California is Buying Less Gas

With the rising cost of gas, we're starting to see a real shift in the way people drive and consume. Interest in gas saving techniques is rising, smaller cars are gaining market share, hybrid cars are selling faster than ever, and now people are just buying less gas than they used to.

Green Car Congress is reporting the State Board of Equalization (BOE), which monitors gas consumption through tax receipts has released the numbers on January. And gas sales were down by 58.2 million gallons than last January. But that's just a continuation in the trend, since sales in 2007 were down 0.97% than 2006.

But for those of you who are worried how that affects tax revenues, don't worry. Since the price of gas has risen so much, sales taxes have actually increased.

GCC has a remarkable graph on the trend in sales, so head over and take a look. The graph is based on the report from the BOE.

Can Plugging School Buses in Improve Them?

Enova Systems announced test results from a plug-in hybrid school bus and the results are good. A 70 percent increase in fuel economy over a standard diesel powered bus, plus a significant reduction in emissions.

• Over 40% reduction in CO2
• Over 30% reduction in Particulate Matter
• Over 20% reduction in NOx

That sorts of results could have a serious impact on school buses and their effects in local communities. Along with the announcement from IC Bus of their intention to drop the price by $40,000 and the reality of plug-in hybrid school buses has just gotten a lot closer.

Although it should be noted that the price of these plug-in hybrids will still be significantly higher than their standard counterparts.

Press Release Follows:

Enova Systems Announces Plug-In Hybrid School Bus Testing Shows 70 Percent Improved Fuel Economy and Significantly Reduced Emissions

TORRANCE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Recent dynamometer test results conclude that IC Bus school buses using post-transmission hybrid drive systems from Enova Systems (AMEX:ENA)(AIM:ENV)(AIM:ENVS) can improve fuel efficiency by more than 70 percent compared to standard diesel-powered school buses. The Enova hybrid drive systems installed in the IC Bus school buses also significantly reduce carbon dioxide, NOx and particulate matter emissions. Advanced Energy, a resource for innovative and market-based approaches to energy issues, has facilitated the adoption of IC Bus plug-in hybrid school buses in school districts in the U.S. and Canada.

These route-specific test results, along with the recent announcement by IC Bus of their intention to reduce the price of their school buses equipped with plug-in hybrid electric systems by up to $40,000, shows that significant progress has been made in developing, engineering and deploying fuel efficient and cost competitive hybrid electric buses.

“Our unique post transmission system offers original equipment manufacturers a non-invasive solution to enter the hybrid vehicle market in either the retrofit or new vehicle segment. Being the only supplier of this technology offers us and our customers a tremendous competitive advantage,” states Mike Staran, Enova’s President and CEO.

The extensive series of fuel consumption and emissions tests were conducted to simulate actual route cycles and conditions using the West Virginia University Suburban Test Cycle. The tests were conducted at an independent commercial laboratory accepted by the California Air Resources Board that is properly equipped to perform specialized tests in accordance with applicable federal and California test procedures.

Tests were conducted on the following buses equipped with the Enova plug-in hybrid electric systems:

* 2007 model year IC Bus CE Series school bus with a VT365 engine and Allison 2500 transmission
* 2008 model year IC Bus CE Series school bus with a MaxxForce 7 engine and Allison 2500 transmission

The results shown below reflect a comparison of the plug-in hybrid buses to identical IC Bus school buses with standard diesel engines and drive systems. These results are based on the route-specific conditions defined by the West Virginia University Suburban Cycle and do not necessarily reflect fuel consumption and emissions data that may be generated from other route conditions. Selecting routes with frequent stops and starts and minimal highway miles allows the bus to get the most out of the hybrid system and is a key element to obtaining similar results.

Test Results from Both 2007 and 2008 IC Bus CE Series with Enova Systems


Fuel Economy:
Over 70% increase over the standard diesel system


Emissions:
Over 40% reduction in CO2
Over 30% reduction in Particulate Matter
Over 20% reduction in NOx

“We are very pleased with the test results, and will now focus our attention to understanding school bus routes and determining the types and duration of routes that can strongly benefit from plug-in hybrid electric systems,” says Ewan Pritchard, Hybrid Program Manager for Advanced Energy. “This proves that significant benefits are available as long as we put these in the right place,” Pritchard states.

“We believe these results show the success of our system in obtaining fuel economy and air quality improvements without major changes to standard production engines,” said David Hillman, Marketing Director for IC Bus. “But this is only the first phase of development. IC Bus and Enova are committed to developing ‘engine off’ technology to obtain additional fuel economy and emissions control improvements.”

In March 2007, the first plug-in hybrid electric school bus was delivered to Manatee County Schools in Bradenton, FL., by IC Bus, Enova Systems and Advanced Energy. Today, 19 hybrid school buses are on the road in 11 states thanks to the efforts of Advanced Energy and its partners.

Enova’s unique post transmission parallel hybrid system is one in which the electric drive system is integrated behind the factory-installed transmission. The Enova Hybrid has proven to be a non-invasive system that requires little or no modification to OEM chassis, body or instrumentation. However, the hybrid systems are designed to communicate with many other electronic systems on the bus, such as engine, transmissions, emissions and ABS systems controllers. An important competitive advantage that IC Bus and Enova Systems have generated by working together is to integrate and coordinate all of these electronic systems on the bus.

Photo from flickr by mrcam.

Sweden Pushes For Plug-in Hybrid Cars

Sweden is working to expand on its own research and development of plug-in cars by investing $40 million into reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The Swedish State and the Swedish Energy Agency will be working with Volvo, SAAB, energy company Vattenfall, and ETC Battery and FuelCells Sweden to develop the next generation of hybrid cars.

The delegates from the Swedish automotive industry will be meeting at the Advanced Automotive Battery and Ultracapacitor Conference and Symposia in Tampa, Florida on May 12-16.

Fredrik Arp, president and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation, said: "I see this project as a positive further development of sustainable personal transport. We have a unique opportunity to take the lead when it comes to innovations for advanced green-car technology," he said.

"Within the next decade, electric vehicles are going to be needed if we are to meet forthcoming CO2 legislation," Arp added.

The Swedish delegation will be showing off their Swedish Hybrid Vehicle Centre (SHC) located at Chalmers University of Technology. Volvo, a subsidiary of Ford, announced the hybrid research center in Goteberg back in June of 2006.

"Sweden can be a world leader when it comes to creating the solutions needed to adapt means of transport - solutions that are now in demand throughout the rest of the world," said Andreas Carlgren, Sweden's minister for the environment.

Photo from flickr by Hector Melo A.

NHTSA Proposal Will Require Different MPG for Different Companies

The NHTSA proposal to increase fuel economy standards by 2015 to 31.6 mpg keeps getting stranger. As analysts wade through the (over) 400 page document, the following little tidbit has been discovered. It seems that because car manufacturers have different mixes of vehicle sizes, and the new rules are being set based on size of the car (footprint), each manufacturer will end up with a different standard to pass before they face any penalties.

Required CAFE Levels (mpg) for Passenger Cars

Manufacturer	MY 2011	MY 2012	MY 2013	MY 2014	MY 2015
BMW	33.3	35	36	36.8	37.7
Chrysler	28.7	29.3	32.2	32.6	33.6
Ferrari	30.4	32	33.1	33.9	34.9
Ford	31	32.7	33.7	34.5	35.5
Fuji (Subaru)	36.9	38.7	39.6	40.1	40.8
General Motors	30	31.7	32.8	33.7	34.7
Honda	32.1	33.8	34.8	35.5	36.4
Hyundai	33.4	35.1	36	36.7	37.5
Lotus	38.1	40	40.8	41.2	41.7
Maserati	28.9	30.6	31.8	32.8	34
Mercedes	31.7	33.3	34.4	35.3	36.2
Mitsubishi	33	35.1	35.9	37	37.9
Nissan	31.2	33.2	34.2	35	35.9
Porsche	37.6	39.4	40.3	40.7	41.3
Suzuki	37.3	39.2	40.1	40.6	41.2
Toyota	30.1	31.5	32.7	33.6	34.6
Volkswagen	35.4	37.2	38.2	38.8	39.5
Total/Average	31.2	32.8	34	34.8	35.7

Required CAFE Levels (mpg) for Light Trucks

Manufacturer	MY 2011	MY 2012	MY 2013	MY 2014	MY 2015
BMW	28.2	29.9	31.2	31.4	31.7
Chrysler	25.2	26.6	28	28.5	29.1
Ford	24.7	26.1	28	28.3	28.8
Fuji (Subaru)	30	31.7	33.1	33.2	33.4
General Motors	23.9	25.4	26.5	27	27.4
Honda	26.1	27.7	28.9	29.2	29.6
Hyundai	27.5	29.1	30.4	30.6	31
Mercedes	28.4	30.1	31.4	31.6	31.9
Mitsubishi	29.4	30.8	32.2	32.3	32.6
Nissan	24.9	26.2	27.3	27.7	28.2
Porsche	25.9	27.4	28.7	29	29.4
Suzuki	30.3	32.1	33.5	33.5	33.7
Toyota	24.9	26	27.2	27.6	28
Volkswagen	26.2	27.8	29	29.3	29.7
Total/Average	25	26.4	27.8	28.2	28.6

As you can see, the larger companies, because of their mix of cars, are going to have lower standards to pass than the smaller companies. Lotus, for instance, will need to get up over 38.1 mpg in 2011, while at the other end of the spectrum, Chrysler only has to get 28.7 mpg.

The NHTSA estimates that if each manufacturer meets the minimum requirements each year, they industry wide average for mpg will reach 31.6 mpg by MY 2015.

MY 2011: 27.8 mpg
MY 2012: 29.2 mpg
MY 2013: 30.5 mpg
MY 2014: 31.0 mpg
MY 2015: 31.6 mpg

The proposal also outlines the ways the manufacturers could meet their obligations, specifically, by using fuel saving technologies. The NHTSA estimates the mix of technologies could look like the following for the seven major manufacturers by MY 2015. The following table shows both an average and a maximum value of technology penetration.

Estimated Technology Penetration Rates in MY2015 for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks

	Average Among Seven Largest Manufacturers			Maximum Among Seven Largest Manufacturers
Passenger Cars	Product Plan	Adjusted Baseline	Under Proposed Standard	Product Plan	Adjusted Baseline	Under Proposed Standard
Automatically Shifted Manual Transmission	10%	10%	39%	59%	59%	86%
Spark Ignited Direct Injection	22%	22%	30%	76%	76%	82%
Turbocharging & Engine Downsizing	5%	5%	17%	11%	11%	51%
Diesel Engine	0%	0%	2%	0%	0%	5%
Hybrid Electric Vehicles	5%	5%	15%	14%	14%	19%
Light Trucks
Automatically Shifted Manual Transmission	10%	14%	55%	41%	41%	72%
Spark Ignited Direct Injection	23%	24%	40%	46%	46%	73%
Turbocharging & Engine Downsizing	9%	11%	31%	32%	32%	44%
Diesel Engine	3%	6%	10%	7%	29%	45%
Hybrid Electric Vehicles	2%	6%	25%	5%	13%	32%

I'm very surprised to see the low rates for diesel cars, but not by the high rate of hybrid electric vehicles being projected.

Plug-in Conversion Kits from Hymotion

Over the weekend, I was contacted by a rep at the PR Firm of FAMA, who alerted me to the new hymotion website and to the article at the NY Times on the hymotion plug-in conversion kits. It's always interesting to me when someone contacts me about getting the word out on their company, since I think of this site as more of a hobby than anything else.

But, nevertheless, I try to be careful about how I treat such information. I also feel like I would have seen the article at the NY Times, anyways. Since I don't have any direct contact/monetary transcations with hymotion or A123, I feel it's alright for me to talk about them one way or another.

Anyways, enough about my scruples, back to the kits.

Hymotion can convert an existing Prius into a plug-in hybrid, doubling or even tripling your fuel economy. While that's a truly significant jump, as I've pointed out in the past, you have to make a really big jump once you get out of the 30's or 40's in the mpg range to really make a difference. As the NY Times writer points out "the A123 module is an add-on to an already-efficient car, and thus saves a substantial fraction of a number of gallons that is small to begin with."

But at $10,000 for a kit, is it really worth that much money? The article does a good job of pointing out you may void your warranty when you install this kit. That's not an insignificant thing, given how expensive the batteries are to replace.

On the plus side, it's pretty cool to really convert your car into a such a huge gas saver. If you bought your Prius to make a statement, making the conversion would certainly prove to be an even bigger one.

Another consideration, if you're worried about such things, is your ability to sell the car later on. Will a conversion kit add value, or will it be like adding a pool, so that when it comes time to sell your vehicle, it's all in the eye of the beholder? I would suspect the kit would add to the overall value to someone who's in the market for a used hybrid for fuel economy reasons, but you're not going to make up the $10,000 cost.

