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Hybrid
cars, trucks, and SUVs: All vehicles hybrid
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Tuesday, December 26, 2006Congress:
Flex-fuel plug-in hybrids, not flex-fuel guzzlers
There has been much buzz in the media regarding how the
Democratic control of Congress is going to help the green
revolution. While there is no doubt that Democrats will
pass more 'green' legislation than the previous Republican
Congress, there is still much cause for concern. For
example, "The politics surrounding environmental
issues have proved hard to predict, largely because the
potential economic impact of stronger regulation tends to
scramble partisan loyalties. Democrats from auto-making
states, for example, have fought efforts to mandate
stricter miles-per-gallon rules for vehicles." (more)
Currently, the top buzz words coming from the Democratic
agenda have largely been focused on global warming and
alternative fuels, especially ethanol.
Obviously, global warming is an important issue, but when
there are studies that indicate that far more global
warming pollution is caused by the livestock industry than
all the emissions from all forms of transportation
combined, one has to take pause. Of course we should make
cleaner automobiles; however, why is the smaller problem
the center of all the global warming attention?
Even worse, it seems the Democratic preferred answer to
global warming is ethanol. First, corn-based ethanol is
not very environmentally friendly. Yes, it might
be more environmentally friendly than petroleum, but is it
enough more? Without doubt, I say no. Second, ethanol is
also seen as a way to protect American automobile jobs,
but at what cost? I simply don't see how E85 Hummers,
Expeditions and Nitros are really an answer to global
warming, foreign oil dependency or American jobs - at
least in the long term.
Over the last several decades, almost every single advance
in fuel efficiency has only produced heavier and more
powerful vehicles - resulting in greater foreign oil
dependency and pollution. In order for America to truly
fight global warming and foreign oil dependency, while
protecting American jobs, very advanced technology will be
required - as fast as possible. The entire American
automobile psyche must evolve.
Of course, ethanol can help, particularly if it is used to
top off a flex-fuel plug-in hybrid vehicle that only needs
a few gallons of liquid fuel every month - if ever. Yet, I
have heard very little coming out of the Democratic camp
regarding hybrid
cars and real world legislation.
If America takes the slow road to advanced hybrid
technology, Toyota won't. Hyundai probably won't either.
And if you make it profitable for American automakers to
make E85 guzzlers, then you can expect to wait far longer
for American automakers to focus on flex-fuel plug-in
hybrids.
Ultimately, American automakers and American consumers
have to change dramatically, and that change will require
significant help from the government. Hopefully, Congress
will focus on the the future, not just today's political
pork and paybacks.
posted
by Dahcredyns at
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(More hybrid
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Hybrid
Cars Buying Guide: Which hybrid vehicle is best for you?
If you are not sure which hybrid vehicle best
meets your needs, use our Buyer's Guide (more)
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The
Toyota
Prius Hybrid
The hybrid car
leader at just $20,000?
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Simply
an unbelievable piece of automotive technology. Tax
credits for this hybrid vehicle have now been cut in half,
however, supply of this hybrid is up.
(more)
(test
drive)
--> Buying
a Toyota Prius Hybrid
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Toyota
Camry Hybrid
Top
selling Camry, as a hybrid
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A
hot, new hybrid vehicle from Toyota. This hybrid offers
excellent performance, fantastic fuel efficiency - and its
a Camry!
(more)
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Toyota
Highlander Hybrid
Great
performance and efficiency
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This
hybrid SUV from Toyota offers V6 performance with V4 fuel
economy. Hybrid credits for this Toyota have also been cut
in half.
(more)
>
Official
Highlander hybrid pricing
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Mercury
Mariner Hybrid Hybrid
The
hybrid drive is similar to the Escape hybrid, with Mercury
styling.
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The second
hybrid vehicle from Ford, the Mercury Mariner hybrid, will
only be offered in limited numbers through 2006. An elegant
and efficient hybrid!
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The
Ford
Escape Hybrid
The world's
first hybrid SUV.
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V6 power with V4 fuel efficiency, the
Escape
hybrid offers SUV functionality and environmental
awareness. The most fuel efficient full hybrid
vehicle.
(more)
(
test drive)
--> Buying
a Ford Escape Hybrid
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The
Honda
Accord Hybrid
Simply the best
Accord.
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Faster
than a conventional Accord, the hybrid Accord is the first
V6 hybrid. This is a hybrid vehicle built for the
highway and the open road, a performance hybrid.
(more)
(test
drive)
--> Buying
a Honda Accord Hybrid
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The
Honda
Civic Hybrid
The first
converted hybrid vehicle
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Now
in its second generation. It
looks
like a Civic, drives a Civic, but at 50 mpg it gets 40
percent better gas mileage than a regular Civic.
(more)
--> Buying
a Honda Civic Hybrid
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The
Lexus
RX400h Hybrid
The world's
most luxurious hybrid SUV.
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This hybrid is
a luxurious performer for those seeking to help the
environment
(more)
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One word: BlueTec
"Yes, with diesel there’s a 20 percent fuel economy improvement. There’s also a 20 percent increase in cost. And with the tough U.S. Bin 5 emissions requirements, it’s another 25 percent cost penalty, for an overall 45 percent cost increase for a 20 percent fuel improvement."
Bob Lutz to Forbes Magazine when asked about clean diesel.
I don't know whether that statement is completely accurate, but I would say it is at least partially accurate.
I have no problem with clean diesel, however, I don't believe fuel offers any real solution, I believe fuel efficient technology is the ultimate key.