Hybrid Cars

Total hybrid sales up 11.4 percent in October

2009-11-06T06:08:00.001-08:00

Fusion hybrid pushes Ford into second place

Sales of hybrid cars were up 11.4 percent in October compared to a year ago. Still, total market share was only 2.9 percent.

Once again, Toyota dominated the sale of hybrids with its sale's all-star, the 2010 Prius. The Prius moved 13,496 units, while the next closest competitor, the Honda Insight moved 1,739 units.

Despite the Insight's rank of second best selling hybrid in October, Ford still sold more hybrids overall than Honda.

Is there a hybrid for everyone?

2009-11-05T14:30:00.000-08:00

Have hybrids gone mainstream?

Today, consumers can find hybrid options for trucks, large SUVs, small SUVs, sedans and hatchbacks. So, is there a hybrid for everyone?

Today, 9 out of 10 of the most fuel efficient vehicles available in America are hybrids according to the government, and some believe that means hybrid vehicles have gone mainstream.

"This list proves that hybrids have gone mainstream," said Bo Saulsbury, who heads up the ratings project from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Environmental Sciences Division. "There's now a hybrid for everyone. The 32 hybrid models available in 2010 offer car buyers the choice of an SUV, passenger car, economy or luxury model, from almost every major automobile maker."

Still, hybrid vehicle sales represent only about 3 percent of total US auto sales. Is there really a hybrid for everyone?

Panasonic/Sanyo deal means cheaper Toyota hybrids?

2009-11-05T11:31:00.000-08:00

Where does lithium fit in?

Yesterday, Panasonic confirmed its acquisition plans for Sanyo, despite anti-trust worries regarding hybrid cars. As Panasonic and Sanyo are the two top dogs in the NiMH world of battery production, monopolistic concerns have dogged this deal for months.

However, to offset anti-trust issues, Panasonic is now going to pare back its partnership in Panasonic EV Energy from 40 percent to 20 percent, while Toyota will increase its share to 80 percent.

Minimally, it seems that will mean that Toyota will own even more of its battery solutions, while Panasonic will take on the NiMH production needs of other automakers, such as Honda, Ford and Peugeot, while scaling up plans for lithium production, including lithium batteries for Toyota's plug-in vehicles.

Will that affect the prices of Toyota's current hybrid cars? That sure seems a possibility.

Prius floor mat issue not an issue for 2010 Prius

2009-11-05T07:13:00.000-08:00

Time to remove your Prius floor mats?

Do Toyota vehicles have an acceleration problem? Currently, there isn't any evidence that a deeper mechanical problem exists in any Toyota vehicles in terms of sudden acceleration.

However, both Toyota and the NHTSA agree that removing the floor mats is a good idea until this issue is further resolved.

Nonetheless, this issue does not apply to the current 2010 Prius, but only second generation Prius hybrids from 2004 - 2009.

Top Ten Prius proves need for hybrid tax credits?

2009-11-04T11:16:00.000-08:00

Number 10

Despite some supply issues the Toyota Prius was the 10th best selling vehicle in the US in October according to the latest data.

Obviously, that proves conventional hybrid cars don't need new tax credits, right? Thus, tax credits should be reserved for larger battery-powered vehicles?

Why?

Wouldn't it be beneficial to get as many hybrids on the road as possible as quickly as possible? Likewise, might not tax credits for hybrids force other automakers to get serious about challenging the Prius in terms of hybrid sales?

Certainly, such a credit would hurt US automakers in the short term, but nothing breeds change like necessity. Besides, if plug-in hybrids are going anywhere, a lot more conventional hybrids are going to get there first, and both hybrid types can share battery technology.

Finally, even a little protectionism could be added to such a credit. For instance, make the credit available only for hybrids manufactured in America.

Luxurious fuel economy

2009-11-04T08:25:00.001-08:00

The Lexus 450h hybrid

Admit it, you're a snob. You drive only luxury vehicles. Just kidding.

Still, just because luxury cars are your vice doesn't mean that you can't embrace fuel economy, and this morning Cars.com has put forth their favorite ten fuel efficient luxury vehicles.

