Recent Comments:
i MiEV on iTunes in HD {Autoblog Green}
May 12th 2008 7:13PM Personally, I don't want to say too much about what Americans want in cars.
All I really wanted to point out is that right now, even near $4/gal, US market has not change all that much. Any downward trend in truck sales reflects more on consumer confidence and fear of an economical downturn. Truth is, overall vehicles sales are down, for both cars and trucks.
We will continue to get the Yaris/Fit/Prius type of vehicles in the US, but high-priced compact cars like MiEV will not likely make it here.
i MiEV on iTunes in HD {Autoblog Green}
May 12th 2008 2:22PM Sorry, but the idea that US loves small cars is way overblown. I just looked up the statistics for 2007; 53% of all vehicles sold in US are still in the light trucks category.
Yaris (which is comparable vehicle to the MiEV) sales have gone up 20% from 2006-2007. That 20% equates to about 14,000 vehicles. That is a horrible number in the automotive world.
Worse, the MiEV would cost way more than a Yaris, and like all the hybrid bashing in the past, it will be the same all over again; people counting every nickels and dimes and place no value to all the technological advances.
I have never paid more than $20k for a car in my life, but I certainly would pay more for an EV. But for all the PR and promises, I see very little chance EVs like this making it here in US. Certainly not at $4/gal, and not even at $5/gal.
LA traffic lighter thanks to high gas prices, Americans driving less {Autoblog Green}
May 9th 2008 4:54PM Insurance is not uniform in US. Some for lower premium will have high deductible, too. Instead of "money in the bank" = "better quality of life", the flip side can be: maybe US system will promote those who are lucky, but those who fall through the cracks would probably like a socialize system better. (Sorry, I really don't want us to deviate from ABG topics.)
Here's what I'll say about cars: I think owning a car is not really an issue of wealth (taxes or otherwise). For many in US, without a car = no job = no insurance. So gas prices is a necessary expense for many.
Since mass transit in Europe is most likely better than US, regardless if someone can afford gas or not, I'd think more Europeans would at least have a CHOICE in giving up driving.
Are Hypermilers a menace on the road? {Autoblog Green}
May 7th 2008 12:29PM There's no point in arguing about it. The way I see it, hypermiling or not, sensible driving behavior is considered a negative thing anyways.
People who think others drive "slow" on the road are likely in the category that hate everything about hybrids and hypermilers. There are so many bad behavior on the road today, pretty much obeying the speed limit is considered poor driving.
Hypermilers are generally good drivers, and maybe some will be convince by reading the comments here. However, once people get on the road, old habits will die hard. Those who like to go 10 above speed limit will still do it. Those who drive gas-guzzlers could save more gas by easing on the gas, and most will not do it, because driving is partly subconscious and body sensitive.
One has to have some good will-power to change the bad habits and for that, hypermilers deserve to have a pat on the back.
First new VW Jetta TDIs now in transit to U.S. dealers {Autoblog Green}
May 6th 2008 4:40PM I don't know about the Toyota, but my Honda hybrid specifically said in its manual, that below a certain temperature (50 degrees F?), the system will *DISABLE* the start/stop.
I believe one of the reasons is that the Engine itself will get cold quickly, thus the engine will not be allowed to be disabled. Also, the catalytic converter will not be effective if it's cold. Hybrids are bound by the emission label, too.
SUNRGI tempts us with solar power for ¢5Kwh {Autoblog Green}
May 2nd 2008 8:36PM Sorry, just FYI, the other post was about British Airways choosing Civic Hybrid for its fleet vehicle.
SUNRGI tempts us with solar power for ¢5Kwh {Autoblog Green}
May 2nd 2008 8:35PM OOPPSSS!!!
Sorry, cut and paste the wrong post...
Here's my original comment to this post...
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Dave:
You should also add that while 1-kw array has a long payback, large-scale commercial arrays is inversely proportional in costs.
It may cost a homeowner $10,000/kw-peak for roof-installed solar, but 1MW arrays usually cost for less installed.
Like all breakthrough technology, it is more profitable and advantageous to the manufacturer to sell their products to commercial vendors first. So all the skepticism aside, most of us will not be able to buy one of these, even if it's real.
Mike Z:
I was told that electronics do not necessary deteriorate because of just age or heat. It is more likely that running outside specs that kills circuitry. Modern day CPUs run extremely hot, but as long as they are within specs, it's possible that they could run... forever? Since the niche for this product makes heat a non-issue, who knows...
SUNRGI tempts us with solar power for ¢5Kwh {Autoblog Green}
May 2nd 2008 8:33PM It's Honda own fault why Civic Hybrid plays the 2nd fiddle to the Prius in the US. Now that Honda is finally, truly committed itself to its own hybrid development, in theory, Honda could easily sell and make hybrids at a lower cost, especially in fleet sales.
Aside from Prius being a better hybrid, the biggest obsticle to Honda's hybrids really Honda itself; the lack of commitment to hybrids from the very beginning. In 2000, Honda was doing better with diesels in Europe and the US market was more profitable with trucks. The Insight was just a rush job to beat Toyota in the US market. All Honda wanted to do was make hybrid a premium product, a low-volume niche.
In theory, Honda's hybrid system is less complicated compare to a Prius, thus likely to cost less in a mass manufacturing scenario. Now that Honda have a change of heart, the CR-Z will be the first Honda's effort in a real, mass-production approach to hybrid technology. Since the Civic is already a popular product in Europe, it's probably much easier now for Honda to undercut Prius for a bid in fleet sales.
I think it's really more about money and not about which hybrid is better. Honda needs this fleet contract for more than Toyota right now.
Next-gen Toyota Prius: bigger, stronger, more Prius-like than ever before {Engadget}
Apr 29th 2008 3:34PM Actually, if a person is SERIOUS about shopping for a hybrid, then they would know that the Prius has a lot more to like than a Civic Hybrid.
First of all, the back seats folds down in a Prius. On top of that, it is a hatchback, so the total usable cargo space is far better than a Civic Hybrid, which due to its batteries, cannot fold down.
Second, the Prius has a "real" EV only mode while the Civic Hybrid can only do EV-only mode under a very specific condition, only when cruising at low speed.
Third, the Prius has an extra mode in the gear shift for extra braking, for better energy recovery.
There is a lot more to say about the Prius, but my point is that the Prius really have a lot going for it. It certainly is more than just looks, which I also find to be very functional and appealing.
The Prius may not be the best way to cut energy costs {Autoblog Green}
Apr 23rd 2008 12:59PM Oh, as a follow-up. The reason why car share programs can save fuel is this: with fewer cars than people, it's likely that the community can plan ahead and share the ride for some common events: plan ahead for grocery shopping, or take the same car to go to an out-of-town concert, etc. Owning personal transportation is a valued convenience, but being organize and plan ahead has its rewards, too.
