Rising gas prices cause growth in hybrid car sales

Hybrid gas-electric cars are poised for explosive growth in 2011 due to soaring gas prices, new federal regulations and a greater variety of eco-friendly makes and models.
Drivers are feeling pain at the pump, as fuel costs increased 30 percent between May 1, 2010, and May 1, 2011, according to the American Automobile Association. Pricey petrol has budget-strapped families pinching pennies wherever possible.
"A lingering recession has many people turning to hybrid-fuel vehicles as a way to save money. Hybrids are one of the fastest growing sectors of the automotive industry," said Valorie Staley, manager of the Valley Automall, which celebrates its 15-year anniversary in 2011. "Valley Automall has a huge variety of hybrid makes and models available, including everything from sedans and trucks to SUVs and coupes."
Hybrid refers to an automotive engine fueled by a combination of gas and electric power. The gas-electric mix improves fuel mileage by up to 60 percent, compared to traditional combustion powered engines, says the Hybrid Car Organization. Hybrids achieve this feat by automatically transitioning between gas- and electric-engine operation during stop-and-go traffic and idle time. Hybrids additionally reduce harmful emissions by up to 90 percent over comparable conventional vehicles, the organization states.
"Hybrid vehicles represent the latest advancement in automotive technology," said William Johnson III, general sales manager of Lexus of Henderson. "Valley Automall prides itself on offering the most sophisticated engineered vehicles available."
Hybrids are a sound investment with lower depreciation rates than standard gasoline cars, the Hybrid Car Organization reports. Nearly every major automobile manufacturer now has a hybrid model. This is due, in part, to the Corporate Average Fuel Economy regulation that requires carmakers to maintain a minimum fuel mileage for all product lines. A 2007 amendment to CAFE no longer exempts light trucks classified as SUVs or passenger vans. The move is expected to save 10.7 billion gallons of gasoline annually, says the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration. In other words, automakers must produce better gas mileage across the board, which means more hybrid makes and models.
The federal mandate, for example, has created some exciting new hybrid trucks such as the 2011 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra, as well as SUVs like the Toyota Highlander, Ford Escape, Volks-wagen Touareg, Lexus RX450h, Chevy Tahoe and Cadillac Escalade. There are also luxury hybrid vehicles that combine comfort and elegance with fuel efficiency and performance such as the compact Lexus CT 200h, which gets 42 mpg.
Local residents Bernie and Elaine Halprin recently purchased a Lexus CT 200h from Lexus of Henderson inside the Valley Automall, 7736 Eastgate Road.
"The Lexus CT 200h is really sporty looking as well as eco-friendly and fuel efficient," said new hybrid owner Bernie Halprin. "We looked everywhere for this model. We even drove down to Southern California. But, it was Valley Automall that had the model in stock, so we could see and test drive it."
Despite misconceptions, hybrids carry the same power and performance, styling and luxury as conventional cars. High-end hybrid vehicles are increasingly becoming commonplace with models like the BMW X6 and Mercedes S400 BlueHybrid, which could be the first production luxury sedan with a lithium ion battery.
"Hybrids are no longer the ugly stepsister of the car world," Johnson said. "They're now elegant and sophisticated. It's simply the latest advancement in automotive technology. Hybrids are fast and quiet, as well as affordable and practical."
Indeed, the automotive industry's growing range of affordable small and mid-sized hybrid sedans consist of the Honda Civic, Honda CRZ and 42-mpg Honda Insight, plus mid-sized sedans such as the Lexus HS250h, Nissan Altima and Toyota Prius, which gets 50 mpg. There are even large-size sedan hybrids like the Lexus GS450h, Lexus LS600hL and 41-mpg Ford Fusion, which was named Motor Trend's Car of the Year in 2010.
"Hybrid vehicles are here to stay," said Staley. "They're fun to drive and feature the same grace and power of regular vehicles, but with better fuel efficiency and environmental benefits.

U.S. Government Adds Hybrids and E.V.’s to Car Fleet

As part of its effort to make the federal fleet greener and put a million hybrid and electric vehicles on the road by 2015, the Obama administration took a relatively small step Tuesday by purchasing 101 Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrids, as well as 15 battery-powered E.V.’s.
The White House also announced that it expected federal agencies to use “midsize or smaller sedans” in lieu of the beefy black S.U.V.’s commonly associated with federal executive fleets.
According to the General Services Administration, which manages the federal vehicle fleet, the purely electric Nissan Leaf and Think City also are now approved for federal purchase, with other models to follow. Ten of the new cars will be Leafs, joined by five Thinks. Michael Robertson, chief of staff at the G.S.A., said the cars would be delivered to fleets by early next year.
President Obama has ordered that by 2015 all new light-duty vehicles either leased or purchased by federal agencies must be “alternative fueled,” a broad category that includes battery electrics, hybrids, natural gas and biofuel cars. So-called flex-fuel vehicles that run on E85 ethanol fuel are included in the designation, and federal officials said that the administration would take steps to ensure that they actually run on ethanol instead of gasoline.

The presidential memorandum on federal fleet performance issued Tuesday included deadlines for agencies and went on to say that “as soon as practicable,” the alternative-fuel vehicles should be located close to fueling stations.
E.V. charging stations to service government vehicles will be installed in five cities: Detroit, Los Angeles, Washington, San Diego and San Francisco.
Nancy Sutley, chairwoman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, said that the federal government, which operates the largest vehicle fleet in the United States, with about 600,000 cars and trucks, has to “lead by example.” The administration says that over the past year, it has doubled the number of hybrid cars and trucks in its fleet.
Mr. Obama’s memo called for “midsize or smaller sedans” in executive fleets “except where larger sedans are essential to the agency mission.” Agency heads can exempt vehicles for a number of purposes, including law enforcement, emergency response or military applications.

Why Buy a Hybrid Car

Hybrid cars are popular because they appeal to such a wide range of consumers. The ecologically conscious can appreciate the the ultra low emissions and amazing fuel economy, while the economically conscious can appreciate the low depreciation and great savings at the pump. See Hybrid Car Prices Now!

• Lower fuel emissions help to curb the infamous "Greenhouse Effect."
• Hybrid cars are in high demand, and because of this, they hold their value much better than most gasoline automobiles.
• Burning fossil fuel releases potentially harmful pollutants, but reducing the amount of fuel that needs to be burned may allow the environment to dispose of these pollutants by natural means.
• Hybrid cars offer huge savings at the pump. Switching from the average sedan to the average hybrid could save the driver over 500 dollars a year!
• Hybrid car technology has been accepted as a solution for the automobile pollution problems of the day.

Many states are now offering tax incentives and rebates to assist with the purchase of hybrid cars. These rebates can often add up to thousands of dollars saved! Click to learn more about hybrid car rebates in your area or get a free no-hassle quote on the Hybrid Car of your choice.

Hybrid Car Tax Break and Benefits

Many states have been offering both cash and privilege incentives for consumers who purchase ecologically friendly vehicles. Below is a list of some of the incentives. If we've missed any, please let us know!