While hybrid cars don't dominate the list, they are the most fuel efficient selections on the list. The Lexus RX 450h ranked 6th and the Lexus HS 250h ranked 4th.

4G Toyota Prius: A smartphone on wheels

2009-11-03T19:54:00.000-08:00

The dash of the LTE Connected Prius

Here's a dashboard shot of the Alcatel-Lucent "LTE Connected Car," perhaps the world's most Internet-enabled, multimedia automobile.

Included inside this 2010 Toyota Prius are four touchscreens - two in the dash and two behind the front seats - that access numerous car features, as well as the Internet, numerous multi-media functions, etc. In all the LTE Prius offers more than 50 applications

"We wanted to show what is possible with next-generation mobile networks," Derek Kuhn, vice president of emerging technology, told TheStreet during a technology demo Tuesday in New York. The company has even described the tricked-out Prius as a "smartphone on wheels."

In a related story, Wired reported that while this vehicle is only a prototype, this technology should be available in the Prius within 3 years.

Toyota hybrid sales up 10.9 percent

2009-11-03T11:23:00.001-08:00

Led by the Prius

In October Toyota sold 18,757 hybrid vehicles, up 10.9 percent over the same period last year according to the company.

The Prius posted October sales of 13,496 units, up 10.3 percent over the year-ago month.

Interestingly, Toyota light truck sales were down 10 percent.

Is fuel efficiency coming back in vogue?

Sudden acceleration in Prius, other Toyota cars?

2009-11-03T08:23:00.001-08:00

Not a hybrid problem however

Since 2003 as many as 2000 Toyota owners have reported problems with sudden acceleration, including at least one Prius owner, reports ABC.

6 independent investigations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, however, have not found any problems with Toyota's vehicles that would cause sudden acceleration.

Toyota, on the other hand, speculates that a combination of driver error and loose floor mats is responsible.

Regardless, very interesting how ABC chose the Prius as the centerpiece to this story when the problem, if there is actually a problem, appears independent of Toyota's hybrid technology.

Toyota keeps natural gas hybrid idea alive

2009-11-03T07:57:00.000-08:00

Next job: Surfrider Foundation outreach

At SEMA Toyota is showing off a natural gas Toyota Camry hybrid that will be used by the Surfrider Foundation for various public outreach programs.

So, how will the CNG hybrid perform?

Basically everything is the same, except the fuel system was replaced with a natural gas system that does utilize a chunk of trunk space. Likewise, total horsepower drops to 170 hp from 187 hp. Range is 250+ miles.

I wonder when Boone is getting his?

NiMH hybrids a long way from dead

2009-11-02T13:54:00.000-08:00

Still the battery of choice for hybrids

Over the weekend it was reported that Sanyo will supply enough NiMH batteries for several tens of thousands of Peugeot hybrid vehicles per year beginning in 2011. While its not necessarily breaking news that Peugeot is going to develop hybrids - we've known that for some time - Peugeot's choice of battery is interesting.

For years, Ford has complained about a shortage of NiMH batteries. Yet, Ford is also supplied by Sanyo, as is Honda, and not long ago Honda indicated that it was going to significantly increase its production of hybrid cars. Combined with Ford and now Peugeot, its seems that Sanyo must be preparing for a serious uptick in NiMH production.

Likewise, Sanyo will also supply lithium-ion batteries to Toyota and Volkswagen.

Even more interesting, however, is the fact that Sanyo is coming under the control of Panasonic. For more than a decade Panasonic has partnered with Toyota to develop and produce NiMH batteries, a partnership that is now increasing NiMH production to more than 1,000,000 battery packs per year for Toyota alone.

Apparently, NiMH technology isn't dead yet, and Toyota seems extremely well positioned to benefit from this uptick in scale.

Trick or treat: Universal transmission to revolutionize hybrid vehicles?

2009-11-02T11:25:00.000-08:00

A way to make even a Hummer green?

VMT Technologies, with the assistance of BYU, is preparing to announce the development of a universal transmission that promises to revolutionize the auto industry.

According to a press release, the positively engaged, infinitely variable transmission (PE-IVT) should increase fuel economy by 10 - 20 percent in most vehicles, while offering even bigger gains in larger vehicles. Moreover, VMT believes its transmission is a perfect match for hybrid vehicles and other plug-ins.

