Hybrid Cars

Higher insurance rates for hybrid drivers coming?

2009-07-17T09:59:00.000-07:00

Hybrid drivers get more tickets

Those that drive hybrid vehicles drive 25 percent more than those that don't drive hybrids according to analysis by Quality Planning. Likewise, hybrid owners also receive more tickets for driving violations. Even worse, fixing hybrids after collisions costs 13 percent more than non-hybrids.

Still, Cars.com notes, "Before we jump to conclusions, though, let’s keep a few things in mind. Hybrid drivers tend to skew toward upper-middle class urban dwellers. People who live in cities tend to accrue more moving violations, and, they likely have the disposable income to take more long-distance trips in their cars."

Nissan preparing to increase hybrid models

2009-07-17T08:19:00.000-07:00

Not a one hybrid automaker

For a while Nissan has planned to launch its own proprietary hybrid drive in some luxury vehicles, such as the Infinity M. However, new reports indicate that Nissan will also mate their new hybrid drive into a number of other small and medium sized vehicles as well.

While Nissan has been a bit of hybrid naysayer, it appears that Nissan is beginning to sing a different tune on hybrid cars.

One step closer to a Corolla hybrid

2009-07-16T20:26:00.000-07:00

Auris hybrid to begin production next year

Toyota has confirmed that it will begin producing a full hybrid version of the Auris in England in mid-2010.

‘With today’s announcement, Toyota has taken a significant step forward in ensuring that full hybrids become more accessible to a wider range of customers. Such efforts are crucial if we are to see more low-carbon vehicles on European roads,’ said Tadashi Arashima, CEO and President, TME.

And, since the Auris is built on the same platform as the Corolla, a Corolla hybrid is only a decision away.

Would a Corolla hybrid be a good addition to Toyota's family of hybrid cars?

Obama bent over a corn cob?

2009-07-16T13:51:00.001-07:00

Beholden to the corn lobby?

I am not an ethanol fan. It's corrosive and inefficient. It's polluting our water systems, and it probably takes as much energy to produce ethanol as it provides, if not more. And, after many years of massive government subsidies, E85 is still only available at just 2 percent of the nation's gas stations - mostly in or around Illinois.

Thus, most flex fuel vehicles have never filled up with E85, yet the automakers producing these flex fuel vehicles have received a massive amount of flex fuel credits enabling the sale of a massive amount of gas guzzlers that would have otherwise violated CAFE.

How has that helped reduce CO2 emissions or reduce foreign oil dependency?

Yet, President Obama is now considering a move that would require ALL vehicles to be flex fuel vehicles, at a cost of at least $1 billion per year.

Isn't it time to take the corn out of politics, and out of the energy paradigm?

Gas prices primed to stunt interest in fuel efficiency again

2009-07-16T11:42:00.001-07:00

National average at $2.49

Gas prices continue to trend downward, and as America heads into the winter, gas prices should fall even more. And, if the recession sticks into 2010, prices could be, overall, cheaper next year than this year.

Coincidentally, this decline in gas prices could continue as automakers begin a more serious roll out of hybrids, small cars, and other efficient vehicles.

With new CAFE standards, CO2 worries, and a lingering memory of $4.00 gas, this temporary decline in gas prices won't kill alternative, fuel efficient technologies. Nevertheless, without higher gas prices, consumer interest in fuel efficiency is certain to again fall below cup holders in order of importance for consumers.

Mazda dumping Ford hybrid tech for Toyota tech?

2009-07-16T08:14:00.001-07:00

The Ford inspired Tribute hybrid

By 2013 or so, Mazda will seek to sell about 100,000 hybrid vehicles per year using a hybrid system provided by Toyota that will include batteries, motors, control units, etc according to GreenCarCongress.

In the past Mazda has developed hybrids with Ford, but that original Ford technology included licensed Toyota hybrid technology, so it isn't that odd that Mazda would seek such a relationship. It will, however, be interesting to learn whether this hybrid technology will continue to be based on NiMH battery technology, or whether it might also include lithium technology.

Regardless, Toyota believes the relationship will help make Toyota's hybrids cheaper.

Bob Lutz: Still a hybrid bear

2009-07-15T12:34:00.001-07:00

Still irrelevant according to Lutz?

