The Hybrid Blog

On the same trip to work that I got 56.1 MPG on the other day, I managed to hit an impressive 61.3 today. Remember, this is on a 7 mile drive ( very short ), and no A/C being used. Still, it’s the first time I’ve broken 60 MPG on that segment, and I thought it was noteworthy. The Honda Civic Hybrid still amazes me, and I feel like I’ve barely tapped the potential of what it can do.

I think this car is capable of 65 MPG on this trip, and it’s just a matter of time until I learn how to hit it. It’s a big balancing act between EV mode, coasting, and regen mode. Traffic and weather can cause issues of course, and thus the drive home is always lower on the MPG scale.

Filed under: Civic Hybrid

The title of this post is inflammatory, though I don’t intend it to be.  My focus today is on fuel economy, and the methods that different automakers are using to improve it.  Look at companies like Honda and Toyota – both have proven that hybrid technology, when used properly in an efficient setup, can improve fuel economy drastically.  They both produce compact hybrids that achieve fuel economy in the mid-high 40′s mpg – real world. 

What does Detroit have to offer?  No compact car hybrids at all – not one.  The only hybrid cars they offer are mild hybrids ( GM’s Saturn Aura Hybrid and Chevy Malibu Hybrid ).  These cars barely offer better fuel economy than their gas-only counterparts, and are certainly no match for Japan’s midsize hybrid offerings.  Ford does offer the Escape Hybrid ( and it’s Mercury Mariner twin ) – small SUV hybrids that I applaud.  They are the most fuel-efficient SUV’s in America, and excellent vehicles.  But nothing, at all, on the car front.  There’s no need to even look over at Chrysler, because they currently have no hybrid offerings.

Most of the Big 2.5′s focus has been on “flex-fuel”, or Ethanol E85 capable vehicles.  I’ve touched on my thoughts about that in my Ethanol vs Hybrids post, so I won’t go too in-depth there.  There is little to no demand for these vehicles, because they offer no tangible benefit to the consumer – none.  In fact, when used with E85, gas mileage suffers, so there is in fact a penalty for using these vehicles as designed.  Not so with a hybrid.

Japanese automakers are better than American automakers because they listen.  They listen to what the consumer is saying, and build what the consumer is asking for.  I have owned  several American cars in my time, but I don’t know when I’ll own another.  For the first time in a long time, there are two Japanese cars in my driveway ( two Hondas, one of which is a hybrid ).  Until Detroit starts listening, and builds a car that I want to buy, I’m not buying American.  I hope they wake up before too much longer, before they’re no longer relevant.

Filed under: Ramblings

There are some significant changes to the Highlander Hybrid for the 2008 model year – some of which are good, and some of which are not so good. First up is the pricing – a good thing. The base model will start at $33,700, which is $190 less than last year. The Limited starts at $39,950. Both trim levels come with the 3.3 liter V6 and AWD system standard – no more 2WD model available. This is a curious move, since an AWD system adds weight, which is the enemy of fuel economy.

For 2008 there are three rows of seats, along with a 4″ increase in length to keep the legroom reasonable. The 2008 HH is also wider and taller too – it’s a much larger vehicle all around. It had to be, with the recent RAV4 size increase.

The Highlander Hybrid is not an inexpensive vehicle at all – nearly $40 grand to get leather and all the goodies? Yikes. However, the only other hybrid SUV’s on the market today are the even more expensive Lexus RX400H, and the Ford triplets. For it’s size and equipment, the HH is probably priced about right. We should start seeing the 2008 Highlander Hybrid early next month – October 2007.

Filed under: Highlander Hybrid

Honda announced that they should hit the magic number of 60,000 hybrid sold sometime in the 4th quarter this year. What does it mean to you? Well, the full tax credit will end at the end of this calender year, and will quickly drop over the next year, until it is gone completely. If you’re in the market for a Honda Hybrid ( I strongly recommend the Civic Hybrid ), now would be the time. Well, at least before the end of the year. As long as you qualify, a tax credit is free money, and you shouldn’t pass it up. I’d recommend not waiting until the very end of the year, as there may be a rush on the Civic Hybrid, which could limit availability.

Filed under: Honda

Nissan announced pricing for the 2008 Altima Hybrid – and it only goes up by $80, to $25070 starting price. And of course, there’s still the $2350 tax credit that you may qualify for. Not bad overall for a model rated at 35 mpg city / 33 mpg highway ( remember, that’s on the new EPA model ). The only folks lucky enough to have access to the 2008 Altima Hybrid are those who live in the following states : California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. If you’re not in one of those states, you’re out of lucky, sorry.

Filed under: Altima Hybrid

I have a short 7 mile drive to work each day – generally not the best length of trip to achieve high gas mileage.  Not so in the Civic Hybrid.  In fact, on this short trip, I managed to pull off 56.1 MPG.  Granted this was early in the morning, so no A/C was needed, and I did drive a tad below the speed limit ( not excessively. )  I did drop in and out of EV Mode a few times, but I didn’t stay in long, as I didn’t want to drain the battery too far, and trigger a forced regen.

Towards the end of my trip, I was actually just over 60 MPG ( 61.2 to be exact ), but a trip to the drive-thru for breakfast brought me back down to 56.1.  Now I know the effect that a drive-thru can have on your mileage – out.  Looks like I’ll simply park and go inside next time.  Overall, I’m impressed – EPA on this car is 49 / 51 remember ( based on the 2007 estimates – they’re even lower for 2008 ).  A/C will, of course, cause my average to drop, and since I live in southern Texas, A/C is usually not an option.

