Autoblog

West coast cities dominate Greenest Car Shoppers list

Zach Bowman — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:32:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Electric

Cars.com has released a list of the ten US cities with the most environmentally conscious car shoppers. Not surprisingly, west coast spots made up the bulk of the locations. The site found its results by compiling data pulled from visitors who shopped for hybrids or other green cars. While locations like San Francisco, San Diego, Portland, Sacramento and even Honolulu make sense, the list did serve up one solid oddball. Lima, Ohio made the cut. Why? Hard telling. The city sits smack between Dayton and Toledo on Interstate 75 and boasts a population of a little under 38,800 people. It's also the only place in the world that produces the M1 Abrams tank.

Meanwhile, Washington, D.C. was the only East coast location to make the list. You can read the full press release below for a closer look at which areas made the cut.

Continue reading West coast cities dominate Greenest Car Shoppers list

West coast cities dominate Greenest Car Shoppers list originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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China considering upping hybrid car incentives

Zach Bowman — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:45:00 EST

Filed under: China, Government/Legal, Technology

Bloomberg reports China may be set to step up subsidies for hybrid and fuel-efficient new automobiles. The country's industry minister, Miao Wei, said, "New-energy vehicles are the future. Fuel-efficient cars are now," while speaking with reporters at the National People's Congress. So far, the Chinese government hasn't had much luck talking buyers into fuel-efficient models. Last year, the country forecast total electric vehicle sales to reach 500,000 by 2014, but 2012 only saw 13,000 models sold. Rather than adjust those targets, some analysts believe China will extend incentives to hybrid vehicles as well.

China just concluded a three-year pilot program that gave buyers the equivalent of $9,650 toward the purchase of an EV and $8,045 for plug-in hybrids. Standard hybrids, meanwhile, only saw incentives of $482.73. But that may change as the country moves toward its target of selling a combined five million EV, plug-in and hybrid models by 2020. If China does increase its hybrid incentives, the news may help Toyota more than any other company. Like other Japanese automakers, Toyota has seen sales slide off in the wake of an ongoing territorial dispute between the Chinese and Japanese governments. But stronger incentives may make the Toyota Prius, the world's most popular hybrid, attractive enough to overcome those hurdles.

China considering upping hybrid car incentives originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A decade on, survey suggests buyers still don't understand hybrid cars

Chris Shunk — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Technology, Electric

2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery

In this year's State of the Union address, President Obama proclaimed that there would be one million electric vehicles on the road in the United States by 2015. Toyota recently celebrated the building of the company's three millionth hybrid worldwide. More and more automakers are turning to the battery pack and electric motors to improve fuel economy or remove petrol from the equation altogether, but do Americans know what any of this means? Not really, at least according to a recent study.

MediaPost reports that marketing firm Synovate recently polled 1,898 would-be car buyers to gauge their knowledge of hybrids and electric cars, and the results are not encouraging. Only two-thirds are aware that hybrids use both petrol and battery power for propulsion, and a large portion didn't know hybrids even had batteries onboard. And while we enthusiasts know that most hybrids can run for short distances on electricity alone, only one-third of those polled were aware of that little tidbit.

The results of this poll are likely disheartening to advertisers who have tried tirelessly over the years to explain how hybrids work. And with plug-ins and electric cars starting to flood the market, the education of the car-buying public has just begun. Case in point? Less than half of the nearly 2,000 car-buyers polled knew that plug-in hybrids can run on electric power alone. So... just what is that plug for, then?

Marketing types, and we enthusiasts, have a tough road ahead.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Toyota Prius

Photos copyright (C)2011 Sam Abuelsamid / AOL
[Source: MediaPost]

A decade on, survey suggests buyers still don't understand hybrid cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Meet the man who quietly profits from every hybrid sold

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Technology, Ford, Toyota

Alex Severinsky is a Russian man who came to the United States in 1978. He graduated from Ukraine's Kharkiv University of Radioelectronics in 1967 before moving on to an Electrical Engineering Ph.D. from Moscow's Institute for Precision Measurements in Radioelectronics and Physics in 1975. That's the background. Here's the important bit.