Bob Lutz. Love him or hate him, he's one very interesting guy. Over the last few years I've had a chance to meet Lutz a few times, and even though I disagree very much with him on many issues, I still cannot help but like the guy. Moreover, even though I disagree with him, I have total respect for his straight talk.

Still, that doesn't mean that Lutz sticking around at GM is a good thing. Lutz, over the years, has been clear about a few things. For instance, global warming is a joke and the Toyota Prius, and hybrid cars in general, are a pretty stupid idea.

Now that Lutz is largely leading product development at the new GM, his opinions are ever more important. Unfortunately, Lutz recently told CNN that "green car" mania needs to be kept in check, especially now that gas prices are under $3.00 per gallon.

"There's about 5% to 10% of the customer base in the U.S. that desperately wants a hybrid," he said. The rest, he insists, just want the best vehicle they can afford, including gas.

And, to an extent, Lutz is right, at least for now. Yet, this is the same Lutz that terribly underestimated the Toyota Prius. Also, this is the same Lutz that said no one could have foreseen last summer's gas price hike.

Perhaps Lutz is correct. Green cars don't provide a profitable business case for US automakers. Unfortunately, if gas prices rise faster than GM again expects, then GM doesn't make a profitable business case for existing in America.

Are tax credits for plug-ins counter productive?

2009-07-15T08:21:00.000-07:00

A volt of reality?

In the next few years, if you're interested in a buying a hybrid car to save gas, to fight foreign oil dependency, or to reduce your CO2 footprint, you won't receive any help from the government, unless you buy a plug-in hybrid. Unfortunately, however, for the next several years, there will be very few plug-in hybrids available for sale even if cost is irrelevant.

Even more alarming, plug-in hybrids might not ever make financial sense to either consumers or automakers. In fact, according to a new plug-in vehicle study, almost every plug-in vehicle - both electric and hybrid - is taking the wrong path to mass adoption, and economies of scale. Only switchable batteries, this study finds, offer a path to cost-effective plug-in vehicles.

Finish: Are tax credits for plug-ins counter productive?

A Kia hybrid closer to reality?

2009-07-15T07:54:00.000-07:00

A Kia Forte hybrid

Kia is ramping up plans to begin selling the Kia hybrid in Korea.

The Kia Forte hybrid is built on the same liquid petroleum injected, lithium hybrid technology as Hyundai's recently launched Elantra hybrid. While none of these liquid petroleum injected hybrid vehicles will make it to America, Hyundai will sell the Sonata hybrid in America starting next year.

And if Kia hybrids follow the same roll out path as Hyundai hybrids, can a Kia hybrid for America be very far behind?

No Hyundai Elantra any time soon

2009-07-14T07:17:00.000-07:00

Only in Korea

Lithium polymer. It could be a wild card for the future of Hyundai, as it might provide the automaker a cost-competitive advantage for Hyundai's hybrid vehicles. And, next year, the Hyundai Sonata hybrid will be the first lithium polymer powered hybrid to come to America, which is great news.

Unfortunately, for those preferring a smaller and, presumably, cheaper hybrid, there are no immediate plans for a Hyundai Elantra hybrid for the US according to Hyundai execs.

Larger Honda hybrids in the works

2009-07-14T06:18:00.000-07:00

A future Honda hybrid?

While announcing some updated plans for Honda's next two hybrid vehicles, Honda's new CEO, Takanobu Ito, told reporters that Honda wanted to speed up the development of its hybrids. Thus, in addition to a few new hybrid cars, Ito also announced the development of a new two motor hybrid system for medium and large sized vehicles. In fact, Honda pulled its entire Formula engineering team out of Formula One development and into hybrid development.

In the last year or so, Honda has become quite bullish on the future of hybrids, and this new hybrid powertrain seems to indicate that Honda isn't just talking hybrid. So, expect a plethora of new Honda hybrids in the very near future.

Dedicated GM hybrid sedan coming

2009-07-14T05:43:00.001-07:00

Will its tech top the Fusion hybrid?

GM is working on a new dedicated hybrid sedan according to reports. Unfortunately, there are few details regarding this new hybrid.

Certainly, it is good news to learn that GM is working on a dedicated hybrid. Still, it will be interesting to see if a dedicated hybrid sedan offers a more compelling consumer case than either a Ford Fusion hybrid or a Toyota Camry hybrid.

Nonetheless, the king of hybrid cars is still the Toyota Prius. Why not take on the king?