Unfortunately, after doing some research, there is little evidence to take this claim, or company, very seriously as there is simply too little information available, although VMT promises to change that with a press conference November 4th.

Whether true or not, could the green revolution ripen into the next technology bubble much like the Internet bubble of a decade ago?

No super grid for PHEVs needed in many areas

2009-11-02T10:52:00.000-08:00

Ready for the plug-in revolution?

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about how one utility executive claimed that 3 - 5 plug-ins in one neighborhood could "overwhelm" the grid. Well, that's California. In other areas the situation is not so dire for plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Mike Ligett, director of emerging technology for Progress Energy Corp., which serves Florida and the Carolinas, recently stated, "People who want to build out a smart grid on the backs of electric transportation aren't doing us any favors. We do not need a smart grid to make this work. We have plenty of capacity; we have lots of off-peak energy."

Of course, is the energy clean? Likewise, should Floridians, for instance, have to suffer for California's utility problems? Then again, based on the sales of hybrid cars, plug-in success might be dependent upon California.

Aside from making the nation's grid more robust, a super grid might also enable clean solar energy from Florida or California to power Ohio in the winter. Or, wind energy in North Dakota could power West Virginia if CO2 sequestration can't clean coal efficiently.

Still, is a super grid about solutions, or the new - after big oil - big electric energy power trip?

Toyota Prius: 2,092 patents, but what about profits?

2009-11-02T08:13:00.001-08:00

Can the hybrid king make money?

So far this year, the Toyota Prius accounts for 47.5 percent of all hybrid vehicle sales. The next closet competitor, the Toyota Camry hybrid, comes in at 8.3 percent.

Still, is the Prius profitable, wonders a recent Investors Business Daily piece?

With strong sales and 2,092 patents, many analysts predicted that the third generation Prius would be very profitable. Of course, that was before pricing on the Honda Insight, currently the third best selling hybrid at 7.2 percent share, forced Toyota to lower Prius pricing to just $400 more than the second generation Prius.

However, even if the Prius and Toyota's hybrid cars are not as profitable as expected just yet, many analysts see profits just around the corner thanks to Toyota's "compulsive patenting", 12 years of battery R&D and its controlling share of Panasonic EV Energy, Toyota's main battery provider.

Higher gas prices good for Volt, but what about GM?

2009-10-30T08:52:00.000-07:00

When will it be profitable?

At a plug-in conference hosted by GM in Detroit last week, news of rising gas prices was seen as a good thing.

"Every penny added to the price of gas makes alternative power just a little more attractive," said Tony Posawatz, head of the Volt program. "If petroleum hit $150 a barrel and stays there, he and others agree, the low cost of electricity would make plug-ins fairly competitive on an operating cost basis."

So, what's good for the Chevy Volt is good for GM?

Let's say gas hits a sustained $150 per barrel and $4.00+ at the pump in 2011, during the first full year of Volt production. That would be good for GM? While such gas prices might make the Volt more competitive - after a $7500 tax credit - what about the Silverado, Traverse or Impala, for instance?

Today, GM's profits are not driven by fuel efficiency. Can the Chevy Cruze and a limited production Volt change the troubles GM felt during the gas spike of 2008?

It seems to me, what's good for the Volt is not good for GM, at least not any time soon. While higher gas prices might make the Volt more competitive, can higher gas prices really make GM more competitive and profitable without radical changes to their product lineup?

Funding change: $42,000 tax credit for the Tesla Roadster?

2009-10-29T09:56:00.000-07:00

But only in Colorado

The majority of American auto consumers, according to several studies, are interested in hybrid cars and plug-in vehicles. Unfortunately, however, most interested in such vehicles are not willing to pay much extra for those vehicles.

Thus, federal and local governments have created tax credits to help offset the extra costs of these vehicles.

The latest example is Colorado where state residents can receive a credit on their 2009 income taxes for up to 85% of the difference between the cost of an alternative fuel or hybrid vehicle. Consequently, Roadster consumers could save more than $42,000.