In 1994, Severinsky patented an invention he called Hyperdrive, which allows for a seamless transition between drive systems - what essentially allows hybrid vehicles to operate smoothly while switching between gas and electric power. Toyota uses a system similar to Hyperdrive in its hybrid vehicles yet the automaker states they developed this technology independent of Severinsky's research. Regardless, thanks to a lengthy lawsuit, the automaker is now forced to pay Alex Severinksy for every single hybrid vehicle it sells.

Toyota has sold over one million hybrids in the United States and more than two million around the world. It's ordered by the court to pay Paice, an organization which exists solely to litigate companies that may be infringing upon Severinsky's patents, $98 for every single hybrid it sells.

We've followed the court battle between Paice and Toyota for a few years now. Two years ago, the automaker lost its appeal case over the patents for hybrid technology. Just three months ago it settled the dispute with Paice, ahead of a scheduled hearing with the International Trade Commission. Ford, who was pending legal action for the hybrid system in its Fusion, also settled with Paice.

AOL Autos outlines the facts of Alex Severinsky's patents, the Paice organization and how one mans Hyperdrive system has affected numerous automakers. It's an interesting look into the world of patent law and is well worth the read.

[Source: AOL Autos]

Meet the man who quietly profits from every hybrid sold originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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J.D. Power says global battery demand may be overhyped

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Etc., Government/Legal, Electric

As per usual whenever there's great change afoot, finding the shelter of reality among competing storms of He Said/She Said isn't easy - it will probably take us another ten years to find out what's really true right now. J.D. Power and Associates has added more data to the mix with its report, "Drive Green 2020: More Hope than Reality." The one-sentence summary is that, according to J.D. Power's research, there might be more hype than substance to hybrid and battery demand, but that China could change everything.

J.D. Power is basing this on its assumption that hybrids and electric vehicles will only go from 2.2 percent of worldwide vehicle sales to 5.2 percent of worldwide sales in 2020. The cautious note on sales the firm puts down to regulatory inconsistencies across the globe, stable oil prices, and buyers' concerns about buying and maintaining such vehicles.

To make battery demand a serious, valid concern, Powers believes that there will need to be a "significant increase" in the price of oil, a significant decrease in the costs of green technologies and a "coordinated government policy." The report holds that customers simply don't want to spend the up-front money required to go green, and worry about how much more money it might take to stay green. Follow the jump for the complete press release.

[Source: J.D. Power]

Continue reading J.D. Power says global battery demand may be overhyped

J.D. Power says global battery demand may be overhyped originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: China forcing foreign automakers to give up EV secrets?

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, China, Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, Technology, Electric

So you want to sell your foreign cars in China? If you're an automaker, it might cost you a whole lot do so. A report in The Wall Street Journal claims that the Chinese government wants to force foreign companies to divulge their electric vehicle technology secrets in order to sell their products in China.

China wants to become a global power in the development and production of electric cars and hybrids. Apparently, they want to skip the whole research part and go right to utilizing technology developed and tested by others. This would be fine if they wanted to pay for said tech, but simply bullying manufacturers into handing it over is not the way to go.

From the WSJ:

"The car executives are joining a chorus of companies criticizing China's industrial policies. Business people and government officials say Beijing's so-called indigenous-innovation efforts discriminate against them and are aimed at gaining control of foreign intellectual property."

China is a very important market for automakers, as it's the world's largest purchaser of automobiles. China's current proposal says that any foreign automaker wishing to produce new-energy products there must establish joint-venture agreements with Chinese companies. The foreign automaker would then only be allowed to hold a 49-percent stake in the newly formed alliance. Obviously, this isn't sitting well with companies that have invested massive sums of money developing new energy-efficient solutions.

Forcing a so-called "alliance" that all but hands over highly-valuable intellectual property to the Chinese party is not an example of China "playing nice" with others. Hopefully, a more workable solution can ultimately be agreed upon. Unfortunately, China has a lot of leverage here. It knows exactly how important its market is to every other automaker on Earth, and it's obviously not afraid to twist arms to get what it wants. Thanks for the tip, Sea Urchin!