Honda CR-Z hybrid hits Japan in February

2009-07-13T10:09:00.001-07:00

And in the US when?

Two new Honda hybrid cars are coming, well, at least to Japan according to AutoWeek.

Honda has confirmed that it will begin selling the Honda CR-Z hybrid in Japan in February. Additionally, before the end of 2010 Honda will also launch the Honda Fit hybrid in Japan. Unfortunately, however, Honda did not offer any updates on when these vehicles would make it to the US.

Regardless, it seems the CR-Z hybrid should be in the States by mid 2010. Unfortunately, it seems the Fit hybrid won't be in the states until late 2010 or even early 2011.

Study: Battery Swapping the key to electric cars

2009-07-13T09:53:00.000-07:00

Bad news for the auto industry?

A new study by the University of California at Berkeley finds that the key to electric vehicle success could be dependent upon the ability of electric car owners to swap their batteries. Under such a plan consumers might own their car, but not the battery, much like the idea behind Project Better Place.

I haven't been able to read the whole study yet, but I've been a big fan of Better Place's out of the box thinking. Nonetheless, it makes me wonder, is the entire established auto industry capable of surviving such a business model?

Hybrid shoppers: It's not about global warming

2009-07-13T07:02:00.000-07:00

The global warming fighter?

A few years ago, Hybridcarblog ran a poll on "Why buy a hybrid vehicle?" There were four possible choices: 1.) Cool technology, 2.) Foreign oil dependency 3.) Global warming and 4.) Carpool lane access.

After running the poll on Hybridcarblog for a while, I moved it to a few Soultek pages and kind of forget about it, until the other day.

So far, there have been more than 28,000 responses to the poll and the results are a little surprising. 37 percent of respondents picked foreign oil dependency, 29 percent cool technology, 27 percent car pool lane access, but only 7 percent picked global warming.

While I wasn't surprised that foreign oil dependency was the top reason for interest in buying hybrid cars, I was extremely surprised that just 7 percent picked global warming.

Is the hybrid and global warming angle being overplayed? Are automakers, especially US automakers, completely underestimating the selling power of foreign oil dependency-fighting hybrid vehicles?

Is Honda hybrid quality slipping?

2009-07-10T08:31:00.000-07:00

Your IMA light won't shut off?

Recently, Hybridcarblog has a received a number of complaints regarding the Honda Civic hybrid.

Now, overall, most that have provided a Civic hybrid testimonial have been happy with their Honda hybrid. Nonetheless, IMA issues continue to be a problem for some Civic hybrid owners.

Coupled with the Consumer Reports slam of the Insight hybrid, I cannot help but wonder, is Honda hybrid quality slipping?

Hyundai's lithium polymer hits the real world

2009-07-09T12:12:00.000-07:00

The power behind the new Hyundai?

Yesterday, Hyundai began selling its new Elantra hybrid, the first hybrid to use lithium polymer batteries, but only in South Korea. Nonetheless, the batteries powering these new hybrid cars could have a dramatic impact on the future of hybrids, and of Hyundai.

In terms of manufacturing, many experts believe that lithium polymer offers huge advantages compared to other lithium batteries, particularly when it comes to mass production. And today, cost-effective, reliable mass production is the key to the lithium game.

If all goes well, the new Hyundai Sonata hybrid should hit US shores late next year.

Daimler: Clean diesel is not enough

2009-07-09T10:13:00.000-07:00

A Mercedes hybrid vehicle

While the future of the electrification of the automobile is still murky, Daimler is now fully committed to being a leader. Despite cutbacks in every department, R & D spending on lithium technology has been increasing and will not be cut.

From hybridization to full electric cars, Daimler is now certain clean, high performance diesel will not be enough to carry the company into the future. The battery is now critical to Daimler, and its marquee Mercedes brand.

"It's clear that a dramatic transition period has started," Thomas Weber, head of R&D, tells Fortune "and we want to actively shape it."

Thus, expect a a wide range of mild hybrids, full hybrids and electric cars from Daimler in the very near future.

What dumb things have you heard from hybrid haters?

2009-07-09T07:47:00.000-07:00

Is the Fusion hybrid really clean?

The Toyota Prius actually causes more pollution than a Hummer. The batteries of hybrid cars only last a couple of years, then have to be replaced at owner expense.

Those are two of the most common hybrid hater comments. What other dumb hybrid hater comments have you heard?