• California - hybrid car owners are allowed the use of carpool lanes and are exempt from parking fees in certain parts of the sate.
• Colorado - hybrid car owners are offered a tax credit.
• Connecticut - those interested in purchasing a hybrid car with a fuel economy rating of better than 40mpg are exempt from sales tax on the purchase.
• Florida - hybrid car owners may drive in carpool lanes regardless of the number of passengers.
• Georgia - hybrid car owners may drive in carpool lanes regardless of the number of passengers.
• Maine - hybrid car owners may be eligible for a tax rebate of as high as $500.
• Maryland - hybrid car owners are eligible for a tax rebate of $1000.
• New Mexico - hybrid car owners do not have to pay the motor vehicle excise tax.
• New York - hybrid car owners may be eligible for up to $5000 in tax rebates.
• Oregon - hybrid car owners are eligible for a $1500 tax rebate.
• Pennsylvania - as of 2005, hybrid car owners are eligible for a $500 rebate. More here.
• Utah - hybrid car owners are eligible for up to a $3000 income tax credit.

German push for electric car supremacy

Government doubles investment to push German makers to forefront of electric car development.
Germany is investing heavily to establish itself as the world leader in electric car technology and steal a march on the likes of Japan, the US, Korea and China.
The German government this week announced it would double its existing investment in the roll-out of electric cars to 2 billion euros ($2.7 billion).
Chancellor Angela Merkel wants to have one million electric cars on German roads by 2020, and six million by 2030, with the likes of Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen at the vanguard.

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However, the extra funding over the next two years isn't likely to fund the car companies' investment in electric cars, or even to help offset their higher purchase price. "We think a direct purchase subsidy won't be the right answer," Merkel says.
Instead, it will help establish incentives to entice buyers to electric cars, such as priority parking, access to bus-only lanes and free recharging. Merkel has also offered to waive road taxes for 10 years on any electric car bought before the end of 2015 that emits less than 50 grams of CO2 per kilometre
A commission established by the German government to spearhead the push to electric cars, the National Electric Mobility Platform, warns that the government instead needs to quadruple its investment if it wants to achieve its ambitious targets.
Daimler AG chairman and head of Mercedes-Benz Dieter Zetsche told BBC World News that car companies also need the German government to subsidise the higher purchase price of electric cars.
"We need a competitive product," he says. "The German industry is well on the way to become the lead supplier for electric cars. In order to become the lead market we must partially bridge the gap between the initially high costs of these new products, and the willingness of customers to pay."
Governments around the world continue to wrestle with how best to assist the transition from cars fuelled by polluting fossil fuels to alternative drivetrains including electric, petrol-electric hybrid and hydrogen fuel cells.
Some, including the US and Japan, already offer direct subsidies to buyers of electric vehicles, while others are investing in charging infrastructure or other ownership incentives such as those favoured by the German government.
The Australian federal government is yet to act, despite the arrival last year of the plug-in electric Mitsubishi i-MiEV, while cars from Nissan (the Leaf) and General Motors (to be sold in 2012 as the Holden Volt) are due soon. It's expected that without any subsidies or government assistance, the two compact hatches will sell for up to $60,000.
Car companies including Nissan, Holden and Mercedes-Benz have lobbied hard to attract government support for their electric models, so far to no avail.
Another pressing issue stymying the public perception of zero-emission electric cars as a true green alternative is that the overwhelming majority of electricity in Australia is "dirty", having been generated by burning brown coal that creates significant CO2 output.
A shortage of public charging infrastructure and the perceived lack of driving range of most electric vehicles also continue to be problematic.

Survey reveals consumers preferplug-in hybrids over EVs

Given the choice between full electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, consumers prefer a battery-powered car that comes with a built-in backup plan, according to Accenture.
The consulting group conducted a survey of 7,000 people in 13 countries to gauge consumer readiness for the new clean automotive technologies coming to market. Accenture found that 58 percent of drivers were in favor of battery-powered vehicles replacing conventional gasoline-powered cars, but they weren't ready to give up gasoline all together. If they had to choose between a a plug-in hybrid or a pure electric vehicle, 71 percent of the responders favored the more conservative plug-in hybrid vehicle, and only 29 percent would prefer an all-electric car.
Range anxiety, limited charging infrastructure, and convenience of the dual-propulsion power train were cited as the main preference for hybrid cars. The average driving range for survey participants was 32 miles per day. The average EV range preference is 271 miles on a single charge, according to Accenture's survey data.
Accenture's results indicate that drivers prefer plug-ins to EVs because the automotive paradigm shift requires fewer changes to their current driving habits and is less inconvenient. GM has cited similar findings in its decision to develop first a plug-in hybrid rather than an all-electric car, like the Nissan Leaf. Volkswagen recently announced that it will develop a range of plug-ins, while BMW has indicated that it will go the pure EV route.
Although Accenture's findings suggest that plug-in hybrids are probably best suited to meet current market needs and attitudes, that could change. Survey responders younger than 35 were found to be more open to forgoing gas all together, with 37 percent saying they would rather drive an EV, compared to just 24 percent of drivers older than 55 willing to take the all-electric plunge.


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Preview: 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

The 2012 rear-drive Panamera S Hybrid is being touted as the most fuel-efficient Porsche ever. When launched in 2009, the big Panamera vaulted this famed sports carmaker into the Gran Turismo segment. Here was a large, comfortable car with room for four and their luggage. In its normal guise, the Panamera is offered with naturally aspirated V6 (300 horsepower) and V8 (400 hp) engines alongside turbocharged monsters that push 500 hp in the Turbo and 550 hp in the Turbo S. Obviously, the latter puts a decidedly sporty spin on the GT theme.

The newest Panamera is a full-on parallel hybrid that can operate on electric power, its gasoline engine or a blend of both when the driver demands a burst of acceleration. Powertrain aside, the S Hybrid is all Panamera, meaning there is no compromise. Indeed, the only concession is the loss of the under-floor storage compartment -it now houses the main 1.7 kilowatt hour/288-volt battery. In all other things, the Hybrid was created equal. In fact, it goes one better than the regular Panamera S because the Hybrid earns the same threemode adaptive air suspension that serves the Turbo so well. In other words, the Hybrid does not cede anything in terms of the manner in which it carves a corner. The air suspension and adaptive damping hunker the big sedan down as it obeys driver input with the same tenacity as its non-hybrid siblings.

The Hybrid uses a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 that produces 333 hp and 325 pound-feet of torque at 3,300 rpm. The electric motor, which is housed between the engine and eightspeed automatic transmission, chips in with another 47 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque anywhere between one and 1,150 rpm. As a combination, the hybrid system produces a net output of 380 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque at just 1,000 rpm! This is enough to motivate 1,980 kilograms of leather-lined opulence to 100 kilometres an hour in six seconds. It also manages to accomplish the 80-to-120-km/h passing move in a very quick 5.3 seconds.