[Source: The Wall Street Journal]

Report: China forcing foreign automakers to give up EV secrets? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hybrid sales plummet 40% in August; Prius records 37.5% decline

Autoblog Staff — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 09:33:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Toyota

2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery

One month of dreary sales figures doesn't signal the end of the hybrid, but the numbers reported for August hint that without a rise in gas prices, hybrid vehicle sales will likely continue to suffer. Overall hybrid sales dropped 40.4 percent in August compared to a year ago. Not even the mighty Toyota Prius could avoid the plunge. Prius sales fell 37.5 percent compared to August 2009 and dropped off 16.3 percent compared to the July 2010 numbers. Combined, Toyota and Lexus hybrids saw a 36.2 percent decline from a year ago. Ford fared better by posting a 17.1 percent drop in year-over-year numbers.

Hybrid sales were clearly boosted last August by the government's Cash for Clunkers program, but this summer's low gas prices take much of the blame for the current hybrid sales plunge. Toyota remains in the number one spot, posting 15,444 sales last month. Ford sits in second place after moving 3,894 hybrid vehicles off dealer lots, while Honda holds onto third with 3,485 sales. It's getting redundant, but Toyota still leads the hybrid market. Anyone want to place bets on when (or if) that'll change?

Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius

[Sources: Green Car Advisor, Autoblog]

Hybrid sales plummet 40% in August; Prius records 37.5% decline originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Lotus bringing a pair of front-engine hybrids to Paris Motor Show

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:32:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Paris Motor Show, Lotus

Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

In addition to the pair of Evoras being introduced at this year's Paris Motor Show, Lotus will also be unveiling two front-engine hybrid vehicles, in keeping with the automaker's promise to offer more gasoline/electric sports cars. Edmunds' Green Car Advisor reports that one of these hybrid cars will be a four-door hatchback and the other will be a two-door coupe.

Lotus debuted its hybrid concept earlier this year in the form of the Evora 414E Hybrid (pictured), but unlike the mid-engine concept, the two front-engine models will utilize a 47-horsepower 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine specifically designed to provide power to electric-drive hybrids.

We'll have the full details direct from the Paris show later this month, so stay tuned.

Gallery: Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid

[Source: Green Car Advisor]

Report: Lotus bringing a pair of front-engine hybrids to Paris Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid officially rated at 41 mpg city / 36 mpg hwy

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Lincoln, Luxury

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

In what should be a surprise to no one, the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Gybrid has been officially certified by the EPA as the most fuel efficient luxury sedan in the U.S. market. Given that the MKZ is really little more than a very gussied up Ford Fusion Hybrid, including an identical powertrain, we fully expected the same 41 mile per gallon city and 36 mpg highway numbers for the Lincoln.

Those numbers put the MKZ well ahead of its closest competitor, the Lexus HS250h which is rated 35/34 mpg. Aside from some subtle badging, the MKZ Hybrid is indistinguishable from its conventional siblings. It does receive an enhanced version of the SmartGauge system in the Fusion that adds long-term fuel efficiency indicators to all of the other information available, however.

The MKZ Hybrid goes on sale in the Fall as Mercury Milan production winds down.

Gallery: 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

[Source: Lincoln]

Continue reading 2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid officially rated at 41 mpg city / 36 mpg hwy

2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid officially rated at 41 mpg city / 36 mpg hwy originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More details on the 2011 Le Mans technical regulations, now with hybrid power

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Audi, Honda, Porsche, Peugeot, Diesel, Racing

Peugeot 908-HY hybrid prototype - Click above for high-res image gallery

On Thursday, June 10, the Automobile Club de L'Ouest (ACO), which organizes the 24 Hours of Le Mans, held its annual press conference and announced new technical regulations for the 2011 event as well as the European Le Mans Series. The ACO has long encouraged a variety of powerplant configurations, which is what prompted first Audi and then Peugeot to develop diesel-powered prototypes. 2011 will bring the official introduction hybrid power to Le Mans racing in all of the new classes.

