come in a big way during the next decade. In 5 years, J.D. Power's prediction of hybrids achieving just 5% of the market will seem like the silliest analysis ever made by an automotive expert.

Hybrid hype is over and the winds of change are blowing. The real battle is just beginning.

Fuel cells: Another reason why hybrids rule

Already, Toyota is claiming that its hybrid cars will eventually become fuel cell cars. In essence, hybrid vehicles are providing the foundation for fuel cell automobiles. A recent article demonstrates that Ford is also starting to follow this path. "The FCV [Ford Fusion FCV] is a hybrid car that uses a fuel cell powertrain supplied by Ballard Power Systems Inc. as well as a nickel metal-hydride battery pack and a brake-by-wire electrohydraulic regenerative braking system."

If this is true, what is the foundation of most hybrid critics?

Hybrids, such as the Prius or the Escape hybrid, can achieve amazing fuel efficiency and clean emissions today, but the potential of such hybrids is barely being tapped. Better hybrid batteries, diesel hybrids or bio-diesel hybrids, demonstrate that we can change the world - in terms of foreign oil dependency and clean air - and we don't have to wait for fuel cells.

Nonetheless, as fuel cell breakthroughs do occur, we can convert hybrids into fuel cell hybrid vehicles.

Is it just because GM isn't leading the way that hybrids are so criticized? I know they have an amazingly huge marketing budget, but is that enough reason for critics to wear such blinders?

Do creationists hate hybrid cars?

I make this post with a little tongue-in-cheek. Nonetheless, I read an interesting article the other day called, Is US becoming hostile to science? Ultimately, the article focuses on creationism versus evolution and it asserts that a significant percentage of Americans don't believe in evolution, nor the big bang, and many have become quite hostile towards science.

Similarly, an interesting video on CNN Video titled, America's Negative Numbers, notes that the U.S. has dropped to 28th in math compared to other countries and 22nd in science.

Is it any wonder China and Russia are sending men into space as America watches?

While I don't want to get into the debate between creationism and evolution, I have to admit that I believe in the power of science, but I also believe in god. To me science is simply the reproducible understanding of nature, and reviewing just the last 100 years it is hard to argue against what science has accomplished.

Some creationists that I know not only dismiss evolution, but also global warming and the dangers of oil dependency. Since hybrid cars are utilized by many as a solution to both global warming and oil dependency, then hybrids are equally dismissed as unnecessary.

Many bright bloggers and writers might argue that the dismissal of hybrids isn't due to a dislike of science, but is about simple facts. They argue that clean diesel or bio-diesel is a more affordable solution.

While I agree that both clean diesel and bio-diesel are significantly better options than our current path, I do not agree that either, by themselves, go far enough nor match the potential of hybrid technology. Additionally, the hybrid powertrain can accommodate both clean diesel and bio-diesel engines. Moreover, experimental hybrid technology demonstrates that even conventional vehicles can be converted into hybrids that can achieve well over 100 mpg. Consequently, it becomes obvious that the potential of hybrids has barely been tapped.

Neither bio-diesel nor clean diesel have demonstrated anywhere near such potential. Thus, while bio-diesel and clean diesel are important technologies, hybrid bio-diesels and clean diesel hybrids are even far more important technologies.

Is it a realization gap, rather than religion?

Is the problem that science and technology, much like evolution, isn't always visible via huge steps, but rather small incremental steps? For example, I have been using laptops for more than 10 years. Year after year, the performance of memory, speed, and battery power increases. From year to year the gains don't seem terribly significant, but comparing today's laptops to the laptops of 10 years ago, demonstrates that we've made amazing strides.

In my opinion, especially based on available, experimental technology, hybrids offer that same kind of potential, at a cost that is significantly less than fuel cells. That doesn't mean fuel cells won't replace hybrids, it just means that hybrid technology is important enough for investment until the many obstacles surrounding fuel cell vehicles can be resolved. In actuality, it might just be hybrid technology that resolves many fuel cell problems.

Yet, if America neither embraces nor believes in science and technology, what is the future for hybrids, for fuel cells, and for America?

The American auto industry might be an example of the path that America is taking. Decades of materialistically driven engineering and marketing have left GM on the verge of bankruptcy, as Ford continually becomes less and less significant. Appearance and useless power, not technological innovation, have been the drivers of the American automarket.

Likewise, if you work in technology, then you know of the void that exists in America when it comes to filling technical jobs - we have to import our programmers, engineers, and scientists. In America too much attention has been put on law and entertainment. We'd rather sue, act or be a professional athlete, rather than a scientist, engineer, or astronaut.

This has to change. As the population of the world booms in the next hundred years only pandemics or science can keep us moving forward. The world's demand for resources is growing so rapidly that only the death of billions and billions of us will allow us to move forward, or we can use science.

Somehow, America and the world must resolve our religious and scientific differences. Both god and science can co-exist. Our religious beliefs and values shouldn't hold science back, rather they should be used to ensure that we use science to benefit humankind, rather than to just control and profit from humankind.

Still, America's scientific problems aren't just about religion, as there are plenty of godless Americans that do not value science.

Ultimately, however, I believe that it is the religious Americans that will be the difference. If god is the ultimate creator, than science is nothing but an expression of god, an expression that should be embraced for good, not denied out of fear.

In recent years I've noticed a number of bumper stickers on the backs of luxury vehicles and SUVs that say, "Jesus was a liberal." While that might be true, Jesus would today drive neither a luxury vehicle, nor a gas-guzzler, Jesus would drive a hybrid.

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.

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

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

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

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

Now, that's a plan!

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

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

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

Why not invest in technology?

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

Re: Polk's hybrid vehicle adoption study

R.L. Polk and Co. is set to release its new hybrid vehicle adoption study, which doesn't provide too many surprising details. Most notably "97 percent of respondents recognize hybrid vehicle terminology","78 percent of respondents would consider buying a hybrid vehicle", but "61 percent indicate they are concerned with price".

Yesterday, Ronald Jones of MSNBC asked, Is a hybrid car really good for your wallet? Ultimately, Mr. Jones found it really depends, but in many cases, no. While the Toyota Prius is the most cost-effective hybrid and many hybrids are cost-effective - or can be - over the long term, most hybrid cars are not really going to save you money.

Of course, hybrids can be a edge against further increases in the price of oil and gasoline. Additionally, if congestion, or stop-and-go traffic, is a regular part of your commute - as it is for many millions of Americans - hybrids become much more cost effective.

Moreover, Mr. Jones bases much of his cost effectiveness on Edmunds.com. I've written many times that the Edmunds study wasn't well done. In particular, it assumes that most hybrid drivers will do some 75 percent of their driving on the open highway. I live in Los Angeles and like many drivers in Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, etc, the far majority of my driving is done in congestion - the ideal conditions to achieve a hybrid's best fuel efficiency.

According to transportation studies by the government and academics, congestion is getting far worse year after year, and not in just large cities, but even in suburban and rural areas. In these conditions, most conventional vehicles can fall short of their EPA fuel efficiency ratings by as much as 35 percent, while causing obscene amounts of pollution.

Consequently, for many, hybrid vehicles are about something much greater than just saving money. They are about saving the environment and ending foreign oil dependency. While foreign oil dependency isn't accurately accounted for in the price of oil, there is no doubt that America's geo-political oil interests have had a significant impact upon the national security of America.

Thus, there are plenty of people willing to buy the current supply of hybrids, which will lead to better and cheaper hybrid technology, and hybrids offer great potential. Recently, an article noted that experimental hybrids can achieve 250 mpg.

