The Hybrid Blog

The Dangers of Texting While Driving

This week, the state of New York joined 17 other states in signing a law that bans texting while driving for all drivers. As the crash and death rates continue to climb, and the evidence keeps mounting as to why it is necessary, there is a good chance that all states may soon join the ban. Texting while driving has come under fire increasingly, over the last couple of years, and many researchers, including the Ford Motor Company, believe it is right that it should.

The Problem with Texting

The problem with texting while driving is that it takes your eyes, and concentration, off the road and focuses it on your phone. Your mind is not equipped to split its attention between driving and typing a message. In fact, when the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute recently released a report on driving distractions, their study found that texting while driving made it more than 23 times more likely that you would be involved in a crash or near crash.

When you compare this with the 2.8 times increase in risk when dialing a cell phone and 1.3 times when talking on a cell phone, it really sheds new light on just how much more dangerous texting can be. In their conclusion, they recommended that a ban be placed on texting for all moving drivers.

The list of states that have already placed such texting bans on their books include Washington, Minnesota, Alaska, California, Colorado, and Oregon. Some states have signed such a bill into law and are waiting for it to take effect, while other states have placed the ban on teen drivers only.

While many states adopted the ban, each has placed their own twist on it. Penalties for the offense usually carry a small fine of roughly $20 to $50, depending upon how many times the person has been caught committing the offense. States also vary as to whether it is a primary or secondary offense. Because of this, those who regularly text and will be traveling to other states would be wise to research to see what the laws are in those states regarding text messaging while driving and cell phone usage.

Playing it Safe

There is no doubt that Americans have taken a liking to being able to text each other. In 2006 alone, it is reported that there were over 159 billion text messages sent, leaving one to wonder how many were exchanged while behind the wheel. In order to avoid traffic tickets, increases in your auto insurance, and an increase in your risk of being involved in a crash, always play it safe when it comes to texting.

If you must send or receive one at that moment, ask a passenger to do it, or pull over before proceeding with it. The one or two minutes that it takes to pull over may be a life saver.

Filed under: Thoughts

Honda hasn’t yet announced such a vehicle, but they should.  Rather than wait for Honda to make the announcement, I’ve decided to give my take on what the 09 CR-V Hybrid should be all about.  The opportunity is huge, and the potential ridiculous.  Read on to get the specs.

2009 Honda CR-V Hybrid Specs

• 125 HP 1.8 liter 4 cylinder engine
• 30 HP electric motor
• Combined 150 HP IMA System
• Curb weight: 3640 lbs
• EPA Ratings: 33 MPG city / 34 MPG highway

The Civic Hybrid ( the only other vehicle currently using Honda’s excellent IMA hybrid system ) gets a 60% city MPG boost and a 25% highway MPG boost over the gas only civic.  Translating those numbers over to the CR-V hybrid gets us a whopping 33 MPG city and 34 MPG highway.  Realistically those numbers are extremely conservative.  For the 09 CR-V hybrid I chose to use the Civic 1.8 liter engine, rather than the conventional 2.4 liter engine in the CR-V.  Why, you ask?  Well, the current 166 HP is an awful lot, and the CR-V has no problem getting up and going.  It has power to spare, without a doubt.  Using the smaller 1.8 liter engine will not reduce the power to a dangerous level, and it will improve efficiency.

Also, given the larger size of the CR-V, I accounted for a 50% larger battery pack ( reflected in the weight ), and a 50% more powerful electric motor.  A special lightweight, aerodynamic 16″ rim will replace the regular 17″ alloys as well.  Leaving out the sunroof will also help keep the weight increase in check.

Estimated pricing for the 2009 CR-V Hybrid will start at $27450.  That’s $4500 more than the CR-V EX – a reasonable premium given the huge MPG increase.  For comparison, the Escape Hybrid starts at $26,640.

To jump from 20 MPG city and 27 MPG highway all the way to 33 MPG city and 34 MPG highway is a huge feat.  The price jump of $4500 is just an estimate, but it could well be way too high.  As Honda builds more hybrids and begins to enjoy an economy of scale, IMA parts will begin to cost less.  Within a short time, the premium could be down as low as the $2500-$3000 range.  Honda – you’ve had a huge amount of success with the CR-V.  Don’t keep us waiting for a CR-V Hybrid.  I’d be in line to buy one as soon as you announce it.

Filed under: Honda

Want to buy a hybrid but need room for yourself and nine of your closes friends? Apparently you’re not the only one. The owner of the amazing vehicle to your left hacked up a Toyota Prius, added a middle seating area, and then put it all together. The result? A 10 seat hybrid limo, that reportedly still gets 50 MPG. How it accomplishes that with the weight gain, I’ll never know. Either way, kudos to this guy’s ingenuity.

Via Diesel Station.

Filed under: Prius

As, of course, does it’s twin the Tahoe Hybrid. Despite my skepticism, the EPA ratings proved quite good for a vehicle of this size – 21 MPG city / 22 MPG highway. Pay close attention to that city number – 21 MPG matches the EPA estimates for cars such as the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Altima – all equipped with a 4 cylinder engine.