You may also want to discuss the conversion with your insurance company. I would guess they wouldn't have a problem with it, but it would be safer to talk it over first. If nothing else, they may think it adds value and you would want to make sure it's covered in case of an accident.

The gas savings, if you drive well, or just drive for short distances, could be huge. But I would caution you to look at the plug-in hybrid car results from ReChargeIT, the google sponsored study, before you jump in if that's your motivation. They have noticed so far, with lots of short trips, the plug-ins they are using are not getting the significant jump in mpg they expected. It seems the gas engine runs for a short time in most of their runs because the gas engine is used to power other systems. That gas use keeps their overall mileage low when they use it on short trips all the time.

If you have a plug you can use at work, that could make a huge difference.

Like hybrids in general, a tax cut or rebate would really make an impact on the market and help these sorts of businesses get off the ground in a big way. But then, in a couple of years, there are supposed to be Volts and plug-in Prius direct from the manufacturer on the road, which may make this business moot.

If you are interested in getting converted, A123 has six locations currently. They are in Boston, Seattly, D.C., Minneapolis, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Governors Protest NHTSA Proposal

When the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Proposal first came out on Earth Day, I bet most people were excited to see the 4.6% increase per year to over 31 mpg standard by 2015. But now that the fine print has come to light, a lot of people, including Governors and other lawmakers are getting very upset with their efforts.

The NHTSA inserted language into their proposal which would preempt states abilities to regulate vehicle emissions. This is particularly upsetting, given the federal government and automakers recent losses in Vermont and Fresno courts which sided with states who wish to do so. (See the previous post on the NHTSA Proposal on fuel economy and how the language has come to light).

See the Press Release below and the letter sent to President Bush and the Congressional leadership by the group of governors who are ready to protest the language in the new proposal by the NHTSA.

The Governors signing on to this protest come from Pennsylvania, California, Arizona, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.

Governor Rendell Expresses Disappointment at Bush Administration's Latest Effort to Impede Greenhouse Gas Reductions

Joins 12 Other Governors in Writing President, Congress Criticizing NHTSA Proposed Rulemaking

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell called on President Bush today to reconsider a regulatory maneuver by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to undermine and impede the efforts of states working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.

In a letter sent yesterday to the president, Governor Rendell and the governors of 11 other states, including California, criticized NHTSA for inserting language into a proposed rule making that would preempt states from regulating greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles--defying the principles set in the Clean Air Act.

The governors called the language in the proposed rule a disappointment as the federal government continues to obstruct states' efforts to address this pressing environmental challenge.

Governor Rendell said the NHTSA language seems to contradict the president's recent call to begin working to cut the nation's greenhouse gas emissions.

"The president stood outside of the White House last week and laid out a goal for the nation: stopping the increase in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025," said Governor Rendell. "Yet, here we are again focusing our actions against counterproductive measures by the federal government when we should be focusing on how to deal with this problem."

In a separate letter to the congressional leadership, the governors made the case that the U.S. Department of Transportation, of which NHTSA is a part, was attempting to unilaterally rewrite the Clean Air Act and subvert the will of the legislative branch.

The letter to Congress stated that the department was using the proposed rulemaking to exploit the opportunity it was provided under the Energy Independence and Security Act to enact new fuel economy rules. Instead, the department is claiming authority over greenhouse gases, saying such emissions are "related to" fuel economy.

That move, argue the governors, "is a direct assault on the authorityof the United States Congress and the states," and also defies the Supreme Court ruling in Massachusetts v. EPA that found "the authority on which the states rely in regulating greenhouse gases from automobiles is, 'a statutory obligation wholly independent of DOT's mandate to promote energy efficiency'."

In addition to Pennsylvania and California, the letter was signed by the governors of Arizona, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.

Governor Rendell has challenged repeated attempts by the federal government to restrict or delay efforts by Pennsylvania and other states to improve air quality by limiting greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.

In January, Pennsylvania joined a multi-state lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency challenging the EPA's refusal to grant California a waiver to enforce its stronger greenhouse emission standards. In testimony before the U.S. Senate that month, Governor Rendell said the EPA 'wrongfully and illegally' blocked state efforts to ensure cleaner air and water to protect public health and safety.

Pennsylvania has adopted California's stricter vehicle emission rules, but it will not realize greenhouse gas reductions from the rules unless California is permitted to enforce that portion of its clean vehicle program. Sixteen other states have adopted or are in the process of adopting California's greenhouse gas emission standards.

A year ago, in the Massachusetts v. EPA case, the Supreme Court decided the EPA has the authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide as air pollutants. This decision paved the way for states to adopt regulations controlling greenhouse gas pollutants from automobiles sold within its borders.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit http://www.governor.state.pa.us.

EDITORS NOTE: The text of the letters to President Bush and congressional leadership follows:

April 23, 2008



The President

The White House

Washington, DC 20500



Dear Mr. President,

We are disappointed that your administration used Earth Day as a
backdrop for an assault on efforts to make real progress in controlling
greenhouse gas emissions. Yesterday, the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) used a proposed rulemaking on Corporate Average Fuel
Economy (CAFE) standards to preempt California and other states across the
nation that are working to control greenhouse gas emissions. States are
taking this action due to the utter failure of our federal government to
respond to this urgent threat.

NHTSA has no authority to preempt states from regulating greenhouse
gases. Congress and two federal district courts have rejected NHTSA's claim
to such authority. Furthermore, this attack completely undermines the
cooperative federalism principles embodied in the Clean Air Act, and is an
end run around 40 years of precedents under that law.

California intends to comment on the proposed rulemaking and, if
necessary, will sue NHTSA, just as California and other states have sued
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to ensure that states retain the
right to attack global climate change emissions. I hope that you will agree
that your administration's use of a rulemaking on CAFE to attack state
efforts to address greenhouse gas emissions is inappropriate, and I await a
clear statement from you to that effect.

Sincerely,

April 23, 2008

The Honorable Harry Reid

Majority Leader

United States Senate

Washington, DC 20510



The Honorable Nancy Pelosi

Speaker of the House

U. S. House of Representatives

Washington, DC 20515



The Honorable Mitch McConnell

Minority Leader

United States Senate

Washington, DC 20510


The Honorable John A. Boehner

Minority Leader

U. S. House of Representatives

Washington, DC 20515



Dear Senator Reid, Senator McConnell, Madam Speaker, and Mr. Boehner,

We are writing to bring to your attention a cynical attempt by the U.S.
Department of Transportation (DOT) to unilaterally rewrite the Clean Air
Act and claim authority over greenhouse gas emissions.

Yesterday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
used a proposed rulemaking implementing the Energy Independence and
Security Act (EISA) to preempt California and states across the nation that
are taking steps to control greenhouse gas emissions. NHTSA's proposed
action is a direct assault on the authority of the United States Congress
and the states.

In passing EISA, Congress expressly provided that increasing fuel
economy standards would not limit the authority of existing laws and
regulations. Yet DOT has taken the charge given it by Congress - to issue
new fuel-economy rules - and used it to propose a radical redefinition of
federal law that would sabotage critical provisions of the Clean Air Act.
NHTSA argues that because fuel economy is "related to" greenhouse gases,
DOT has authority to deny state greenhouse gas regulations.

NHTSA's proposal flies in the face of court rulings on existing law.
The U.S. Supreme Court found in Massachusetts v. EPA that the authority on
which the States rely in regulating greenhouse gases from automobiles is,
"a statutory obligation wholly independent of DOT's mandate to promote
energy efficiency." Two federal district courts have also specifically
ruled that State vehicle regulations are not preempted by Congress'
improvements to CAFE.

In issuing this interpretation, NHTSA is also doing an end-run around
Congress in claiming authority over greenhouse gas regulation from
automobiles. In the Clean Air Act, Congress granted EPA authority over air
pollution, including greenhouse gases - not NHTSA. While Congress is in the
midst of careful deliberations and debate on its approach to greenhouse gas
regulation in the future, it should not permit the Executive Branch to
dictate an outcome to that discussion.

This action by the Administration would directly usurp Congressional
authority and patently subvert the clear intent of Congress in important
legislation related to energy use. We urge you to protest this provision of
the NHTSA rulemaking and insist on a CAFE regulation in keeping with the
intent and prerogative of Congress.

Sincerely,

Governors signatures here, with state seal at the top

cc: Members of the California Congressional Delegation

Tesla vs Fisker, Fisker vs Tesla

At the end of the day, neither company will win when Tesla vs Fisker plays out in the courts. But it's going to happen anyways.

Tesla claimed in their lawsuit Fisker "used fraud and deceit to gain access to and exploit Tesla's highly confidential and proprietary information and trade secrets in order to develop a competing electric-hybrid sports sedan."

Fisker Automotive responded via press release to the lawsuit by Tesla saying they stole company secrets, and provided substandard design when putting together the styling of the Tesla White Star.

Tesla noted they had to reject the $800,000 design provided by Fisker.

"It caused a slight delay in White Star because we could not use the Fisker styling," Tesla Chairman Elon Musk told The New York Times. "The styling was substandard compared to what he unveiled for his product. He gave us an inferior work product, and it's obvious why."

Both cars are plug-in hybrids and will compete for customers when they arrive in the next couple of years.

Fisker fired back saying the Karma's powertrain was developed by Quantum Technologies and didn't use Tesla technology.

Source: Green Car Advisor - Fisker Denies Tesla Allegations of Stealing Secrets

NHTSA is Sneakier Than You Might Think

California has requested a waiver to increase fuel economy standards in their state. The EPA denied the request and now California is suing the EPA in an effort to force the administrations hand. This is after losing two recent cases on environmental controls being set by states in Vermont and California.

Then, on Earth Day, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released the new fuel economy standards of 31.6 mpg auto makers must meet by 2015 as part of EISA signed into law in December. But the NHTSA just couldn't resist putting in a few items in that proposal that would reinforce their role vs any state role.

"(The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) has consistently taken the position that state regulations regulating CO{-2} tailpipe emissions from automobiles are expressly and impliedly preempted."

"A conflict between state and federal law arises when compliance with both federal and state regulations is a physical impossibility or when state law stands as an obstacle to the accomplishment and execution of the full purposes and objectives of Congress."

"We respectfully disagree with the two district court rulings" in Fresno and Vermont in which federal judges sided with California and other states.

Source: SFGate

California Attorney General Jerry Brown feels this is a 'covert assault on California's rules', while some environmentalist groups have said this language will be used in the automakers attempts to appeal the rulings in Fresno and Vermont.

But of even greater significance would be a new passage being considered:

The agency said it is considering adding language to its final rule stating that "any state regulation regulating tailpipe carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles is expressly preempted" under federal law.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, was not quiet on the new proposal by the NHTSA.

"Despite two federal court rulings and Congress' decision to reject the administration's position that enacted energy legislation should preempt the authority of states to regulate greenhouse gas vehicle emissions, the administration has chosen to trot out the same tired old arguments," she said.

Toyota Sued Over Hybrid Patent

Toyota, like most companies, has to face a lot of lawsuits over the years. The latest comes from engineer/former patent attorney at Boeing, Conrad Gartner, who lives in Seattle.

Gartner filed a U.S. patent, #7,290,627 -- dubbed "Extended range motor vehicle having ambient pollutant processing", in 1992. It is a computer control system that shifts power to the internal combustion engine or electric motor.

Although he applied for the patent back in 1992, the patent was not issued until last Fall. In the meantime, Toyota applied for a patent in 1994 which was rejected, in part because of Gardner's prior claim.

Gardner says he has attempted to come to some sort of settlement with Toyota over the years, but has had no success. But with newly issued patent in hand, he can now try to force the issue by suing Toyota.

Seattle engineer sues Toyota on hybrid system

"I just want them to respect the patents of others," said Gardner when asked what he hoped to gain from the lawsuit. "I am trying to teach them a lesson, you might say. That a small fellow, an independent inventor, is going to stand up for his rights. That's all."

The full complaint is here.

Toyota has been sued in the past by Solomon Technologies over patent infringement.

The GM Possibilities

GM currently has five hybrid vehicles on the market, or to put it another way, 1/3 of the total number of models being sold come from some part of GM. Whether it's the Saturn Vue, Saturn Aura, GMC Yukon, Chevy Malibu, or Chevy Tahoe, GM is serious about providing options when it comes to hybrid powertrains.

Too bad that many options isn't turning into more sales. In the first quarter of 2008, GM sold 843 hybrids in the US. That's about 2% of the total number of Prius sold by Toyota in the same time frame.

The problems have been detailed by GM pointing to a recall on the battery packs involved in the mild hybrids and the lack of production so far on the full hybrids, which in itself is understandable since they are so new.