Why are waiting for fuel cells if current technology has the ability to accomplish so much, for just a fraction of the cost of fuel cells and a new energy infrastructure?

The fact that so many people are so aware of hybrid vehicles and that so many are willing to buy them indicates the vast growth potential of hybrids. For such a new technology, still just an emerging technology, the future looks very bright.

Further, the technology behind hybrids is very much like the technology behind computers. Ten years ago most Americans were interested in buying a computer, but thought they were still too expensive. Today, many Americans own multiple computers.

I expect the same thing will happen to hybrids. Hybrid vehicles might not always be the cheapest technology, but they will be the best technology - the best technology that continually gets better and cheaper.

250 mpg hybrid vehicles with today's technology

Forget fuel cells and the hydrogen economy, plug-in hybrids offer the technology to end foreign-oil dependency now!

There is a great AP article, Experimental Hybrid Cars Get Up to 250 Mpg, which demonstrates the fact that plug-in hybrid vehicles, such as a plug-in Prius could achieve 80 mpg for the daily commute of most drivers. Additionally, more advanced plug-in hybrids have achieved up to 250 mpg.

Not long ago I wrote about flex-fuel hybrids that could achieve 500 mpg.

Why doesn't the government care? Why doesn't GM or Ford care? This isn't just foreign oil dependency, this is America's national security. Are the lobbyists of the auto and energy industries really so powerful that the safety of the American people is less important than their energy monopoly?

For more check out, What's better than a hybrid car? A plug-in hybrid car of course!

The energy bill, hybrid critics and American political ineptitude

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Congress and corporation, an American disgrace.

Hybrid car reliability

I just finished responding to an e-mail that covered a common question that I receive, "Is it true that hybrid cars are unreliable?"

NO, it is not true! Recently there have been a few dozen complaints regarding a software glitch in the Toyota Prius hybrid. That glitch; however, has still not lead to a government recall, nor has it caused any deaths, injuries, or any accidents.

Additionally, consumer surveys have put the Prius atop customer satisfaction rankings. They have been exceedingly reliable and almost 100% of Prius owners would buy another Prius.

While there could be long term maintenance issues and battery pack problems, there is no proof thus far that either issue will actually ever materialize - it's pure speculation at this point. Many first generation Prii are soon approaching their first decades of operation and the evidence thus far suggests one thing, reliability.

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.

Part's maker keys into hybrid cars

Toyota, the undisputed king of hybrid cars, has corporately stated that third party suppliers are key to bringing the costs of hybrid technology down. Today, the DetroitNews featured an article on how Bosch, "and other suppliers have turned their attention to hybrid technologies and the North American market". In fact Bernd Bohr, chairman of Bosch's automotive business, told a global technology conference last month at the company's proving grounds in Germany, "We think mass production of fuel cells is not going to happen in the next 20 years, to be provocative, at least not in an economical way."

Thus, Bosch is focusing on hybrid vehicles. With more than 50 models expected by 2010, it isn't hard to see why Bosch is bullishly pursing hybrids. Ultimately, as more and more third party companies become involved in hybrids, the better for hybrid technology and for hybrid consumers.

Hybrid hater contradictions

Last month I made a post titled, Edmunds.com's Senseless Hybrid Vehicle Cost Study, that questioned the data behind the Edmunds study. Ultimately, like the EPA, Edmunds uses data which doesn't correspond to the real world driving conditions of a huge percentage of Americans. In particular, assuming that all Americans drive 75% of the time at the speed limit on the highway, while driving just 25% of the time in city driving.

Anybody that commutes in Los Angeles, San Francisco - most of California - or New York, Houston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and many, many other urban areas knows how ridiculous is that assumption. Congestion has become an American epidemic that most transportation scholars say - via real world data - is rapidly becoming much worse, even in far-out suburban and rural areas.

In these areas, hybrid cars, such as the Toyota Prius hybrid, can achieve unbelievable mileage - for those that care - almost entirely free from pollution. If every driver in America achieved Prius efficiency, the air would be drastically cleaner and foreign oil dependency would end.

Yet, American automakers continue to make their bread and butter off more expensive SUVs and trucks than the Prius. Still, Edmunds complains about the 'cost' of hybrid cars.

The costs? Doctors in Los Angeles insist that air pollution is killing people every day, as well as causing huge amounts of asthma and other respiratory problems. Yet pollution doesn't exist to these rocket scientists - paid by the polluter's advertisements.

Moreover, how many terrorist acts will it take for America to accept the cause and effects of foreign oil dependency? That doesn't cost?

Of course, every American isn't going to drive a vehicle the size of a Prius, and that is the beauty of hybrids. Hybrid technology is still just emerging, and the possibility of a SUV that achieves the same fuel efficiency and pollution reductions as the Prius is almost here.

Is the Ford Escape hybrid, Toyota Highlander hybrid, or the Lexus RX400h hybrid there yet? No, but just one significant battery development could make it happen.

Ultimately, the most pathetic of the contradictions is that we shouldn't waste our time with hybrid costs to focus on fuel cells. Well, in terms of costs, the Prius costs about $20,000, a fuel cell vehicle costs about $1,000,000. That's some interesting math.

In time, these hydrogen highway advocates claim costs will come down, but - somehow - hybrid costs will never come down - even though much of Toyota's fuel cell technology is built on a hybrid powertrain?

Ohhhh, GM is going to do it differently. GM tells America they are so excited about their fuel cell technology that they are going to give Americans their Employee Discount on the Hummer and the Yukon in the interim. Give me a break.

Fuel cell vehicles will happen, but they could still be decades away. Hybrid vehicles can make fuel cell vehicles happen much quicker. In fact, most fuel cell vehicles might be hybrid vehicles.

The hybrid haters simply make no sense. Do nothing. Build bigger SUVs, oil is cheap they tell us. Someday cheap technology...when has technology ever started out cheap? Even calculators used to be grossly expensive, let alone cell phones and computers.

Technology is made cheap by investment, and hybrid vehicles are the best investment Americans can make in the automotive sector. The conflicted interest of most hybrid critics is simply pathetic.

Hybrid trucks and other hybrid tidbits

As the fifth tropical storm Emily builds in the Gulf, and BP's new deep oil rig Crazyhorse (Thunderhorse Field) sits listing in the Gulf of Mexico, one cannot begin to underestimate the potential of much higher gasoline prices. And if gasoline prices rise, the technology behind hybrid cars becomes significantly more appealing.

According to a new R. L. Polk & Co. study, 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. (More from Car and Driver)

Obviously higher gas prices can help offset the cost barrier.

Yesterday, Ford released its second hybrid, the Mercury Mariner hybrid, and Toyota continues to suggest that a hybrid truck is soon coming. While Toyota has mentioned this possibility in the past, it indicated yesterday that Toyota seeks to offer the first hybrid truck. Still, Toyota has released few details about a Tundra hybrid.

Nonetheless, even if gas prices make hybrids more desirable, will it matter? Demand is still greater than supply, and the new Mariner hybrid really won't help, since only a few 1000 units are even planned.

Toyota, and the very successful Prius hybrid, combined with the Lexus RX400h, the Highlander hybrid, and the Camry hybrid will still only hit about 500,000 total hybrids next year.

Honda's upgraded hybrids, the Civic and the Accord, will help, but American-made hybrids are the missing ingredient. Foreign oil dependency, terrorism, global oil demand, and global warming - America needs leadership and responsibility from American corporations.

It's furiously ironic that GM often speaks of hybrid costs, while touting fuel cells, which are exorbitantly more costly than hybrid vehicles. Yet, GM is considering a fuel cell agreement with Toyota - a company which is building its fuel cell future on the backbone of the hybrid powertrain?

