Edmunds and Obama Fight it Out Over Cash for Clunkers

The Cash for Clunkers Program is over and done, but the overall benefit and cost is still being debated.  On Wednesday, Edmunds laid out a study showing it cost taxpayers $24,000 per vehicle sold under the Cash for Clunkers Program.Edmunds Lays Out the CostWhat it boils down to, for Edmunds, is despite 690,000 sales being made under the Cash for Clunkers Program, they believe only 129,000 would not have been made otherwise.  They based it on what the prediction for sales was, plus the 'hangover' affect slowing sales before and after the...

Read More

Toyota Prius Gets Best Fuel Efficiency Award from Popular Mechanics

Popular Mechanics gives the 2010 Toyota Prius the award for Best Fuel Efficiency.Best Fuel Efficiency: 2010 Toyota PriusFew cars define efficient travel like the Toyota Prius. And the Prius has been the mpg leader— a title it has earned yet again with its 2010 model....Toyota’s hybrid system remains the benchmark. But the tech extends beyond the drivetrain with optional solar ventilation, radar-based cruise control and intelligent parking. Yet it’s the driving dynamics that make the Toyota appealing to a wider audience. This is the first Prius...

Read More

High Expectations for Hybrids and Plug-in Hybrids

As the economy recovers, oil prices are expected to rise. And some are predicting that will move more people into hybrids and into plug-in hybrids.Source: "Plugs Everywhere: Hybrid, EV Sales to Triple Globally by 2013, Report Predicts " Green Car AdvisorGas-electric hybrids and plug-in electric vehicles may account for as much as 8 percent of new vehicle sales in the U.S. in 2013, up from about 2 percent last year, as the combination of rising oil prices, falling prices relative to hybrids' conventional counterparts and a broader network of plug-in...

Read More

Ford Pushes Toyota Prius Out of the Top Spot

An 'ultra efficient' Ford Fiesta ECOnetic has pushed the Toyota Prius out of the top spot in fuel efficiency ratings in Australia according to the GoAutoNews (via FreeP).At 63 mpg combined, the Ford Fiesta beats out the 60 mpg for the Prius in the Australia rating system. For comparison purposes, the Prius is rated at 50 mpg in the US. The Ford Fiesta ECOnetic is a diesel. Ford has no plans on introducing the sub-brand or to sell the Fiesta ECOnetic...

Read More

Mercedes-Benz Opening Hybrid R&D Center

Mercedes-Benz, according to Daimler, will be opening a R&D center for hybrid and other alternative powertrain technology in Redford Township in Michigan. The township offered a $2.3 million tax exemption to Mercedes-Benz, in addition to the $7.5 million tax incentives from the Michigan Economic Growth Authority.Source: Mercedes to do hybrid R&D in Redford Twp. | Detroit Free Press | Freep.com“We’re very excited about the possibility of launching the center in Southeast Michigan,” said Judy Brunson, MBH operations officer....

Read More

Honda Offers $500 to Previous Hybrid Owners

Honda is offering a $500 rebate to 2003-2007 hybrid Civic owners as the result of a lawsuit against it. A Honda Civic Hybrid owner from California was upset he was not achieving the mpg numbers 'promised' him and brought a lawsuit against Honda.At the time, I thought it was a ridiculous lawsuit, given Honda doesn't make the claims. Cars are rated by the EPA.But as part of a settlement (Source: Reuters), Honda will now offer $500 in rebates or $100 in cash for previous Civic Hybrid owners if they are willing to buy a new hybrid from Honda. MPGs...

Read More

2010 Lexus LS 600h L

The Lexus LS 600h L sedan has a slightly different look and a brand new telematics system for 2010. While not exactly a fuel miser, the LS 600h L does use all wheel drive hybrid drivetrain combined with a v8 gas engine to up its fuel efficiency to 21 mpg (combined). The LS is rated as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle II (SULEV II) certification, emitting nearly 70-percent fewer smog-forming emissions than the average new car.For 2010, the front...

Read More

Toyota Prius Wins Car of the Year in Japan

The Toyota Prius has been named the 2009-2010 Japan Car of the Year. (via motortrend) It narrowly beat out the Honda Insight (433 to 391). Which makes sense given the sales numbers, but that's not always a good indicator for what jurors are going to consider in any vote.61 jurors voted at the Tokyo Motor Show. The Volkswagen Golf came in third, and was crowned Import Car of the Year. The Mitsubishi i-MiEV, the first 'real world' vehicle  to use lithium-ion batteries, won 'Most Advanced Technology' and the Nissan Fairlady Z (370Z) won for...