And it's probably unfair to compare sales of a more established car like the Prius to sales of even five different models. GM, despite the low production numbers so far, still target 10,000 sales of their Yukon and Tahoe Hybrids this year. That would take a considerable ramp up, but it's certainly do-able.

But there's a real problem here. None of the hybrid vehicles from GM compete in the same class or fuel economy with the Toyota Prius. They don't even come close. They are either much larger or too mild.

Even with the addition of the Escalade, Sierra and Silverado, along with updates on the mild hybrid Vue into a dual-mode hybrid in the next couple of years, you will be seeing more of the same. More options, it's true, but not in the class of car most of the people who have shown the most interest in hybrid cars are buying.

Aren't these the customers GM should be looking to?

GM has admitted it was a mistake not to pursue hybrid technology 10 years ago. And in compensation, they are now pushing hard to produce the Chevy Volt, which may be capable of standing toe-to-toe with the plug-in version of the Prius.

But why not try to produce a car that can compete with the Prius?

Is this attempt at building the Volt just greenwashing? They already use the Volt in all of their 'green' commercials. They certainly talk about it a lot, to the point where I think it's being overhyped. But that doesn't mean it won't happen.

It's just hard to remember when GM is still focusing so hard on a goal that's still far away. They are at a real hard point, given their low sales numbers so far, to prove they are serious about their effort to sell hybrid cars.

It's an unfortunate point in time that they could have avoided if they could point to stronger sales in their other hybrids (the Vue, Malibue and Aura). No one expects huge numbers from these mild hybrids, but at less than 100 a month for the Vue and Aura combined, it's very hard to take GM seriously when they say they are serious about hybrids.

2009 BMW X6 Hybrid Crossover May Make a Bigger Difference Than You Think

The BMW X6 crossover two mode hybrid will probably come out in 2009, with an improved fuel economy of about 25%. That will bring it up to 18-19 mpg combined according to Autoblog.

While not obvious, the big changes in gas and oil consumption come at the lower end of the spectrum. By going from 15 mpg to 19 mpg, an owner of the BMW X6 Hybrid will actually save around 170 gallons a year (assuming 12,000 miles driven per year). Someone who goes from 25 to 35 mpg will only save around 140 gallons of gas a year.

I've often thought the best thing the politicians could do is focus on the lower levels. If they mandated a minimum fuel economy by class, they might make a huge difference.

Photo by alexdumi82 from flickr.

NHTSA Sets New Standards for Fuel Economy by 2015

According to the Detroit News (Feds: 36 mpg for cars by 2015), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is putting forth a proposal to raise the average car mpg to 35.7 mpg and light trucks to 28.6 mpg by 2015.

The proposal is part of the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA), passed by Congress and signed by Bush in 2007 as part of his "Twenty in Ten" initiative. The end goal is at least a 35 mpg standard for both passenger and light trucks. The new CAFE standards passed this year will force car makers to a 35 mpg fleetwide average by 2020.

The NHTSA proposal sets an annual increase of 4.6 percent per year and is higher than the 4 percent required by Congress.

There will be a 'credit transfer/trading system, allowing automakers to move credits from their car fleets to their truck fleets, or even sell credits to their less efficient brethren.

The mpg numbers quoted above will not be uniform to each fleet. They are being set based on size or attributes of each car, although it's not clear what those attributes or the final numbers are.

The Detroit News points out these new regulations are unlikely to be challenged by the automakers, who are under pressure from the states who wish to enact even more stringent rules. So far, California is still fighting to gain a waiver from the EPA, but if they do, other states will quickly follow suit.

The Auto Alliance has already reacted to the news, issuing a statement which states:

"Congress has set an aggressive, single, nationwide standard and automakers are prepared to meet that challenge. This proposal represents an important mile marker on the road to at least 35 miles per gallon by 2020."--Dave McCurdy, President and CEO, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers

• In supporting the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) the Alliance and its member companies acknowledge that we have a responsibility to increase fuel economy and limit greenhouse gas emissions from new automobiles.
• When fully implemented EISA will result in a minimum 40 percent increase in fuel economy standards and a 30 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through 2020.
• Achieving significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from automotive sector will require a comprehensive approach involving the vehicles, fuels, and drivers.
• Automakers believe this tough, nationwide, proposed fuel economy increase will be good for both consumers and energy security. While these increases will present a challenge, it is critical that automakers and consumers have the certainty that this nationwide, 50-state fuel economy rule provides.
• Automakers are committed to enhancing energy security and reducing carbon dioxide emissions through the use of alternative fuel autos. Our goal as manufacturers is to offer fuel-efficient vehicle options, with a wide range of attributes, at an affordable price. Last year, more than 1.8 million hybrid-electric, ethanol capable flexible fuel vehicles and clean diesel vehicles were sold in the U.S. That was a 15 percent increase over 2006. This year, more than 70 models of alternative fuel autos are available on dealer lots throughout the country.

ABG points out how strange the scenario really is, given the NHTSA, a safety board, sets the standards, while the EPA will be the one to enforce it. More details on the standards being set are available at GCC.

The end result will be obvious. Smaller engines, more hybrids, more ethanol (I believe there is a loophole on ethanol fueled vehicles) and the re-introduction of diesels in a major way to the US marketplace.

Intellichoice has released its 2008 Hybrid Car survey, in which it analyses the cost to own a hybrid vs its gas-only counterpart. And according to them, except for the LS 600h l from Lexus, the 23 hybrid cars they tested will result in savings for the owner. In the end, "half of the 24 hybrid models on the market in 2008 perform better than their non-hybrid counterparts in terms of overall cost to own."

The key difference comes from resale value (depreciation). Add in similar maintenance costs (slight gain on the side of hybrids, since brake work and oil changes occur less frequently) and gas savings and, long term, hybrid cars can save their owners money.

Keep in mind that, given their higher MSRP, hybrid cars cost more at first. Not only do you have to pay more for the purchase, but taxes, insurance and excise taxes may be higher. Some of that can be offset by federal or state tax breaks. And some insurance companies do offer discounts to anyone who owns a hybrid car. Add in access to the HOV lane or free parking in your community and the savings can really start adding up. But that depends a great deal on your location and how much you value HOV access.

Intellichoice has pointed out the cost savings associated with hybrids before. In 2007, they made the point that hybrid cars can save you money in the long run, and they have the Prius listed as the best new car value for 2008.

Read the full press release from Intellichoice.

IRVINE, CA (April 22, 2008) - IntelliChoice.com's Hybrid Survey for 2008, released in time for Earth Day, punctures some of the myths around hybrids and shows that several hybrid car models are cheaper to own than their non-hybrid counterparts. A keen observer of how environmental concerns are impacting the auto market, IntelliChoice.com is the leading source for automotive ownership cost and value analysis and is part of SOURCE INTERLINK MEDIA.

"The long-standing myth about hybrids is that they cost more to own and struggle to justify their higher sticker prices," said James Bell, publisher and editor of IntelliChoice.com. "This is not true. In fact, half of the 24 hybrid models on the market in 2008 perform better than their non-hybrid counterparts in terms of overall cost to own. The bottom line is that hybrids are also a Smart economic choice and not just about 'going green' anymore."

Bell added, "Our third annual survey provides a comprehensive, across-the-board analysis of how hybrids perform as soon as they are driven off the lot."

IntelliChoice.com's Hybrid Survey compares hybrid and non-hybrid versions of the same vehicle for the 2008 model year. The survey examines how each vehicle performs based on a projected Total Cost of Ownership figure over five years or 70,000 miles. Besides fuel costs, which are considered the primary savings point for hybrid cars, the survey factored in other major cost items that consumers often overlook such as maintenance and repair costs and car insurance.

"We want to show that the argument for or against hybrids is larger than just expected fuel costs," said Bell. "You have to look at all of the driving factors like maintenance, repairs, and resale value. You have to look at the whole picture."

Get the IntelliChoice 2008 Hybrid Survey as a PDF from intellichoice website

The Survey
IntelliChoice.com's 2008 Hybrid Survey pits hybrid cars against their non-hybrid counterparts in a number of important cost areas. For instance, the Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD is compared against the "regular" or gas-only Ford Escape 4WD. The chart below, just one set of data from the survey, shows how hybrids' higher sticker prices can be offset by savings in their overall cost of ownership.
2008 Model and Trim MSRP Difference 5-Yr Cost of Ownership Difference
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid $1510 -$439
Toyota Prius (vs. Camry) $2,855 -$3,430
Honda Civic Hybrid $3,090 -$2,634
Lexus GS 450h $2,280 $965
Saturn Aura Hybrid $2,395 -$631
Ford Escape Hybrid 2WD $2,500 -$5,549
Mercury Mariner Hybrid $3,140 -$5,031
Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4WD $4,950 $2,413

The excerpted data above shows that, of the eight models selected, the hybrid versions of each model carry a higher MSRP. However, six of the hybrid cars deliver lower cost of ownership over five years, and three of them--the Prius, the Ford Escape Hybrid and the Mercury Mariner Hybrid--deliver cost savings that exceed the MSRP.

In addition to a more comprehensive look at the data above, IntelliChoice.com's 2008 Hybrid Survey examines how hybrids perform against the marketplace in terms of resale value and maintenance.

2007 Hybrid Car Registrations Hit New High

R. L. Polk & Co. are reporting a 38% increase in hybrid car registration for 2007 for a total of 350,289. In 2006, they reported 254,545 new hybrid car registrations across the US, which was a 28 percent increase from 2005.

California remains the clear leader in total numbers, while the other states moved around slightly in the rankings. The same top 10 states still account for over 61% of the hybrid car registrations. Oklahoma once again showed the biggest gain (148%) from 2006, but that is more indicative of the small numbers being sold.

2006 Rank					State	Total New Hybrid Registrations, 2006 CY	Share of US Hybrid Volume, 2006 CY (%)	Total New Hybrid Registrations, 2007 CY	Share of US Hybrid Volume, 2007 CY (%)
1					California	67,533	26.5%	91,417	26.1%
2					Florida	12,900	5.1%	19,283	5.5%
3					Texas	12,550	4.9%	17,196	4.9%
4					New York	11,634	4.6%	17,385	5.0%
5					Virginia	10,424	4.1%	11,952	3.4%
6					Illinois	9,495	3.7%	13,094	3.7%
7					Washington	8,650	3.4%	13,107	3.7%
8					Pennsylvania	8,407	3.3%	11,089	3.2%
9					Massachusetts	7,365	2.9%	9,982	2.8%
10					New Jersey	7,021	2.8%	9,645	2.8%

    SOUTHFIELD, Mich., April 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Nationwide registrations
for new hybrid vehicles rose to 350,289 registrations in 2007 - a 38
percent increase from 2006, according to R. L. Polk & Co. The Toyota Prius
continued to lead the segment with 179,178 total new registrations - 51.2
percent of hybrid market share.

 "Auto buyers are benefiting from new hybrid launches, and fleecing of
old models that didn't work. There is a lot of excitement being generated
within the industry as manufacturers adjust plans to adapt to consumer
demand," said Lonnie Miller, director of Industry Analysis at Polk. "While
the Toyota Prius has a stronghold on the midsize car hybrid segment, the
Toyota Highlander and Ford Escape share leadership positions in the SUV
hybrid segment. As hybrid buyers migrate within a brand, manufacturers have
to be prepared to meet their expectations for offerings if they want
consumers to remain loyal."

 While most of the market continues to see hybrid models enabled by
various forms of gas-electric powertrains, the entire hybrid segment will
evolve as other technologies are developed and tested. With the end-goal of
providing more fuel-efficient vehicles, future offerings will expand beyond
the current generation of hybrid models.

 "Hybrids are a great foray into the world of fuel-efficiency for many
buyers," said Miller. "Unfortunately, we still have an uphill battle for
diesel and ethanol adoption given the need for more consumer education and
improvements with filling station infrastructure. It will be interesting to
see how more advanced technologies progress this whole category, but they
can't come soon enough."

 Segment Affinity

 Polk's analysis shows that buyers of specific hybrid models
predominantly come from the vehicle segment shared by their new hybrid
purchase. In 2007, 55 percent of new hybrid buyers previously had a midsize
car, midsize SUV or small car model. These vehicle segments represent the
majority of the volume in the hybrid category and indicate consumers may be
predisposed to a body style first before choosing a hybrid model.

 "In cases such as the Lexus LS600h, more than half of these buyers came
from the prestige luxury segment," said Miller. "In the case of Honda Civic
hybrid buyers, nearly 30 percent already had a small car in their driveway.
There's a strong relationship between the vehicle previously owned and the
segment they may buy when selecting a hybrid."