'American-made' automobiles simply mean nothing if they also mean increased 'terrorist-supporting foreign oil dependency.' It's time for Ford and GM to stop talking about a stronger America and to start building a stronger America today, not tomorrow.

Prius price increase

The price of the Toyota Prius hybrid will increase by $300 starting in August.

Hybrid hype: Toyota to double hybrid production

Despite the constant crowing of critics against hybrids, demand for Toyota hybrid vehicles is still far greater than supply. As a result, once again, Toyota will be doubling the production of hybrid vehicles to half a million for 2006. The greatest increase in numbers will be directed towards the Prius hybrid car, but both the Lexus RX400h and the Highlander hybrid will also have their productions increased by 50 percent. Moreover, Toyota will start producing 50,000 Camry hybrids per year next year as well.

According to Asahi.com, "Toyota affiliates in charge of making hybrid-vehicle parts, such as batteries, have reinforced their manufacturing facilities, making it much easier for Toyota to obtain key components of the gas-electricity cars."

Hybrid battery manufacturers could have a huge impact on the success of hybrid vehicles, so this is great news for hybrid supporters.

Prius hype? 57 MPG in the real world

EPA estimated MPG is far off in the real world. Some critics have used this fact to criticize hybrids, yet they typically, conveniently, forget to mention that conventional vehicles often miss their EPA estimates by 20%. A neighbor of mine, driving in city traffic, achieves more than 70 mpg in his Prius, and Joe achieves 57 mpg (more Prius experiences). While driving conditions and habits do affect fuel efficiency, how can either of those numbers be hype?

How high are oil prices going to go?

"There is no question that the market is going to $60,'' said Kyle Cooper, an analyst with Citigroup Inc. in Houston according to Bloomberg.com.

In fact many analysts think there is a 70 percent to 80 percent chance that oil will top even $70 per barrel. Yet, U.S. demand for oil continues to grow causing fears that summer demand could possibly outpace supply.

My prediction still stands at $3.00 gasoline before year's end. While that number might be temporary it will be a sign of things to come over the next few years.

How cost effective will hybrid cars be then?

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.

Hybrid cars and marijuana!

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

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

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

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

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

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

And where has petroleum taken us?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hybrids versus Fuel Cell Vehicles

Are hybrid vehicles just an interim technology? Are fuel cells over-rated? Why does GM act like hybrids are an annoyance in the way of fuel cell vehicles? Why is it cheaper for America to be dependent upon foreign energy when the technology to end such dependence exists today? (More)

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?

GM and Toyota partnership good for both

As GM and Toyota meet this weekend, I'm very excited that something special could happen in Japan. In the last couple of weeks Toyota has considered raising prices on its vehicles to 'help' GM. Really the "Japanese rival is worried about doing too well and sparking a protectionist backlash in the United States," according to a great DetroitNews article. In an odd way, Toyota needs GM as much GM needs Toyota. GM needs a jump start into new products, and earlier this week I wrote that GM and Toyota fuel cell talks have to include hybrid vehicles (read article). Sure GM would have to pay a licensing fee to Toyota for its hybrid technology, but GM could gain some momentum, today, rather than 5 - 10 years from now. Ultimately, Toyota needs GM to stay healthy so that the American economy stays healthy. Without America, even mighty Toyota could falter.

23 Billion reasons to buy a hybrid car

Hybrid vehicles can change the world today.

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

How cost-effective are fuel cells?

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

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

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

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

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

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

More on hybrid cars.

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?

Hybrid car buyer's guide: Which hybrid vehicle is best for you?

So you've decided that you want to do something to reduce foreign oil-dependency, or to help the environment. Maybe you're just a technology buff and you believe that hybrid cars are a bridge to fuel cells. The point is, you have your reasons for buying a hybrid, but not all hybrids address those issues equally.

So, why do you want a hybrid?

If you want to use as little gas as possible, then the Toyota Prius or Honda Civic hybrid are best. These hybrid vehicles look very different and feel very different. Additionally, leases are available for Civic hybrids, but not for the Prius. Both hybrids are in the same price range, but the Prius is a bit of a better performer.

Perhaps a car just isn't an option. You need an SUV. Fortunately for you, the hybrid SUV segment offers the most choices. You won't save nearly as much gas as with the Prius or Civic hybrid, but the Ford Escape hybrid is the most fuel efficient hybrid SUV. This June, the Toyota Highlander hybrid will come to market, offering slightly less fuel efficiency than the Escape, but more seating and more power.

For a large family, the Highlander hybrid is probably the best choice because it will seat up to seven.

The Lexus RX400h hybrid SUV is the least efficient of the SUV bunch, but by far the most powerful, as well as the most luxurious. This luxury hybrid is faster than its conventional cousin, significantly more fuel efficient, and emits far less pollution. Of course this performance has costs and the hybrid Lexus is priced over $10,000 more than a standard RX330.

The Honda Accord hybrid is a different breed of hybrid, but it is best of breed when it comes to Accords. Just as the RX400h, the Accord hybrid is faster, more powerful, and significantly more fuel efficient than its conventional cousin. In urban, stop-and-go traffic, the hybrid Accord is the least efficient of all the hybrids. This hybrid is a highway vehicle.

Each one of these hybrids is a good investment in the future. On average, with tax credits and 6 years of driving you'll recover your hybrid costs, and you'll have helped make the world a better place.

Can you really put a price on that?

Hydraulic diesel hybrid coming to your city?

UPS, Eaton, International Truck and Engine and the US Army National Automotive Center are partnering to create "a full hydraulic hybrid urban delivery vehicle" this "is anticipated to achieve 90 per cent reduction in NOx emissions to meet the 2010 diesel emission standards, 60-70 per cent better fuel economy and fast payback for the cost of the technology".

The technology powering hybrid cars is just emerging, and hybrid technology seems destined to provide a nice bridge to fuel cells.

Hybrids "interim strategy or a bridge to fuel cells"?

"Hybrids are a brilliant engineering feat," said Campbell, who said that he drives a Ford Escape hybrid. "But it is only an interim strategy or a bridge to fuel cells. This is the greatest revolution in the history of automotive design." Ballard Power Systems CEO Dennis Campbell spoke those words while noting the fuel cell cars would probably start emerging in Japan by 2010. (MotorTrend)

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.

Ford and GM pushed green in China, Congress sux

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

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

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

Where has Congress been?

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

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

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

Why hybrid vehicles are the real deal.

Yesterday, John McCormick of the Detroit News, a regular hybrid naysayer stated, "Overall, the public is still amazingly ignorant about hybrids," arguing that the costs of hybrid vehicles do not justify their fuel efficiency gains.

Maybe.

Overall, the Detroit auto establishment, including writers, is still amazingly ignorant about the costs of foreign oil and oil's environmental destruction. Governors, CIA directors, and National Security officials have all preached the dangers of oil dependency, many even calling it one of the greatest threats to American security.

In response, fuel cells and hydrogen, the hybrid naysayers tell us, are the answer. Hmmm?

Hybrid cars cost a few extra thousand, fuel cell cars cost a few extra hundred thousand. Now, that's cost effective.

If hybrids are not cost effective to consumers, then hybrids will disappear without any negative press. Why would consumers pay extra for nothing? Yet, the Toyota Prius has the highest consumer rating of any automobile. The fact that hybrids cause so much fear in the American auto establishment demonstrates that hybrids are incredibly viable.