It becomes obvious after a few minutes behind the wheel that the Hybrid is a true sports car whenever the driver drops the hammer. The interaction between the engine and electric motor is as seamless as it gets. Before the engine is engaged as a power source, its speed is synchronized with the rest of the drivetrain so its appears as if from nowhere. In fact, the drive proved to be so seamless that the tachometer was about the only way to tell whether the engine was doing the driving or resting as it conserved fuel.

The other surprising part of the Hybrid's makeup is just how long it actually drives on the electric power alone -on the test route, roughly 35% of the 150-km drive was covered with the engine doing absolutely nothing and, as such, consuming no fossil fuel.

The secret lies in the manner in which the electric motor operates. At speeds of up to 85 km/h, the electric motor is all that's required -that and a soft foot to prevent the engine from coming to life. Once up to speed, the instant the driver eases off the gas on a downslope, the Hybrid begins to "sail" -and it can do so at speeds up to 165 km/h. Technically, sailing shuts down the gas engine on the downslope as the electric motor begins to recharge the battery by harvesting the kinetic energy through regenerative braking. When the road flattens out at the bottom of a hill, the electric motor switches function to provide the power needed to maintain the desired speed. Again, the action is so seamless one must watch the E-Power meter to see if its needle is pointing to the charge or drive portion of the dial.

For those who value fuel efficiency over performance, the Hybrid's normal drive mode is the best -it sees the eightspeed transmission upshift early. This strategy delivered a real-world average fuel consumption of 8.0 litres per 100 km on the test drive. On the flip side, the sport mode stretches out the shift points and gives the Hybrid a far more athletic feel, but with some built-in conservation strategies. The point here is that regardless of how hard the driver drives the Hybrid or which of the modes he or she selects, the hybrid system is going to cut consumption -be it sailing down a twisty descent or when the engine sits idle at a red light.

The Panamera S Hybrid is, for want of a better description, a sports car with a conscience. It is so good I was left wondering how Porsche will justify the non-hybrid Panamera S in the lineup other than for the fact it's offered with all-wheel drive and delivers a delightful V8 growl when worked. The Hybrid's only real concession, on the surface, is price -at $108,700, it is $5,500 more than the rear-drive Panamera S. However, dig a little deeper and that all changes. Throw in the adaptive air suspension (priced at $2,280) and the Hybrid's upfront premium is recouped in short order -a little over three years!

GM to Increase 2012 Chevy Volt Hybrid Production

A Chevrolet Volt hybrid electric car sits on display during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Photographer: Jeff Kowalsky/Bloomberg

General Motors Co. (GM) said production of its Chevrolet Volt will increase 33 percent from earlier plans, and the plant making the plug-in hybrid will shut down for four weeks to prepare for the increased output.
About 16,000 Volts will be built this year and 60,000 in 2012, Detroit-based GM said today in a statement. The automaker previously targeted output of 15,000 this year and 45,000 in 2012, Rob Peterson, a GM spokesman, said in an e-mail.
Chief Executive Officer Dan Akerson has said GM needs to offer more fuel-efficient vehicles as gasoline prices rise. GM will add the Voltec gasoline-electric drive system to more models in its fleet and needs to prepare for crude oil prices that may increase to $120 a barrel, he has said.
GM said its Detroit-Hamtramck plant, located about 4 miles north of its headquarters, will close for four weeks beginning in June for upgrades, including new tooling, conveyers and other equipment. The factory makes the Volt and its twin, the Opel Ampera, which sells in Europe and China.
The Detroit-Hamtramck plant also is preparing to make the Chevrolet Malibu beginning next year.
GM said the factory shutdown will further restrict supplies of the Volt in June and July. GM delivered 493 Volts in April, bringing sales to 1,703 for the first four months of the year.
Akerson has told executives he wants GM to boost Volt production to as much as 120,000 units in 2012, two people familiar with the matter said in January. GM continues to look at ways it can further increase capacity and will try to further increase output if demand is strong, Peterson said in a telephone interview.

Automakers Try To Convince Chinese To Drive Green

The boom in car ownership in China has brought with it many problems familiar to Americans: bad traffic, of course, but also more pollution. So the Chinese government and the auto companies are trying to push a new generation of environmentally friendly car.
But it's not proving easy.
Nancy Gioia, Ford's director of global electrification, has the somewhat unenviable task of persuading a Chinese public in the first flush of gasoline-powered capitalism to park the Hummer and roll out the Ford hybrid.
Eighty percent of car buyers last year were first-time purchasers, and Gioia is under no illusions that getting China to go green will be easy.
"One of the challenges we have in China is not that electrification will come, it's that our desire to have it tomorrow can't be met because the customer has to be willing," Gioia says. "Here in China the second large challenge is infrastructure."

Enlarge Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images Green car technology is still in its infancy in China, and there's little uniformity in the way of infrastructure to support the vehicles, like this concept car with solar panels, made by Roewe, seen at the Shanghai Auto Show.

Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images

Green car technology is still in its infancy in China, and there's little uniformity in the way of infrastructure to support the vehicles, like this concept car with solar panels, made by Roewe, seen at the Shanghai Auto Show.

The challenge of infrastructure is that most urban Chinese people live in high-rise apartment blocks, so charging electric or hybrid cars is difficult.
Ford is rolling out demonstration models, though none of them is yet on sale in China. Chinese companies have jumped into the green car business, too. One company, from the southern city of Shenzhen, is BYD, which stands for Build Your Dreams.
Paul Lin, senior marketing manager for BYD, says he thinks the dreams of Chinese drivers are less entrenched than their gas-guzzling American counterparts. Chinese are different from Americans and Europeans, he says.
"You people are familiar with cars and petroleum combined together," Lin says. "For Chinese, we don't have those deep habits to using that kind of car, so we can be easy to change."
Not Enough Government Control?
Inside the cavernous exhibition hall at the Shanghai auto show, it seems there's a presentation of a new model of green car almost every minute, usually with a tall, beautiful female model draped across its hood. But even tall, beautiful female models may not be yet enough to persuade the Chinese public.
"The green technology is not mature enough yet," says 25-year-old visitor Tang Xuejun. "I won't consider buying a green car for another four or five years."
Guo Bing, 30, won't be buying an electric car either, since he has nowhere to charge it.

China is working hard to become the global leader in clean energy technology, like solar and wind.

In addition to general suspicions of new technology and logistics of where to plug the cars in, there is also a huge problem with Chinese government oversight and regulation.
John Zeng of auto consulting firm J.D. Power in Shanghai says the government wants to see people buy more cars generally to boost industrial growth, but there are a whole array of different standards for charging stations, batteries and all the infrastructure needed for the green car industry.

Hybrid models save on petrol costs

Choosing a hybrid car over an equivalent petrol car can be a good way for motorists to save money as fuel prices soar towards 140 pence per litre mark.