 For manufacturers' marketing departments, these findings mean they may
be able to repurpose some of the brand research and customer studies for
non-hybrid models when creating new hybrid offerings or hybrid marketing
campaigns. In addition, more luxury hybrids are available than ever before,
allowing customers to obtain a hybrid without sacrificing features,
amenities and performance they might otherwise be used to.

 Regional Dominance

 Geographic trends for the segment remain largely unchanged in 2007,
with California continuing to hold 26 percent of hybrid market share
followed by Florida, New York, Texas and Washington (Table 1). For the
second year in a row, Oklahoma had the greatest increase, up nearly 148
percent. Similarly, Los Angeles and San Francisco led cities nationwide
combined with more than 19 percent of the segment's market share (Table 2).

 "The coasts continue to dominate the hybrid segment, though we continue
to see gains in the Midwest as fuel prices hit home for the 'manufacturing
belt' states," said Miller.

 About R. L. Polk & Co.

 R. L. Polk & Co. is the premier provider of automotive information and
marketing solutions. Polk collects and interprets global data, and provides
extensive automotive business expertise to help customers understand their
market position, identify trends, build brand loyalty, conquest new
business and gain a competitive advantage. Polk helps automotive
manufacturers and dealers, automotive aftermarket companies, finance and
insurance companies, advertising agencies, media companies, consulting
organizations, government agencies and market research firms make good
business decisions. A privately held global firm, Polk is based in
Southfield, Mich. with operations in Australia, Canada, China, France,
Germany, Japan, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. For more
information, please visit http://www.polk.com.





          Table 1 - Top 10 Hybrid States (2007 Calendar Year)

 Rank  State              Total New      Share of U.S.  Volume Increase
                           Hybrid           Hybrid          from
                        Registrations       Volume        2006 CY (%)
                           2007 CY        2007 CY (%)

 1  California             91,417           26.1             35.4
 2  Florida                19,283            5.5             49.5
 3  New York               17,385            5.0             49.4
 4  Texas                  17,196            4.9             37.0
 5  Washington             13,107            3.7             51.5
 6  Illinois               13,094            3.7             37.9
 7  Virginia               11,952            3.4             14.6
 8  Pennsylvania           11,089            3.2             31.9
 9  Massachusetts           9,982            2.8             35.5
10  New Jersey              9,645            2.8             36.1

 Source:  R. L. Polk & Co. U.S. New Hybrid Registrations, 2007 Calendar
Year.



       Table 2 - Top 10 Hybrid Metro Markets (2007 Calendar Year)

 Rank  Market (DMA(R))    Total New      Share of U.S.  Volume Increase
                           Hybrid           Hybrid          from
                        Registrations       Volume        2006 CY (%)
                           2007 CY        2007 CY (%)
 1  Los Angeles            40,634           11.6             31.1
 2  San Francisco          27,292            7.8             32.3
 3  New York               20,692            5.9             45.2
 4  Washington D.C.        12,744            3.6             12.2
 5  Seattle                11,098            3.2             53.2
 6  Chicago                10,611            3.0             39.2
 7  Boston                 10,438            2.8             33.9
 8  Philadelphia            8,670            2.5             26.4
 9  Sacramento              7,871            2.2             59.9
10  Phoenix                 7,829            2.2             85.4
 Source: R. L. Polk & Co. U.S. New Hybrid Registrations, 2007 Calendar
Year.

NOVA Presents the Car of the Future

Click and Clack will be on NOVA, presenting their look into the Car of the Future.

A less 'goofy' preview can be found on pbs.org. The show will air on Earth Day, April 22nd at 8 PM on most PBS stations. You might want to check your local listings for any changes in your area.

Update: I admit it, I thought this show was going to be goofier than the preview. But it really was a good overall view of the situation facing the automotive world today. If you missed it, take some time and watch the show in it's entirety. If you want to focus in on hybrids and plug-in hybrids, skip ahead to chapter 5.

San Fran Gives Discount to Hybrid Rentals

San Francisco is in the process of creating a $15 rebate for hybrid car rentals at the International Airport. The program was passed by the airport commission and announced by Mayor Gavin Newsom, but will need to be passed by the Board of Supervisors.

It's not being restricted to just hybrids, but to those who have a certain quality score, the way hybrids do according to the Toyota Blog. Vehicles like the Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry Hybrid and Honda Civic Hybrid qualify by receiving an EPA SmartWay rating of 17 or better. That's a combination of EPA’s air-pollution and greenhouse-gas test.

Also being proposed is a 20 percent price break on airport concession fees for companies if they can prove that 15 percent of their cars being rented are rated at being 'especially' fuel efficient.

If the proposal is accepted by the board, a two year trial period will begin in December. The cost is estimated at $2.1 million which will come out of the revenue the airport receives from the car rental company leases.

Photo by brothergrimm from Flickr.

Free Parking in Boston on Earth Day for Hybrid Cars

The Convention Center is offering free parking on Earth Day to anyone who drives a hybrid. They are also using the offer to promote their new affiliation with ZipCars, a car-sharing service.

Earth Day is on April 22.

Source:Boston Common Garage to give hybrid car owners a free day of parking - Boston Business Journal:

"Allowing drivers of hybrid vehicles the opportunity for free parking is a gesture we can make to attract attention to a large environmental movement that promotes healthier driving conditions for the City of Boston," said MCCA Executive Director James E. Rooney.

In order to get free parking, you just need to notify the cashier at the exit you are driving a hybrid.

Dodge Ram Hybrid in the Works for Chrysler

Chrysler, as part of a deal with BMW and GM, co-developed the two-mode hybrid system we've only seen so far from GM. But both Chrysler and BMW have their own vehicles in mind to hybridize, and Chrysler just confirmed the Dodge Ram will have a hybrid version in 2010.

The pickup is part of the reshaping Chrysler hopes to do over the next several years after being sold to Cerberus Capital Management LP, who acquired an 80 percent stake in the automaker last year. They already have the Dodge Durango Hybrid in the works, along with a Chrysler Aspen Hybrid. They have set up a hybrid division called ENVI.

Chrysler development chief, Frank Klegon, said the Ram Hybrid will use nickel metal hydride batteries. It will also reduce the engine to just four cylinders at highway speeds up to 70 mph.

"We are going to need to expand our hybrid offerings and we are doing that, we just haven’t announced which specific vehicles are going to show up beyond the truck."

Source: Reuters. Photo from flickr by Scott Ingram Photography.

Ford Escape Hybrids Going to the Beach

Ford is donating 45 Escape Hybrids to the L.A. County lifeguards in exchange for some 'marketing tie-ins' according to the chief lifeguard.
The lifeguards got a tour of the Claycomo, MO Ford plant, where they got a glimpse of their bright yellow hybrid SUVs. By May, you should see them out serving time on the beach.

Source: MyFox Kansas City | Claycomo Ford Plant Donates Hybrid SUVs

Surprisingly, there's no quote from the 'Hoff' on how this will play out on the surf.

Photo by stevelyon from Flickr

SAE Gives GM Tahoe and Yukon Hybrid 2008 Best Engineered Vehicles

The SAE International's Automotive Engineering International (AEI) magazine awarded the 2008 Best Engineered Vehicles to the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid and GMC Yukon Hybrid. The dual-mode (sometimes called two-mode) hybrid engines, co-developed by Chrysler and BMW, has impressed many with it's ability to increase the fuel economy of these large SUVs by 50% in city driving.

But many hybrid enthusiasts feel that getting your city driving just over 20 mpg isn't all that impressive. GM hybrid have had limited sales so far, but given the price tag (over $50,000), that's not surprising. The federal tax break on hybrid cars does help, but not much.

Press Release Follows:

WARRENDALE, Pa., April 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Readers and editors of SAE International's Automotive Engineering International (AEI) magazine crown General Motors' Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and GMC Yukon Hybrid as 2008's Best Engineered Vehicles.

"General Motors has significantly re-engineered its class-leading full-size sport utility vehicles - the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon - with the first application of groundbreaking hybrid technology," Kevin Jost, Editorial Director of Automotive Engineering International, said. "The vehicles' advanced technology enables consumers looking for an efficient SUV a choice that does not involve sacrificing a cargo-hauling and trailer-towing capacity in return for improved fuel economy."

The Tahoe and Yukon Hybrids boast improved fuel economy compared to their gasoline-only counterparts. This is due to a state-of-the-art two-mode hybrid system developed in partnership with BMW and DaimlerChrysler.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ratings for the two-wheel drive models are 21 miles per gallon (mpg) for city driving and 22 mpg for highway driving. The four-wheel drive models achieve an EPA rating of 20 mpg city/highway.

The vehicles still deliver full-size SUV performance, with a 6,200-pound towing capacity for the two-wheel drive models, and a 12,000-pound Gross Combination Weight Rating for the four-wheel drive models. Both seat eight passengers.

The Best Engineered Vehicle award winners will be announced at the SAE 2008 World Congress, to be held April 14-17 at Cobo Center, Detroit. The winners also will be published in AEI's May 2008 edition.

Photo by dethtrip99 at flickr

Comparison Between the Chevy Volt and Toyota Prius

With the Chevy Volt making so many waves in the automotive world, it's no surprise to see so many comparisons being made with the hybrid cars of today. But Toyota also has a plug-in version of the Prius coming, plus the next generation Prius is due in the next couple of years.

But which is going to be better? Obviously, GM has collected quite a few fans of the new Chevy Volt, but according to the truth about cars, the Prius will still come out on top.

The Comparison
There are three comparisons: owner economics, environmental benefits and “green cachet” (to both owner and manufacturer). The Prius comes out on top in economics because the Volt pricetag is going to be so much higher than the Prius (either the next generation or the plug-in version). Until the Volt price comes down, the savings in gas just cannot make up the difference.

That argument is a little bit naive, but until we know what the used price will be, it's really hard to estimate the cost to own. Since there are no other plug-in cars out there to compare to, how can we guess how much a used Volt will go for?

Environmentally, they say it's almost a draw, but I would think it would depend on how long your drive is and where you get your electricity from. But there's no doubt the Volt will consume less gasoline.

The last argument could go to GM. While the Prius has given Toyota a green 'halo' to work with, it has been around for over a decade. People may decide to flock to a new banner, partly to make a change, and partly in a real effort to move off of gas altogether.

In summary
It's clear the Prius will be a better economical choice, while the true environmental impact is (and will be) muddied. But the Volt may just steal the show when it comes to image.

Honda and Toyota competed fiercely for the hybrid banner a decade ago. Despite the Insight getting better mileage, the Prius has clearly come out on top because the two-seater just wasn't practical for most people to even consider. Will the Volt end up like the Insight?

What's your opinion? Who will come out on top in the next hybrid war?

Oil Jumps Up to New Record, What Else is New?

A Reuters report has oil up over $112 today. This time, it's not just the weak dollar, which has seemed steady, but inventories have been reported at low levels prior to the summer season.

U.S. crude stockpiles fell 3.2 million barrels last week as imports declined, countering analyst expectations for a build, while gasoline and distillate inventories also tumbled, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported.

The jump in price is despite the prediction by the Energy Information Administration that demand will be down 36,000 barrels a day to 9.404 million bpd. This is the first time since 1991 the demand is likely to be lower.

The reason the EIA gave for lower demand is they are also predicting higher gas prices at $3.60 a gallon in June. With the price differential across the country, a $3.60 average means up over $4 for some parts of the country.

If the price of oil keeps jumping up, we'll see that average even sooner.

The EIA predicted an average of $103 a barrel in May and June.

Diesel users (truckers) have even more to worry about.

For May and June alone, EIA said the average price for U.S. oil was expected to be about $103 per barrel. Prices are expected, according to the EIA, to hit $3.73 a gallon. The peak will be in April, when it goes to $3.90 a gallon.

Photo from Garlyn at flickr.

Congress Moves to Require Minimum Sound Levels For Cars

According to an AP story, Congress is about to introduce a bill to investigate a mandatory noise level for all cars. If implemented, it would be targeted at hybrid cars, which can run silently on battery power alone when they are at low speeds.

The danger being addressed is to blind pedestrians, who may not hear the oncoming hybrid or electric vehicle as it approaches. A study at the University of California-Riverside has, so far, shown hybrids at low speeds must be 40 percent closer to be heard.

According to the press release from Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), who is cosponsoring the bill with Cliff Stearns (R-FL) said:

Because blind pedestrians cannot locate and evaluate traffic using their vision, they must listen to traffic to discern its speed, direction, and other attributes in order to travel safely and independently. Other people, including pedestrians who are not blind, bicyclists, runners, and small children, also benefit from hearing the sound of vehicle engines. Many new vehicles, particularly those using hybrid or electric engine technology, are silent, rendering them extremely dangerous in situations where vehicles and pedestrians come into proximity with each other. This bill will ensure the safety of pedestrians who, for whatever reason, do not see a vehicle approaching and are placed at risk for injury or even death.

