Recent Comments:
GM delays introduction of next generation large trucks {Autoblog Green}
Jun 20th 2008 2:42AM Just yesterday GM's Bob Lutz has indicated that it's Volt will have to cost at least $ 40000 for GM to break even.This would mean that the Volt is going nowhere almost as fast as large trucks so I wonder how GM sees it's future at this point.
Porsche going way down market with VW Golf-based hatchback? {Autoblog Green}
Jun 6th 2008 2:20PM Wouldn't they get credit points for launching an all electric Tesla killer? It would be real easy to do. Just buy the Electric Lighnting car company and do a GM style badge engineering job.
Prius sales down 40% in May, tight supplies blamed {Autoblog Green}
Jun 4th 2008 1:55PM #6 peter: The Prius is not a midsized car but a compact. Modern compact cars should have no trouble doing 35 MPG so a hybrid like the Prius at 40 MPG is just a marginal more fuel efficient car than it's peers. The Prius may be a feel good vehicle but if you crunch the numbers there is really not much point to it.
Available now: Haynes Manual for the Toyota Prius {Autoblog Green}
Jun 2nd 2008 3:57PM If there really is a bidding craze going on on E bay for used prii it would be a typical case of mass hysteria. There is no point in paying a heavy premium for a hybrid that really is only marginally more fuel efficient than a similar sized regular vehicle. Funny thing is that the only reason these cars make sense economically is because everybody bought into Toyota's claims of great fuel economy and they retain their value so well as a result.
Hawaii Governor reports talks with Better Place {Autoblog Green}
May 22nd 2008 4:56PM Hawaii: DON'T DO IT!
Don't invest millions in a low current recharging grid and a cumbersome battery swapping scheme that will make electric motoring needlessly expensive! Until fast charging high density storage devices are available just go with plug-in hybrids like the Chevy Volt and avoid massive investments based on technology that will soon be outdated!
Motorcycle USA putting Vespanomics to the test {Autoblog Green}
May 16th 2008 4:17PM In addition to my previous remark
I own a 110 cc Yamaha Crypton too. This is basically a scooter model build in Indonesia for the third world market. Topspeed is only about 50 mph. But it will do a whopping 115 MPG! Like I said, it's all about low displacement (and low performance!).
Motorcycle USA putting Vespanomics to the test {Autoblog Green}
May 16th 2008 4:09PM My 1999 Honda NX 250 gets 70 MPG too.
I'm really kinda surprised that with modern technology like fuel injection these scooters are still no more economical than my little stone age Honda. 70 mpg is not a big deal. It's what you get when you use a low displacement (and low performance!) engine.
VIDEO: San Francisco mayor in talks with Project Better Place {Autoblog Green}
May 14th 2008 4:03PM Don't think PBP is a good thing!
EV's should be about low running costs. They require little maintenance and recharging your batteries should be cheap. PBP's goal is to stop this dream from coming true. It want's you to engage in an expensive monthly payment scheme. You don't get to own your batteries but you have to rent current technology batteries which provide limited range so you will be dependend on the recharging grid PBP supplies too. For this service they will make you pay dearly too. As long as EEstor style miracle storage devices are not available it's wiser to buy Chevy Volt style PHEV's that have no need for an expensive recharging grid involving a cumbersome battery swapping scheme.
Hybra-Drive hydraulic hybrid to undergo HTUF testing {Autoblog Green}
May 11th 2008 1:38PM So this is basically a car with a normal engine but an hydraulic drivetrain rather than a conventional transmission. And we are supposed to believe that this relatively minor modification saves 50% fuel? If that were true all cars would have it. Get real!
Renault talking to Arabs, too, about electric cars {Autoblog Green}
May 2nd 2008 11:38AM Of course Big oil is buying it's way in.
Petro dollars are best spend by buying into technology that poses a threat to future oil sales. This way introduction of new technology can be delayed and oil sales revenue maximised. This wouldn't be the same "gulf state"investors that bought their way into the Phoenix Motor Company that wanted to build EV's but still hasn't got to actually doing so would it?