If new inventions can make fuel cells more cost-effective, certainly new inventions could also make hybrids more cost-effective. More important hybrids can have an impact today, rather than having to wait 10, 20, 30 years or more for fuel cells.

Don't let Detroit ignorance fool you, hybrid cars are the real deal.

Hybrid vehicles versus hydrogen vehicles

What is the future of the automobile?

Gas and energy prices are rising higher. Evidence of global warming continues to escalate, painting a very ugly picture of the future, and auto executives throughout the world realize serious change will ultimately be required.

Advanced gasoline engines, clean diesel engines, hybrid powertrains, hydrogen engines and fuel cells have all been promoted as the future of the automobile. Ultimately, however, the discussion always seems to end up as hybrid vehicles versus hydrogen vehicles. Somehow this discussion pits current hybrid technology versus some future technology. Yet a hybrid powertrain has the ability to incorporate advanced gasoline engines, diesel engines, hydrogen engines, and fuel cells into its powertrain.

More important, Toyota sees its current hybrid powertrain as about 75% of the required technology for its fuel cell-powered cars. Thus, the adaptability of hybrid cars creates enormous potential. For example, hybrid battery packs, like laptop computer batteries, will increase their efficiency, and as this happens, hybrids will become even more fuel efficient.

While other technologies might emerge that are as good, or better than hybrids, those that continue to summarily dismiss hybrids have dismissed objective thinking. Dismissing hybrids is dismissing Toyota.

With billions in profit to spend, dismissing Toyota is just plain silly.

More on hybrid vehicles.

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?

GM stops advertising in LA Times

GM has stopped advertising in the Los Angeles Times because "of dealer concerns over 'factual errors and misrepresentations' in the newspaper's articles and editorials" according to the AP.

Recently, LATimes auto critic Dan Neil called GM "a morass of a business case" and called for the "impeachment" of two executives. Neil also said GM "utterly missed the boat on hybrid gas-electric technology" while speeding up production of SUVs.

I couldn't agree more with Mr. Neil.

Oil prices are only going to go up, as are the dangers and expenses of foreign-oil dependency. Yet, GM has nothing to offer America except a tab for billions of dollars of health care and pension expenses. Oh yeah, and a large fleet of gas-guzzling SUVs.

For decades GM has told America not to worry about foreign-oil dependency, $3.00 gallons of gas, pollution, or global warming because fuel cells were just around the corner to save the world. Well?

Waste of Money?

GM has stated that hybrids have no long term potential, and that is why they didn't develop them. Instead, GM spent much more money marketing gas-guzzlers than Toyota did developing its hybrid powertrain. In essence, GM spent billions telling America that SUVs were about American freedom. Americans need horsepower, not fuel efficiency, screamed GM's slick marketing.

Today, hybrid cars provide both horsepower and fuel efficiency. GM still only provides the same thing they've been providing for decades, gas-guzzling inefficiency.

Nice investment - thanks GM.

GM Fuel Cells and hybrid car generalizations

Great article on GM fuel cell vehicles in Fortune. However, in it a GM engineer states "If the nation switched to them (hybrids) entirely our oil consumption would be higher than ever in just six years and growing nearly as fast as it is now, because hybrids improve fuel economy by only 25%."

I'm glad GM is interested in oil consumption; however, that logic seems a bit interesting.

On the other hand GM will offer bigger, greater oil-consuming SUVs until they can develop fuel cell SUVs. Under the most miraculous circumstances that won't happen for a decade, but probably much longer.

What is up with the hybrid car generalizations?

While current hybrids, on average, are only 25% more fuel efficient than standard vehicles, they are not - by any means - limited to only 25%. For Toyota, hybrids will become fuel-cell hybrids.

More important, however, increased gains in hybrid technology are not limited to only fuel cell development. Cleaner gasoline and diesel engines could also be utilized, as could increased battery storage.

Hybrids are a real start today. While I am strong proponent of fuel cells, I am a stronger proponent of doing something now to help reduce foreign oil dependence and fight pollution. Fuel cell talk, today, is nothing but hot air.

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.

Diesel hybrids, orange peels, and fuel cells

Which will be the fuel of your future commute?

By the end of this year diesel hybrids could comprise about 7% of New York's transit buses, giving it the largest diesel hybrid fleet in the world (Autoweek).

Or perhaps, orange peels will create your fuel. Ener1 Inc. is working on a $1.1 million project to convert hydrogen-rich gas released from citrus peels into methanol to power fuel cells capable of providing about 75 percent of the power at an interstate rest stop in Florida (MSNBC.com).

Speaking of fuel cells, GM and the Department of Energy will spend $88 million to develop 40 fuel cells vehicles over the next five year. Is that $2 million per car?

Fuel cell technology realistic by 2010 according to Ballard Power

Canadian-based Ballard Power Systems Inc., a leading developer of hydrogen fuel cells for automobiles, announced Tuesday that it would demonstrate a commercially viable fuel cell "stack," which uses hydrogen fuel to generate electricity in vehicles according to the AP.

Naysayers say that even if this optimistic forecast proves true, filling stations and hydrogen creation will remain significant issues for some time.

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.

The Prius is about America, not the environment

Man, some people just don't get it.

I love the environment, though I don't do enough to protect it, but that isn't why I like hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius.

When it comes to the Prius, un-American corporatism is my inspiration.

Decades ago, when tiny Hondas hit American soil, my father laughed. "Who would want to drive one of those. You'd get killed in an accident."

But the 70's and the early 80's provided a little dose of reality that caused many to realize that maybe fuel efficiency wasn't such a bad idea - gas shortages. For those living paycheck to paycheck, gasoline was causing pain. Something needed to be done.

Something still needs to be done.

In the interim, the U.S. has significantly built up its military and political influence in the Middle East to achieve one end, cheap foreign oil. This has stoked the fire of a growing Arab resentment against the rich West, which has contributed to 911, and both Iraq Wars.

Twenty to thirty years ago, American automotive executives and boards should have realized the dangers that foreign oil dependency could pose to America in the future. Forecasting is an essential business process, but those same shareholders were probably as invested in oil, as they were in automobiles.

Yet, if America is about freedom and independence, how could the American economy be so dependent upon a foreign resource?

Thus, American automakers, in a stroke of brilliance, created the SUV, while spending billions and billions of dollars marketing the idea that an SUV, not some fuel efficient foreign-made rice box, was Americana. Don't worry about the environment or foreign-oil dependency. Any year now, American automakers have said for decades, we'll develop fuel cells.

Decades later it is obvious American automakers shorted the American people and their security for profit. Perhaps you think that is just business. Fine, but I don't.

Sure the environment is important, important enough that the Pentagon considers environmental concerns one of the greatest threats to American security, but it isn't the reason I like hybrids.

I like the Toyota Prius because it epitomizes America better than any American-made car. It's all about freedom.

As gas prices go higher, hybrid cars offer more choices

As gas prices continue to rise, hybrid cars become more cost-effective, I wrote yesterday, but the plus side doesn't end there. Over the past couple of months, as gas prices have slowly risen, automotive analysts have noticed something, large SUV sales are down.

Yet, gas prices, not even into their summer highs, are demonstrating that they are going higher, much higher. California is certain to hit $3 gas.

That's why hybrid car technology is so important. It works with cars, trucks and SUVs. As the costs of gasoline, as well as the costs of acquiring gasoline, continue to rise, hybrids can, minimally, help offset those costs. More important, it offsets those costs while maintaining choice - the Toyota Prius is your family sedan, the Honda Accord hybrid the sporty sedan, the Ford Escape hybrid and Toyota Highlander hybrid as SUVs, and the Lexus RX400h hybrid is your luxury SUV.

