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

or do they use the environment as an excuse to tax us more?

It’s obvious, green taxes are just an excuse for higher taxes. Does anyone really drive their car just for the hellof it? I use mine to travel to work on which I pay an extortionate amount of tax, to go hopping which attracts V.A.T. it just never ends. I’d lve to have a week where the whole country refuses to use their cars at all and bring the place to it’s knees, let’s see how green that is.

I am wondering whether if milking my old car V8 to the end, its got 215K miles, would use less resources/energy and be better for environment (considering manufacturing costs, costs of mining for metals, cows for leather seats etc) than buying a new or slightly used hybrid car. I drive about 8K miles a year. It seems to me the decreased oil consumption with better miles per gallon would not come near the energy usage that would go into the manufacturing of a new car for me.

It is definitely better to keep your current car. Even though a hybrid might get twice the mileage, it doesn’t come close to making up for the front end and back end costs of junking your current car and prematurely buying a new car. There is a great report that breaks down the dust to dust costs of cars, but beware, it is a monster 450 page report.

http://www.cnwmr.com/nss-folder/automotiveenergy/

Hi ,

I am planning to buy a car – mostly heard of Hybrid being fuel efficient!
I was already running toyota camary earlier & Now I left with one Dodge Grand Carvan SXT VAN.

Now I am considering these factors, in this down turn economy , some friends says I can get better deals on new cars vs used cars.How do you feel though it my depends on specific deal but based on depriciation what is nicer?Buying used car or New car? & in any case hybrid (old ro new).
On new hybrid car some one may get tax rebate.

The second thing am considering that for work – I will need to commute may be more than 20 miles per day so average driving 10000 miles per year.

I have got other vehicle Van as family outing vehicle -as needed.Most of time I will use this car for my office commute & Casual works.

Now if really Cars like Toyota Prius gives fuel efficiency >40 mpg on highway too.I am Ok if even it gives say 32 mpg really practically.As if other cars model say camry – who mention 31 mpg might be giving realistically 25 or so.

But while going through the internet – I was reading that only at lower speed the battery take control at higher speed more than 25 or 30 or 40 mpH the whole energy is supplied by Gasoline.

If whole enrgy or almost part is supplied by Gasoline at 40 mpH , which is normal speed limit at any city then only in heavy traffic area hybrid should be fuel effective.As say in Houston/Atlanta – too on highway 59/85/400/610 one should be able to maintain 40mpH.And if fuel efficiency is worse in hybrid car than a gas driven car – at higher speed – what is point in buying hybrid.?

I like a fair evaluation about Hybrid fuel consumption during speed 45 mpH or above.Which will help me to understand my compromise on Engine rating (say e.g. camary is 2.5L vs Prius is Max.1.8L) .So while pick is better for camary & also uphill camary will be better than Prius.

Thanks so much for fair Evaluation , those who really run Prius or understand the running of Toyota Prius can be so much help ful in my decision making .I can switch to any other brand also if car is really good & giving better mileage , based on your invaluable suggestions.

Thanks Again!

Sorry, I had a tough time understanding what exactly you are asking, so I hope this helps.

I can tell you that I have a 2007 Prius and average 50 mpg overall (49 highway) in the summer months when it is over 40 degrees.

In the winter, the fuel economy is slightly less because the engine mode needs to be on more frequently to keep the engine warm. I average 44 mpg (45 highway) in the winter.

Is it the right car for you? I can’t answer that.
The higher gas prices and the more miles the drive, the more it may make sense.
The Prius is one of the most reliable cars on the market, today.
For example, the braking system is regenerative, which means that you probably won’t have to replace your pads until about 100K miles.
Another example is that there is no timing belt in your Prius that needs to be changed.

Although many misinformed people will tell you that the expensive batteries need to be replaced every 5 years, the fact is that none have have been faulty since Toyota introduced the Prius in the US in 2001. In addition Toyota has an 8 year, 100K warranty on the battery for all states and 10 year, 150K warranty in the low emission requirement states.

In addition, people always like to compare the Prius and the Corolla for some reason when they compare the prices. The Prius is much more roomy than the Corolla and the hatchback provides added functionality. It may not be worth the total price difference, but it is worth something to some.

Hi ,

I am planning to buy a car – mostly heard of Hybrid being fuel efficient!
I was already running toyota camary earlier & Now I left with one Dodge Grand Carvan SXT VAN.

Now I am considering these factors, in this down turn economy , some friends says I can get better deals on new cars vs used cars.How do you feel though it my depends on specific deal but based on depriciation what is nicer?Buying used car or New car? & in any case hybrid (old ro new).
On new hybrid car some one may get tax rebate.

The second thing am considering that for work – I will need to commute may be more than 20 miles per day so average driving 10000 miles per year.

I have got other vehicle Van as family outing vehicle -as needed.Most of time I will use this car for my office commute & Casual works.

Now if really Cars like Toyota Prius gives fuel efficiency >40 mpg on highway too.I am Ok if even it gives say 32 mpg really practically.As if other cars model say camry – who mention 31 mpg might be giving realistically 25 or so.

But while going through the internet – I was reading that only at lower speed the battery take control at higher speed more than 25 or 30 or 40 mpH the whole energy is supplied by Gasoline.

If whole enrgy or almost part is supplied by Gasoline at 40 mpH , which is normal speed limit at any city then only in heavy traffic area hybrid should be fuel effective.As say in Houston/Atlanta – too on highway 59/85/400/610 one should be able to maintain 40mpH.And if fuel efficiency is worse in Hybrid car than a gas driven car – at higher speed – what is point in buying hybrid.?

I like a fair evaluation about Hybrid fuel consumption during speed 45 mpH or above.Which will help me to understand my compromise on Engine rating (say e.g. camary is 2.5L vs Prius is Max.1.8L) .So while pick is better for camary & also uphill camary will be better than Prius.

Thanks so much for fair Evaluation , those who really run Prius or understand the running of Toyota Prius can be so much help ful in my decision making .I can switch to any other brand also if car is really good & giving better mileage , based on your invaluable suggestions.

Thanks Again!

i kinda skimmed through waht you said

yes, the electric motor only runs till about 30 mph
after that, its all gas

reason why it still gets good mileage on highway is cause theyre aerodynamic, and also have a tiny engine in them
plus, its easier to stay going at constant speed , you lose gas mileage from starting from a start, therefor, electric kicks in, better mileage

and for everybody who says, expensive to replace the battery..
the battery lasts the lifetime of the car..so

We are thinking about getting a new hybrid car…Any suggestions? What car is the biggest bang for my buck?

Check out this site.

http://hotconceptcars.blogspot.com/

Some great looking new ideas for concept cars here. Which new hybrid, concept car, truck or motorcycle do you like the most ?

http://hotconceptcars.blogspot.com/

2008 Dodge Challenger !