Only fuel cell hybrids can save us? Most these days claim fuel cells are a dream, but are America’s plans for energy independence or serious reductions in global warming emissions any less of a dream? Study after study demonstrates the fickleness of consumers towards embracing hybrid cars , especially plug-in versions. Likewise, according to most studies, achieving energy independence and serious reductions in …

60 percent want hybrids to be superior in every way According to a new Accenture Study taken in the US, Canada, Germany, France and Italy, 6 out 10 consumers will only buy a hybrid when it is “superior to gasoline-only models in every way.” Likewise, just 36 percent of consumers cited higher gas prices as a reason to buy a …

DaimlerChrysler Canada has announced recently its plan to expand and improve its lineup of eco-friendly , sophisticated clean diesel technology starting with the 2007 model year. The clean diesel technology will enable … The advanced diesel technology is an integral part of the Chrysler Group’s advanced propulsion technology umbrella, which focuses on hybrids, efficient gasoline engines, biodiesel capability, and flex-fuel vehicles .

40 miles of EV range the wrong approach? Over that last few years a number of battery studies have suggested that, based on current lithium-ion technologies, small-battery plug-in hybrids offer the most compelling overall case to consumers in terms of performance and cost-effectiveness. Obviously, this flies in the face of not just the Chevy Volt and it’s 40 miles of EV range, but also the government’s entire …

A new Congressional logo? I am not a Toyota apologist. Yes, I own and drive a Toyota hybrid, but that’s only because they’ve provided the best choice in hybrid cars when I’ve hybrid shopped. Nevertheless, I’d dump Toyota as my brand of choice in a heartbeat if I found a more cost-effective hybrid that fulfilled my needs. Ultimately, the only thing I…

The back end of the Lotus Evora 414E hybrid OK. I know that most following this blog don’t really care about luxury hybrids, such as Porsche’s latest Cayenne hybrid, or hybrid sports cars, such as the latest announced by Lotus. Nonetheless, I though the Lotus Evora 414E plug-in hybrid was worth …

But only for large vehicles? For some time a common topic on Hybridcarblog has been the need for Honda to develop a ‘full’ hybrid powertrain, such as found on a Toyota Prius or a Ford Fusion hybrid , that enables a hybrid vehicle to run purely on electric power. Well, Honda has confirmed that it is working on such a powertrain. “We’ve left the research stage and entered the field of development,” Tomohiko…

But only for large vehicles? For some time a common topic on Hybridcarblog has been the need for Honda to develop a ‘full’ hybrid powertrain, such as found on a Toyota Prius or a Ford Fusion hybrid , that enables a hybrid vehicle to run purely on electric power. Well, Honda has confirmed that it is working on such a powertrain. “We’ve left the research stage and entered the field of development,…

Coming this Spring The new Toyota Auris hybrid will make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show, and the production-ready hybrid will go on sale throughout Europe later this Spring. Not many details on the new Auris hybrid are yet available, but Toyota did reiterate its plans to have hybrids across its…

Purely about CAFE GM will continue to build money-losing hybrid vehicles , but only because of CAFE requirements, according to GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz . And, to make up for the losses GM will have to increase the prices on the rest of their vehicles. Fortunately, since GM sold only 800 hybrids in January, they won’t have too many losses to make up. Ultimately, Lutz believes hybrids might one day make…

Simply more expensive compared to conventional and hybrid cars, despite energy savings The US National Renewable Energy Laboratory is prepared to release a new study on ways of achieving plug-in hybrid and EV cost-effectiveness. Like most studies, the NREL study also finds that under essentially every scenario possible, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles simply are not going to be cost-effective compared to conventional …

Smartest hybrid on paper? For decades full-sized trucks have dominated US auto sales. Since the fuel economy of these beasts is so horrific, creating hybrid versions of these trucks seems quite logical. Fortunately, GM undertook such a task several years years ago with the GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado hybrids . Unfortunately, however, the added hybrid costs of these trucks has scared most pickup…