As more hybrid models are launched, they are becoming available to an ever wider audience of car buyers.
TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk analysed the fuelling costs of a number of hybrid models now available to buy in the UK and compared them to an equivalent petrol car.
The results found on average that buying a new hybrid car instead of a petrol equivalent could save motorists on average over £500 pounds a year in refuelling costs.
While the purchase price of a hybrid model tends to be higher than an ordinary petrol model, the difference in MPG capabilities means that you could recover the additional outlay within four years, meaning that a hybrid model can make economic as well as environmental sense.
In the case of the Auris, the hybrid model starts from £2,460 more than the range-topping 1.6 SR V-Matic of the non-hybrid range. But with a discrepancy of 31.5 mpg in combined fuel economy, the hybrid could save you £630.95 a year in fuel, meaning that you could recoup your initial additional outlay in four years. Add this to the strong residual values for a typical hybrid model and you could find that the initial expense is well worth it.
“More and more hybrid models are now reaching the market, and while 2011 was widely predicted to be the year of the electric car, in terms of real market presence and accessibility, then 2011 is a breakthrough year for hybrids,” explains the website’s editor, Faye Sunderland.
“Once the choice was limited to a couple of cars from just a couple of manufacturers; now more and more car makers are getting in on the act and introducing hybrid cars into more vehicle segments.
“This year sees the launch of the first B-segment hybrid; the Honda Jazz, the launch of Infiniti M35 hybrid and Peugeot’s first hybrid and the first diesel hybrid in the form of the 3008 HYbrid4. Range-extended models such as the Chevrolet Volt and the Vauxhall Ampera should be available to order before the end of the year, for delivery in 2012,” she adds.

Shanghai to Start Alternative-Energy Car Subsidies, Netease Says

Shanghai will start subsidizing purchases of alternative energy-powered vehicles by the end of June, Netease reported on its website.
The city plans to give 20,000 yuan ($3,074) in subsidies for buyers of plug-in hybrid cars and 40,000 yuan for pure electric cars, the report said, citing Lu Xiaochun, vice chairman of Shanghai’s science and technology commission. China is already offering buyers nationwide subsidies of as much as 60,000 yuan.
China, the world’s largest vehicle market and second- biggest crude-oil importer, is promoting alternative energy- powered vehicles to cut oil imports and rein in pollution. The nation aims to have 13 million all-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles by 2020, making it the biggest market for such cars, according to the World Electric Vehicle Association.
Shanghai’s city government press office couldn’t immediately confirm the Netease report.
The city will boost buying of alternative energy-powered vehicles to 1,000 by the end of the year through bulk purchases, leasing and private consumer use, according to the municipal government’s website. Shanghai will set up 770 charging posts and four stations to facilitate the adoption of electric and hybrid cars, according to the government website.

When you get into your car, you usually have a good idea of where you are heading. But what if your car already knew?

It may not seem that important now, but as more vehicles switch to plug-in hybrid powertrains, and municipalities institute low-emissions zones that mandate the use of electric motors, optimizing battery life could become a major factor for millions of motorists around the world.

To facilitate the transition, Ford has teamed up with Google for a research project that aims to create a car with the ability to predict where it is going, and autonomously adjust the way it operates along the way.

Envisioned as an opt-in service, owners would have their driving habits monitored by a cloud-based computer program that incorporates Google Prediction API software, creating a model of their behavior over time, according to Ford Technical Expert Ryan McGee.

“When you turn on your car it’s going to go out to the cloud and ask that model a question,” McGee explains. “It’s Tuesday afternoon about five o’clock, it knows I tend to go home about that time and it says ‘ahh, Ryan’s going home from work today.’ Then it’s going to use that information to help schedule when it’s going to use the engine and the [electric motor].” This way, if you have a plug-in hybrid vehicle with a 25 mile all-electric range and you are travelling from point A to point B, which is 100 miles away, and there’s an EV-only zone along your route, it will save its battery charge for the section where it needs it, rather than using it up at the beginning of the trip.

Although simple mapping software could potentially accomplish the same end if you manually input your final destination every time you get in the car, the idea behind the project is to take as much effort as possible away from the driver and hardware out of the car. But the unpredictable nature of human beings will still likely require a conversation between man and machine.

“We think there’s going to have to be an interaction that the customer has with the system. Because we don’t want to make a complete assumption if we think there’s going to be different behavior,” McGee tells FoxNews.com.

According to McGee, the technology could be in production within four to eight years, and Ford already has a fleet of prototype plug-in hybrid Ford Escapes using it in and around the company’s headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.

While EV-only zones are more of a European phenomenon at this time, the concept behind Ford’s research could have applications in other areas of vehicular performance. The Chevrolet Volt, for instance, has a function that allows it to maintain a higher level of charge in its battery pack than normal if the driver knows there’s a mountain ahead that may require extra power to get over and switches the car into this mode. Using predictive software, the vehicle could determine this need on its own, make the change, and let the driver worry about other things, like where to stop for lunch along the way.

After a few weeks together, the car will probably know before its owner does.

U.S. wants to raise gas mileage standards, but by how much?