And hybrid choices are only going to increase, as each new generation becomes more fuel efficient and cleaner as we naturally progress towards fuel cells.

Oh yeah, and hybrids also outperform their conventional cousins as well.

The great GM failure: The hybrid automobile

GM is in trouble. Marketshare is declining, earnings are diminishing, and their cars continue to lag foreign cars in reliability, safety, and overall customer value. And Ford isn't far behind.

Forbes Magazine's Jerry Flint writes in Cruch Time in Detroit "The structure seems designed to keep finance men up and everybody else down. It's impossible to find anyone on the car side, barring Lutz, who can actually get anything done."

Unfortunately, even GM executive Robert Lutz, has downplayed innovative technologies, such as hybrid cars, calling them a marketing success, but a business loser. Lutz is to have us believe that GM, like Toyota, should have spent $1 billion creating a line of hybrids only as a marketing ploy to give the appearance of environmental concern.

Interesting marketing ploy Toyota has created with its Prius hybrid car. Demand continues to grow, and at least 100,000 will be produced for 2005 alone. That might not be a blockbuster hit, but it sure is interesting. More important, it provides momentum for Toyota's growing line of hybrids.

Early demand for both the Lexus RX400h hybrid SUV and the Toyota Highlander hybrid has been so great that Toyota has had to push their release dates back.

In fact, the first half of this year's intended Lexus hybrid SUV production has already been pre-ordered and it still doesn't go on sale for a month. Based on early previews, this will probably be the hottest luxury vehicle on the market in terms of performance, safety, style, and intelligence.

Next comes the Highlander hybrid this summer. Currently, the Ford Escape hybrid is the only hybrid SUV on the market, but it was built on leased Toyota hybrid technology. Toyota's hybrid SUV will be built on proprietary technology, and this should enable Toyota to offer a pricing discount over Ford - if wanted. Such a move probably won't be cost-effective this year, as demand is almost certain to dwarf supply.

Yet GM hybrids are, minimally, a couple years away. Still, GM has a great opportunity, as does Ford, with trucks and larger SUVs, but the longer they wait the less their opportunity.

GM has to acknowledge that neither hydrogen, nor fuel cells, can arrive quickly enough to save either Ford or GM. Both must lead in the automotive technology of today, not tomorrow. Trucks and SUVs have buoyed American automakers for decades, but after decades, the technology is little changed.

This must end.

Hybrid F150s, Silverados, Tahoes and Yukons, if offered today, would create not only immense buzz, but sales, and it would give many American consumers something in which to believe. Many Americans want to do something to help the environment and end foreign oil-dependency, they just want to do it in a truck, especially an American-built truck.

Saturn isn't going to save GM, only automotive leadership can do that, and that will require immense change.

Will GM be up to it?

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.

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.

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.

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.

What is the hybrid car attraction?

Those whom don't believe in hybrid cars seem to believe there is some conspiracy against Americans that is going to force them to buy hybrids.

Don't believe me? Go to Autoweek and check out some forums and you'll hear about how the automotive media is in love with hybrids and how green-activists are trying to force Americans to buy certain cars.

I read a ton of automotive news every day, and very rarely is any of it about hybrids. Pick up almost any issue of any major automotive magazine, and you might find an article or two on hybrids. Often you won't find anything about hybrids.

The only reason there is buzz regarding hybrids is because of hybrid supporters, not the media.

Many of us look around at the world and see gross pollution and we want to do something about it. Many of us look at the problems in the Middle East and we want to do something about it. Many of us look at the corporate greed that decided that it was O.K. to build SUVs on a truck platform, even when rollover was determined to be a serious threat, and we want to do something about it.

Some of us are tired of a world driven by inefficient greed that has only one purpose, not creating the best product possible, but achieving the quickest profit for shareholders.

Freedom of choice, contrary to these conspirators, is about choice. Without hybrids what choice is there?

You can buy a small compact if you are so worried, some might say.

Why?

Why can't I have an efficient sedan, or truck, or SUV? The technology certainly exists.

The original Toyota Prius was a bit of a slug, but the new Prius proves good performance is possible. The release of the Honda Accord hybrid; however, demonstrates that hybrids are not only efficient, but better performers.

The Accord hybrid isn't the only hybrid achieving better performance than it's conventional cousin. The Toyota Highlander hybrid and the Lexus RX400h hybrid, like the Accord hybrid, will also out perform their conventional cousins, while getting almost 30 percent better fuel efficiency.

So where is the conspiracy?

Yes, there is a cost for hybrid technology, but there is no doubt that hybrids are simply better vehicles than non-hybrids. As time goes on, the gap between hybrids and conventional vehicles will widen, to the benefit of hybrids.

Technology, such as computers, has demonstrated one clear fact - it advances. In the short term it is more expensive and complicated, but the gains made in the long run easily recover those initial costs.

Ten years ago, a laptop with the ability to function on a battery for four hours with top notch performance was nothing but a dream. Even if you doubled the price of your computer investment, it was still a dream.

Now that technology is cheaper than a high end desktop of 10 years ago, but with performance that would have been a dream just 10 years ago.

That's why it's called an investment. Oil shortages, oil wars, pollution, global warming, etc. are all reasons to invest in new technology. Many have said wait until fuel cells arrive. Right now it costs almost 1,000,000 to create one fuel-cell powered car. How long can we wait, forever?

It costs a few extra grand to make a hybrid, and hybrid technology is still emerging. GM's two-mode hybrid technology promises the possibility of 60 percent more efficient hybrid Tahoes, Yukons, and Sierras.

That's not worth a few extra grand?

As the old adage goes the only certain thing in life is change.

Assuming a decades old truck platform could drive the automotive future was not only stupid, but dangerous for American auto manufacturers, and more importantly, dangerous for Americans.

Hybrid cars are not some green wet dream, they are simply better cars than conventional cars.

Get over it. Change is inevitable.

Join the Soultek Hybrid Car Club.

"Car companies are at a crossroads"

In the article Taken for a ride, Thomas Kostigen takes a very bearish view of hybrids and fuel cells.

Kostigen does make some good points. Specifically, he notes that American car companies, particularly GM and Ford, have become more like financial companies that make automobiles, rather than automobile manufacturers that also have a financial arm.

Mr. Kostigen opens his article referencing Nissan's claim that hybrid cars make no economic sense. He also notes that fuel cell cars are even more of a dream than hybrids.

Well, Nissan's claim really doesn't mean much to me. How can you say hybrids don't make economic sense, then announce your first hybrid, which is exactly what Nissan's CEO, Carlos Ghosn, did when he ridiculed hybrids.

Ladies and gentlemen, hybrid cars don't make business sense, which is why I'm proud to introduce our first hybrid car, the Altima hybrid.

That's double-talk, and what else can you expect from Nissan?

Here at Nissan we believe hybrids are the future. That's why we haven't invested in this technology and are forced to lease it from our main competitor, Toyota.

Since the Altima hybrid still won't be out for more than a year, in reality, what else could Mr. Ghosen say?

The fact is, the only reason GM and Nissan are making hybrid cars is because they realize that if the model succeeds, they will be out of the car business without any hybrid models.

In my book, Mr. Ghosen's spin is nothing but an attempt to buy time.

Yet, Mr. Kostigen concludes his article, "The future of car companies may not rest in how sleek, fast or comfortable their products are, rather in how efficient (read economic, not fuel) they can make them.

O.K., I can agree with that statement.

Then Kostigen states, "That's bad news for environmentalists and alternative-energy seekers. It also provides keen insight into how an industry that's had a chance for years to be cutting-edge consistently goes retro in doubt."