Next year the club will move even further in the direction already pioneered by the American Le Mans Series with its "green racing" initiatives. The top LMP1 class will adopt what are essentially the current LMP2 rules, with gasoline racing engines limited to 3.4 liters normally aspirated or 2.0 liters turbocharged. Diesels can displace no more than 3.7 liters. The current LMP1 cars will be allowed to compete in 2011, but performance will be restricted by as-yet-unannounced means that will likely include more weight and smaller air restrictors. Check out the rest of the changes after the jump.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Peugeot 908 hy

[Source: Automobile Club de L'Ouest]

Continue reading More details on the 2011 Le Mans technical regulations, now with hybrid power

More details on the 2011 Le Mans technical regulations, now with hybrid power originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Jun 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: U.S. government to purchase first 100 Chevy Volts and thousands of hybrids *UPDATE

Eric Loveday — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 11:21:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

In an effort to make the government's fleet of vehicles more green, the Obama administration has reportedly announced plans to add more hybrids this year followed by plug-in hybrids next year. The plan should double the number of hybrids in the government's fleet, a step towards achieving its goal of reducing fleet petroleum use by 30 percent by 2020.

The new plan involves purchasing 100 plug-in vehicles by the end of next year, and the front-runner is the Chevrolet Volt. According to Ward's Auto, the White House has announced that the government will purchase the first 100 Chevy Volts to roll off the assembly line later this year. The government is also considering adding the plug-in hybrid electric Dodge Ram to its fleet, though how many units it's considering has not been released.

Whether or not the Volt and PHEV Ram are being considered because the government just happens to be part owner of their parent companies remains to be seen, but we haven't heard mention of the excellent Ford Fusion Hybrid.

UPDATE: GM has officially responded to the government suggesting that the first 100 Volts will end up in government fleets by stating,

We are pleased to see that the Federal government is interested in the greening of their vehicle fleet. Media speculation has led to reports that the GSA and DOE will be buying the first 100 Chevrolet Volt's because we will meet this criteria. At this time we have no further details regarding these purchases.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt

[Source: Ward's Auto]

Report: U.S. government to purchase first 100 Chevy Volts and thousands of hybrids *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 11:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Diesel and electric vehicles two of many options to meet CAFE regulations

Eric Loveday — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Technology, Electric, Diesel

2010 Volkswagen Golf - Click above for high-res image gallery

New CAFE standards set to take affect in 2015 have automakers in a hurried frenzy. Meeting target CAFE numbers of 35.5 miles per gallon within the short five-year time frame is no easy feat. Current standards, set at a fleet average of 27.5 mpg, will quickly become a thing of the past. As automakers push to meet the new requirements, decisions must be made. These decisions could best be regarded as risky bets that could impact an automakers success in the years ahead.

New rules within the CAFE guidelines will require many compact vehicles to achieve even higher numbers than the 35.5 mpg listed above. It's a bit technical, but put simply, the more compact vehicles a company sells, the higher its fleet average must be. This may sound simple, but compact cars may be hard to sell if the technology required to meet the goals adds a significant amount to the vehicle's bottom line.

Automakers are at a crossroads where they must decide which approach will prove to be most beneficial. Should the diesel engine be employed to meet CAFE requirements? Should hybrid powertrains be widely adopted? Automakers must answer these questions and many more. The wrong answer could spell disaster for market share and profits, and the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that new CAFE requirements will increase a vehicle's price by an average of $1,300. Others predict numbers far exceeding these claims, but no matter the numbers, cost is a major concern in the compact class of cars.

Here's a breakdown of some choices automakers should consider; improve gasoline engines to extract up to 20 percent more fuel efficiency, more widespread adoption of diesel engines, aerodynamically design vehicles for improved efficiency, add start/stop features, add more mild hybrids and consider weight saving measures or electrify vehicles. Each option has an associated risk versus cost versus reward factor that must be weighed out precisely for automotive success.

Gallery: 2010 Volkswagen Golf

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Report: Diesel and electric vehicles two of many options to meet CAFE regulations originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Long-Term Thinking: "Cost to Own" mindset grabs hold?

