Nissan to offer its own alternatives by 2010

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Following the introduction of its 2007 Altima Hybrid, which we saw at this month's LA Auto Show (and which makes use of Toyota's hybrid drivetrain technology), Nissan has outlined plans to introduce a car using its own hybrid technology in 2010.

The announcement is part of the Nissan Green Program 2010, which also includes plans to introduce an original hydrogen fuel-cell car incorporating an in-house-developed stack, and a "three-liter car"--a car that gets gas mileage of 100km per three liters of gasoline (around 79mpg)--both by 2010.

Nissan's news is the latest in a string of alternative-fuel vehicle activity from the major automakers: in LA, General Motors Chairman Rick Wagoner said that GM was planning to develop a production plug-in hybrid version of its Vue Green Line starting in 2008. Also at the LA Show, BMW debuted its Hyrdogen7, Honda unveiled its FCX Concept fuel-cell car, and GM showed off its full two-mode hybrid system in the Yukon Hybrid.

[techmonkey]

When will people learn - hybrids not worth the $$$

The average life of a vehicle now-a-days is around 7 years.

Based on current gas prices and the extra money that is charged for a hybrid vehicle, it would take at least 10 years for anyone to see any financial savings gained with the purchase of a hybrid vehicle.

Since most people do not keep their vehicles for more than 10 years (average again is 7), people are just kidding themselves when it comes to saving money with a hybrid. There are no real savings...in fact, you are wasting money.

Now when it comes to the benefit to the environment - hybrids are the way to go.

Why then am I writing this? I'm tired of all these stories about hybrids - they arent that great when it comes to financial savings. Once they come down in price it will be a different story, but until then...I'm sure CNET and CRAVE can find much better techno news than another car manufacturer coming out with a hybrid....big whoopie doo!

[andrewrm]

it's not just the money

My friends that own hybrids are aware of the cost issues. For them it is about limiting green house gass pollution not just fuel cost savings. When I get ready to replace my vehicle my decision on power train will be based on a pretty large part about the CO2 impact as well.

[manniac]

only way hybrids will be cheap is if we buy them!

If we don't demand more fuel efficient vehicles then they'll always remain expensive. Plus the cost difference gap is getting narrower and the positive impact on the environment is well worth it. There are tax breaks available that can help balance the budget. Wouldn't you prefer driving behind a hybrid in traffic rather than a '92 Ford Tempo? Keep up the good hype CNET!!!

[graham_346]

Hybrids can be economical when selling them, too

You are losing perspective. The performance is generally there and the demand is high so that the depreciations are lower on used vehicles. I converted a 2004 civic hybrid to a 2006 version with less than a 10% cost. Try that with a Chevy.

[make_or_break]

Techmonkey, it can work financially

At $1.50 per gallon, it would take forever. But at $3.00 per gallon (which is what several local station have upped their prices to this week once again), it gets a LOT easier to get that payback cycle to pencil out. Especially if one looks at the particular system that's installed on the Camry (which I'd guess is probably what Nissan is going to base their Altima system on). Ever notice just how much better the fuel economy is for that version of Toyota's Synergy system? Considering the jump in mileage (inline-4 vs Hybrid) goes from 24MPG to 40MPG in the city cycle (the revues I've read seem to indicate that 40MPG is easily attainable, too), it's not impossible to see a realization of return fairly quickly, depending on how heavily the car is being used. In 15,000 miles (typical annual usage mileage), that translates to 625 gallons for the I4 vs 375 gallons for the hybrid. At $3/gal. for the 250 gallons saved, that's $750 a year. The $5000 premium between a Camry Hybrid (assuming NO dealer price gouging) and a typical LE/SE I4 (the two trim levels that seem to match the Hybrid the best) can been recovered in seven years. And if one holds onto the car longer, the more it'll pencil out over the long haul (it should be noted that the reality is that the gas-only Camry may do a fair bit better in MPG if there's plenty of highway miles, while the Hybrid will do a bit worse, but for argument's sake...)

Plus in that seven years you speak of, it amounts to as much as 1750 gallons of fuel [i]not used[/i]. Surely the cost paid up front is worth at least [i]something[/i] in part for not having to put all the by-products of that unspent fuel into the environment.

[royauty]

Doesn't add up

I think you'll find that Nissan is aiming for a 48 mpg car with it's "three liter" concept, which seems much more in the realm of possibility for a company that is renowned for spending an awful lot of time making one really good engine (for the past five years, their 3.5 liter V6 has been class-leading). The CNET editor for this article didn't convert km to miles and ended up with an overly optimistic figure...

[kevinmassy]

here's how it adds up

Dear royauty:

The 3-liter concept works on the premise of driving 100 miles on 3 liters of fuel.

To convert this to miles-per-gallon, we change 100 kilometers into miles (62.1371192 miles) and 3 liters into gallons (0.792516154 gallons).

Then we divide the former by the latter to get an answer of 78.4 miles-per-gallon.

Grab a calculator and try it.

[cnrix]

hybrids on freeway

In California most people who have hybrids buy them to ride as a single in the car pool lane.
It is my understanding that hybrids are only more efficient for stop and go driving, not freeway driving.
It is sad that people can buy their way onto the car pool lane under the guise of being green.

[daddosplat]

Carpool lane In L.A.

If you can drive by your self in the carpool lane and say your driving 60 mile to commute. I use to commute 6 days a week 55+ miles each way. the commute in the carpool lane was around an 1hr one way and an 1hr 20-30 min out of the carpool lane. Say you make 25.00 per hr @ 6days a week 40 mins. a day thats a $100 per week in time. time is money and to have that extra time has to be worth something! So if it applies to a commuter that could tip the dollars and cents into the favor of a Hybrid right there. to be fair traffic on saturdays is light so the above scenario is a little off but still time wise say $80.00 per week times 50 weeks $4000.00 I would do it just to have more time even if it were only 10 min. per day its worth it!

[gary85739]

Recently read about a Hundyai sport ute "hybrid"

that was getting 70+ mpg, it was a DIESEL/ELECTRIC hybrid, I think they'll be the mileage champs as soon as the various companies can get them to the consumer!