Does the new Mustang or Charger ring any bells?

Yet, even if Kostigen is correct, and price is all that counts, Japan wins without doubt. In particular, Toyota takes over the automotive world.

Toyota's kaizen-driven manufacturing philosophy, i.e., efficiency driven, has already given the Japanese company a huge advantage over the likes of GM, Ford, and Chrysler.

More important; however, is the fact that Toyota President Fujio Cho, just recently announced to the automotive world that the hybrid powertrain is the key to Toyota's future.

Already Toyota Prius demand is far beyond supply, and a 100,000 new Prius will not fill demand in 2005. Without a real competitor, the Prius is demonstrating that it will achieve much more than "niche" production.

Yet, Toyota is only getting started.

Toyota's next hybrid, out in just a couple of months, the Lexus RX 400h hybrid, has already received more than 10,000 orders, as well as interest from another 50,000 consumers. In fact, initial demand on the RX 400h, the world's first luxury SUV, was so far beyond supply that its release date had to be pushed back.

Shortly after the Lexus 400h hybrid is released, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid will follow. Unbelievably, interest in the Highlander hybrid is even far more spectacular than the 400h hybrid.

Next year alone, Toyota could easily sell 250,000+ hybrids, if it is capable of producing that amount of vehicles.

Of course, if gas prices continue to rise, and state legislation continues to demand fewer emissions from automakers, 250,000 hybrids won't even be enough to come close to matching this year's demand.

While Mr. Kostigen is correct in noting that most car companies are not worth investing in, one certainly is, Toyota.

And that's good news for environmentalists and alternative energy seekers.

What's better than a hybrid car? A plug-in hybrid car of course!

Imagine coming home from work in your Toyota Prius or Ford Escape hybrid and plugging it into a solar panel that produces enough free energy to get you to work and back tomorrow.

Don't believe it?

Last week, Ford reluctantly agreed to let Dave Bernikoff-Raboy, a California rancher, buy an all-electric pickup truck that he had been leasing. Mr. Bernikoff-Raboy essentially forced Ford to sell him the vehicle he loves so much because he can recharge it using a solar panel.

Gasoline electric hybrids are not just a good powertrain to help advance fuel cells, but solar and wind power as well. While Mr. Bernikoff-Raboy's truck is not a hybrid, hybrids offer much of the same potential as electric vehicles with relatively minor adjustments.

Of course, just plugging your car battery into one of your home's sockets does not result in much of a benefit to the environment, because coal typically is the ultimate source of most electricity. Plugging your vehicle into a solar powered socket, on the other hand, produces completely clean energy.

And it's free.

It's not that you have to plug it in, rather it's that you can plug it in.

University of California at Davis Professor Andrew Frank has spent the last decade turning production vehicles into plug-in hybrids using off-the-shelf parts. "We just built a high-performance plug-in hybrid Ford Explorer," he says. "It's 325 horsepower - 200 of that horsepower is electric and 125 is gasoline. This car goes like a rocket, but still gets double the fuel economy of a regular hybrid. And for the first 50 miles it is all electric - zero emissions.(Read More on this)

According to Frank, who flew his Explorer to Toyota's research facilities in Japan so engineers could pore over the vehicle, "There's no question in my mind that Toyota has plans for a plug-in hybrid right now, but they aren't talking about it," he says.

Perhaps in the future, automobile manufacturers could even incorporate solar panels into the roofs of hybrids to provide constant battery charging. Until then, home-owners, solar-roofed parking structures, and portable solar panels could still offer consumers news possibilities and very futuristic accessories.

So, why not give consumers of hybrids as many fuel choices as possible?

The innovativeness of the hybrids, particularly the Toyota Prius, is what inspires so many consumers. Moreover, professor Frank's research demonstrates that the potential of hybrid car technology is only just emerging.

Allowing consumers of such revolutionary technology to help explore that potential would not only increase hybrid car value, but inspire millions of environmentalists, no-blood-for-oil-activists, and back yard scientists.

That would truly be an automotive revolution.

Join the Soultek Hybrid Car Club.

Hybrid cars are here today, fuel-cell cars might not ever arrive

I believe that one day most people will drive fuel-cell automobiles, but that day could easily be a few decades away. Yet, pollution and smog - much of it from automobiles - has been scientifically proven to be, minimally, a serious health threat.

Action needs to be taken immediately, not only to clean the environment, but to minimize our foreign-oil dependency.

Two decades is simply far too long to wait for significantly more efficient automotive technology via fuel cells.

Hybrid vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius, Honda Accord hybrid, or Ford Escape hybrid have the ability to empower the average citizen and consumer to help make the world a better place - by having a direct impact on issues which polls show are becoming increasingly more important to the average American citizen.

If you are interested in learning more about some of the key issues regarding fuel cells and the hydrogen economy, PopSci.com is running a great article on the subject.

(Click here for the PopSci Article)

The U.S. hybrid market in 10 years, 3% or 18%?

Many consumers and automotive analysts think hybrid cars make little sense, and see them as only being relevant to "environmentalists".

Analysts from J.D. Power and Associates have long forecast hybrid vehicles as a relatively inconsequential, interim technology along the path to fuel-cell vehicles. Anthony Pratt of Power has stated that hybrids will, at best, achieve just 3% of total U.S.light vehicle sales.

Considering the costs to create a new production line of hybrid vehicles, just 3% of the market would never recover hybrid development costs.

Of course, other analysts, such as Germany's B&D Forecast GmbH, see hybrid vehicles making up almost 20% of the U.S. market within 10 years.

Moreover, at the North American International Auto Show, Toyota announced that the hybrid powertrain was the powertrain of the future for Toyota.

How can this be, with fuel-cell powered cars just down the road?

A recent MotorTrend article by Frank Markus points out that mass-produced fuel-cell cars might still be 20 years or more from reality, but that "these fuel-cell vehicles will be hybrids, uniting hydrogen and air as a primary means of generating electricity, but relying on some sort of onboard energy storage device as a backup."

Later Markus notes, "It stands to reason that the company with the most experience tuning and integrating gas/electric hybrids may be in the best position to design and develop fuel-cell vehicles....."

This appears to be Toyota's thinking.

Therefore, just 3 percent of U.S. sales seems like an extremely low prediction for hybrid cars, especially if such technology can be slowly adapted and morphed into the first generation of fuel-cell cars.

While environmentalists can appreciate this vehicle, as can those whom feel wars in Iraq and problems in the Middle East are significantly due to America's dependence on foreign oil, the real reason hybrid vehicles will achieve far more than 3% of the U.S. market is technological.

Hybrid vehicles represent the best, functional, technology available for the mass market. In the next 5 years, hybrids will simply be superior to just gasoline or diesel powered vehicles.

More important, any significant development in either gasoline, diesel, or hydrogen engines can also be utilized in hybrids, while also paving the way to pollution-free fuel cells.

Help make a better future, check out a hybrid.

More on hybrid cars.

Join the Soultek Hybrid Car Club.

The Hybrid Car Hustle

What's up with Detroit? Last week, at the North American International Auto Show, probably the most important auto event in the world, the word on the floor was hybrid vehicles.

Even Truck of the Year, an especially important American customer segment, went to a hybrid, the Ford Escape Hybrid.

GM and DaimlerChrysler introduced a diesel-electric hybrid concept vehicle, and re-announced full hybrid versions of the Tahoe and Yukon, followed by a full Sierra / Silverado hybrid.