Sebastian Blanco — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:51:00 EST

2011 Chevy Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

So many things are changing in the new automotive reality, it's hard to know where to start. Everything from the kind of hose we connect to our cars (liquid filled? electric?) to the sounds the vehicles make is different now than it used to be. What else needs to change? How about how we think about the costs to own and operate a car.

Naturally, it's always been possible to estimate this cost, but NADAguides.com has just released a "Cost To Own" calculator for new cars, so you can factor in fuel prices in your region into the cost of the car. It's entirely useful. For example, to own a 2010 Prius in Michigan for five years will cost an estimated $33,232. On top of the cost of the car, NADA tells us that the car's depreciation will make up 39 percent of the ownership costs, while fuel equals just 12 percent. A pie chart of the cost breakdown is pictured at right.

On a similar thread, Edmunds recommends a shift away from MPG and towards a cost-of-energy window sticker on a new car. With all of those electric plugs being added to cars, MPG is becoming less valuable and relevant to our understanding how much it costs to get around. Two quick examples: per month, Edmunds estimates it'll cost $53.55 to drive the forthcoming Chevrolet Volt, but $66.78 to operate a Prius. Check out their chart here, and remember that according to a recent study, more efficient vehicles can (and often do) cost less.

[Source: NADAguides.com, Edmunds]

Continue reading Long-Term Thinking: "Cost to Own" mindset grabs hold?

Long-Term Thinking: "Cost to Own" mindset grabs hold? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHTSA study indicates hybrids have higher pedestrian crash rates

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:17:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Safety

A recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finds that hybrid vehicles are more likely to be involved in accidents with pedestrians and bicyclists under certain scenarios. According to state-level accident data, 77 of 8,387 hybrid vehicles (that's .9 percent) were involved in crashes with pedestrians and 48 (.6 percent) were found to have been in accidents with bicyclists.

By way of comparison, 3,578 of 559,703 non-hybrid vehicles (.6 percent) were involved in pedestrian accidents and 1,862 (.3 percent) were involved with bicyclists. Tellingly, the NHTSA data shows that hybrid vehicles are twice as likely as non-hybirds to be involved in pedestrian or bicyclist accidents at low speeds when the internal combustion engine is not running.

These statistics are not a complete representation of all accidents nationwide, and NHTSA is quick to point out that additional research is necessary before any final conclusions can be made. Still, this is valuable data that "should serve as a guide when designing future HEV pedestrian and bicyclist crash prevention programs."

[Source: NHTSA - PDF via Consumer Reports]

NHTSA study indicates hybrids have higher pedestrian crash rates originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Coming Soon: Downloadable ringtones for your silent electric car?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:32:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Etc., Electric

Like to download new ringtones for your phone so that you don't sound like everybody else in the world that opts for the free cell phones from their chosen service provider? The same kind of thing is reportedly in the works for future electric cars.

We've been hearing for the last few years that the near silent nature of hybrids and EVs is a potential safety problem for pedestrians, especially for children and those hard of hearing, and these so-called "car tones" are seen as a possible answer to this problem.

At this point, there isn't any real data that suggests these quiet cars are any more or less dangerous to pedestrians than any other two-ton behemoth rolling down the road, but its still an issue being looked at closely by automakers.

According to the New York Times, companies like BMW, Fisker and Nissan are currently working with Hollywood special-effects teams and the film industry on new sounds that could be downloaded to current and future electric cars. We want our first EV to sound like Darth Vader's TIE Fighter and the horn to grunt like Chewie. Why not?

[Source: New York Times | Photo: Flickr/robad0b via C.C. 2.0]

Coming Soon: Downloadable ringtones for your silent electric car? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Debate rages over whether to extend HOV-lane exemptions for hybrids in CA

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Electric

Besides the potential feeling of environmental superiority, one of the great benefits to having a hybrid in California has been the availability of a magic little sticker set for a vehicle's rear bumper and fender. The "Access OK" tags have allowed its possessors to cruise in the carpool lanes even while driving solo. The special lanes - alternatively known as HOV lanes (High Occupancy Vehicle) or diamond lanes - have proven to be a great time saver on California's clogged freeway system, but not everyone can find a ride-share partner to grant them access. Thus, getting a hybrid with one of the highly prized yellow (or white) decals is like getting yourself a free passenger - without the annoying banter.