WASHINGTON — As the first Toyota Priuses took to U.S. roads more than a decade ago and celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz touted their virtues, enthusiasts predicted that hybrid cars would quickly become mainstream.
But there was a problem: They cost too much, and consumers spurned them. Last year, the vehicles represented less than 3 percent of cars and light trucks sold in the United States.
Now the Obama administration is deciding how much to push U.S. drivers into fuel-efficient cars.
Over the next few months, regulators are scheduled to set the next round of U.S. fuel economy standards for manufacturers. Among the proposals under consideration is one that would lift average fuel economy under the law to as much as 62 mpg by 2025.
The pre-eminent issue in the debate is how much the price of cars — gas, hybrids, plug-ins or whatever inventors come up with — would rise if regulations dictate such standards.
On one side are automakers, which warn that the highest targets could add as much as $10,000 to the price of a new car, devastating a U.S. industry that just two years ago was bailed out by the government.
Sales could plummet by 25 percent, they say, and 220,000 auto manufacturing jobs could be lost.
Regulators “need to ensure that their standards do not result in vehicles that consumers cannot afford,” the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, a trade group, warned in a letter this week to officials.
On the other side are environmentalists, who dismiss the automakers’ cost estimates as bloated and argue that the costs of investing in fuel efficiency are tiny compared with the effects of global warming and dependence on foreign oil.
The proposal to raise the standard to 62 mpg, which would translate into “real world” average efficiency of about 45 mpg, is also backed by 17 U.S. senators, who last month issued a letter of support for a “maximum feasible” standard.
“The cost of investing in clean car technology will be vastly outweighed by the billions saved averting the dangers of global warming,” said Roland Hwang, transportation director for the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Environmental groups argue that the additional costs can be minimized with innovation. The added cost of purchasing a hybrid has been estimated to be between $3,000 and $5,000. But the groups point to a breakthrough in new hybrid systems that arrived in U.S. markets this year, which some industry experts said cuts costs of Prius-like hybrid systems by as much as a third.
This technology “is the biggest piece of the solution for hybrids,” said John German, a senior fellow at the International Council on Clean Transportation and the author of a book on hybrid cars. “It’s a quantum leap in cost reduction.”
The “P2″ systems, as they are known, have been installed this year in the Volkswagen Touareg, Infiniti M35 and Hyundai Sonata hybrids and are expected to become widespread if they prove successful.
Unlike the hybrid system in the Prius, which has two motors and two inverters for converting from DC battery power to AC motor power, the new Touareg has one motor and one inverter, which saves money. The Touareg hybrid improves fuel efficiency by 20 percent or more.
“We think it’s a better mousetrap,” said Joe Slenzak, director of business development for powertrain electrification at Bosch North America, which provides the P2 system for the Touareg. “We expect other automakers to expand use of this technology in the future.”
Other automakers are more skeptical about the potential for price savings from P2 systems, however.
“The idea that the P2 is a clear winner is not true,” said Larry Nitz, General Motors’ director of hybrid powertrain engineering. “I’m not sure it’s there yet.”
Under current rules, which run through 2016, average fuel economy is supposed to rise to about 35 mpg.
But the administration is wrestling with what to do from 2017 to 2025. Regulators have analyzed scenarios in which, under the law, fuel economy would rise to 47 mpg-62 mpg. At 47 mpg, the average car’s greenhouse gas emissions would drop by 3 percent annually. At 62 mpg, such emissions would be cut by 6 percent a year.
The two sides offer drastically different estimates of how much a change in fuel efficiency rules would add to the price of vehicles.
The Center for Automotive Research, a nonprofit organization in Michigan that relies, in part, on money from government agencies and the auto industry, estimates that getting to about 62 mpg would add $9,790 to the price of an average vehicle.
The Environmental Protection Agency, meanwhile, has estimated that the additional costs would be between $2,800 and $3,500, but the savings in fuel would be more than $5,000.
Aside from higher prices, fuel efficiency targets might make cars smaller, lighter and less powerful. The question hanging over the industry is whether consumers will embrace them.
Gloria Bergquist, vice president of communications at the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said there are many cars that offer very good mileage — 160 models that get more than 30 mpg, by her count.
“Our technology is in the dealer lots,” she said. But people aren’t buying them in large numbers. “We still need to have pickup trucks.”
Furthermore, a Consumer Reports survey found that while most people support a national goal of reducing oil consumption, 94 percent named a high purchase price as a deterrent to choosing an “environmentally friendly or green” vehicle.
Another study, conducted at MIT, suggested that even while fuel-efficient cars might save consumers money in the long run, they are reluctant to pay for fuel efficient technology upfront.
“If you tell people that we can make these vehicles so much more efficient that they won’t need to compromise on their vehicle, in my view that’s a lie,” said John Heywood, a professor who specializes in engines at MIT. “If you go for 62 mpg, as we move toward 2025, people will be disappointed by how much change in the vehicles they love is involved in that number.”

New hybrid car options help to protect the environment

NOW more than ever, the consequences of climate change are a reality of everyday life.
It is important to do our part to ensure the future protection of the environment, and it is for this reason that Honda has recently introduced a new line of hybrid vehicles, such as the extremely fuel efficient Insight Hybrid, that can help you to reduce your carbon footprint while driving in style.
Many British motorists are making the transition from using traditional motor cars to hybrid vehicles. Perhaps this is due to the fact that hybrid versions are much more efficient at utilising fuel, achieving up to twice the MPG and releasing up to 30 per cent fewer harmful emissions.
If you're unsure of how these innovative automobiles can release lower levels of emissions than conventional internal convention engines, and achieve greater fuel economy, fear not! Let us explain how hybrid engines work to help paint you a clear picture.
Hybrid vehicles rely on a combination of an engine and an electric motor for their powering needs. The smaller engines found in these cars have a lower weight and less internal losses, which allows the car to use less energy to generate the same amount of power that internal combustion engine vehicles use.
Additionally, hybrid engines found in cars such as the Honda Civic Hybrid have high battery storage capacity. This allows for the engine to store and reuse recaptured energy, which becomes especially helpful in the stop-and-go traffic associated with commuter highways and urban roads.
In terms of your options, currently there are only two companies are offering hybrid vehicles in the UK. Honda, however, is proving to lead the way by offering a wide range of innovative, reliable and comfortable vehicles that cater to different lifestyle needs.
Whether you need a car that will cater to family living, a standard yet entirely comfortable compact car, or you are seeking a vehicle that is sporty and sleek in design, there is a hybrid alternative waiting for you to sit behind its wheel.
If you're looking for something classic and practical, why not give the Civic Hybrid a go? This hybrid model starts at the standard price of £18,705. Standard features for this vehicle include 15-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, supplemental restraint system airbags, cruise control, a multi-function driver computer, Vehicle Stability Assist, a rolling code ECU engine immobiliser, electric adjustable and heated door mirror, mirror integrated indicators, heat absorbing tinted windows, climate controlled air conditioning, leather multi-function steering wheel, electric power-assisted steering, heated front seats, a six CD changer, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution and electronic windows.
If you're more keen to have a flashier model with racing capabilities, the obvious choice would be the CR-Z Hybrid. This vehicle begins at the standard price of £16,999, though is also available in the upgraded Sport and GT editions as well. This sleek and sporty ride not only looks good, but is entirely fuel efficient as it can get an impressive 56.5 MPG.
This innovative technology continues to grow in presence as it is being applied to vehicles around the world. As more money is invested in improving this technology, more hybrid models are being sold in the global automobile market. It's time we make the responsible choice to jump on the chance to be a part of something that gives the earth a much-needed break. Going hybrid does not mean you will have to change your life, but by doing so you can do your bit for the environment by making this very intelligent transition.
The health of planet Earth has been comprised over the course of time, and now it is in deep need of our help. When we switch from internal combustion engines to hybrid engines, we can respond to this calling in a big way, as this will help to reduce carbon dioxide emissions up to 35 per cent. In the fight against climate change and global warming, every little bit helps, and if we can do something that will help relieve our environment of a significant amount of pollutant stress, then we ought to do our part and get on with it.
When you are using a vehicle that reduces significantly less harmful gases and pollutants, you can feel good about driving. A hybrid car is a great investment that will have you saving money on petrol costs as you help the environment.
Be sure to keep all of this in mind as you consider your next car purchase, and be sure to be wise by going hybrid.

It's electric!: City unveils first car charging station

One of the most common symptoms among hybrid and electric car owners is "range anxiety," a term coined by TXU Energy's Director of Engineering and Innovation Scott Harrison.

"I know I can charge it at my house, but if I drive to McKinney and back, can I get there?" Harrison said, describing the fear that prevents some drivers from buying a hybrid car.

The city and TXU hope to quell that unidentified phobia with four electric car charging stations, one of which officially opened for business on Friday in the parking lot of the Roy and Helen Hall Memorial Library on East Hunt Street.

The station, made and installed by AeroVironment with approximately $8,000 in funds provided by TXU through a joint partnership with the city of McKinney, will be available for public use for hybrid and electric car owners as well as five of the cities' hybrid vehicles, three of which were converted to hybrids with a North Texas Council of Governments (NTCOG) grant.

McKinney City Manager Jason Gray called the initiative "a great new concept, not only for city vehicles ... but also for everyday commuters."