Not to be out done, Ford announced that the Mercury Mariner hybrid would reach the market this year, a year earlier than expected. Then Ford upped the ante by announcing not only a hybrid Freestyle, but also a Mazda Tribute hybrid, a Mercury Milano hybrid, and a Focus hybrid, with all models expected to reach market within three years.

Then Toyota, gaining on GM as the world's largest automaker, unwilling to lose face in light of Ford's hybrid hustle, went all in.

This year not only will Prius demand be met, but Toyota will announce where it will start building hybrids, such as the Prius, in the United States.

Moreover, Toyota announced to the world that the hybrid powertrain is the future for Toyota. Yes, gasoline engines might be improved, or diesel, hydrogen, or fuel-cells, but the hybrid powertrain, Toyota believes, can make each of those power sources better.

Toyota's next hybrid, the Lexus RX400h Hybrid, already has received more than 11,000 pre-orders. Additionally, interest in the Highlander hybrid is off the wall by industry standards.

Already Toyota is expecting to sell at least 100,000 Prius hybrids in 2005, yet the buzz building around the Highlander hybrid seems to indicate that the Highlander hybrid, an SUV, could be even more popular than the Prius.

Recently, Ford announced that it will easily sell 20,000 Escape hybrids in 2005, and if more hybrid batteries are located, they will produce even more.

Since the Escape hybrid uses leased Toyota hybrid technology, the price of the Highlander hybrid, with its price advantage, is going to be interesting. More importantly, what if Toyota can price the Highlander significantly less the Escape hybrid?

Why not try to steal some thunder from the North American Truck of the Year, the Ford Escape Hybrid? The opportunity facing Toyota couldn't be greater.

The Toyota Prius proved that a small, affordable, very fuel-efficient vehicle, could feel like the most innovative car ever created. But America loves SUVs, and an affordable, hybrid performer, could take that segment by storm.

Toyota's experience with hybrids bodes well for the Highlander hybrid, and I believe the Highlander hybrid has crazy American potential. American consumers aren't nearly the neanderthals the world believes. Show us we can help and we will. Well, hybrids help.

Ford and GM are not out of it yet though. While GM has dramatically and rapidly changed its position on hybrids, Ford appears to be building momentum. In addition to their more bullish position on hybrids, their commitment to hybrid cars, as well as hybrid SUVs, gives them a notch up on GM.

Honda is a wild card in the hybrid race, with the Accord hybrid and Civic hybrid already on the market, Honda could easily transition to a hybrid only automotive world - at least much easier than Ford, GM, or DaimlerChrysler.

Toyota is the one with the most to gain or lose from the hybrid hustle.

The leader has to set the pace. While Toyota has a big lead they can either move methodically, but cautiously into hybrids, playing it safe, but also allowing the competition time to reposition; or Toyota change the playing field forever.

The conundrum for Toyota will be supply and demand. The demand for affordable hybrids is without question. Based on customer interest and sales figures, by 2006, it is not hard to imagine Toyota selling 400,000 hybrid vehicles in the just the U.S. - even while more highly priced - but are they capable of meeting that level of production?

By that time, GM might not have yet sold one full hybrid in the U.S.

Furthermore, at 400,000 a year the afford-ablility factor between hybrids and conventional vehicles is reduced, especially in addition to Ford and Nissan license sales. Moreover, conventional cars will start meeting higher pollution standards in the next couple of years and those changes will inevitably lead to higher costing conventional vehicles.

Toyota's next few hybrid plays are sure to be interesting.

Auto Show Media Hype: Hybrids raised the ante

I read and scan piles of automotive news everyday.

In auto magazines, for example, I often see a couple of ads for the Ford Escape hybrid, but not an article covering anything about hybrid cars.

Of course, I often do find articles about hybrid cars as well, and that didn't happen much less than a year ago.

Momentum is building.

Likewise, when I get my auto news from the Internet, some days, there is nothing about hybrids, but on many days there is at least some news.

When talk of the North American International Auto Show hit the Net a week ago, little of it was focused on hybrids. Now, hybrids and alternative-fuel vehicles are the buzz of the show.

In particular, the future of hybrid cars and their relationship to hydrogen fuel-cells seems to be a hot topic. Most important, are hybrid cars just automaker buzz, or an automobile revolution?

Many auto analysts are still describing hybrids as hype that won't last more than a couple more years.

I completely disagree. That might not mean much, but so does Toyota, and that means a lot.

First, while Honda was first-to-market with hybrids, Toyota is the undisputed leader of hybrid vehicles, and the Toyota Prius is Best in Class. The Honda Accord Hybrid and the Honda Civic Hybrid are impressive, but Honda has not shown the same commitment to hybrids as has Toyota.

Second, Ford and the Escape hybrid, on the other hand, are produced utilizing leased Toyota hybrid technology.

Third, GM and DaimlerChrysler hybrids? It's all conceptual.

In reality, I don't think Toyota expected hybrid success this quickly, but how can they let up now?

Now the rest of the automotive world is kickin' it into gear, using the North American Auto Show to demonstrate their new green revelations. I bet; however, that auto makers wish this wasn't happening, at least not this year.

Toyota is years ahead of everyone in hybrids. While most automakers are talking about hybrids, Toyota is selling more than they can make of them.

If hybrid vehicles can transition, almost seamlessly, from gas to diesel to hydrogen and fuel cells, as Toyota seems to believe, then Toyota has everything to gain from permeating the market as quickly as possible with it's revolutionary technology.

That's upping the ante. Raising the stakes on your opponent.

The current situation in Iraq, global warming, and smog - something has to be done about gasoline pollution and foreign oil dependency.

Now is the time for action. The early bird will definitely get a big chunk of the worm. Even Ford knows that.

"There'll come a time when everything's a hybrid; it's inevitable, because of the fuel economy and performance and (air pollution) benefits," stated Mary Ann Wright, Director of Ford's hybrid and hydrogen vehicle programs recently.

That's right, performance. Aside from efficiency, hybrid powertrains can be used to increase performance. Even Ford knows performance can sell, and hybrids can out-perform their conventional cousins.

While many consumers might not pay $3000.00 more for fuel efficiency, or pollution reduction, many will pay $3000.00 more for a better performing vehicle, in addition to significantly increased efficiency.

This is the future of hybrids and the newest Prius and Accord Hybrid prove it.

The negative media about hybrids is smoke and mirrors. The hybrid buzz isn't hype, it is the panic of auto executives afraid of losing the future's marketshare.

Hybrid Cars: 3 percent or 50 percent?

Are hybrid cars just a niche?

Are hybrids just an interim technology to hydrogen fuel-cells?

Do hybrids represent shallowness?

While I agree that hybrids might be an intermim technology to the hydrogen economy, I also think that hybrid vehicles might develop and refine the necessary technology to cheaply and efficiently enable the hydrogen economy.

Hybrid cars would, essentially, transform into hydrogen and/or fuel-cell powered vehicles.

As the other two questions above demonstrate, some analysts think otherwise.

Anthony Pratt of J.D. Power and Associates believes that hybrid vehicles will never capture more than 3 percent of the U.S. market. Moreover, Pratt claims it will take another 6 years to even achieve 3 percent sales, at which point sales will drop in favor of some hydrogen alternative.

Toyota, on the other hand, believes hybrids will be 50 percent of the market by 2025.

Pretty huge difference.

The fact that such a bold prediction comes from Toyota, a rising auto giant, loaded with profit, and the hybrid car leader, causes pause.

If American auto execs think along the same lines as Mr. Pratt and Toyota, rather than Mr. Pratt, is correct, then Ford and GM might be in serious trouble.

More hybrid vehicles.