Read More

LoJack Announces LoJack for Hybrids

LoJack is introducing a next generation Stolen Vehicle Recovery System with a 'proprietary power management protocol' allowing the system to be self-powered.With hybrids and plug-in hybrids relying so heavily on their battery packs (now and especially into the future), LoJack figures this new system is great for hybrid electric cars.Autoblog is guessing this system is a re-worked version of the system used in trailers, which can work for up to five years. Press Release Follows (found via autoblog)Westwood, MA -- October 26, 2009 -- LoJack Corporation...

Read More

Consumer Reports Once Again Points to Hybrids for Reliability

Starting with the Honda Insight, hybrids have once again been named as some of the most reliable cars. The Honda Insight was rated as the most reliable car by Consumer Reports. CR went on to point out five of the eight most reliable family cars are also hybrids, including the Toyota Prius, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Mercury Milan Hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid.The Toyota Prius ranked first for family sedans, followed by the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan. But Toyota and Honda dominated the top ranks. 36 of the top 48 were from...

Read More

Fisker Goes to Delaware

Fisker has made it official, have signed a letter of intent to buy the Delaware auto plant, formerly owned by GM. The 'affordable' plug-in hybrid vehicle they hope to build there will be the end result of Project NINA. Fisker estimates the plug-in hybrid sedan will cost $39,900 after federal tax credits (so, the MSRP will be $7,500 more than that).Fisker executives made the announcement alongside Vice President Joe Biden, Delaware Governor Jack Markell and other state officials inside the plant.Fisker hopes to begin production in 2012. They...

Read More

Hybrid Bus Accelerates Too Quickly for Some

Some MTA passengers are getting injured (or at least claims for injuries are up) when hybrid buses accelerate too quickly.It seems the buses 'jerk' forward because they accelerate too quickly. "The hybrids work like an electric golf cart, where stepping on the gas after a complete stop can cause them to lurch into action." (Source: MTA rolls out fix to "jerky" hybrid buses - am New York).Claims were up by 13% from July 2008 to July 2009. The transit has worked on a fix that will 'smooth out' the acceleration curve, keeping passengers from falling...

Read More

Chrysler Will Have a Hybrid Ram in 2010

Chrysler is still planning on introducing a hybrid Dodge Ram in 2010, but a diesel version is now in question.To be honest, when I thought about Chrysler's hybrid plans, I thought they were basically dropping them. Chrysler had introduced two hybrid SUVs using the two-mode hybrid technology created with GM and BMW. But the hybrids were quickly dropped after just a couple of months. They had also at one point talked about the ENVI project and introducing an electric vehicle, but not a lot has been heard about that, either.Then with the economy,...

Read More

There is a Hybrid For That

Toyota has put together an app for your iphone. The Prius Experience App allows you to take a 360 degree tour of the interior of a Prius.There's also a 10 level game using the built in accelerometer. Toyota, Honda, Ford, etc... they are all working hard to build up their social networking presence. This may be the first iPhone application I've seen, but I bet there are more on the way.Press Release Follows:Torrance, CA. – October 26, 2009 – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), USA, Inc., along with its advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi LA, today...

Read More

Turn Your Car Into a Golf Ball to Increase Your Fuel Efficiency

It works, it really works!Growing up, I always wondered why golf balls were dimpled and I was surprised to learn the answer. It's not obvious, but the dimples help the ball travel farther and longer by creating chaos in the wind stream, which cuts down on the tail (watch the video for a great visual explanation). And then I wondered why we didn't see it more often, say on cars?I always assumed the dimple effect only took place at higher speeds....

Read More

Fisker May be Going to Delaware?

Fisker Automotive announced they would be making an announcement on where their next automotive plant would be located this week. But the cat may be out of the bag. (Source: Delawareonline)The Boxwood Road plant near Newport may be the new site for Fisker. They have toured the plant, idled since GM closed the plant in July. Fisker intends to build as many as 100,000 electric hybrid sedans annually at the site starting in 2012.The 3.2 million square foot plant was used to produce the Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky and Opel GT sports car.Any sale...

