News on hybrid vehicles, fuel cell cars, and the future of automobiles

I was thinking about buying a hybrid (gas + elec.) but what I really want is a zero carbon emmission vehicle. What is taking the manufacturing industry so long to have them available to the public? How soon can we get truely green vehicles on the roads? Is this killing you like it is on me?

Just remember that there are various types of emissions from vehicles, besides just CO2.

You can buy several types of vehicles that are already rated as PZEV (partial zero emission vehicles), in that they meet the CA SULEV (super ultra low emission vehicle) emission standards, have no evaporative emissions (no hydrocarbons escape from the vehicle while it is sitting stationary/off), and a long emissions warranty. Most, but not all, hybrids are PZEV, and there are many traditional gasoline only cars that also meet this low emission standard, besides some CNG and other alternative fueled vehicles.

http://www.driveclean.ca.gov/en/gv/home/index.asp

Assuming that you are currently driving a vehicle, you might as well "upgrade" it to be the cleanest vehicle that you can find that meets your needs. You’ll put out that much less emissions while waiting for your ultimate perfect vehicle.

http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicle/

NONE of the currently commercially available hybrids have the ability to plug into an electrical outlet. The only source of power is conventional gasoline. The gasoline engine provides power to the hybrid battery through one of the electric motors acting as a generator. Some of the lost kinetic energy in braking is recaptured through regenerative braking (wheels spin a generator, slowing down the vehicle), which also reduces wear on the conventional brake pads.

There are no commercially-available plug-in hybrids on the market so far, unfortunately. Some hobbiests and aftermarket companies have been altering a few hybrids (Prius, Ford Escape Hybrid/Mercury Mariner Hybrid) to make them plug-in capable. Typically this requires adding additional hybrid batteries, besides the ability to charge off the mains.
For more information, check out http://www.calcars.org/vehicles.html
(I’ll note that some of the manufacturers are looking into having a plug-in hybrid available in the future (2010 or so), such as the Toyota Prius and the Chevy Volt.)

For cost reasons, unless you are a fleet owner or other high-mileage driver it probably will not be worth the cost of the PHEV conversion for you. (When the hybrid battery pack is depleted to a certain point the vehicle reverts back to its original hybrid self and runs on a combination of the gasoline engine (which will also recharge the battery) and the electric motor. A PHEV would add a greater all-electric range to the existing hybrid, besides the ability (but not the requirement!) to plug it into an electric source.

Depending on the source for electricity in your area, a BEV (battery electric vehicle) may or may not put out more greenhouse gas emissions than a 55MPG HEV (hybrid electric vehicle). Mainly, if the primary source for electricity in your area is coal, your HEV is cleaner than a BEV running on coal-powered electricity. However, if your electricity source is natural gas, the BEV is usually cleaner than the HEV (depending on the method used for natural gas->electricity conversion), and it gets even better for the BEV if you are using a hydroelectric or other renewable electric source. In comparisons with a generic 17MPG SUV, an average 26MPG vehicle, and a high-efficiency 38MPG vehicle, the 38MPG vehicle still will beat the coal-powered BEV, but isn’t as clean as the HEV (and gas and renewables powered BEVs are much better than the 38MPG vehicle).
see: "Battery-Powered Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicle Projects to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A Resource Guide for Project Development," July 2002

http://www.netl.doe.gov/products/ccps/pubs/resguide.pdf

http://www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/international/pdfs/hev_ev_ghgreductions.pdf

mainly section 4.3

(and that’s besides the arguements that it’s easier to manage emissions from a handful of electric plants, as opposed to millions of independently-owned cars… typically, electric charging rates (especially the off-peak charging times which would use otherwise lost power and level the loads) are still cheaper than petroleum rates, too. Of course, there are still emissions to worry about other than just greenhouse gas emissions, too.)

and yes, about 50% of the US’ electric energy generation is from coal, but for your local power outlet depends on your power company and the local mix: http://www.eia.doe.gov/fuelelectric.html

And, of course, there’s some emissions created when the vehicle is produced, as well… Electric vehicles may have better or worse carbon emissions, depending on your electric source. Hydrogen vehicles usually have worse carbon emissions when taking into account the energy expenditure to make the hydrogen. Ethanol, depending on the source plant material, may take more energy to make than recouped when used as fuel, too…

Heck, even if you just decided to walk (so no added emissions or material use to provide you with a transportation device), you still have to get your energy by eating (vegetarian is more fuel efficient than animal/meat products, BTW), and then there’s your own emissions to deal with…