Archive for January, 2010

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Looking for information on hybrid cars?

Friday, January 29th, 2010

Does anyone have a list, or can point me to one, of all the hybrid autos currently available? I have been finding some by hit and miss but I would like a more complete list. Anyone have any experiences/opinions on particular models (good or bad).

here is what I know of

Honda Civic (Mild hybrid)
Toyota Camry
Ford Escape / Mercury Mariner
Saturn Vue (mild hybrid)
Toyota Prius
Lexus GS 450H
Lexus RX 400H
Honda Accord
Toyota Highlander
2007 Chevy Silveraldo / GMC Pickup (mild)
Found at

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybrid_sbs_Cars.shtml

I would check out site like USATODAY, Car and driver, edmunds etc…. for info. I have no experience

Posted in hybrid car information | 3 Comments »

Which new car energy technology would you bet your money on ?

Friday, January 29th, 2010

Its a terribly exciting time for alternative car energy and many technologies are fighting it out for domination in the future. Some are very experimental while others are already available. The list is not small making the debate quite complicated. Which of the following would you bet your money on? And why? Or perhaps you have one not listed below:

electric hybrids & Car batteries
Plug-in Electric Hybrids
All Electric
Bio Fuels
Liquid Hydrogen
Hyrdogen Fuel Cells
Ultra-capacitors
Coal based synthetic or Coal-to-liquid

Plug in all electrics with lithium batteries.

Posted in hybrid car technology | 20 Comments »

I have a new idea for a hybrid car, who do I contact?

Friday, January 29th, 2010

The idea isn’t fully developed because I know absolutely nothing about wiring or cars, but I have an idea that might work, I just need somebody to actually make it. Who should I contact?
Okay no. I’m not going to shar the idea.
Thanks alot!

Contact this company@ http://www.davison.com they can make you idea work even build it for you.

Posted in new hybrid car | 2 Comments »

Are Hybrid SUVs worth the extra cost?

Friday, January 29th, 2010

A Toyota Hylander hybrid vs. non-hybrid, for example.

No, but I’d still rather spend more on a vehicle than give Exxon and its cronies even higher outrageous profits.

Posted in hybrid suvs | 6 Comments »

What are the cost savings, if any, from buying and driving a hybrid SUV?

Friday, January 29th, 2010

versus a normal SUV? Compare Lexus RX350 vs RX400h? What are the cost benefits?

I posted this previously in the general Cars & Transportation section and didn’t get a good number of responses (for whatever reason). So here I go again …. in the Lexus section …. *sigh* 8^B

A hybrid only becomes cost efficient after driving it about 200,000 miles. A hybrid suv will get you roughly 32mpg while some normal SUV’s can get roughly 25-26mpg. The other problem is with hybrid vehicles, around 100,000 miles you will have to replace the batteries. This costs approximately 5-8,000 dollars depending on the make, model, and power requirements. To become cost efficient though, you will have to reach about 200k miles, which means you will have to change the batteries twice! So in the end, to get about 7mpg more out of your vehicle, you are gonna end up spending anywhere from $15000 to $24000 more.

Some SUV’s can make fuel performance. Lexus’s RX350 performs well, as well as Acura’s turbo driven RDX SUV. Even Toyota’s new Rav4 comes in a 4 cylinder model or a 270hp v6 model. Both are very good choices. Stay away from Ford SUV’s if you are trying to save money in the long run.

Posted in hybrid suv | 5 Comments »

How do hybrid cars like the Volt prevent gas from sitting in the tank too long without being used?

Friday, January 29th, 2010

I’ve read that newer hybrid cars like the Volt will run on a pure electrical engine for distances of 40 miles or so and then switch to a traditional gasoline engine after that threshold has been reached. However, it’s bad for gas to sit unused in an engine for an extended period of time. If one of these cars is only used for 20 mile commutes over a period of several months, is there any system in place to deal with the fact that whatever gasoline is in there will go unused for long periods of time?

oh please…..if you commute less than 20 miles a day and NEVER go 40 or 50 miles take a cab and sell the car

Posted in hybrid cars | 3 Comments »

What are some options for electric or hybrid cars?

Friday, January 29th, 2010

I was looking for buying a new car and have been wanting to get a new fuel efficient car. Since i drive a lot I will be needing some good fuel efficiency. But with my limited spending I was looking for some government programs and agencies that could help with purchasing a hybrid or electric car. But I have had no luck.

They are pretty expensive and was wondering if anyone found ways to get one for cheap. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you.