"Hybrids represent a bridge to the long-term solution of hydrogen fuel cells"

"Hybrids represent a bridge to the long-term solution of hydrogen fuel cells," stated GM chairman Rick Wagoner at the North American Auto Show.

It must be hard to get those words out, if you are an American auto executive, especially one that doesn't really offer hybrids.

When the 2004 Toyota Prius hit America by storm, American automakers seemed shell-shocked. What was GM thinking then?

The best America has done is one hybrid, the Ford Escape Hybrid.

While I love the hybrid Escape, Truck of the Year according to the North American International Auto Show, it wasn't built on proprietary technology.

Will Ford mass produce multiple lines of hybrid vehicles based on someone else's leased technology? I doubt it. This probably explains Ford's next big hybrid move.

The Mercury Mariner.

Wow! Excuse me for not being impressed, but isn't the Mercury Mariner basically the Escape hybrid?

I realize Ford just can't let go of the SUV, but even the hybrid SUV market will very soon be quite competitive.

In just a few more months the Lexus RX 400h hybrid SUV will be released and interest in that vehicle has already taken Toyota by storm. Just a few months after that rollout, Toyota will follow with the Toyota Highlander hybrid.

So, if hybrids are a bridge to the future, why is Detroit's bridge so narrow?

The Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid, and Honda Accord Hybrid will go unchallenged for years by America, and soon the Toyota Camry will also be added to the mix.

Is Detroit just giving up that market?

Hybrid cars might be a bridge to fuel cells, but there is a very good chance that hydrogen fuel cell-powered automobiles might be at least two decades away. Additionally, perhaps hybrid powertrains will run the automotive fuel cells of tomorrow. More important, hybrids make important environmental and political changes today.

"I want to.....provide transportation that is affordable in every sense of the word - socially and environmentally, as well as economically. That means vehicles that are safe, clear and energy efficient," stated Bill Ford recently.

American auto execs keep talking the talk, but it's time to walk the walk.

Fleets of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are nothing but a concept. Hybrid cars are a reality, today. The future begins now, not tomorrow.

Zap to sell first Hybrid Fuel Cell Vehicle this year

Zap and Anuvu will offer a hydrogen fuel cell-electric vehicle for sale sometime this year.

Converted from a Nissan Frontier, the 4-door pickup is currently on display at CES, a technology tradeshow in Las Vegas.

Zap and Anuvu want to be to first to begin delivering production fuel cell vehicles this year.

Anuvu CEO Tom Scrima stated: "Thanks to ZAP's diverse line of electric vehicles, Anuvu's dream of affordable fuel cell hybrids can be achieved in 2005. ZAP electric vehicles can be modified to run on fuel cells, helping to increasing their range and performance. Fuel cells will change the world as we know it. People can now drive electric vehicles without having to plug in to recharge all the time and some talk about running their entire household by plugging into their car."

More on hybrid vehicles.

Diesels versus hybrids. Let's get it on.

For a couple of months, DaimlerChrysler has been trying to build buzz around its newest Jeep Liberty, a diesel version.

Earlier this month, Chrysler began shipping the new model to dealers in an attempt to gauge consumer interest.

There hasn't been much. Of course, Daimler isn't trying that hard to market the car yet, only the idea of diesel. Daimler believes that the better fuel efficiency offered by diesels will lure American buyers to diesel.

Many states, including California and New York; however, will not allow diesels to be sold in their states because diesels still emit pollutants that are known to be smog-producing and carcinogenic.

Perhaps those laws could change, but why?

Advanced gasoline engines are 10 percent less efficient than diesels, but they pollute less. That balance equals out in my book.

Hybrids versus diesels

Some analysts have gone so far as to say that hybrid vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius, Honda Accord Hybrid, and Ford Escape hybrid, are too expensive, and that diesels should be the powertrain of choice until hydrogen takes over.

Yet, these same diesels, as well as advanced gasoline engines can each be integrated with a hybrid powertrain. Each of these hybrid combinations would create significantly more efficient vehicles than either diesel or advanced gasoline engines.

The hybrid powertrain is simply more effective and efficient than simple internal combustion powered vehicles. With endless combinations, including hydrogen and fuel cells, hybrid vehicles can drive us into the future, creating and perfecting the necessary automotive technologies to make the hydrogen economy a reality.

More importantly, hybrids allow consumers the ability to make a choice, an important financial choice, that can empower individuals to help end foreign-oil dependency, to help fight SMOG, global warming, and other environmental damage.

And in pure price? The average hybrid is about $3000.00 more than standard cousins, minus the Prius, which has no conventional comparison.

The 2005 Jeep Liberty Diesel starts at $25,125, while a similar, conventional Liberty starts under $23,000. That's more than a $2000.00 difference.

Diesels hold some promise, but the technology is not even comparable to hybrids. An investment in hybrid technology is an investment in the future, diesel just as gas, will soon become the past.

What's up with the hybrid haters?

Yesterday, the Detroit News posted an article by Mike Hudson, Hybrids are cool, but is it because they make others green with envy?

All I can say is, what's your problem Mr. Hudson?

"But, depending on whom you ask, our love for hybrids may only be highlighting just how shallow we are," states Hudson.

Mr. Hudson asserts that diesel engines are the future, not hybrids, not fuel cells. The same diesel that isn't allowed in vehicles in many parts of the country, is the future.

Hudson states, "As it stands, a modern diesel engine gets nearly identical mileage to a gasoline hybrid. But because of the oil-refining process, diesel costs less than gas and the engine tacks on only $1,000 or so to the sticker price of a car-- as opposed to $3,000 minimum for a hybrid system."

First, $3000.00 isn't the minimum on all hybrid vehicles.

Second, show me a car with a sticker price of $16,000.00 that compares to the Toyota Prius in functionality, design, and performance. I don't think such a car exists.

Third, a diesel, Mr. Hudson forgets to note, doesn't get nearly the same fuel efficiency as a full hybrid in stop-and-go traffic and emits far more pollution than a Toyota Prius or Ford Escape Hybrid in such driving conditions.

The hybrid powertrain is in fact, a diverse piece of technology, and it's full potential has not even been utilized. Already hybrid vehicles come in three distinct flavors, a compact Sedan in the Prius, an SUV with the Escape hybrid, and a sporty Sedan in the Honda Accord hybrid. Each offer unique attributes for different kinds of driving.

New diesels, according to most experts, are typically 30 percent more efficient than standard gasoline engines. Of course, Advanced Gasoline Engines are also 20 percent more efficient than standard gasoline engines, and emit far less pollutants than diesel. So which is better?

The larger point, which Mr. Hudson appears to have no clue, is that a hybrid car can utilize a standard gasoline engine, an advanced gasoline engine, or even Hudson's favorite, a diesel engine - Ford has already created such concept vehicles - as part of its powertrain. Even more important, a hybrid could be powered by a hydrogen engine, or a fuel cell.

Perhaps Mr. Hudson hasn't heard of the Hydrogen Economy?

While the hydrogen economy is probably a few decades away, hybrid vehicles represent an interim technology to the future, diesels represent a bump in the road.

Rather than shallowness, hybrid cars demonstrate that people not only care about ending foreign-oil dependency and cleaning the environment, but we care about building our technological and manufacturing infrastructure around technologies focused on the future, a better future.

If that is Mr. Hudson's definition of shallow, then call me shallow.

While diesel could represent an important piece of the hybrid powertrain, diesel in place of hybrid vehicles, would be step backwards, not forward.

In my opinion, calling hybrid cars shallow is ignorant.

Join the our hybrid car club.