Naturally the Yukon / Tahoe fall far short at highway speeds – 22 MPG vs the 30/31 for the popular 4 cylinder midsized sedans. But these numbers are truly impressive and that shouldn’t be marred in any way. Just take a look at conventional vs Hybrid EPA ratings:

Naturally these numbers pale in comparison to the most popular hybrids today – notably the Prius and Civic Hybrid. But for vehicles of this size, the numbers are quite impressive. Remember, some folks either need, or simply prefer vehicles this large – and the choice is theirs to make.

By now we know lots about the upcoming hybrid twins from GM – except for price. There have been rumors of a price premium as large as $10,000 – let’s hope that’s not the case. Time will tell, and I hope we’re pleasantly surprised.

Filed under: Tahoe Hybrid, Yukon Hybrid

This isn’t a post about the latest hybrid from Honda – rather, it’s about a hybrid that isn’t, but should be. One of the supposed benefits of Honda’s IMA hybrid system is the adaptability. Supposedly, the IMA system is easily adaptable to different vehicles, and it costs less to outfit these vehicles with the hybrid system. Why is it, then, that Toyota has far more models available with their more technologically advanced HSD than Honda has with their IMA?

The Honda CR-V is currently the bestselling SUV in America. A big part of the reason is that it gets excellent gas mileage, as far as SUV’s. go. 20 mpg city / 27 mpg highway is great for an SUV – but terrible compared to what it could be. If Honda would take the time to offer a CR-V Hybrid, mileage would far exceed that of the conventional version, and likely exceed that of the popular Ford Escape Hybrid. Shooting from the hip, I don’t think it would be unreasonable to see mileage ratings of 31 city / 34 highway for a CR-V Hybrid. That’s on the new EPA scale, so with caution those numbers could easily be exceeded.

A Hybrid CR-V would likely cost you an extra $3,000 or so, compared to a comparable gas-only CR-V. Even with the upcoming diminished federal tax credit, I would consider that a bargain. Currently Honda would only have to compete with the Ford Escape Hybrid and it’s clones. I think anyone would agree that the CR-V is a much, much nicer vehicle than the Escape – nothing against Ford – thems just the facts.

So come on Honda – step up and give us what we want – a hybrid CR-V. Beat Toyota at the hybrid game, and do it in style. After all, I don’t see any hybrid RAV4’s around, do you?

Filed under: Honda

The recently announced 2006-2007 Honda Civic Sedan recall does include hybrids, by the looks of things. If you’re a proud owner of an HCH-II, then you might want to keep any eye on your mailbox for a notice from Honda.

Filed under: Civic Hybrid, Honda

I was happy to see the announcement for the 2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid, though now I’m not so much.  It seems that the supply problem I was concerned with is a reality – there will only be 350 Mazda Tribute Hybrids available at launch, and every one will be sold in California.  The other 49 states will simply have to do without – and there is no ETA in site.

Filed under: Ford Hybrids

A reader wrote to me the other day with an interesting dilemma. Here’s the email I received :

Hi: I have attempted to contact Toyota regarding making our vehicle more
efficient. The car is much too powerful. My suggestion is being able to use
the battery power much more often. You are unable to not use the gas motor even
by gently touching the accelerator. When going over about 25 mph the gas motor
starts anyway. I suspect this is all programmable within the computer but have
been unable to speak to anyone. Suggestions? Thanks.

You make a good point – some hybrids are much more powerful than they need to be. A switch in software and tuning could yield less power, but greatly improved fuel economy. Why then, does Toyota fail to go this route? Unfortunately, the market as a whole dictates how vehicles will be configured. Most folks prefer power over fuel economy – even in a hybrid ( which is really silly when you get right down to it ). They want to get good gas mileage while still having endless power at their foot. In other words, having their cake and eating it too.

Why, then, doesn’t Toyota offer a software update for folks like yourself? Liability and cost, with little benefit. See, Toyota would gain nothing out of offering such an update. They would have to do the R&D and testing to make sure everything works properly, which would come out of their profits. They couldn’t sell you the update, and thus they wouldn’t make any money. As an added downside, there’s always additional potential for errors and flaws in the updated software, which could mean mechanical or electrical failures in your vehicle. Surely Toyota wouldn’t want that potential mess on their hands.

So while you personally would benefit from such an upgrade, Toyota wouldn’t. That’s why there’s about zero chance we’ll see anything of the sort, at least until some daring aftermarket company comes along.

Filed under: Highlander Hybrid

 Just yesterday I set a record for my trip to work, with 61.3 MPG.  This morning I nudged the bar higher, and achieved an impressive 62.9 MPG – my highest yet for my 7 mile trip to work in the morning.  To those who say hybrids aren’t capable of hitting the 2007 EPA estimates, I say Bah!  Not only are they capable of hitting the estimates, they’re very capable of beating them.  It’s all in how you drive.

Filed under: Civic Hybrid

The tax credits available on Toyota and Lexus hybrids will expire completely on September 30, 2007.  Currently they are at just 25% of their original value – a testament to their popularity.  Or rather, to the Prius’ popularity. 

Even though the tax credits are diminished, they are worth taking into account.  Currently the Prius offers a $787 tax credit.  That means that if you are in the market for a Prius, and take delivery after September 30th, it basically costs you $787 more than it would if you bought it now – certainly reason enough to buy sooner.  So if you’re considering a Toyota hybrid, be sure to pick it up before the end of the month.  You’ll be happy, and so will your local Toyota dealer.

Filed under: Tax Credit