The bill is being supported by the National Federation of the Blind (NFB).

If implemented, the Transportation Dept would conduct a two year study before issuing safety standards. Car makers would then need to comply within two years.

The NFB has been pushing for legislation for years now to force hybrid and electric cars to make more noise. The NFB is located in Maryland, so it's not surprising Maryland has already made moves to require a minimum sound level.

Photo from Jakob Lodwick via flickr.

Gas Prices Are Changing the Way We Buy

The latest Kelley Blue Book survey results are in and not that surprising given how high gas prices have gone. Nearly 60% of vehicle shoppers have changed their buying behavior based on gas prices, while 43% say they will seriously consider a more fuel efficient car if gas prices go up even 25 cents more.

That's 11 percent more than just last month.

High gas prices are really beginning to affect the way people act and buy. But it's not over yet. U.S. Energy Secretary Sam Bodman said on Monday he is concerned that average U.S. gasoline pump prices could hit $3.50 a gallon this summer. He wasn't all that certain whether we would hit $4 a gallon. Current averages have us at $3.29, so even if we hit the lower mark of $3.50, that puts us up above the limit set in the KBB survey.

Press Release Follows

IRVINE, Calif., April 8, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the latest
Kelley Blue Book Marketing Research study (http://www.kbb.com), an
increasing number of consumers say their purchasing behavior has shifted
and will continue to change significantly if gas prices continue to rise.
The latest 2008 results revealed that nearly 60 percent of vehicle shoppers
say gas prices have changed their minds or strongly influenced their
purchase decisions. Furthermore, 43 percent indicated they would seriously
consider a more fuel-efficient vehicle if gas prices were to swell an
additional 25 cents above current levels. Both measures are up 11 points
from the previous month's Kelley Blue Book Marketing Research study.

With average gas prices jumping from $2.97 to $3.27 in March, there is
ample reason to see why consumer attitudes are shifting. While the vast
majority of shoppers are indicating an alteration in their purchasing
behaviors, only 25 percent still have no intentions in changing their
behaviors, compared to 34 percent in February. The results also showed
consumers considerably more interested in all the various alternative fuel
technologies for fuel economy benefits and less for environmental reasons.

"The cost of gasoline is continually hitting new record highs, forcing
consumers to reevaluate their spending," said Jack R. Nerad, executive
editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and
kbb.com. "This study shows just how many are willing to make better
economic choices in order to save money and increase fuel efficiency. More
fuel efficient models are available on the market and now consumers have
that choice."

The latest Kelley Blue Book Marketing Research study was conducted on
Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com among 1,100 in-market new-vehicle shoppers
during March 2008.

Top 10 Myths About Hybrid Cars

Hybrid cars have become synonymous with a lot of things lately. Love them or hate them, it seems everyone has an opinion on what they are, what they should be and what they are going to be in the future. Surprisingly, and despite all the talk, there are still a lot of people who think that hybrid cars run on electricity alone, or that they cause more pollution than a Hummer.

I'd like to recap some of the biggest myths surrounding hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and, hopefully, at the same time tell you something you didn't know about these cars.

First, the basics you need to know in order to understand what I'm saying below. If you have more than a basic understanding about hybrid cars, please skip ahead to the myths below.

Modern day hybrid electric vehicles are powered by two different engines. The first is an electric motor powered by a battery pack and the second is an internal combustion engine (ICE) that runs on gasoline. The battery pack is recharged in one of two ways, by regenerative braking and/or by the gasoline engine. They all have start-stop capability (the gas engine can shut off when the car stops), and when you start the car, the gas engine may not even come on.

Myth #1: All Hybrid Cars Are ____
But hybrid cars are not all the same. There are currently over a dozen hybrid cars on the market, with more on the way. This includes the Ford Escape Hybrid, Mercury Mariner Hybrid, Mazda Tribute Hybrid (soon), Nissan Altima Hybrid, Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Lexus RX 400h, Lexus GS 450h, Lexus LS 600h L, Honda Accord Hybrid (retired), Honda Insight (retired), Honda Civic Hybrid, GMC Yukon Hybrid, Chevy Tahoe Hybrid, Saturn Vue Green Line, and Saturn Aura Green Line.

There were a couple of (mild) hybrid trucks available from GM, but they are retired. GM will be bringing back full hybrid version (ex: Sierra Hybrid) using their dual mode hybrid system, plus the Escalade Hybrid. Meanwhile Chrysler is bringing a hemi-hybrid to market, and Honda is promising a global hybrid that they believe will be a Prius killer.

A lot of companies are experimenting with diesel hybrids (although, so far, no one seems willing to double the cost premium and bring one to market) and the larger companies are testing plug-in hybrid cars.

While some hybrid cars can be moved at slower speeds on electric power alone, no gas is used at all (called full hybrids), others cannot move at all without the gas engine running (called mild or assist hybrids). Some are built for fuel economy, others were built for performance. Some have been wildly successful (see the Prius), while others have failed (see the Honda Accord Hybrid and the Insight). Some are large (see the GMC Yukon Hybrid) while others are small (see the Honda Civic Hybrid). There are hybrid SUVs, hybrid trucks, and hybrid sedans out there. Some have large battery packs, while others have small ones.

At the end of the day, you need to investigate each one and see what it is capable of. If someone starts talking about how hybrid cars don't improve fuel economy, for example look at the Honda Accord Hybrid (I've seen a lot of stories that take this premise over the years), you need to look closer than that.

Also, each driver is different. While some hybrid drivers are very careful about how they drive and try to maximize their fuel economy (hypermilers), others simply assume the hybrid engine will do the work for them. There is a myth that hybrid drivers are smug about what they are doing. People see them driving slowly in the right hand lane, or driving alone in the HOV lane and assume they are showing off. They also assume that hybrid cars can't break 100 mph.

But hybrid car owners are no better or worse than anyone else. Despite the myth, they still get caught speeding, they do get tickets (see the image, supplied sfjim123 by flickr who says the picture was taken in SF and the driver is a scofflaw who hasn't paid for at least five tickets, thus the boot.)

I admit it, I'm always surprised when I see a Prius pass me going 80+ on the highway. But I shouldn't be. Nor should I be surprised when I see someone suing the car makers for lying about what kind of fuel economy they are getting. Each driver is different and each person will get different mpg numbers.

Each hybrid car and each driver is different and should be treated that way. It doesn't make my life easier since I write about them so much, but there is a lot of diversity out there.

Myth #2: Hybrid Cars Need to be Plugged In
This one is surprising to still see, and yet not surprising at the same time. Hybrid electric cars do not need to be plugged in. The problem, however, is the next generation of hybrid electric cars, called plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) will need to be plugged in.

So this one is a myth and not a myth at the same time.

Every time I see a story on how you need to plug in cars overnight, I sort of cringe at the bad reporting. There are no publicly available PHEVs on the road right now. There are test vehicles, out there from the car makers, because the time is coming when they will be available to the general public (as soon as 2009 for the Saturn Vue plug-in, for instance). But they are not out there now.

It's understandable why people believe this one. All of our electronic gadgets need to be plugged in, from cell phones to iPods to laptops. And everyone keeps talking about those battery packs and how similar they are to what you already have. But as of right now, they don't get plugged in, and you don't even have the option to do so.

Myth #3: The Battery Pack Wears Out / Needs to be Replaced in 5, 6, 8 or 10 Years
This one is harder to refute and yet it is still a myth. We have been conditioned by our personal gadgets, again those laptops and iPods and cell phones, to expect the battery will need to be replaced. We just expect it to happen.

But the truth is different.

Hybrid cars were designed differently. The battery packs are actually controlled by the computer to stay within a certain charge level. By keeping it from becoming too full and from being depleted, the battery packs are able to last 'the lifetime' of a car. What that lifetime is still uncertain.

There are no massive returns on hybrid car battery packs. Yes, there has been a recall, there have been exceptions to the rule where the battery pack just won't hold a charge in a single vehicle, but these have been exceptions to the rule. And in every case that I've heard about, the hybrid system, including the battery pack, has still been under warranty. Which means we still don't really know how much it costs to replace the battery packs. A recent search on E-Bay (see the prior link) showed a used battery pack for the Prius cost around $1,000.

If you know of a real case where someone had to pay upfront for the cost of replacing a hybrid battery pack, please let me know about in the comments.

Myth #4: You Will Have to Pay $10,000 to Replace the Battery Pack in X Years
Similar to the Myth above, people assume the battery pack is going to need to be replaced, and at a high price. The truth is the hybrid system, including the battery pack, are supposed to last the lifetime of the car. But if it doesn't chances are very good the car company will replace the battery pack for you for free. The warranty of 100K or even 150K almost guarantees it.

This myth is a little more sinister in that it puts a downward pressure on the used hybrid car market. But so far, it has had little affect, as hybrid cars tend to retain their value even better than their all gas counterparts.

Myth #5: Hybrid Cars Are Worse For the Environment that Hummers
This myth comes from the CNW Marketing 'study' that declared Hummers use less energy in their life cycle (dust to dust) than the Prius. Slate recently debunked this one, so I won't go any farther into it.

But I did want to mention that, like the batteries in normal cars, most of a hybrid car battery pack is recyclable. Toyota even has a $200 bounty set for each pack for when it is sent in.

Myth #6: Hybrid Cars Don't Pollute / Don't run on Gasoline at All
Hybrid Electric Cars run by bringing two different hybrid sources together, electric and gasoline. While the electric motor doesn't emit anything, the gas engine does. Since the gas engine is needed less, the emissions are less. Some hybrid cars have won awards because they are so green, and the Prius and Civic Hybrid are usually right at the top of any 'green' list. But that doesn't mean they don't emit something (see image from Bjørnar Haveland via flickr who comments "Those things are supposed to be running on volts and amps, aren't they? Funny thing then, that it comes with the same wee plume of smoke as its carbon-fed colleagues. Hint: Even Priuses are only environmental-friendly if you keep them on an electric diet. ").

If emissions are important to you, you need to investigate the mpg. While the relationship isn't one-to-one, the emissions from a car are highly correlated with the mileage. As I mentioned before, each hybrid car (truck or SUV) is different and your mileage, and therefore your emissions, will vary.

Which brings me to a very important point. Just because it's a hybrid that doesn't mean it's going to have stupendous fuel economy. More and more people are coming to that conclusion, including government agencies. Which is why you are going to see more and more restrictions on hybrid car perks than we have in the past. Just having a hybrid doesn't mean you can enter the HOV lane or get free parking anymore.

Myth #7: Emergency Workers Are Getting Hurt When Hybrid Cars Are Involved in Accidents
This one is again hard to refute, because how do you prove that it hasn't happened? (If you've seen a story, please let me know about it).

Hybrid cars do have large battery packs inside, with high voltage wires that emergency workers need to be aware of. Car makers have made the battery shut itself off from the rest of the car when it is involved in an emergency.

They also need to be more aware that the car is a hybrid, because when it is stopped the gas engine may not be running even though the car is still on. First responders are being trained to be aware of these issues (you certainly don't want to cut through a high voltage wire if you need to cut someone out of a car), and you definitely don't want to assume a car engine is off when it really isn't.

But the truth is they are being trained on these issues. Just like they are being trained on avoiding cutting through air bags. I realize that emergency workers are very aware of all the things that can go wrong during a rescue, but as of right now, the precautions they and the car makers have made are working.

Myth #8: You Won't Get Your Money Back on the Premium
This is a hard one to understand. What other car out there do you wonder about getting your money back on? I guess it's understandable since you are paying more for that second engine and battery pack than you would for a single ICE, but it's still funny that only hybrids and diesels are held to this particular standard.

Be that as it may, the standard is there and it has been passed. I know it's hard to believe it because everyone does that initial calculation (if gas costs this much, and I drive this much, and my mileage is so and so, I'll save $XXX a year over buying this other car). Unfortunately, this is a very naive way of calculating how much a car is going to cost you.

By some estimates about half of a cars costs comes from the resale value. (Keep this in mind anytime you see a reporter talking about the hybrid premium. If he doesn't bring up resale costs, he's not giving you the whole story). And used hybrid cars are very hot for a lot of reasons. People are hoping to buy a used hybrid and start saving money on gasoline. That puts a lot of upwards pressure on the used car prices.

Another good percentage of how much a car costs to own is its reliability and its maintenance costs. Well, as I've already mentioned, the hybrid system including the electric motor and battery pack are covered under warranty for a very long time. They also require very little or no maintenance. That just leaves the gas engine and the rest of a car's normal maintenance. Comparably speaking, that should put you even.

But the truth is hybrids tend to be even more reliable than their gas only counterparts. They also cost less to maintain because you need to change the oil less and the brake pads last longer (the regenerative brakes take up some of the strain on the brake pads, which means they last longer). That means maintaining a hybrid car costs less.