Filed under: Civic Hybrid

 Steve Wozniak, yes, the co-founder of Apple, has joined Al Gore III in the Prius Hall of Shame.  See, both these folks have been caught going over 100 MPH in their Prius – something many folks didn’t even know was possible.  Steve was doing 104, which nearly beat out Gore III’s 105 MPH run.  As we all know, speed is the enemy of fuel economy, and going 100+ MPH pretty much defeats the purpose of owning a hybrid in the first place. 

The judge did end up whacking Mr. Wozniak with a $700 fine, which is approximately the equivalent of fining me eleven cents.  Oh well, at least he wasn’t going 100 in his Hummer.  Oh yea, he owns a Hummer too – quite the combo, indeed.

Perhaps I should start a Hybrid Hall of Shame….

Via LLN.

Filed under: Prius

Mazda is finally getting a hybrid version of the Tribute, which makes it the third hybrid SUV in Ford’s stable. The IRS has approved both the 2WD and 4WD versions for the federal tax credit, in the following amounts:

• $3000 – 2WD
• $2200 – 4WD

I’m glad to see that Mazda gets a hybrid, since both the Ford and Mercury versions have been selling well. It’s still a case of badge engineering though, which I strongly frown upon. Also, Ford is apparently having trouble meeting demand for the Escape and Mariner hybrids, so we can probably expect more of the same with the Tribute Hybrid.

EPA results aren’t in, but I expect them to be the same as the Escape Hybrid, which are 31 city / 29 highway / 30 overall. That, of course, makes it the most fuel-efficient SUV on the road today.

Filed under: Ford Hybrids

Since the EPA is adjusting it’s testing methods, and thus gas mileage ratings, for 2008, I thought it would be a good idea to list the old ratings vs the new for the most popular hybrids on the road today.  I’ve also included the gas versions for those vehicles that have a gas-only counterpart ( obviously there is none for the Prius. )  As you can see, mileage drops across the board, for gas only and hybrids alike.  While the hybrids get a larger drop in hard numbers, the percentages seem to be about the same across the board, give or take.

All those folks who complain now about being unable to reach the EPA estimates will no longer have any excuse.  The new EPA ratings should be attainable for even those folks who drive with little regard for fuel economy.  Those of us who drive carefully will blow the ratings away.

Filed under: EPA

After my last post about CAFE and Hybrids,  I really got to thinking about how the new CAFE standards will affect the American truck market.  Currently the average pickup truck buyer never uses the bed of his truck for anything besides groceries, or perhaps a bit of luggage on the way to the airport.  They also tend not to go offroad (unless the driveway counts as off-road).  By that reckoning, the average truck buyer would probably do better with a car – both in purchase cost and upkeep cost ( gas, maintenance, repairs, etc ), without sacrificing, well, anything.

If the CAFE standard does indeed get increased to 35 MPG, what changes will we see in trucks?  Here’s what I see changing:

• Truck downsizing – We’ll finally see the next generation of trucks actually get smaller, rather than larger.  Smaller = lighter = better fuel economy
• Engine downsizing – Let’s face it – 99% of truck buyers don’t need a 400 HP 6.0 liter V8.  A 250 HP V8 would do just fine, if they’d just drive a bit more conservatively.
• Diesels will rule – Diesels go farther on a gallon of fuel than a gas engine – period.  To hit the lofty CAFE numbers, we’ll start seeing diesels in light-duty full-size trucks, large SUV’s, midsize SUV’s & trucks, and perhaps even compact SUV’s.  Truck buyers love their power, and a diesel engine can give them the torque they crave, while still increasing fuel economy.
• Towing capacity will decrease – Very, very few folks need to tow 9,000+ lbs.  Those that do can learn to pony up for a 3/4 ton truck with a diesel.
• The compact pickup truck will return – Today the only compact truck on the market is the Ford Ranger – everything else is a “midsize” or larger.  Folks who really and truly need a small pickup can get by with just that – a small pickup.  A truck like this could be a great candidate for a 4 cylinder gas engine with a hybrid system.
• Body-on-frame SUV’s will die – Well, they won’t die, but they’ll become as rare as a 3 cylinder engine.
• Cylinder deactivation will become the norm – This technology isn’t expensive, and it does aid in highway fuel economy
• Prices won’t necessarily rise – Hybrid technology, lighter materials, and advanced technology cost more, sure.  But with the overall downsizing of these vehicles, I think the prices will even out, and we won’t see a widespread jump in truck & SUV prices.
• The “Macho Truck” look will be out – The “I’m bigger than you” look, so well embodied by the Dodge Ram, will fade into oblivion – but not for stigma reasons ( though that is a possible factor ).  Rather, aerodynamics will be a consideration in future truck designs.  The massive, flat front of the Ram cuts through the air like a large brick, and wind resistance kills gas mileage.

Smaller SUV’s will see a proliferation of hybrid technology.  The system has worked extremely well in the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid, that it’s bound to move across automaker’s lineups.  Diesels will supplant gas engines as the main choice for the larger vehicles ( though they will be smaller than we’re used to today ).  And no longer will we see 1/2 ton pickup trucks that can tow nine or ten thousand pounds.  The truck market will change, drastically, and for the better. 

Filed under: CAFE