The stations also have plenty of added benefits outside the realm of environmental sustainability and conservation, Gray said.

"Through programs like this one, we can expand [our economic, financial and community sustainability] without negatively impacting our budget or allocating additional tax dollars, particularly in these difficult financial times," Gray said. "It's an incredible win-win, not just for the community but also for the organization of the city of McKinney, since we will be using some of these charging stations as well."

Julie Smith, McKinney's manager of the office of environmental stewardship, said the five hybrid vehicles will be used by parks and recreation and building inspectors, which makes the cars and charging stations a huge benefit since they are on the road the most and won't have to shell out $3.90 a gallon for gas every week.

"That's a biggie," Smith said with a laugh, "especially for a building inspector who drives all day."

Smith said she hasn't seen any studies on the number of hybrid or electric car owners in McKinney, but she does see quite a few Toyota Priuses parked at the McKinney Senior Recreation Center on South College Street. That's why they will also get an electric charging station in the coming months, along with two more at the city's maintenance buildings for the city's fleet.

"Really, the push we tried to make is we tried to put out stations to make people more comfortable knowing that they can go to downtown McKinney or Dallas and charge their car if they need to," Harrison said, "to promote the industry in a way that will make people comfortable about buying a vehicle."

Smith said the stations can also make the city a more attractive option for prospective home and business owners looking for a city with additional sustainability.

"It is often at least one parameter people use to move to that city, like can they walk where they need to go or is there a mass transit system," Smith said. "We do hold ourselves as being sustainable and having sustainable programs, and this is a very tangible way of looking at it ... It's a way of putting your money where your mouth is."

Hybrid Cars in Australia

Kia Prices Optima Hybrid at $26,500

Kia Motors America announced today that its first hybrid, the 2011 Optima Hybrid, will be priced at $26,500. The Optima Hybrid, with an expected rating of 35 miles per gallon in the city and 40 on the highway, goes on sale in June.
The gas-electric Optima shares its hybrid system with the Hyundai Sonata, which surprisingly carries a lower based MSRP of $25,800. The full range of Optima trim levels are priced between $18,995 and $25,995, while the Sonata trims vary—at a slightly higher price—between $19,395 and $27,245. Yet, Kia priced the hybrid Optima $700 higher than the Sonata Hybrid.
The higher price tag could be explained by the Optima Hybrid’s list of standard equipment, which includes a rear-mounted backup camera, rear spoiler, auto-down front windows, a cooled glovebox, compass and Kia's infotainment system. All Optima Hybrids also offer a unique front grille design, 16-inch alloy wheel design, fog lamps, heated outside mirrors, front and rear lower bumpers and side sills and LED tail lamp design.
Nonetheless, the Optima Hybrid beats the price of Ford Fusion—which offers similar fuel economy at 41/36—by about two grand. It matches the base MSRP of the Toyota Camry Hybrid, which is notably less efficient at 33 mpg in the city and 34 on the highway.
The Optima and Sonata Hybrids are among the new wave of so-called “P2” hybrids that use a parallel two-clutch approach to could provide 95 percent of the fuel efficiency benefits of an expensive two-motor system (used by Toyota and Ford), but at cost reductions of one-third or more. Hyundai says the Sonata Hybrid can travel up to 75 mph purely on electricity. It also means better efficiency on the highway, rather than the city. Hyundai and Kia also believe that matching the hybrid system to a six-speed automatic transmission provides a more engaging driving experience than hybrids using continuously variably transmissions.
"With a starting price under $27,000, the Optima Hybrid provides fuel-conscious shoppers with an outstanding value proposition by being priced below nearly all midsize hybrid competitors and delivering class-leading fuel economy along with head-turning style and advanced technologies," said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO, KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia.

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Nissan Sentra

Nissan’s green PR is all about the electric LEAF. But at half the sticker price and 34 mpg on the highway, the Sentra deserves a look from the ultra-pragmatist.

The 2011 Sentra is the grandchild of the Datsun 510, a small Nissan car introduced in 1968 that, in its day, was often referred to as the “poor man’s BMW.” The first Sentra arrived on U.S. shores in 1982. Since then there have been six iterations of the little car, the latest of which is represented by the current model. And, like nearly all small cars, the Sentra has grown in size. Originally a subcompact, it crossed over to the compact class in 2000, and today, even though exterior dimensions remain compact in size, the Sentra’s interior is classified by the EPA as a mid-size car.
Outside and inside, the 2011 Sentra is a repeat of the 2010 edition. But kudos to Nissan for equipping all 2011 Sentras standard with anti-lock brakes along with stability control and traction control systems.
While some rivals offer a hatchback or coupe body style in addition to a sedan, the Sentra is only available in a four-door sedan with an unusually broad range of models. The six-tier lineup starts with the entry-level 2.0 model and climbs through mainstream 2.0 S and 2.0 SL models. It ascends to the sporty-looking 2.0 SR and tops off with the raucous SE-R and SE-R Spec V models.
Sentra 2.0 models come with one engine, a 2.0-liter four cylinder, and two transmission options, a six-speed manual and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The fuel-miser of the group is the CVT, and yes, today’s automatic transmissions often deliver better fuel economy than their manual cousins. With this combination, the Sentra achieves an EPA estimate of 27 city/34 highway and a combined 30 mpg. With the six-speed manual, the 2.0-liter engine dispenses 24 city/31 highway and 27 mpg combined.

SE variants and fuel economy is an oxymoron—they are sport compacts with larger 2.5-liter fours that target enthusiast drivers. Connected to the CVT (the sole transmission available), the SE-R is EPA rated at 24 /30 and 26 mpg combined. A step up to the hot rod SE-R Spec V sees fuel economy numbers of 21/28/24—decent numbers for a 200 horsepower engine and a manual gearbox.