While I like the idea of this 85% credit, helping someone save $42,000 on a Tesla Roadster seems absolutely ridiculous. For $42,000 you could convince 14 Toyota Camry buyers to go hybrid with a $3000 tax credit. That seems like a lot more bang for the buck.

Anyway, today, most federal tax credits for purchasing hybrids and other clean vehicle technologies have expired. Still, the government is spending tens of billions of dollars to help automakers to become more efficient, while rolling out new CAFE rules.

Fine. But, if you really wanted an efficient, transparent plan for increasing US fuel economy, wouldn't several years of consumer tax credits for alternative vehicles be the best approach (since a gas tax probably has no chance)? Wouldn't that create the kind of competition that might actually force automakers to become, well, innovative?

Prius receives Popular Mechanics Excellence Award

2009-10-28T12:01:00.001-07:00

50+ mpg

Popular Mechanics has released their Automotive Excellence Awards and the Toyota Prius took the award for innovation and foresight in fuel efficiency.

Considering that the Prius is easily the most fuel efficient mass-produced vehicle sold in America, I guess the award isn't too much of a surprise.

Consumer Reports - Hybrids very reliable

2009-10-28T08:56:00.001-07:00

A big winner according to Consumer Reports

Looking for a safe family car? Then you might want to consider a number of hybrid cars, at least if you believe in Consumer Reports.

The Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius scored extremely well according CR, followed by the Ford Fusion hybrid, the Mercury Milan hybrid, the Toyota Camry hybrid, and the Nissan Altima hybrid.

Overall, Asian automakers are still the most reliable automakers, but Ford has made huge gains that put most of its products on par with the best of the best. Chrysler and GM, on the other hand, still have work to do.

$3.4 billion for the smart grid. Yawn?

2009-10-28T08:10:00.000-07:00

Just icing on the cake?

Yesterday, the President announced $3.4 billion in grants to help fix our "antiquated" electric grid.

"There's something big happening in America in terms of creating a clean-energy economy," Obama said.

Yet, I cannot help ask, is there really something big happening? In recent years, for instance, I've heard Al Gore put the cost of a new smart grid at $400 - $700 billion. So, $3.4 billion is a step, but not even a baby step.

Likewise, at the announcement many reporters noticed how energy inefficient was the President's motorcade, as members of the motorcade sat in large parked - but running - gas-guzzlers to avoid the Florida sunshine. Even for the President's clean-energy entourage, convenience and comfort trump clean energy.

And that's the case for 90-some percent of Americans as well. Is there any way to address that without selling America's future to China?

Prius versus Insight: A commuter's mileage challenge

2009-10-27T08:34:00.000-07:00

The hybrid commute according to Kicking Tires

For many urban commuters, hybrid cars provide an excellent tool for saving money at the gas pump. So, Kicking Tires decided to test the Toyota Prius versus the Honda Insight on the same urban commute.

On a 23 mile commute in traffic, the 2010 Toyota Prius averaged more than 58 mpg.

On the same commute, the 2010 Honda Insight averaged 44 mpg.

Ram hybrid still on track

2009-10-27T07:05:00.001-07:00

Diesel version on hold, but hybrid coming in 2010

Several years ago GM, Chrysler, BMW and Mercedes formed a partnership to develop a hybrid powertrain that many claimed would be superior to Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive.

Eventually, this dual mode hybrid powertrain was launched in a number of hybrid vehicles, such as the Chevy Tahoe hybrid and the Dodge Durango hybrid, but sales have never taken off. In fact, all of Chrysler's previous dual mode hybrids have been discontinued.

Nonetheless, Chrysler will take another stab at hybrids with the Dodge Ram hybrid due out in 2010. While the dual mode powertrain is a perfect hybrid powertrain for large trucks and SUVs, such as the Ram, it's upfront costs - as much as $10,000 - have resulted in few dual mode hybrid sales since its debut in 2007.

Gassy: Making sense of Fisker plug-in hype

2009-10-26T12:03:00.000-07:00

The Model T of the plug-in hybrid?

There has been a ton of news about Fisker Automotive in the last several days. I guess being connected to the VP of the US is a pretty smart move, especially when the government is doling out $50 billion in fuel efficient loans and other grants, etc. these days to automakers and suppliers.

