Do
mild hybrid vehicles make sense?
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Is
the Malibu hybrid worth the effort?
There was a time when I hated writing about mild hybrids,
but today that isn't the case. It isn't that I'm willing
to give much pen time to the mild side of hybrid
vehicles now, but at least I no longer hate mild
hybrids.
A few months ago I was able to drive the Chevy
Malibu hybrid, and I was completely impressed. Of
course, I was much more impressed with the new Malibu than
with the new Malibu's hybrid technology, which wasn't
really noticeable. In fact, GM could probably sell every
Malibu as a hybrid and no one would know the difference if
GM didn't say anything.
Of course, one thing would be different. Fuel economy
would be about 10 percent better, and that 10 percent fuel
economy more than pays for the hybrid technology powering
the mild Malibu hybrid.
Imagine if every automaker made every vehicle at least a
mild hybrid vehicle. A 10 percent improvement across
America's fleet would be a huge amount of oil. Moreover,
wouldn't those economies of scale push down the price of
mild hybrid technology considerably?
Add in low-resistance tires, lighter seats, and a bit
better aerodynamics - such as GM achieved with its dual
mode Yukon
hybrid, for example - and a 15 percent improvement
might be achievable.
Mild hybrids prove that huge decreases in US oil
consumption are possible, without rocket science-like
changes in auto technology, such as plug-in
hybrid vehicles. Not that plug-in hybrids shouldn't be
developed, but plug-in hybrids shouldn't be an excuse not
to be more fuel efficient today.
Fuel economy should be driving today's auto industry.
Unfortunately, despite public opinion polls, Americans
just aren't that moved by fuel economy. It just doesn't
matter, at least not until gas hits $4.00 or $5.00, and
that might not even be enough.
Americans just don't buy cars based on how those autos
will affect the world, we buy cars based on how our autos
make us look to the rest of the world. And, sadly, it
seems mild hybrids just don't provide enough bling-bling
to most American consumers.
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