Exterior and Interior

Sentra’s exterior styling bears a strong family resemblance to the larger Altima and Maxima sedans. Up front, twin creases cut into a simply curved hood while Nissan’s signature rectangular stacked headlights frame a chrome-trimmed grille. The profile emphasizes the long wheelbase, short front and rear overhangs, and a character line on each side rises toward the rear, accentuating a sporty wedge shape. It is the most like the Altima, logically as that’s the next step up in the Nissan line. But if the shapes are vaguely similar, the Sentra’s proportions are very different, even a little awkward.
Both SE-Rs spiff up their look with different nose and tail treatments, driving lights, subtle lower-body skirting and a rear spoiler.
Despite its exterior dimensions, the Sentra’s cabin feels spacious and airy, courtesy of the arched roof and a 105.7-inch wheelbase that’s among the longest in the compact-car class. Wheelbase is the distance between the front and rear axles and helps determine how much space a vehicle can devote to the passenger compartment.
Sentra’s dashboard doesn’t have visual flair but it is orderly and functional. The instrument cluster features a crisply lit speedometer and tachometer that are easy to read. A round digital information center between the meters provides data like fuel efficiency, engine temperature and fuel level. Radio and climate controls are well laid out in the center stack. The large HVAC dials are easily adjusted, even when wearing winter gloves.
Front seats are a nice balance between comfort and support with a wide range of adjustability, albeit manually. All models have a tilt steering column, however, the base 2.0 lacks a height-adjustable driver’s seat that’s standard on up level offerings. Front head-and legroom is the envy of other carmakers.
As in front, rear seat passengers have generous space with room for two larger-than-average adults. Rear seats are split 60/40, and the rear-seat bottom cushions lift and flip forward against the front seat backs. This allows the seat backs to drop flat, expanding the already generous 13.1 cubic feet of trunk space to an enormous cargo hold in the cabin. If child car or booster seats reside in the back, the Latch anchors are difficult to dig out of the stiff seat cushions. Once this is accomplished, the rest is easy.
Nissan should be given an award for clever and thoughtful places to store all the things we find necessary to bring into the car. For starters, open the glove box and a small space in the lid can hold a map or pair of gloves. Lower the lid and there’s enough room for a small laptop or a woman’s purse. Left of the steering wheel is a small covered compartment for coins. Cupholders in the center console adjust from small to large cups, and behind them is a cell phone holder. Add to this, a deep stowage bin under the center armrest.

Quality of plastic materials is on par for the compact class, with soft, low-gloss surfaces. There are a few faux metal trim pieces, but there are also plenty that look like the real thing as well.

On The Road

In the compact car class, good fuel economy is a must. Featuring variable valve timing, the Sentra’s 2.0-liter 16-valve four-cylinder engine has an output of 140 horsepower and 147 ponds-feet of torque. Connected to Nissan’s CVT the Sentra’s fuel economy ratings are 27 city/34 highway and a combined 30 mpg. Not unlike other small cars we have driven, our recorded fuel mileage varied, just as the EPA says. And, like other small cars, the variance was on the plus side. Our week with the Sentra totaled 266 miles—160 miles Interstate, 49 miles two-lane highways, 57 miles in town—netted 36 miles per gallon.
Acceleration is plentiful, and though it takes time to adjust to the CVT’s distinctive power delivery, it works smoothly and is of particular benefit to highway-speed passing response. With a foot heavy on the go pedal, there is noticeable, but not obnoxious, engine noise. Settled in at speed, the cabin becomes close to luxury car quiet.

An independent strut front and a semi-independent torsion beam axle rear suspension are typical of cars in the compact class. Nissan has tuned it in the European fashion, with soft spring rates and matching shock rates for good comfort and control. The setup absorbs the bumps and potholes of everyday driving well. It’s also up to the task of negotiating curvy roads and sudden panic swerves, albeit with noticeable body roll.
Since HybridCars.com is about vehicles that deliver good to great fuel economy, we aren’t going to write about the Sentra SE-R and SE-R Spec-V except to say, if a pocket rocket is more your style, take a test drive.

Economics

The Sentra’s base 2.0 sticker price of $15,840 is competitive with class sales leaders Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Mazda3 and Hyundai Elantra. But, it comes standard with the manual transmission, not the CVT with the 27 city/34 highway fuel economy. The CVT is a $1,180 option, bringing the total to $17,020. Granted, that does include air conditioning, power windows and power door locks. However, for an additional $750, the 2.0S adds cruise control, remote keyless entry, manual height adjustable driver’s seat and an upgraded audio system with redundant steering wheel controls.
The 2011 Sentra has competitive prices, is roomy, provides lots of nifty interior features, possess competent road manners and, with the CVT, delivers good fuel economy at a time when gasoline prices are at the $4.00 per gallon mark and heading upwards. These attributes make the Sentra a good choice for singles and small families. But, the Sentra faces several strong contenders in this extremely competitive class of vehicles, so shop before you buy.
Prices are Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) at time of publication and do not include destination charges, taxes or licensing.

VW to release plug-in hybrids soon

Volkswagen has confirmed that it will launch a range of 'important models' with plug-in hybrid technology from 2013. In his announcement, VW Group chairman, Dr. Martin Winterkorn said: “Over the mid-term, the plug-in hybrid offers great potential, because it combines the best of two worlds in one vehicle.

“The plug-in hybrid offers precisely what many customers expect: unlimited internal combustion engine performance combined with attractive electric mobility ranges in everyday driving.”

He would not confirm which models in the range would get this technology, but the next-generation Golf is a certain bet, given that a few years ago VW showed a Golf-based plug-in hybrid concept car based on the Golf.

This 'TwinDrive' concept, of which many units have been used in fleet tests, mates an electric motor with a range of 50km to either a TSI turbopetrol or TDI turbodiesel engine.

More recently, Audi also showed off a plug-in hybrid concept called the A5 e-tron quattro - with a rear-mounted electric motor allowing all-wheel drive capability. It's almost certain that Audi will also jump on the plug-in bandwagon with this quattro variation finding its way into various key models.

DRIVEN: Sporty Lexus Compact Hybrid

The Toyota Prius hybrid has been a huge hit, not just here but worldwide, even though for car guys the Prius has a critical problem: It looks dorky.

Sure, its awkward shape has become a rather iconic symbol for low-emissions and fuel-efficient driving so that all your friends, neighbors and business associates know that you’re a good person for driving it. The highly recognizable Prius profile is one of the major reasons people are attracted to them.

But for those of us who dig cool cars, that’s a problem. For 2011, Lexus came to the rescue with a cleanly styled and highly drivable compact hybrid that removes the dork onus, although it is saddled with a clumsy name: CT 200h. That just doesn’t have the same ring as “Prius.”

CT, as I'll call it, is a good-looking four-door hatchback that is a dedicated hybrid, i.e. there is no regular gas-powered version to cause confusion. The look may not be as unique as Prius’ but at least those who recognize it will know it is a hybrid and nothing else. Which, I suppose, is an important thing for those who want to be perceived as good people.

With fuel prices hovering around $4 per gallon on average, a cool-looking Lexus hybrid might just fill the bill. Lexus notes that CT is the only luxury-compact hybrid on the market, thus far.

CT does perform with all the tidy excellence of Prius, with a seamless interchange of gasoline and electric power and various modes of operation for either more-efficient or better-performance driving. Like the Prius, its greatest efficiency comes in urban driving where the electric motor has a greater role rather than in highway driving, when the small gas engine does most of the heavy lifting.

My only issue with CT’s drivability is the rubbery continuously variable transmission, which either has the gas engine groaning like a wounded water buffalo or, when under hard acceleration or hill climbing, wailing loudly and continuously in high rpm. Really.

I know, I know, these CVT transmissions offer the most-efficient fuel-saving technology, compared with a regular multi-gear automatic or manual, but I just get sick of driving around with all that groaning and wailing. I would think that for car geeks such as myself, Lexus would provide the option of stickshift, especially for a car with sporty pretensions.

I had the opportunity to drive CT on a long road trip into the central Arizona high country, where scrubby desert turns to tall pines, and while the Lexus performed admirably with good handling and decent power, the droning high-rpm engine noise on the many steep grades during the way up started getting to me. On the mostly downhill way back, not so bad.