Still, how important is Fisker, and it's plug-in hybrids, to America's automotive future?

As with Tesla, I respect Fisker's focus on fuel-efficient, technologically-advanced products, but we're still talking about luxury vehicles. I mean, how much has Porsche, Ferarri, etc. really driven the future of the gasoline-engined auto industry?

Of course, the plug-in future is different. New. One innovation could change everything. Nonetheless, the future of the plug is scale, or millions of sales every year.

After selling more than 2 million hybrid cars, Toyota's hybrid technology still hasn't scaled enough to be cost-effective for most consumers, but Fisker or Tesla can achieve scale via tens of thousands of luxury plug-in vehicle sales per year?

Or, perhaps these luxury plug-in automakers are simply using luxury plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles to bridge to $50,000 'economic' versions that can compete with a Chevy Volt, a plug-in Toyota Prius, or a Nissan Leaf, etc in 2015?

Maybe. Still, I cannot help but ask, is a new automaker really the missing part of the oil-free revolution, or is the real issue the cheap cost of petroleum - at least in terms of pump prices?

Honda going lighter, adding more hybrids

2009-10-26T08:13:00.000-07:00

To get lighter and smaller

Stop everything. That's the word around Honda these days.

Regardless of how far Honda's cars are in the development process, Honda is reviewing every vehicle with a new focus on making all of their vehicles cheaper and more fuel efficient. That means a focus on smaller and lighter vehicles, and adding hybrid technology to more of Honda's vehicles according to reports.

Study - Energy costs much more than consumers pay

2009-10-23T08:22:00.001-07:00

And plug-ins don't help much if coal-powered

Some great information coming out of the “Hidden Costs of Energy: Unpriced Consequences of Energy Production and Use” study completed by the National Research Council for Congress.

Essentially, America's energy paradigm costs Americans MUCH more than what we pay at the gas pump or in our utility bills. In 2005, for instance, America's 'hidden' costs of energy production added an extra $120 billion in health costs, not including "damages from climate change, harm to ecosystems, effects of some air pollutants such as mercury, and risks to national security, which the report examines but does not monetize."

So, in reality, the costs are even far greater, and converting to grid-powered plug-in vehicles is no quick fix, at least in terms of health costs.

"Electric vehicles and grid-dependent (plug-in) hybrid vehicles showed somewhat higher nonclimate damages than many other technologies for both 2005 and 2030. Operating these vehicles produces few or no emissions, but producing the electricity to power them currently relies heavily on fossil fuels; also, energy used in creating the battery and electric motor adds up to 20% to the manufacturing part of life-cycle damages."

Of course, if national security costs had been monetized, then some of these health costs would be negated.

Consequently, the reports suggests that, "major initiatives to further reduce other emissions, improve energy efficiency, or shift to a cleaner electricity-generating mix (e.g., renewables, natural gas, nuclear) could substantially reduce external effects’ damages, including those from grid-dependent hybrid and electric vehicles."

A few UM plug-in study thoughts

2009-10-22T09:02:00.000-07:00

Have automakers over-played the plug?

Like past studies, the University of Michigan plug-in study finds that a number of Americans, 42 percent in this study, are interested in plug-in vehicles. Of course, most of those interested are only willing to pay about $2,500 extra for a plug-in vehicle, which is also in line with most other studies.

The study also finds that foreign oil dependency is a much bigger plug-in adoption factor than is global warming.

Consequently, while there is a market for plug-in vehicles, there seems to be a far greater market for cost-effective, foreign-oil dependency-fighting solutions than what plug-in vehicles are going to address any time soon. For instance, other studies have suggested that as many as 80 percent of Americans are interested in hybrid cars, again, if the price is right.

Obviously, the price isn't right for most Americans today. Nor are there enough hybrid choices.

However, that will have to change if Toyota is to achieve its 30 percent hybrid sales goal by 2020. And, if they can achieve this goal, imagine how many potential plug-in hybrid consumers Toyota will have in its pipeline just as plug-ins start achieving scalability.

Some have called Toyota's plug-in plans "conservative". In reality, aren't Toyota's battery-powered vehicle plans not only more aggressive than every other automaker, but also more realistic?