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-->>Hybrid
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October 07, 2004
Numerous times, this site
has discussed the problems with oil and the oil economy,
while advocating for change, particularly in the way of hybrid
cars.
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Regularly, articles appear in the press claiming that
current oil problems aren't nearly as bad as they were
in the '70s. Supply outweighs demand, they tell us, and
all this will just blow over.
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Maybe, but how long will it be until the next oil
episode takes place?
Ultimately, higher oil prices won't affect just your
driving habits, but the warmth of your house. "The
tightness of the crude market has transferred itself to
products in the States and with winter ahead distillates
are beginning to give cause for genuine concern,"
said independent energy consultant Geoff Pyne in a
Reuters article by Barbara Lewis published today.
Additionally, David Robinson, deputy research director
at the International Monetary Fund warned on Thursday
that tight oil supplies could leave the global economy
very vulnerable for many years to come, adding, "I
do worry about the medium-term outlook, about the
sustained vulnerability to oil prices looking
forward."
Hybrid cars? Who cares Detroit continues to say.
While Ford is releasing the Ford
Escape Hybrid SUV this year, it is based on licensed
technology from Toyota's
Prius Hybrid Car. Overall, American companies are
just not part of the hybrid scene.
If everyone in America drove hybrid cars, our dependency
on oil could be reduced by roughly 30 percent - enough
to end foreign-oil dependency.
Of course this is an over-simplification of the issues.
Still, there is no reason to believe that oil and oil
problems, such as the Iraq Wars, are going to somehow
stabilize. On the contrary, things will probably get
worse before they get better, and without new
technology, things might not ever get better.
Unfortunately, corporate leadership in America is simply
not going to happen anytime soon.
In terms of automotive innovation, only Japan is leading
the way with hybrid cars. Already, Toyota has had to
increase production on its popular Prius Hybrid 3 times
in the last year, and is up to 100,000 cars per year.
Aside from numerous other offerings from Japan, Honda
will also be offering its Accord as an Accord
Hybrid Car.
America, and the world, simply cannot wait another
decade to resolve the inequities caused by the unfair
distribution of oil through the use of
yet-to-be-developed, clean fuel cells.
Now, as a transition to fuel cells, is the time for
hybrid cars. If Detroit wants to go down pandering to
its oil accomplices, then the Japanese are producing
cars - hybrid cars - which are more American than
anything American automakers are producing.
Hybrid
cars help bring freedom and real choice.
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