As a result of their rarity and ultility, used cars with those decals usually command a premium. Heck, we've even reported on sticker thefts. The problem is that the benefits of those stickers were originally set to run out by 2009. The government intervened and extended those limits through January 1, 2011, but some would like to see them extended further - like through 2016.

Naturally, as more people move towards more efficient vehicles, some think the program should be halted altogether, while others (especially those with stickers themselves) continue to think that hybrids and other "clean" vehicles deserve the added benefit of solo access.You can be sure that this debate will continue right up until the deadline - unless California's legislature steps in to extend the program before then.

[Sources: The Los Angeles Times; California DMV | Image: David McNew/Getty]

Debate rages over whether to extend HOV-lane exemptions for hybrids in CA originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz now shipping the S400 Hybrid to US dealers

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Mercedes-Benz

2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Mercedes-Benz has apparently begun shipping the new S400 BlueHybrid sedan to its US dealer network, as one of our readers spotted one and grabbed a photo of the window sticker. The S400 is Mercedes' first production hybrid vehicle and utilizes the mild hybrid system it developed in conjunction with BMW. While BMW is going whole-hog for performance with its ActiveHybrid 7 Series, Mercedes is going for more efficiency. The Stuttgart brand has opted use its 3.5-liter V6 with the hybrid system along with the first lithium ion battery used in such an application. The 120 V battery is actually nearly the same size as a traditional lead acid starter battery and takes its place in the engine compartment - meaning no trunk space is lost compared to the standard car.

The S400 Hybrid gets an EPA rating of 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. That compares to 15/23 mpg for the V8 powered S550. The base price on the S400 starts at $87,950 and the car spotted by our reader had a bottom line of $93,775. You can configure your own S400 at the Mercedes USA site. Thanks to USCGTO for the tip!

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHYBRID

Mercedes-Benz now shipping the S400 Hybrid to US dealers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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China pondering hoarding precious metals used in hybrids and EVs by banning exportation?

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:40:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, China, Government/Legal, Electric

Ever hear of neodymium? How about dysprosium or yttrium? Thulium or lutetium? These are just some of the metals that China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is considering either banning the exportation of, or at least severely limiting the amount that it will let leave the country. These precious metals are used in manufacturing new (and sometimes green) technologies, and China wants keep the goods available for its growing domestic use.

Neodymium, in particular, is required for making the electric motor in hybrid cars, and every Toyota Prius you've ever seen contains 25 pounds of rare earth elements. iPods, Blackberries and countless other items also require these rare earth minerals.

Right now, China mines more than 95% of the rare earth minerals that are taken out of the ground. Let us repeat that: Ninety-five percent. While some might see the export limits as an act of aggression by China, an Australian rare metals expert told the UK's Telegraph, "This isn't about China holding the world to ransom. They are saying we need these resources to develop our own economy and achieve energy efficiency, so go find your own supplies." Does this mean BYD will one day have a big, big advantage?

[Source: Telegraph via China Car Times | Image: Martin Bernetti/AFP/Getty]

China pondering hoarding precious metals used in hybrids and EVs by banning exportation? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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STUDY: Despite insurance breaks, hybrids driven more, cost more to fix, and get more tickets

Chris Shunk — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Maintenance, Trends, Hybrid, Lifestyle

2010 Honda Insight EX - Click above for high-res image gallery

Conventional wisdom is that hybrid vehicles reduce our dependence on foreign oil and emit fewer environment hurting CO2 emissions. When comparing a hybrid to a conventional gasoline-powered model on a mile-by-mile basis, there's some logic to this argument provided the pricing disparity between the two models isn't too broad. However, a new study by Quality Planning shows that hybrid owners drive much more than non-hybrid owners, potentially negating the benefits of the added battery pack and electric motor.