Read More

Tweaking Software to Increase MPG

Ford and the University of Michigan are working together to tweak software in Ford hybrids to increase fuel efficiency. The team is taking data from 2,5000 road trips. Using the data, they have run nearly 1 million design simulations so far - nearly 50,000 a week.“The Ford Fusion Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan available, and its performance is second to none. Our work with U of M is helping us develop the next generation of Ford hybrids and bring them to market even faster,” said Ryan McGee, supervisor of Vehicle Controls Architecture...

Read More

Get 42 Thousand Dollars Buying a Tesla

In the great state of Colorado, you can now buy a 2009 Tesla Roadster for just $67,800, or $42 thousand less than what most people pay for it.  And just in time for the holidays, Tesla will be opening the doors to its Gallery in Boulder, Colorado.The only catch is this is a tax break so you have to live in Colorado (almost makes it worth the money to move there, doesn't it?) and you have to buy before December 31.Source: Green Car ReportsThat's not all. If you want to (see the full list in this pdf from Colorado state), you could buy a 2009...

Read More

Honda CR-Z

Honda debuted the CR-Z, concept, at the Tokyo Auto Show. The sporty hybrid coupe concept is supposedly very close to what the production version will look like. The production car will be a 2-seat hybrid which will be introduced in 2010 at the North American International Auto Show in January."The Honda CR-Z will expand our lineup of hybrid vehicles and reinforce the fun-to-drive values associated with the Honda brand," said Erik Berkman, vice...

Read More

2009 Hybrid Escalade and Honda Insight Getting Big Incentives

According to Edmunds, the 2009 Hybrid Escalade and Honda Insight are now the 'Deals of the Month' list, with big incentives.GM is working to move the 2009 Hybrid Escalade off the lot, to make room for the 2010 model"There are finance and cash deals on several of GM's hybrids, largely because sales have been slow all year and the automaker is hoping to move the 2009 models off the lots before the 2010s start piling up," said Edmunds.com Senior Analyst Jessica Caldwell.The Insight has faced heavy competition from the Prius, right from the start....

Read More

Infiniti Electric Vehicle in the Works

Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan, announced Infiniti will have an electric vehicle, one that will be "true to the Infiniti brand's promise of Inspired Performance.'A concept is currently being developed for a stylish, compact, high performance four-seat luxury Infiniti with zero emissions.Ghosn made the announcement during the Tokyo Auto Show in which he drove onto stage in the Nissan Land Glider, a two-seater EV. The Land Glider will lean into turns like a motorcycle, but is fully enclosed with four wheels. The EV is powered by a lithium-ion battery...

Read More

Mitsubishi or Subaru Hybrid by 2012

While talking about the concept PX-MiEV at the Tokyo Auto Show, Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. President Ikuo Mori announced they are looking to bring a hybrid by 2012. They are also working with Toyota to build a 'zero-emission' electric vehicle with Toyota.The PX-MiEV is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). The electric motor is used primarily for propulsion, while the gas engine can turn a generator to power the electric motor as needed. In high speeds, the gas motor can also be used to provide additional power via a clutch in the transmission.At...

Read More

Sanyo to Start Producing Lithium-Ion Battery Packs for Toyota Plug-in Hybrid

Sanyo will begin making hybrid car batteries for Toyota starting in 2011 (Source: Source: Reuters). The lithium-ion battery packs will be made to go into Toyotas upcoming plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The new production line can produce 300,000 to 400,000 cells a month.Sanyo will also be making lithium-ion battery packs for 'conventional' hybrids towards the end of the year. In 2010, Sanyo will be capable of building 1.1 million cells a month. Sanyo wants everyone to know they will be ready to cell their batteries to any car maker (Source:...

Read More

Hybrid Taxi Fleet in Phoenix

Clean Air Cab is going to be the second taxi fleet in the country to go all hybrid. The company will offer a slightly lower rate than other area cab companies and claims to be carbon negative by by planting ten trees per month for each cab we have on the road in addition to our carbon offsets.According to Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, “Phoenix is committed to becoming the first carbon neutral city in the nation. We have been leaders on sustainability issues for decades and value responsible investments like this one to help us be the best stewards...