Now this assumes you can avoid going to a dealership for maintenance, or at least have a great deal with them. If you end going to them all the time, your costs can escalate quickly.

Myth #9: Hybrid Car Interest in Waining/Waxing, Just Look at This Months Numbers
The truth is hybrid cars are very popular and gaining in popularity. All you have to do is look around at all the sites and the number of hybrid cars the car makers are bringing out to know that. But reporters need to talk about something and when they talk about popularity, they usually talk about sales numbers. The problem is they don't seem to want to investigate availability.

Hybrid cars are very popular right now, but they are still being limited in sales. Some car makers are still losing money on every hybrid car they sell (see Ford, GM, and Nissan), but they don't want to be seen as being not 'green' or not being innovative. So they are bringing the hybrid cars to their dealerships in low numbers.

Each hybrid car they sell may be at a loss.

But with enough time and enough sales, the economy of scale will take over and they will start making money off of them. Toyota is making money and I believe Honda is as well (it's not like I know for sure... I'm not part of any car companies and I haven't bothered to ask them if it's true). Mostly that's because they were so far ahead of the others in introducing hybrid cars, which means that the others will catch up.

In the meantime, car makers are trying to make up the difference by selling a lot of premium equipment (NAV units and other luxury items) as non-optional equipment. That way they won't lose as much money.

In the meantime, in general, hybrid car sales are limited by their availability numbers. That's not the case for every hybrid car (see my warning about the differences between each car above, plus the failure of the Honda Accord Hybrid), but it is true overall. That's why it's such a big deal that Toyota is expanding its ability make the Prius. Since one out of every two hybrids sold in the US is a Prius, where it goes, the market goes.

To get a real glimpse at how popular a car is relative to it's availability, you need to see the 'days to turn.' That tells you how long a car spends on the dealership lots before being sold. The Prius has been below the average, even though it's now one of the top 10 cars sold in the US. Which means the demand still isn't being met.

Myth #10: Hybrid Cars Have Only Been Around for About a Decade
This one is sort of a half myth. Modern hybrid cars have only been around for a decade or so. The rebirth of the hybrid car occurred when the first two modern hybrid cars, the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius, came out almost simultaneously.

But they weren't the first hybrid cars to ever be.

In fact, although it's not well known, gas engine and electric engines competed fiercely way back when the car was first invented for pre-eminence. Eventually gas engines won out through cost and power, but it wasn't a given. And hybrid electric engines were tried out (see the 1917 Woods Dual Power) and have been tried again whenever the cost of gas has become a real issue (see the plug-in hybrid car from GM in 1969).

Honda and Toyota may have begun a real revolution in how hybrid electric cars are made, but they just weren't the first to try.

Conclusion
So that's it. That's my top 10 myths on hybrid cars. This article is longer than I first anticipated, but I still feel like I've left out a lot. It seems I've learned quite a bit about hybrid cars over the past couple of years.

What do you think? Which one is the most annoying myth to you? Do you feel like I left something really important out? Leave a comment and let me know what you think about my list.

More Reliable Than Most

Consumer Reports has a couple of hybrid cars on their list of best used cars. CR included the Honda Civic Hybrid and the Toyota Prius on their list of the best of the best.

These two are part of their list of cars that have proven to be more reliable than the others over the years. Both models have performed well in CR road tests.

The lists on these pages are compiled from overall reliability data covering 1998-2007 models with above-average or much-below-average reliability. CR Good Bets and Bad Bets include only the models for which we have sufficient data for at least three model years. Models that were brand-new in 2006 or 2007 do not appear. Problems with the engine major, engine cooling, transmission major, and drive system were weighted more heavily than other problems.

One of the biggest factors in the cost to own a car comes from its price when you sell it. By appearing on this list, both the Prius and Civic Hybrid will continue to be good buys as new and used vehicles.

Hybrids, Smaller Cars and Crossovers Increase Sales in March

A 'seismic shift' has occurred in the vehicle marketplace according to some Ford executives. While the overall market fell 12% in March, it wasn't all bad news. Hybrid car sales increased by 10%.

Total U.S. light-vehicle sales in March dropped by 12.0 percent; sales for the first quarter fell 8.0 percent. But sales of small cars — from the Honda Fit to the Ford Focus — rose 3.6 percent during the first quarter, according to Ford Motor Co. The segment's share jumped by 2.1 percentage points to 17.8 percent of the total industry.

The downsizing trend can be seen elsewhere, too. Crossover sales are now almost double those of truck-based SUVs, Ford says. And sales of four-cylinder engines are spiking: Nearly 40 percent of vehicles purchased in March contained four cylinders, overtaking six cylinders and showing the highest monthly share since at least 2002, according to J.D. Power and Associates.

The end story: The Big Three are having to shift their priorities. From this point going forward, they're going to be pushing hard to develop smaller, more fuel efficient cars.

Ford recently conducted an experiment and in a computer simulation removed the steel from a Ford Focus, replacing it with aluminum. That dropped the weight by 1/3. At that point, a smaller engine was installed, and the car was capable of getting 50 mpg while still getting the same distance. But that's not really a practical choice.

The cost of an all-aluminum car could top $50,000—not a sum the typical economy-car buyer is willing to pay. "What's going to be the cost acceptance for this much improvement in fuel economy?" asks Dan Kapp, director of Ford's advanced engines and transmissions. "We don't know yet."

Volt Finishes Design Changes, Continues Extensive Battery Testing

GM continues to make the Chevy Volt, a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV)... excuse me, extended range electric vehicle (E-REV), ready for its late November deadline. The concept as designed, while it ignited the imaginations of many, was proven to be a disappointment when it entered the wind tunnels.

But that's all changed now as GM prepares for extensive road testing of the battery under Malibu hoods.

"After extensive aerodynamic testing of the Volt, the vehicle now has a coefficient of drag that is 30 percent lower than the original concept," said Ed Welburn, GM vice president, Global Design. "It’s not easy, but it is a necessity."

An interior redesign was also necessary.

"By having the battery in the middle, we were able to move the occupants apart and give them more space," said Tim Greig, interior design manager for the Chevrolet Volt. "We also shrink-wrapped the interior, particularly the doors, for comfort and spaciousness. There is no wasted space.

"Being an electric vehicle with a battery down the middle presented unique opportunities to our design team," he said. "The net result is a very creative and innovative design, appropriate for an electric vehicle."

Also very necessary given the size of the battery pack they are proposing. The battery pack is roughly 6 feet long (1.8 m) and weighs more than 375 pounds (170 kg). Making room for this monster couldn't have been easy, not when they wanted to keep the roof line low and aerodynamic. The quote on spacing for the passengers is a nice spin on what they had to do.

Press Release from GM follows:

WARREN, Mich. – Engineers at GM’s battery test facilities have developed a new computer algorithm to accelerate durability testing of the advanced lithium-ion batteries needed to power the Chevrolet Volt for up to 40 miles (64 km) of electric-only driving.

This advanced computer program duplicates real-life vehicle speed and cargo-carrying conditions, and compresses 10 years of comprehensive battery testing into the Volt’s brisk development schedule.

The battery cycling equipment is used around the clock in GM test facilities in Warren, Mich. and Mainz-Kastel, Germany. It charges and discharges power from the prototype batteries based on the Volt’s approximately 40-mile electric-only drive cycle. Results from this test data will help predict the long-term durability of the battery.

“Production timing of the Volt is directly related to our ability to predict how this battery will perform over the life of the vehicle. The challenge is predicting 10 years of battery life with just over two years of testing time,” said Frank Weber, global vehicle chief engineer, Chevrolet Volt and E-Flex systems. “The battery team is able to utilize human and technical resources around the globe to reduce testing time.”

Testing the batteries in the laboratory provides a predictable environment to compare technologies under controllable situations. The batteries will soon be integrated into “mule,” or test, vehicles with other E-Flex system components for on-road tests.

“Extensive analysis in our battery labs is an important step in proving this technology. We expect to further validate these batteries when they are integrated into engineering development vehicles,” said Weber. “The conditions in a vehicle – where the battery is exposed to shaking, moisture and rapidly changing temperature conditions – are much more extreme than the controlled settings of the lab.”

Vehicle engineering

Engineering an electric vehicle with a battery roughly 6 feet long (1.8 m) and weighing more than 375 pounds (170 kg) requires innovation. The T-shaped battery will be located down the center tunnel of the vehicle and under the rear seats. This integration requires the battery to be treated as part of the vehicle structure. Simulation data also indicates that the center placement provides greater protection to the battery.

“The battery is more than just an energy carrier; it’s a structural component that affects many other aspects of the vehicle,” said Weber. “It’s an integral part of the vehicle that interacts with the vehicle’s thermal and safety systems and chassis components.”

Engineering innovations are also required to maximize the Volt’s 40-mile electric-only range and minimize the use of its range-extending internal combustion engine. To reduce mass, the Volt is being engineered with a relatively small fuel tank. This reduces weight, but still provides a driving range in excess of 400 miles between fill-ups.

Designing the interior

The battery placement created interior design opportunities that led to several creative solutions that improve aerodynamics and overall comfort.

“We made a conscious decision to make the Volt a four-passenger vehicle to keep the roof low, an important aerodynamic enabler,” said Bob Boniface, design director, E-Flex. “As designers, we must be sensitive to the energy efficiency gains that can be achieved by optimizing aerodynamics, whether it’s occupant packaging or overall styling. This not only contributes to improved fuel economy or extended range, but can produce beautiful exterior body shapes and innovative interiors.”

The battery pushed the occupants outboard, or to the sides of the vehicle, so the design team had to get creative with the sections of the roof structure to enable aerodynamics and provide adequate head room. The interior will accommodate a 6-foot 2-inch (99 th percentile) male comfortably in the front and rear seats.

“By having the battery in the middle, we were able to move the occupants apart and give them more space,” said Tim Greig, interior design manager for the Chevrolet Volt. “We also shrink-wrapped the interior, particularly the doors, for comfort and spaciousness. There is no wasted space.

“Being an electric vehicle with a battery down the middle presented unique opportunities to our design team,” he said. “The net result is a very creative and innovative design, appropriate for an electric vehicle.”

Reducing drag

Aerodynamic drag, or wind resistance, accounts for about 20 percent of the energy consumed by an average vehicle, directly reducing fuel efficiency.

GM’s aerodynamics laboratory, located in Warren, is the center of expertise for optimizing airflow. In addition to fuel economy, range, emissions and acceleration are all affected by aerodynamic drag. The cooling of components like brakes is affected by airflow, as is cornering capability, crosswind response, directional stability and on-center handling. GM’s aero lab allows for the testing and development of each of these characteristics.

Aerodynamics development begins with a 1/3-scale model where basic shape and major features are defined. The model includes a highly detailed underbody and engine compartment. Radiator and under-hood cooling flow are developed with computational fluid dynamic models. Simultaneously, computation development takes place to determine the aerodynamic drag of design alternatives. Development continues with full-scale models, where shape is refined and optimized for low wind noise. The development process concludes with a vehicle prototype validation of the math-based analysis and physical testing.

“After extensive aerodynamic testing of the Volt, the vehicle now has a coefficient of drag that is 30 percent lower than the original concept,” said Ed Welburn, GM vice president, Global Design. “It’s not easy, but it is a necessity.”

The ongoing development of the Volt is just one part of GM’s commitment to displace petroleum use in the auto industry through a range of propulsion alternatives, including:

• GM is the leading producer of E85-capable biofuel vehicles, with more than 3 million on U.S. roads today. GM has committed to having 50 percent of annual sales volume E85-capable by 2012.
• By the end of 2008, GM is expected to offer more hybrid models (eight) in the United States than any other automaker.

• The Saturn Vue Green Line, Saturn Aura Green Line and Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid will feature GM’s mild hybrid technology.
• GM’s two-mode hybrid technology is available in the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and GMC Yukon Hybrid, and will be added later this year to the Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid and GMC Sierra Hybrid, delivering highly efficient performance and full functionality.
• Going into production later this year is the front-wheel-drive Saturn Vue Green Line 2 Mode Hybrid, expected to deliver up to a 50-percent improvement in combined city and highway fuel economy compared with the current non-hybrid Vue XR, based on current federal test procedures.

• Earlier this year, GM launched “Project Driveway,” the largest market test of fuel cell vehicles in the world, lending 100 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles to everyday drivers. GM engineers will analyze customer feedback and use it to develop the next generation of fuel cell vehicles.

Additionally, GM provides more vehicles that achieve 30 mpg on the highway than any other manufacturer in the U.S. market. GM is also a member of the U.S. Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), a group of global companies and non-governmental organizations that support an economy-wide, market-driven approach to reducing carbon emissions.