Stickshift would have been so much better all the way around. CT does have a driver-adjustable setting that provides engine braking rather than its normal free-wheeling, and the Sport setting gives greater throttle response and more-aggressive transmission mapping. But a trip like this really pointed out the warts in the CVT system.

Fuel mileage was pretty great, however, even though I was pushing the car hard most of the way. I averaged in the mid 30 mpgs on the ascent into the hills and in the low 40s on the way back. For a hybrid, that’s kind of what it’s all about.

In local driving, CT got mileage in the low 40s, and here the CVT wasn’t nearly as annoying. In the most-efficient EV mode, the car felt kind of sluggish but not too bad, and I learned how to manipulate the adjustments between Sport for acceleration and EV for cruising or driving in traffic to get the most mileage with the best performance.

In EV (which stands for electric vehicle), CT will run on electric power only up to 28 mph with light throttle pressure. The other modes – Eco, Normal and Sport – provide increasing performance but correspondingly lower efficiency.

A cool feature: when you switch to Sport mode, the electronic instrument cluster replaces the hybrid-system monitor with a tachometer.

CT gets its power from a 1.8-liter four-cylinder with “intelligent” variable valve control accompanied by a pair of electric motors that also serve as generators to return power to the nickel-metal-hydride battery pack when the engine is doing the work or while decelerating. One motor is up front while the other powers the rear wheels as needed.

Together they provide 134 horsepower with loads of torque from low rpm so that in the Normal or Sport modes, off-the-line acceleration can be pretty strong. Lexus says it will accelerate from zero to 60 in 9.8 seconds.

Drivability is uncompromised by the hybrid system, with the system switching back and forth quietly and unnoticeably. Although it starts off quickly, the Lexus runs out of breath as speed climbs. CT cruises comfortably at freeway speeds.

The wagon design provides a broad cargo area behind the rear seats. (Photo: Lexus)

The cool styling should appeal to those who want to drive clean but shy away from the lame looks of Toyota Prius. (Photo: Lexus)

Efficient packaging makes the Lexus seem like a "normal" car, with the hybrid system tucked away underneath. (Photo: Lexus)

Hybrid car manufacturers becoming more environmently friendly

Hybrid car manufacturers must do more than produce environmentally friendly cars. They must also be green themselves in all their business practices. The first hybrid to hit the market was the Prius and Toyota soon came under a lot of criticism about how bad for the environment the building and transporting of their hybrid car was. Many people believed it was better for the environment to keep an old car than buy a new Toyota hybrid. Toyota soon took this criticism on board and have progressively made building the world's first hybrid more and more environmentally friendly. Lets take a look at what Toyota did in this area.

Its not only their petrol electric hybrid production that Toyota have been making more green. Toyota have worked hard over the past few years to make the construction of all their vehicles as green as possible. Since 2003 Toyota have reduced water usage for manufacturing all cars by 20%. Even more impressive they've reduced landfill waste from their manufacturing plants by 96% since 1999! Today, all Toyota cars are 90% recyclable and by 2015 they want this figure to be 95%. All hybrid car manufacturers are going to have to go down the same route as Toyota have done or risk losing sales. And its not just production processes that Toyota improved. Their Portland Vehicle Distribution Center in the U.S. is one of their most environmentally friendly locations. The building is 100% powered by wind energy and 99% of construction waste was diverted from landfill.

Car transportation has been considered too. Many Prius cars will be shipped on a boat that is part solar powered. The Auriga Leader is a ship with 328 solar panels generating 40 kilowatts of electricity in bright sunshine. This results in lower fuel use and therefore lower emissions. Toyota say, 'It is yet another example of how the new Prius benefits from clever use of renewable energy sources throughout its life cycle'.

All hybrid car manufacturers are trying to become more green and its a really great unforeseen benefit of hybrid cars. The car industry is shaping up and getting cleaner because they have to in order to sell their cars. Of course all car makers will tell you they've always been green but this is plainly untrue. They're only now interested because sales are on the line. The hybrid car manufacturer that is kindest to the planet will have a massive marketing advantage over the others and will sell more. No longer does it only come down to who produces the best hybrid car.

Ford Escape Hybrid SUV

The Ford Escape Hybrid SUV was first released in 2005 and remained largely unchanged until the 2008 model which saw lots of cosmetic surgery. In 2009 further improvements were made, this time to the engine and mechanics and the latest version of this hybrid SUV is definitely the best yet.

The hybrid Escape has a 2.5 liter four cylinder gasoline engine with variable valve timing and two electric motors, teamed with a continuously variable transmission. This gives the Ford hybrid 177 horsepower which is a handy 22 horsepower up on the 08 Escape hybrid. The car has an all-electric mode to 40mph, after which the gas engine kicks in to assist. Having said that if you put your foot down and demand power from the vehicle the gas engine will immediately begin to work. The previous model of the hybrid Escape could only manage to run on electric motors up to 30mph so this is another good improvement. The transition from electric mode to gas mode is so smooth that its hard to notice. The final thing to say about the all-electric mode is that it can't be used in combination with the air conditioning. The a/c takes too much power to run. If you're using the a/c you will automatically be in gas mode. If you ask it to this SUV will get you from 0-60mph in a shade under 10 seconds so its certainly not slow.

The Ford Escape hybrid has official fuel economy figures of 34mpg in the city and 31 on the highway. We're used to seeing higher fuel mileage on the highway but its not uncommon with hybrid vehicles to see a higher return from the city. This is where the hybrid technology works best. These are respectable figures for an SUV and are very slightly up on the 2008 Escape hybrid which registered 1mpg less.

The Ford SUV makes use of regenerative braking to recapture energy for its 2kWh nickel metal hydride battery. A brake simulation module gives the regenerative brakes the feel of normal brakes to the driver. It works really well. The car does have some handling problems though. The hybrid SUV is 300 pounds heavier than the non-hybrid version and you really notice it around corners. This is not a nimble car. On the plus side, noise and vibration have both been reduced in the 2009 Ford Escape hybrid. Although an SUV, this car is best suited to the road. Its all wheel drive system, low resistance Michelin's and nose and wheel spoilers are just some of the reasons this car has limited off-road ability.

The latest Ford hybrid Escape has a number of useful features and options. AdvanceTrac is an advanced stability control system that also works to prevent rollover, something more common among SUV's than other vehicles. The SYNC option is a voice controlled entertainment and communications system. The excellent Sirius Travel Link option combines real time traffic, weather, fuel prices and more with a great navigation system.

The Ford Escape hybrid SUV in its latest form is a great family car. It has benefited enormously from successive improvements as each new version has been released. In its latest incarnation its only failing is its lack of off-road ability, but this is not uncommon in this class of car. Where to now for Ford? Well they're currently working on a plug-in hybrid Escape that would benefit from a lithium ion battery thats 5 times as powerful as the standard hybrid SUV battery. One big issue for Ford will be keeping the price down on such a car. They hope to be selling a plug-in hybrid SUV by 2014.