Read More

Toyota to Sell Hybrids in South Korea

Toyota is looking to begin selling hybrids and other models in South Korea. With modest goals, 500 units a month initially, Toyota is looking to break into the Korean market."The introduction of the Toyota brand into South Korea is aimed to meet the diversifying needs of consumers in this growing market," Toyota Executive Vice President Yukitoshi Funo told a news conference."We intend to make every effort to contribute to South Korean society and earn a loyal following."The Prius, Camry Hybrid, Camry, and RAV4 will go on sale soon. Toyota hopes...

Read More

Toyota Sai Hybrid Has Lofty Goals

Toyota aims to sell 36,000 Hybrid Sai a year. The Sai is the second hybrid only sedan available from Toyota, but will be sold only in Japan. The Toyota Sai is being built on the same platform as the Lexus HS 250h. The interior and exterior will be differentiated, although the drivetrain will be the same. The cost is $37,290 (3.38 million yen), which is 15% less than the HS 250h.The Sai is rated at 23 km/liter (54 mpg).The Prius is currently the number one car in Japan, with over 20,000 units being sold every month.  The Sai will probably...

Read More

The Nissan Leaf Electric Battery Video

Nissan released a 60 second video on the battery pack found in the upcoming Nissan Leaf.  Nothing really new here, but the basics are the best place to start, right?Update: Nissan is looking to create a business model for recycling the lithium-ion battery packs that are beginning to show up in electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.To do that, Nissan and Sumitomo Corp are going to team up to build a battery recycling business. The battery packs, after running too low to hold a charge for cars, can still be used in 'stationary systems...

Read More

The 2010 Fuel Economy Guide is Here

The 2010 Fuel Economy Guide is out.  Get it hot off the presses.  Or you could just peruse the most fuel efficient vehicles for 2010.Press Release:WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy today unveiled the 2010 Fuel Economy Guide, which gives consumers important information about estimated fuel costs and mileage standards for model year 2010 vehicles. “Every year, consumers use the Fuel Economy Guide to find clean, efficient, cost-effective vehicles that meets their needs and their budgets,”...

Read More

Not Everyone Gets TARP Funds for Hybrids

With all the press releases from towns, counties and states that have gotten federal money to buy hybrids lately, it's interesting to note those who don't.In Oregon, a $15 million application to provide hybrid vehicles and electric recharging stations along Interstate 5 and Interstate 84 was not approved.  Oregon had hoped to use the funds to help purchase 800 vehicles that use partial or all electric power, as well as 1,250 recharging stations."Oregon's project was unfortunately not selected for funding under this opportunity. We are currently...

Read More

Ford Hybrid Cars

Ford released some interesting facts about their hybrid fleet, which includes the Hybrid Fusion, Hybrid Milan, Hybrid Escape and Hybrid Mariner.   You may already be aware of most of them, if you've been reading my blog for a while ;-), but it's still interesting to see them all laid out.Fuel Efficiency is the Name of the Game The first hybrid SUV on the market, Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid, are still the most fuel efficient.  And the new Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid are number 3 on the list of most...

Read More

GM Invests $230 Million to Build Up Plants for Chevy Cruze and Volt Production

GM is investing $230 million to build up four production plants in the Flint, Michigan area to support the production of the Chevy Volt and Chevy Cruze.  GM estimates this build up will support 500 jobs.As GM winds down the prototype production (around 80 or so were built), and begin the pre-production vehicles, these plants are about to become very busy."These four GM manufacturing plants have a key role in GM's production of the next generation of fuel-efficient vehicles, the Chevrolet Volt and Cruze," said Larry Zahner, GM manufacturing...

Read More

The 2010 LS 600h

The 2010 LS 600h has a few minor upgrades from the prior model year. The hybrid battery package is more compact, giving you more room in the trunk (or boot). The ECO driving mode has been added, giving you efficiency adjusted throttle and AC. New brakes were added in. The hybrid model has a few exterior styling features of its own, plus the HDD Lexus Navigation System has been upgraded. Lexus also changed the seating to maximize comfort the passenger in this highly pampered limo.The new brakes are designed to be quieter with less vibration.The...

Read More

2010 Lexus GS 450h Priced at $56,550

Lexus decided to hold the 2010 GS 450h MSRP steady at $56,550. The GS models are arriving in showrooms this month.GS 450h receives a few exterior enhancements to distinguish itself from the gas-only model, including a revised front grille, clear taillamp covers and unique 18-inch wheels.The also updated the Lexus Premium Aduio System and navigation system. The Lexus Navigation System includes a casual-speech voice recognition feature, voice command,...

Read More