Hybrids wane, diesels gain as buyers weigh real-world mpg
The Mercedes E320 Bluetec is one of several clean diesel cars coming to America
(Credit: CNET Networks)Barely a week after it was announced that a California man is suing Honda for the worse-than-advertised fuel economy of his Civic Hybrid, an independent study has found that he is not alone in his disillusionment.
Results from this week's J.D. Power and Associates' second annual Alternative Powertrain Study show that the number of customers considering buying a hybrid has declined over the past year, partly due to a realization of the actual mileage that hybrid cars are likely to achieve. Of the 4,000 participants surveyed, 50 percent said they were considering a hybrid compared with 57 percent in 2006. J.D. Power also attributes the drop in hybrid interest to an increase in the number of clean diesel vehicles; the study found that the number of new car buyers considering a diesel had nearly doubled over the past year.
With fleets of new diesel cars bound for the U.S. over the next few years and the demise of some hybrid models, is this the beginning of a gear-change in the alternative-fuel economy?
Until we see a larger penetration of the style of hybrid brought to market by Toyota (Synergy drive) or of the upcoming types by some of the other automakers (Ford's HySeries or that of the prototype Chevrolet Volt), we likely won't see the kinds of Mpg gains that will really spark the hybrid revolution.
Along these same lines though, perhaps someone could explain why....given that hybrids (even the "mild" type) increase mileage a bit, and given that diesel has a higher mpg rating on average compared to a similar gasoline engine...why no automaker (to my knowledge) has to date brought to market a Diesel or turbodiesel hybrid? These would seem to me to be a perfect blend of technologies to bring significant gains in mileage ratings while avoiding huge price increases for the vehicles themselves.
By contrast, I am on the waiting list for one of the new 2008 Smart Cars that will be slightly larger than the current Smart cars and will have a gas mileage of probably between 45-50 pmg, if not better, and that's for a regular gas engine.
If a regular gas engine can be improved that much, then why waste the extra money on buying a hybrid?
So while you're waiting for a smaller vehicle, how much time and money are you wasting on it while others are already experiencing MPG savings.
Hybrids are still gas engines, so every improvement made in your gas engine can be applied right back into a hybrid. In fact, hybrids are improved gas engines. Did you know that?
Having said that, a diesel with a hybrid would be a great alternative as diesels are built to run at a lower speed and do very well at a single speed all day long and could provide better hwy mileage while still delivering the gains in the city.
"hybrid drive only kicks in below 40mph" not true, it's running 100% time to smooth power demands from ICE esp during low HP demands on highway driving; I regularly get 50+mpg driving 65mph. I got 65+mpg driving 65mph on the road between Fort Sumner to Roswell and pictures to prove it.
How does it smooth it? It keeps the ICE running at optimal RPM to HP, and uses electricity to boost when needed. Otherwise, the slop goes straight into the battery for later.
MAPSONBURT is already a self-proclaimed leadfoot driving more than 60mph over 15 miles of distance.
"lug around 500-1000 lbs of batteries" Prius batteries are 75lbs total. Weighs less than your single American body.
Hybrid are just that, hybrids, meaning why not a diesel hybrid?
Go back to hole you crawled out from with your trolling.
Last I heard, Honda had no plans to sell cars with this engine in the US, although they conceded that they might try it in the mini-van market in a few years time. I'd buy one right now, and I don't think I'd be alone; and if Honda has done this, Toyota and Nissan will also be a long way to having the same success (although Toyota had some really nasty experience with diesel cars in the 80s and may not want to get back into that game willingly).
So why aren't the Japanese selling green technology in the US? I don't know; not everybody here wants to drive a Hummer.
- Why Sue Honda?
- by RichardB97 July 18, 2007 6:11 AM PDT
- So why is this guy suing Honda? It was EPA that came up with the numbers, not the manufacturer.
- Like this Reply to this comment
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(8 Comments)I own 2 hybrids - a Prius and a Camry. We average 50mpg with the Prius and about 41mpg with the Camry (45mpg back and forth to work). With the Camry, I actually exceed the current EPA ratings and will totally blow away the new EPA numbers that begin for the 2008 model year.
We recently took a 4200 mile road trip in the Camry Hybrid and experienced one of the most comfortable road trips ever! The car is quiet, has plenty of power, and was getting about 600 miles per tank. We didn't have to go searching for any special fuel to use, we simply filled with regular wherever we went.
It's interesting to note how respondants to these boards that are hybrid owners are generally pleased with their vehicle while non-owners tend to give a negative perspective.