http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/16/op...pagewanted=all

Opinions?

 

Ok I read the article and actually agree with many of the points. I don't think the writer understands the Prius all that well and do not agree with some of his/her statements on the Prius.

I totally agree that a 21mpg hybrid is for posers if all you are doing is carrying yourself around.

 

Check this out:

This GUY has something against us.

 

I thought it was a very fair article. It's better to live within walking or cycling distance of one's office than it is to drive a hybrid (or any other car) any distance in a commute.

I cycle to work 60% of the time.

 

While the tone of the article is somewhat that of hybrid-bashing, the points tend to be valid. Except the article violates some of its own points, such as making passing mention of comparing apples to apples and then giving an example comparing a Lexus hybrid SUV with a Corolla!).

I have never thought of the current HEV technology as anything more than a bridge between the gasoline-only power and integrated (and perhaps multiple) power sources of the future. I agree with the article that hybrids are not an automatic answer for everyone although I think we are nearing the point where most people will find a hybrid version of the vehicle style they want.

The article points out that most hybrids do better in the city and may not hold up to comparisons on the highway. (Sorry, Honda people, but the article is Prius biased.) Even its facts seem suspicious. A Prius getting only 40 mpg in the city? I get that with my FEH - and it is a much heavier vehicle.

And the article glosses over the principle that driving styles for a hybrid are different than for nonhybrids. Honda has demonstrated that hybrid technology can be configured for good city and even better highway mileage for those who want this. It can also be configured for muscle at the sacrifice of mileage for those who have this need.

 

Here's my take:
Honda's system doesn't run on battery power, it is an assist system.
Sure Civic II has an EV mode, but not like it's running on battery power.
Fuel economy comes from an efficiency-tweaked gasoline engine, and the lost performance is taken up by the electrics.
The author fails to reveal that fact.
Prius is obviously a different system.

First I heard of that one.
Perhaps he was confused with those EV stations?


So-called? What does that mean?


The author fails to point out that many hybrid SUV's do very well, and the fact that it is not hybrid-specific...most any conventional cars are more fuel-efficient than SUV's.
.
Escape Hybrid SUV averages about 31MPG, and up to almost 40MPG
https://www.greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/ford-es...
While the non-hybrid version is low 20's MPG.

Mariner hybrid SUV gets around 29MPG
https://www.greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/mercury-mariner.html" but as high as 33MPG.
Non-hybrid version gets around 22/26.

Sure, if you compare something like a base Civic DX to a HCH
Often the premium is less than $2,000

Sure the HCH doesn't have a fold down rear seat but wouldn't consider it "robbed". Wonder which space is robbed from Prius?
Paints a picture of large, obtrusive battery package

False. The Nimh batteries are non-toxic.

Honda's system make excellent highway cars.
Fails to mention it.
The ideal in-town car would be an EV, in my opinion.

He just spent 100% of his energy trashing hybirds now he endorses them for taxis. I think CNG is the way to go for busses today.

Look at the everyday hybrid MPG facts from real-life drivers:
https://www.greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/

Per tank potential from real-life daily drivers:
Accord hybrids almost 40MPG
Civic 1 hybrid almost 70MPG
Civic 2 Automatic transmission 60MPG
Insight 93MPG
Prius 72MPG

Overall the author only reveals potentially bad side, and none of the benefits.

Ideas?

 

One point I wholeheartedly agree on - if you are serious about being green make a lifestyle change. Stuff like get a more fuel efficient vehicle regardless of the powerplant. I've made similar remarks here and irritated some. Diet Cokes alone don't make you lose weight. Hybrids while driving bad won't make a lot of difference.

When I got my 2000 5-speed Insight, FE was in the low 50mpg. Morning work commutes are now about 75mpg, and last week it was 85 without really trying! I changed my driving.

 

They have them at a shopping center here in Savannah. There are also certain towns/cities that have free parking for hybrids when those with other vehicles have to pay.

 

He is a liar in the same sense D Cheney is liar. His statement about the Prius on a hy trip"the motor had to work so had that we calculated that we might have used less fuel with a conventional Corolla. "
See how it is done, just like Cheney or Clinton-they think they are soooo much smarter than everyone else. He didn't lie because of one little word-"MIGHT". . His intent is clear-to make the reader think that the Corolla beats the Prius in interstate driving. He is absolutely wrong-check CR- Prius =48mpg on their 150 mile trip-the Corolla =35mpg. Same story on hy Prius =50 Corolla=39.
I really hate it when someone uses wiggle words with the clear intention of misleading. You can't say they are outright liars even though their intention is to mislead.. Notice, he doesn't give any numbers fro this cross country trip in the Prius-more CS.
I really hate sneaky liars who don't lie. Give me a plain bald faced liar.Don't give me some CS who "I didn't lie" but still misleads.Thanks,Charlie

 

Take out the nonsense paragraph about the Prius (shame on him too for perpetuating that kind of junk) and I think this guy is spot on. Hybrid SUVs are obviously the better choice over their gas-only counterparts if you really need that kind of vehicle in the first place, so I won't say there isn't a place for them. For those that don't need them, I think the more courageous environmental decision is to make a lifestyle change into a smaller, more efficient vehicle (hybrid or not).

I think if the government really want's to get their subsidies right and do something meaningful for conservation, reward absolute MPG (hybrid or not), not whatever technology is getting it there.