CTV.ca

Going green in a time of gas guzzling: Busting hybrid car myths

By: Tiffany Quan, CTV.ca News

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew..._cars_051123/2


Just came across my Google Alert:

Stay informed and Please Post your Opinions:


Terry

 

Also, this just came in over Yahoo news. More fossil fuel for the global warming issue. There are always pro's and con's to this controversial subject. Thought it was slightly interesting.

Enjoy.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051124/...nce_warming_dc

 

As far as an article that claims to debunk hybrid myths goes, this one seems to be among the fairer that I've seen. Of course I think hybrid cars, when driven properly, attain excellent FE and thus save a lot of money, in contention with the first two points in the article. However, I will concede that hybrid technology is currently too expensive WRT other gas-saving models to be viable in only the economic aspect. One could get almost hybrid-like FE for probably less than 2/3 the price of a Prius or HCH in a non-hybrid compact.

Maybe after the recent surge in hybrid popularity takes full effect on public hybrid awareness, we'll stop getting the famous question "do you have to plug it in?" I've had some very smart classmates of mine that I respect very much ask me that question. My standard answer is "no, the batteries are charged through regenerative braking", even though the true answer is "no, but I sure WISH I could plug it in".

Edit: this is in reference to the article that Tigerhonaker posted in the first post.

 

Since you asked.

Myth #1: False. As I've stated several times, when it comes to the money issue; I bought the hybrid to save money, not the environment. As I've explained numerous times, I am doing both. I've calculated that I'm saving $2000 a year in fuel, $300 a year in insurance, by spending $4000 more to get the hybrid rather than conventional Escape. After a decade, I almost buy another FEH with the savings in fuel and insurance. Though, I will freely admit that my situation may not be the norm. (I got A plan on the FEH, and insurance may not go down with others.)

Myth #2 False. We all know why.

Myth #3, True, pretty good answer.

Myth #4, True, pretty good answer.

Myth #5, True, though sometimes I wonder about "Plug-In Envy". As discussed at the Ford FEH Experience, plug in added technology would boost EV capabilities, but add serious weight and even more tech to the vehicle, driving up cost and down hybrid MPGs.

Myth #6, True. Seems like the best answer there.

Myth #7, True. Good answer.

Myth #8, False. After reading and researching, it's now my belief that Ethanol Hybrids will be the future, and that Fuel Cells will just be a fad niche.

Overall, seems like a pretty decent article, it warns against false optimism, but still seems overly pessimistic.

 

Hmmm... The Media once again points at the idea that hybrid owners are too cheap to buy gas. Personally, I don't care if I ever make the fabled ROI. I'd simply rather give a big chunk of money to Honda all at once than smaller chunks to Exxon/Cheney/Iraq in bits and pieces.

Also, since when are NiMH batteries environmentally dangerous?

The author also fails to point out that hybrids aren't the only vehicles that don't get the EPA fuel economy. NO CAR GETS IT!

The author also failed to notice that the HCH gets pretty decent mileage for a mild hybrid, and the cost differential is closer to $3k, not $5k.

 

I agree with your first point completely AshenGrey. That's almost a direct quote by me from 2 months ago to several friends.

I agree with several other points made by others as well.

Myth #1 is the most fascinating to me. What I always enjoys about this type of calculation is they assume gasoline prices will stay static. Another thing is the use of the Honda hybrid/non-hybrid comparison. I think the savings per year go up dramtically for a CA HCH compared to his Canadian one (I don't really know about this for sure - maybe one of you knows)

Anyhow, IMO gasoline will be somewhere between $3.00 and $4.00 per gallon 18-24 months from now, if not sooner, for any number of reasons like higher Middle Eastern producer political instability and/or another supply shock like Katrina and/or continued demand by Asia's fast growing economies. Take your pick. Any 2 or all 3 to the high side. Asian demand is here whether we're ready or not.

That'll bust some myths!

 

NiMH batteries are less toxic than the conventional automotive lead-acid batteries used over the last century...

 

NiMH batteries are for all intents and purposes NON toxic, period. They're the only type of battery the EPA says is safe to dispose of in regular landfills, even. They don't even make that claim about the one-time use alkaline batteries that are tossed away in the trash by the millions every day!