GM's HUGE green move

2009-07-08T15:07:00.000-07:00

GM is America's new green company!

A week ago I asked Will the new GM be as pathetic as the new GMAC as I ripped on the dis-ingenuousness of GMAC's new marketing campaign. Also, in the last few weeks - probably the last few months - I have spent much time criticizing GM, largely for too much green marketing and too few green products.

Well, here I go again.

GM is now contemplating its next big move to change America's perception of the company, turning the GM logo from blue to green.

Amazing! Just slap a green logo on a 15 mpg gas guzzler and, suddenly, it's environmentally friendly. Of course, maybe GM is just trying to remind America of the tens of billions of greenbacks the government has sunk into the company.

When will there be a cheap American hybrid?

2009-07-08T09:50:00.000-07:00

From small cars to cheap hybrids

Decades ago, small cars were the dumbest idea ever, at least to those running US automakers. Honda and Toyota thought differently.

A decade ago, hybrid cars were the dumbest idea ever, at least to those running US automakers. Again, Honda and Toyota thought differently.

Today it seems cheap hybrid vehicles are the dumbest idea ever, as not one US automaker has confirmed plans for a cheap hybrid to compete with a vehicle like the Toyota Prius. And, the upcoming Honda Fit hybrid could take 'cheap hybrids' to a whole new level. Yet, US automakers don't even appear interested in entering this market.

Are US automakers again missing the boat? Will there ever be a cheap American hybrid?

The great oil crash of 2010

2009-07-08T08:05:00.001-07:00

But only the calm before the storm?

Speculation. Is it a dirty word? Should the entire future's market be shut down? Should their be higher margins and position limits on oil trading? The government might soon decide these questions, at least as far as the energy markets are concerned.

Yet, regardless of any government action, oil and gasoline prices are almost assuredly heading downward. Oil supplies are ridiculously high, gasoline inventories keep rising, and the world economy simply is not recovering. And, despite the fact that gas prices are far less than last summer, Americans are driving less. One way or another, the air has to come out of this bubble.

But is that really a good thing? Won't a few years of cheaper gas simply result in more complacency regarding the dangers of foreign oil dependency and in the stagnation of alternative energy development? Ultimately, isn't cheap foreign oil, like cheap cigarettes, bad for America?

Can GM's hybrids live up to the hype?

2009-07-07T09:02:00.000-07:00

And it's still coming

I read a few stories this morning on how GM has again confirmed that the technology that was to power the Saturn Vue hybrid, including the plug-in version, will live. Whoohoo!

Now I'm not certain whether it's GM that keeps trying to reiterate this message, or if it's pro-GM writers that just have to find something to write about GM's hybrid vehicles. Ultimately, since GM won't offer a new hybrid for at least another year, what else is there besides repeating these juicy stories of how the Vue hybrid lives, or on how the Chevy Volt's blinker color has changed?

Certainly, many are excited to see the launch of the Volt late next year, however, since GM's production plans are so limited for the first few years, this excitement is more hype than reality.

Of course, it isn't just the Volt next year, but also some new lithium-powered BAS hybrids, as well as the new Vue hybrid not longer after. And these new hybrids better be, at least, mild hybrid hits.

In the last several years GM has gone from slamming hybrids like the Toyota Prius to claiming that their hybrid technology was better than Toyota's to even claiming they could totally leapfrog a hybrid like the Prius.

Starting next year, when the rubber begins to hit the road, the reality better live up to the hype. Otherwise, GM's public perception will never recover.

Just 30,000 plug-in Prius hybrids per year

2009-07-06T11:10:00.001-07:00

Better put your order in now?

According to unconfirmed reports, Toyota is planning to produce 30,000 plug-in Prius hybrids per year beginning in 2012. These hybrids will achieve an electric range of 15 miles and offer up to 100 mpg.

Regardless of the veracity of these reports, Toyota is set to begin leasing a small amount of plug-in Prius hybrids later this year.

How much noise should be added to hybrids and EVs?

2009-07-06T08:51:00.000-07:00

Too quiet in EV mode?

The Japanese government has launched a panel to determine whether a sound making device should be added to hybrid cars that run almost silent in EV mode.

Is this a good idea? Isn't the quietness of hybrids and EVs, overall, a good thing?

Nonetheless, what kind of sound should be used so as not to become overly annoying?