Quality Planning studied nearly 360,000 vehicles throughout 2007 and 2008 to analyze driving habits, and some of the study's findings are pretty surprising. According to the survey, hybrid and non-hybrid drivers have statistically similar commutes, but hybrid owners drive their vehicles 25% more (2,000 miles) in non-commuting scenarios.

Dr. Raj Bhat, president of Quality Planning, thinks part of the reason for these findings has something to do with the fact that high mileage drivers are typically more interested in hybrids than infrequent drivers.

"What we don't know is whether owning a hybrid vehicle encourages people to drive more miles each day or take more pleasure trips. High-mileage drivers appear to be attracted to these vehicles, so insurers should take steps to verify the intended use of hybrids and validate actual miles driven wherever possible."

The study also shows that hybrid owners are significantly more likely to receive traffic tickets. According to the survey, Toyota Prius owners received .38 tickets per 100,000 miles driven, versus a non-hybrid average of .23 tickets per 100,000 miles. That's a 65% differential. One possible explanation for the ticket disparity has to do with where hybrid owners live. Quality Planning found that hybrid owners are more likely to live in an urban setting, where tickets are more frequently issued.

If you really want a hybrid and you don't want to hear any more bad news, you should stop reading. QP also found that repair costs are significantly higher for hybrid owners. The Ford Escape Hybrid, for example, costs 31% more to repair than the gasoline-only model, while repairing the Toyota Highlander Hybrid will reportedly add 45% more cost. A recent report by IntelliChoice that found that, in the long-term, hybrids and diesels are actually cheaper than gasoline-only vehicles.

The text below illustrates how much on a per dollar basis hybrid repair costs for collision and comprehensive coverage versus one dollar for a non-hybrid. The disparity is shrinking every year, but according to QP, hybrids still cost more to fix. Hit the jump to view the Quality Planning press release.

Collision Comprehensive
Coverage Coverage
2006 Hybrid Models $1.16 $1.75
2007 Hybrid Models $1.09 $1.35
2008 Hybrid Models $1.13 $1.17

Gallery: Review: 2010 Honda Insight EX

[Source: Quality Planning via Marketwire]

Continue reading STUDY: Despite insurance breaks, hybrids driven more, cost more to fix, and get more tickets

STUDY: Despite insurance breaks, hybrids driven more, cost more to fix, and get more tickets originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EDITORIAL: Attention Wall Street Journal - Ford does not use Toyota's hybrid system!

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 15:10:00 EST

Filed under: Green

2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

In a recent op-ed piece published in The Wall Street Journal, Alan Reynolds of the Cato Institute starts by making a few decent points about fuel taxation and fuel economy rules. Unfortunately, he undermines himself with some blatant errors and misinformation. In discussing how Detroit automakers will deal with new fuel efficiency requirements, he makes the all-too-common mistake of referring to Ford's hybrid system as licensed from Toyota ("Similarly, Ford has the Toyota-licensed hybrid Fusion and will soon produce the European Ford Fiesta in Mexico").

The reality is that Ford independently developed its own hybrid system at the same time Toyota was masterminding its own. The basic architecture of both systems is the same and both are based on the concepts developed and patented by TRW engineers in the late 1960s. When Ford introduced the Escape Hybrid, Toyota went after the Blue Oval for infringing on its patents. Ford had patents of its own on the technology that Toyota was using. Eventually, the two companies reached a cross-licensing agreement that gives both companies the right to build their own systems. Such cross-licensing agreements are common in these kinds of cases, but Ford did not use the Toyota hybrid system. The only other company that uses Toyota's system is Nissan for its Altima hybrid, and they actually buy hardware from Toyota. We continue deconstructing Reynolds' arguments after the jump

Gallery: Review: 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid

[Source: Wall Street Journal]
Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading EDITORIAL: Attention Wall Street Journal - Ford does not use Toyota's hybrid system!

EDITORIAL: Attention Wall Street Journal - Ford does not use Toyota's hybrid system! originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Jul 2009 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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