The best program I recently saw was federal incentives coupled with some car companies incentives to turn in your gas hog (less than 18 mpg) to something much more fuel efficient (5 commercial and 10 mpg more.) It sounds like up to a $9000 total. Not too shabby.

A number of years ago someone had their vehicle registered commercially and then put advertising on it. This would not be legal everywhere and there would certainly be limitations but it may be worth looking into.

I recently read about a couple that purchased an electric vehicle (Tesla roadster) to travel across the US. They were using it to raise money for charity. No doubt they did not pay full price for the vehicle. If you can come up with a similar plan you might find a less expensive alternative to an outright purchase.

Good luck to you and let me know how it works out.

Posted in electric hybrid | 4 Comments »

Are there any hybrid minivans currently available in the US?

Friday, January 29th, 2010


The Estima Hybrid Minivan is the world’s first hybrid minivan and first mass-produced hybrid 4-wheel drive vehicle. The Estima Hybrid was the second hybrid rolled out by Toyota with the Prius being the first.

The Estima Hybrid is the smallest of Toyota’s line of hybrid minivans but has a unique safety feature built into the hull. The Estima Hybrid uses a pedestrian-injury-lessening body designed to minimize pedestrian head and leg injury in the event of a collision. Wow, what a feeling!

Back to serious business and the Alphard Hybrid, which is a larger hybrid minivan only sold in Japan. The Alphard Hybrid was rolled out in 2003 in the Osaka region and sports a 2.4-litre gasoline engine, front and rear electric motors, a continuously variable transmission (CVT), high-output hybrid battery pack and an E-Four electric four-wheel drive system.

The Alphard Hybrid uses an E-Four electric 4WD system that provides better driving performance by using power from the rear-wheel drive motor to optimize electric power distribution to all four wheels. The Alphard Hybrid is classified as an Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) and comes in at approximately 42 mpg.

The Sienna Hybrid will be the first hybrid-powered minivan to peel out in the U. S. marketplace. Rumor has it that the Sienna Hybrid may contain the same hybrid power-train system as the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and if so, the Sienna Hybrid will sport a 3.3-liter DOHC 24-valve VVT-i V6 gasoline engine combined with a high-torque electric engine delivering upwards of 270 hp. Fuel economy also could reach the low 40-mpg range.

All three Toyota hybrid minivans use regenerative braking, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and offer 1,500 watts of auxiliary 100-volt power available via electrical sockets. This auxiliary power will be useful for appliances such as laptops or for emergency purposes.

With hybrid cars, trucks and SUV’s currently rolling out in the U. S. marketplace, it seems that the time is ripe to roll out a hybrid minivan as well. If Toyota does success in rolling out the first hybrid minivan in the U. S. it will be but another first in a long line of firsts for Toyota in the hybrid arena

Posted in hybrid minivan | 7 Comments »

Hey accountants, do you have information about any tax benefits to buying a hybrid american automobile?

Friday, January 29th, 2010

I am considering buying a new hybrid Chevy Malibu, when they become available in the spring. Do you have any information about what the 2008 federal and state (Ohio) benefits may be, if any, to buying a hybrid vehicle. If there are could you direct me to any website or link for more information. When spending that amount of money everything figures into a purchase and we were curious about the tax benefits if any to buying energy aware.

The Malibu qualifies for a $1,300 credit at present. Compare that to your increased cost and adjust for any projected fuel savings. In most cases you’ll probably discover that the modest savings are not worth the added expense.

Also bear in mind that the credit cannot reduce your tax liability to less than zero as it is not a refundable credit.

Here’s a link to the site: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/tax_hybrid.shtml

Posted in hybrid automobiles | 3 Comments »

What is the average cost of a used hybrid car these days?

Friday, January 29th, 2010

I am becoming environmentally conscious and would like a hybrid car. I have no preference of maker. I am about to go to college, so the cost is very important. I know these cars are not cheap, because they are still relatively new in today’s market, but I would like to know their typical cost range?

Thanks.

Check kelley blue book: http://www.kbb.com

Keep in mind that buying new rather than second-hand might make more sense in some cases, because some hybrids qualify for a substantial Federal Tax Credit, which applies only to a new purchase.

Also, beware of cars that had been extensively repaired after being involved in an accident. Oftentimes, a car involved in an accident no longer works quite right anymore after being repaired. And this applies to both hybrids and regular cars.

Good luck.

Posted in hybrid car | 3 Comments »

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