A New York Congestion Charge Faces Oppposition

Even though the New York city council passed a proposal to implement a congestion charge in New York, it will face opposition as it enters the Senate. The proposal passed the city council by a vote of 30-20.

Similar to the London congestion charge, drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. would pay $8 a day.

If the Senate does not pass the bill by April 7, New York would lose out on $350 million in federal money to help support the program. So, if the bill doesn't pass today, it will become that much harder to make it happen.

"The one thing they can’t do is walk away without a vote," said Mayor Bloomberg. "That would be, I think, unconscionable."

In London, hybrid cars, because of their lower emissions, are charged less for entering the zone. It's unclear whether there would be any exceptions to the rule in New York. Since implementing the zone, traffic is down 21% in the London zones. Traffic is down 15% in the western zones affecting Kensington and Westminster.

Hybrid Car Sales, March 2008

Hybrid car sales were way up in March, despite the 12% drop in the marketplace. Hybrid car sales increased by 10% over March 2007 for a total of 38,214 units sold. That does not include GM hybrid cars, because GM doesn't break out hybrid car sales.

Toyota Hybrid Car Sales for March 2008

Toyota hybrid sales were up about 11%. Prius sales were up slightly, while Camry Hybrid sales increased by 35%. Highlander Hybrid sales were down to 2,239 units sold. As usual, Prius sales alone accounted for half of all hybrid car sales in the US at 20,635. The next closest competitor was the Camry Hybrid.

Lexus sales were mixed, with an increase in RX 400h, but a decrease in GS 450h. Lexus sold 113 of the newly introduced LS 600h L.

Honda Hybrid Car Sales for March 2008

Honda Civic Hybrid sales were up by 34% making it the third most popular hybrid, while Accord Hybrid sales were down by 86%. The Accord Hybrid has been retired, so sales keep dropping until the inventory has been run through. Honda is hoping to really increase sales in a couple of years by introducing a Global Hybrid, what some Honda supporters are calling a Prius killer. In the meantime, Honda hybrid sales were up 20% overall.

Ford and Nissan Hybrid Car Sales for March 2008

Ford hybrid car sales dropped 20% on their Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid. But Nissan increased sales of their Altima Hybrid by 80%, although sales are still very limited. Nissan is still restricting sales to only eight states.

Make	Model	Mar-07	Mar-08	% Change
Honda	Accord	385	53	-86%
Honda	Civic	2,813	3,769	34%
Honda	Insight	1	0	-100%
Toyota	Prius	19,156	20,635	8%
Toyota	Highlander	2,501	2,239	-10%
Toyota	Camry	5,144	6,930	35%
Toyota	GS 450h	181	65	-64%
Toyota	RX 400h	1,471	1,570	7%
Toyota	LS600hL	0	113	-
Ford	Escape/Mariner	2,523	2,008	-20%
Nissan	Altima	462	832	80%
Total		34637	38214	10%
Make	Model	Cumulative, 2006	Cumulative, 2007	% Change
Honda	Accord	945	143	-85%
Honda	Civic	6520	7322	12%
Honda	Insight	1	0	-100%
Toyota	Prius	39682	42909	8%
Toyota	Highlander	6203	6320	2%
Toyota	Camry	11277	14801	31%
Toyota	GS 450h	508	206	-59%
Toyota	RX 400h	3965	3929	-1%
Toyota	LS600hL	0	330	-
Ford	Escape/Mariner	5457	5225	-4%
Nissan	Altima	668	1834	175%
Total		75226	83019	10%

Update: GM Hybrid Car Sales for March, 2008

Although GM doesn't break out their numbers, I found a source (via ABG) for how many they have sold through the quarter (843) and how many just this month (577). About 450 were Yukons and Tahoe Hybrids. That makes sense since they have been on pace to sell around 100 Aura and Vue Hybrids (mild version) each month.

There are questions about whether the low numbers so far reflect demand or if they reflect supply. Only time will tell if more people will be interested in paying $50,000 for a hybrid SUV.

Diesel BMW vs Prius, Who Wins?

Comparing diesel to hybrids can be a tricky business. Both types of cars rely on different technology from the norm, but in the coming years, we're going to start hearing more and more about the differences between the two. Hybrid technology has been popular so far in the US, but diesels have become the norm in Europe.

Now that car makers are able to build diesel cars capable of passing the test here in the US, we should start seeing more and more of them available to buy and we should start seeing them grab market share. Consumers are looking for alternatives to plain old gas, especially as the prices climb.

London’s Sunday Times ran a comparison drive with a Toyota Prius and a diesel-powered BMW 5-Series sedan. The BMW 520d had a 2.0-liter diesel engine and regenerative braking (but no heavy duty hybrid features). Instead, it relies on Efficient Dynamics, a term covering several factors to improve fuel efficiency by BMW. These include a smaller engine, better aerodynamics, low rolling resistance tires and a mpg readout on the dashboard.

Both cars were run over a 545 mile trip from London to Geneva (100 miles in strict urban running).

The BMW 520d with Efficient Dynamics came out on top, beating the Prius by 2.2 imperial mpg (about 1.8 mpg US), despite 573 extra pounds of weight.

Although the Prius would have done a lot better if they had done more urban driving rather than 200 miles of autoroute, that doesn't really matter in the long run. If the Prius had edged out the 520d by a few mpg, I would still call it a wash.

A couple more interesting notes about the test: At one point the Prius ran out of gas and the driver actually continued to drive for 2 miles on electric power alone. This is not exactly the best way to drive a hybrid and, in a long 'race,' get good gas mileage.

the petrol engine stopped and for two surreal miles I coasted along on battery power. Only when I approached a long steep uphill stretch did I finally drift to a halt. As I filled the tank I consoled myself with my last chocolate bar.

~from Sunday Times

Some other notes, direct from the Toyota blog, focus in on cost to own. The fact that the BMW is obviously more expensive than the Prius is a silly comparison to make. People buy cars based on what they can afford. And it's not like the Prius comes in at bargain basement prices.

But they do make a good point that the difference in the results aren't all that much, and given the similar prices in diesel and gas, the end cost for fuel was about the same.

But more importantly to some, the emissions are quite different. The Prius is rated at 32 g/km less than the BMW. Other emission comparisons go even worse for the Beemer.

Beyond costs, the Times failed to address the vastly superior performance of the Prius on emissions other than CO2 – you know, those things like particulates and oxides of nitrogen that cause human health issues. Here the Prius shines, with a quarter the particulate level and less than a 10th the NOx of the BMW.

~ from Toyota Blog

We need to become more aware of the differences between diesel and hybrid cars, especially as the EPA begins awarding grants to help clean up old diesels, and new diesels come to market with new, cleaner, engines.

And if cost to drive (i.e. how much you pay for gas/diesel) is important, you may want to start taking a look at all the truck drivers and their complaints and demonstrations against the high cost of diesel.

Diesels do have their advantages, including higher mpg than gas cars. But that is not the end of the story.

How Much Do Battery Packs Cost?

One big question that comes up time and again is how much will it cost to replace the battery pack once it dies.

Well, first of all, the chances of you owning the car when the battery pack dies is very small. These systems are designed to survive the life of the car. They are guaranteed to last 80K, 100K or 150K depending on the carmaker/state that you live in. But, still, people are worried about it.

Now, I don't know what the dealership would actually charge you if it came down to it (you were past the guarantee, the marketing department wouldn't pay the tab, etc...), but I have seen people quote anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 depending on the model and make. But then, there's always the E-Bay option.

When I did a search for hybrid car battery packs at E-Bay. I found two different Prius battery packs for $900 and $1100 each. Each was particular to a model year and there's no telling how long either has been out of the car and not being charged. So buying on E-bay is definitely 'buyer beware' territory. But it does give us an idea about what the going rate is.

Saturn Hybrid Sales Suffer From Recall, Lack of Production

Saturn is suffering when it comes to hybrid car sales. Despite accounting for 10% of all Vue sales, for example, when they are only selling 100 or so hybrid cars a month, that can hardly be called a successful campaign.

Mostly, sales have suffered because people aren't willing to pay $1,000 more for a car that only improves their fuel economy by 1 or 2 mpg. They want the wow factor (alright, I want the wow factor, but I don't think I'm alone in that).

Another part of the problem they are having recently is a recall they had to issue on their Saturn Vue Green Line. It seems the batteries they had installed weren't holding a charge. Which means they needed to install new batteries. The batteries had to come from somewhere, so that slowed down the 2008 Vue battery supply.

But good news is on the way, as the Vue experiment continues to evolve. The next generation of Vue hybrids will come with the dual-mode hybrid system. Since it's a full hybrid, unlike the previous generation, it will see a nice increase in fuel economy. It will also need different battery packs, so it won't be slowed down by the issues facing the mild 2008 version.

Saturn is planning on boosting output of the Vue dual mode.

After that, we'll see a plug-in version of the Vue in 2009.

Source: KickingTires: Hybrid Demand Staying Strong

Cambridge Gets Donation From Whole Foods to Outfit Hybrid Cabs

The city of Cambridge is getting a gift from Whole Foods Market. By donating $30,000, the supermarket chain is helping the town switch taxicabs to hybrid cars.

This may be a great move for the local License Commission and may be a template for other cities and towns to follow. By gaining corporate sponsorship, Cambridge has avoided the biggest problem with switching taxis to hybrids, the upfront cost.

When a Crown Victoria cab, fully outfitted for taxi service can cost 1/3 to 1/2 less than a fully equipped hybrid, it's not hard to understand why taxi cab owners are reluctant to switch over. The drivers may love the savings in fuel, but the owners still have to pay that up front cost.

It's also not hard to understand why Whole Foods would want their name attached to an environmental initiative like this.

The City of Cambridge will also be issuing grants of $10,000 each, from the sale of two medallions, to hackney owners who convert to hybrid vehicles.

Ambassador Brattle owns five of the six hybrid cabs in Cambridge and will have them on display in front of City Hall during a press conference to announce this new plan ... Classic Cab, which owns the sixth hybrid cab, will also be present.

Photo by That Other Paper from Flickr.

Saturn Donates Vue Green Line as Art

Saturn is donating the car pictured here to the Nature Conservancy of North Carolina. The 2008 Vue Green Line was painted by elementary school students in Charlotte, N.C..

Artwork from elementary school students in Charlotte, N.C., is reproduced on a 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line being donated by Saturn to The Nature Conservancy of North Carolina.

Photo by Saturn on Flickr.

Press Release Follows:

CHARLOTTE, NC — November 15, 2007 — The North Carolina Chapter of The Nature Conservancy accepted a brand-new, 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line hybrid crossover SUV today at the Charlotte International Auto Show. Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak handed the keys to Mike Horak, associate director of TNC’s North Carolina Chapter, on behalf of Saturn and General Motors.

The Vue Green Line hybrid, which boasts the highest highway fuel economy (32 mpg) of any SUV in the industry, will be used by Conservancy staff to travel to and from various projects throughout the state.

“Saturn is pleased to live its values by providing this Vue Green Line to the North Carolina Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and, in the process, raise the community’s awareness of our commitment to the environment,” said Lajdziak. “This is another example of GM’s ongoing global partnership with the Conservancy – a partnership that successfully demonstrates how a healthy economy and a healthy environment can go hand-in-hand.”

Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid
2008 Saturn Vue Hybrid donated to The Nature Conservancy © Saturn Communications

Since 1977, The Nature Conservancy’s North Carolina Chapter has sought to preserve the state’s natural diversity and has protected nearly 700,000 acres, from the Alligator National Wildlife Refuge to Grandfather Mountain. In North Carolina, it currently owns and manages more than 60 preserves encompassing more than 117,000 acres. Conservancy scientists and land stewards will use the donated Saturn Vue Green Line for land protection activities across the state.

“Given The Nature Conservancy’s mission to protect critical natural areas, it is important that we ‘walk the talk’ when it comes to the vehicles we drive. When we do need vehicles for our work, it only makes sense that we drive fuel-efficient models. Saturn’s donation of a new Vue Green Line hybrid will help us carry out our conservation mission and at the same time be good environmental stewards,” said Katherine Skinner, executive director of the North Carolina Chapter.

A compact, five-door crossover vehicle with European-inspired design and sporty ride and handling, the 2008 Saturn Vue is the latest Saturn model to showcase the brand’s new design character and intensified focus on driving characteristics. It also reinforces Saturn’s commitment to safety by offering a comprehensive list of safety-enhancing features.

The affordable hybrid system on the Vue Green Line combines sophisticated controls with an electric motor/generator mated to a 2.4L four-cylinder engine and a modified four-speed automatic transmission. The system saves fuel by providing an electric power assist during acceleration; shutting off the engine at idle; early fuel cut-off during deceleration and capturing energy through regenerative braking. This affordable hybrid system enables EPA estimated fuel economy of 25 mpg city and 32 mpg highway.

The Nature Conservancy and General Motors
In 1994, The Nature Conservancy and General Motors began a relationship that was unprecedented for both organizations because of its size and scope. General Motors was drawn to the Conservancy because its collaborative approach promotes a healthy economy and a healthy environment. It also generates innovative initiatives within local communities that preserve our landscapes, help local economies and save precious places around the world.

During the past 13 years GM has donated more than $10.3 million in cash and more than 180 vehicles to aid the often-rugged conservation work of The Nature Conservancy. GM’s funding supports many different projects within the Conservancy and GM’s donated vehicles are serving on preserves in all 50 states and in 20 other countries.

In addition, GM has provided more than $10 million to The Nature Conservancy to restore and protect about 30,000 acres of endangered land in the Atlantic Rainforest Restoration Project in Brazil. To date, GM’s total donation to the Conservancy totals more than $25 million.

GM employees also have been very generous. Through the employee-giving program, employees are allowed to donate a portion of their pay to The Nature Conservancy. Since 1998, GM employees have pledged and donated more than $1 million.

Press vs. Toyota, the Question is Why?

Over the past few days, as the argument between Press and Toyota has heated up, I kept asking myself why this would be a big deal? Why is Toyota pushing this so hard. Are they constrained by regulators somehow? Could they be in real legal trouble if it came to light that the Japanese government did fund their creation of the Prius?

Businessweek, the journal that started the whole controversy by publishing the comments by Press, has now addressed the issue. It's all about reputation.

Why is this question of direct investment by the Japanese government such a big issue?

There has been enormous tension between U.S. automakers and Toyota over gas-electric technology. The U.S. auto industry has spent billions of its own money, as well as government grants, pursuing electric cars that run on batteries, as well as those that run on hydrogen fuel cells.

U.S. automakers dismissed gas-electric hybrid systems in the 1990s, writing them off as too expensive and inefficient. Toyota, though, pressed the technology, turning the Prius into a sales and public relations phenomenon. Toyota is the world-wide leader in hybrid vehicle sales and, on the back of the Prius, is widely viewed by the public as the “greenest” car company in the industry. U.S. auto executives have long maintained the only reason Toyota was able to bring its hybrid vehicles to market without losing billions was because of government subsidies.

A large part of Toyota’s Prius narrative has been that it developed the system entirely on its own, and that it had no unfair advantage over Detroit. Press’s remarks to BusinessWeek contradicted that.

So, it's pride and business rep that Toyota is trying to protect. That's why they are pushing their message so hard. They developed the Prius and they did it on their own (can you see them pulling up their bootstraps/pants as I say that?)

Business Week does a good job of laying out the full story, including some previous quotes by Press (in front of Congress, no less) saying Toyota had developed the Prius internally.

Google.org in Favor of New CARB Rules

A lot of environmentalist groups and news media have criticized the recent move by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to cut back it's mandate to only 7,500 electric or fuel cell vehicles. But Google.org has posted a first response to the board's decision that comes out in favor of the new rules.

Source: RechargeIT Blog: California Air Resources Board Hearing on the ZEV Program

This post is just a first response to last week's hearing - please look for more information as we continue to sort out the details. Google.org is largely supportive of CARB's decision. CARB was right in increasing the floor of pure ZEVs -- battery electric and fuel cell vehicles -- compared to the Staff recommendations, by adding plug-in hybrids to to mix, and by revamping the entire ZEV Program. Next year CARB plans to vote on simplifying the ZEV program to focus it on pure ZEVs and plug-in hybrids for the 2015 model year and beyond, while moving the maturing technologies of regular hybrids and PZEVs to the Pavley II and LEV III programs.


The Outcome (in brief)
1. Decrease number of ZEVs by 70% to 7,500
2. Create a new category for PHEVs with 10 mile all electric range and require automakers sell 58,333
3. Create automaker credit transparency
4. Travel provision modifications made; we are not sure what they are yet
5. Overhaul ZEV Program after 2014

The RechargeIT program from google.org is studying plug-in vehicle technology, and given the mandate for plug-in cars, perhaps it's not surprising to see them coming out in favor of the new rules for selling vehicles in California.

Gas Prices are Changing the Way Americans Buy and Drive

Fuel economy seems to be the rule of the day when it comes to car buying and driving.

First, the driving:

For the first time since 1980, the total amount of miles that Americans are driving has dropped (Source: AAA via Christian Science Monitor via Treehugger. Image is from the CSM story and was produced by Wells Fargo Economics and Federal Highway Administration/Rich Clabaugh–STAFF)



And now, the buying:

And, despite the bad news coming from automakers about car sales in March (drop of 12%), hybrid, compact and crossover sales are the bright points. Hybrid Camry sales outpaced V6 Camry sales. Ford Edge Crossover sales were up 23.8%. Toyota had record months for the Prius and Yaris. Honda Civic Hybrid sales were up 34.0%.

Americans are starting to change their buying habits and driving habits in response to what they are paying for gas. And the increase in gas prices may not be over. Refiners are 'pulling back' on the production of gasoline, so gas prices could rise again over the spring. And that's if nothing out of the ordinary occurs.

NadaGuides is reporting a 96% increase in compact car segment, in what they feel is a direct response to gas prices. The company, a vehicle pricing and information website, said from January to March 2008, consumer interest in its mini-compact category increased 128 percent, while consumer interest in its sub-compact and compact categories increased 83 percent and 77 percent respectively.

Consumers increased their interest in the Mazda3 by 105%, the Toyota Yaris by 102% and the Honda Civic by 80% from January to March.

GM Finalizes Volt Design

After it was officially decided to go ahead with the Volt concept, GM placed it in a wind tunnel to test it's aerodynamic skills. Quipped Lutz, VP of GM, the Volt may have done better if it had been put in backwards.

So, it was back to the design board for the Volt. But according to Larry Burns, GM VP for research and development, the design has been finalized (Source: GM has final Volt design; battery still a challenge).

Burns cited difficulty fitting in the oversized battery pack ("the size of a linebacker"). So, the newly redesigned Volt will resemble the concept, but it won't be the same.

The article also quotes Burns as saying battery pack safety and energy density requirements have been settled, but endurance is still being tested.

Audi A4 Will Not Be a Hybrid

ABG has learned the Audi A4 will not be available as a hybrid in the U.S. Instead, Audi will concentrate on the diesel version.

Audi USA communications director Jeff Kuhlman explained that the cost of homologating the hybrid system on both vehicles would likely not be offset by anticipated sales of the hybrids. As a result of low volumes and the unfavorable exchange rate, the prices would be too high to make business sense. Instead Audi is planning to offer the A4 with the same 3.0l diesel V6 that is to be used in the Q7 and VW Touareg. That engine is already being certified and has economies of scale so that it makes business sense. At the same time it will provide a significant boost in fuel efficiency compared to the gas V6 that is also available.

And this is just after reports the Audi A7 would not be a hybrid. Are smaller companies capable of bringing newer more expensive technology to the market? GM is ready to lose money on the Volt just to prove they can do it. Ford, despite selling hybrids for years, is hoping to make a profit off them for the first time this year.

Diesel engines tend to be more expensive than gas only engines, but trying to bring both to market in the same car may be more than most companies can bear.

Press Misspoke About Government Funding the Prius

According to Toyota (see their blog, for instance), Jim Press 'misspoke' when he told BusinessWeek last week the Prius was 100% funded by the Japanese government. To quote: "The Japanese government paid for 100 percent of the development of the battery and hybrid system that went into the Toyota Prius."

Jim Press is a reliable source for most things Toyota. Before becoming Vice Chairman and President at Chrysler Corp., he worked for Toyota for 37 years.

But according to Toyota

The truth is that the development of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system, and the batteries that go with it, was accomplished entirely by Toyota’s in-house R&D and its partner, Panasonic EV, without outside support.

GM vice-president Lutz has said GM could have brought a hybrid to market at the same time as the Prius and that it was a mistake not to do so. That indicates to me that government funding was not a factor. So, I find it believable Honda and Toyota funded their hybrid cars (Insight and Prius) development on their own.

It does make me wonder what Press was talking about. Was he referring to the close relationship between the Japanese government and its top auto manufacturers? The issues surrounding the Yen? Who knows.

I wonder if Press will correct the quote or push back somehow.

Update: Chrysler issued a statement on the reply by Toyota.

Chrysler Statement on Hybrid Battery Development

There have been several news reports today concerning statements made by Chrysler LLC Vice Chairman and President Jim Press on battery development for hybrid vehicles. First of all, Press was not speaking negatively of Toyota.

In a recent interview, he referenced the close cooperation between the Japanese government and Japanese industry. He said the Japanese government strongly supported R & D (research and development) investment in battery development, and the Prius and other Japanese models benefited from that investment in industry.

He cited this as an example of cooperation between government and industry working together on public policy issues. He went on to say that he would like to see similar cooperation in the United States in order to find technological improvements that help give U.S. companies a competitive advantage.

Updated Again: Japanese Government Backs Toyota
The Japanese government has come out and backed up Toyota's claims. Although government rebates were offered to Prius buyers, no funding was made available to develop the Prius.

Sosuke Tanaka, an official at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, said there is no case in which Toyota got monetary aid for developing the Prius, according to ministry records.

"Toyota developed its own technology," he told The Associated Press. "So please talk to Toyota about research and development."

The government rebate is similar to the one offered in the U.S. It ended last year.

LA May Pull Back on Free Parking for Hybrid Cars

Councilman Bill Rosendahl has forced the free parking policy for hybrid cars back into committee, despite the City Council signing off on the ordinance last week. Rosendahl cited the lost revenue in a time of budget crunch for wanting to phase the program out.

"My hope would be to phase it out by the end of `08," Rosendahl said today. "We're in a budget crunch here, you know, as a city, and I think that the benefit that (the free parking) has already given has been felt and I'm looking forward to other motions going forward on electric vehicles and others."

City Councilwoman Wendy Greuel, was understandably confused by Rosendahl's push to retrieve the ordinance. The matter has been discussed several times since September of last year when they directed the dept of transportation to draft the extension on the ordinance.

To have it pulled back after it went out the door seems strange to me.

Source: L.A. makes U-turn on hybrid car perks - Press-Telegram

Photo from Flickr: pink_fish13

Congress Pushes for Some Answers From Oil Execs

Five US Oil Execs faced the Congressional Committee on Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, chaired by Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass) on why gas prices have climbed even as oil profits have increased and demand has lowered. (Watch the meeting live).

Source: Congress grills oil execs on pump prices | Reuters

"Given that the largest contributor to the cost of gasoline is crude oil, this has translated into record-high gasoline prices," Peter Robertson, vice chairman of Chevron, the second-biggest U.S. oil company behind Exxon, said in testimony.

Stephen Simon, senior vice president of Exxon Mobil, said punitive measures against U.S. oil companies would only strain supplies further.

"Imposing punitive taxes on American energy companies ... will discourage the sustained investments needed to continue safeguarding U.S. energy security," Simon said in testimony.

Meanwhile, Consumer Watchdog (formerly the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights) accused oil companies on squeezing refinery output in order to increase prices for profits.

"Even the big oil states of Louisiana and Texas, both rich in refineries, hit new price records today," said Judy Dugan, research director of the nonprofit, nonpartisan Consumer Watchdog and its OilWatchdog.org project. "Oil companies that have made record profits on oil at over $100 a barrel are now cutting gasoline output at the refinery level to push up their profits on the making of gasoline."

Markey called the hearing: "Drilling for Answers: Oil Company Profits, Runaway Prices and the Pursuit of Alternatives." Markey has supported removing $18 billion in tax breaks, and instead pushing for alternative energy sources such as wind or solar.

According to Markey, the House recently passed the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008, but President Bush and the top oil companies are currently fighting to defeat the measure in the Senate.

"This new gas price record is a perfect example of why we need these oil companies to go on the record with the American people to discuss our dangerous dependence on oil," said Markey. "These companies are defending billions in federal subsidies needed for renewable fuels and clean energy while reaping over a hundred billion dollars in profits in just the last year alone."

Solar Powered Hybrid KITT Series is Returning

The Knight Rider series will be back on this Fall with the same cast from the film, including several versions of the hybrid KITT. The solar powered Ford Mustang Hybrid, capable of getting 167 mpg, was a big hit in the Nielsen's so it's no surprise to see NBC looking to revive the series.

I saw this over at Edmunds and I had to laugh, since one of the reasons given for bringing the series back was to

... produce more original programming during the 2008-'09 season.

What they mean, however, is several series could end up sharing a timeslot so that when one went on hiatus, the other could take over, providing new shows all the time.

As of now, Justin Breuning and Deanna Russo will be returning. Val Kilmer will also be returning as the voice of KITT.