Prius worries: Only a Volt closer to energy independence
Is the Volt a cost-effective path to energy independence?
Today, hybrid cars make up less than 3 percent of all US auto sales, with the Toyota Prius alone accounting for more than 50 percent of all hybrid sales. However, as gas prices have increased, interest in hybrid vehicles, particularly in the Prius, has also increased.
So, what will $ 4.00 gas mean for hybrid market penetration? Will share double, triple or even quadruple? What will $ 4.00 gas mean for plug-in sales?
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Another Reason Why you Should not Buy a Hybrid Car
Home > Hybrid Cars > Another Reason Why you Should not Buy a Hybrid Car
Rare earth metals are a group of 17 elements in periodic table where 15 are lanthanoids and the other 2 are yttrium and scandium. A Toyota Prius needs somewhere near to 70lbs of these metals to build. In terms of numbers, it requires 2.2 lbs of neodymium for its motor and every fitted battery requires 22 to 33lbs of lanthanum. These numbers might be doubled if Toyota tries to further boost the mileage of its electric Prius.
These rare earth elements or better called as rare earth metals are primarily supplied by China where 98% comes from the country. Years ago, America was the largest supplier of these metals responsible for 98% of world’s rare metals production. These metals are not rare but they require lot of strip mining to excavate from earth thus destroying forests and poisoning earth. Other then mining, refining and recycling of these metals have severe environmental consequences.
China is threatening the car manufacturers and is planning to cut the supply of the rare earth metals due to which America might be forced to start strip mining. This action might lead to damaging the environment in order to save the environment. Now is this damage worth the gain is altogether another area of research. A wise alternative for these hybrid cars could be use of natural gas in place of gasoline.
The production of hybrid cars is expected to increase sharply for cleaner transportation and thus reducing the dependence on fossil fuels. Toyota might be looking at alternative markets for rare earth metals supply other then China which might include US, Canada or Vietnam.
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Top Fuel Efficient Hybrid Cars 2011
The prices of the gas are going up like never before and there is no sign of it slowing down in near future. Does that mean you should panic and go all out to buy a hybrid car? If the prices are nearing to $ 4 a gallon, people do look out for alternatives and want to get rid of their gas guzzlers. Well, if you are planning to go for a hybrid or electric car then do so for its environmental benefits but not for saving the money on gas prices as it might not save you any of it.
Let us have a look at the top 5 fuel efficient cars in 2011 that you should go for buying not just for money but its environmental benefits.
1. 2011 Toyota Prius 1.8L 4-cyl. Hybrid engine, Automatic
2011 Toyota Prius is going to give you best mileage. According to EPA estimates 2011 prius is going to give you an impressive 51 mpg for city drive, 48 mpg for highway and 50 mpg for combined.
2011 Prius has everything you want in a car from great fuel economy, competitive price, lots of add on features to hatchback utility. The new Prius is better than its previous models where its aerodynamic drag is reduced and looks sleek and sporty. The new version gives more power and better fuel economy in addition to better suspension and improved steering. Look out for the plug in version for the car in near future as Toyota is facing tough competition from Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt, the best future competitor for Prius.
2. 2011 Lexus CT 200h
As per the estimates by EPA 2011 Lexus CT 200h is going to give 43 mpg for city drive, 42 mpg for highway and 40 mpg for combined.
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How much will the EPA’s new fuel economy standards cost each automaker?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, it will cost automakers an average of $ 948 per car to meet the 34.1 mile per gallon Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards that will be adopted in the United States in 2016. The current standard sits at 27.5 mpg. The EPA estimates that the average owner will save some $ 4,000 in fuel costs over the life of the vehicle, resulting in a net savings of over $ 3,000 per owner.
Sounds like a fair deal, right? Well… let’s delve deeper into the numbers. The New York Times reports that some automakers will be paying much more money to reach the 2016 requirements than others. With its penchant for hybrid cars, it’s no surprise that it will cost Toyota the least amount to comply (just $ 455 per vehicle). Kia ($ 501), Honda ($ 574) and Hyundai ($ 745) all have it relatively easy as well.
Now things get a little murkier and a bit more domestic. General Motors will reportedly have to shell out $ 1,219 per vehicle to comply with the 2016 regulations; Ford will spend $ 1,228 per vehicle. Chrysler has it even worse, with an estimated $ 1,328 per vehicle. Still, that pales in comparison to Volkswagen, which is expected to spend a whipping $ 1,693 for each vehicle it sells here in the States to hit the 34.1 mpg requirement. Yowza.
As pointed out by the NYT, though, we shouldn’t necessarily feel bad for those automakers paying more per vehicle. After all, companies like Toyota and Honda have already paid huge sums of money in research and development costs to get their fleet mileage figures where they are – in a way, you could say that the EPA is forcing thirstier brands just to follow suit. For more analysis of the numbers and how they will affect automakers and consumers, click here.
[Source: The New York Times | Image: Rich Pedroncelli/AP]
Hybrid vehicle production stalled by Japanese earthquake
Hybrid supplies set to decline just as gas prices set to increase?
Today, Toyota produces most of its hybrid cars in Japan, as does Honda. Likewise, the Nissan Leaf is currently only produced in Japan. Unfortunately, Japanese auto production has been halted by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami.
According to some reports the production shutdown in Japan could reduce auto exports by 10’s of thousands of cars, reducing supplies and possibly leading to pricing increases.
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Rising congestion: Another reason to consider hybrids
Congestion kills fuel economy, but not for most hybrids.
Congestion is on the rise, and in the largest US cities, congestion has increased commuting times as much as 71 percent during the afternoon rush hour. Not only does this waste lots of time, but tremendous amounts of gasoline.
While hybrids can’t help with the lost time, they can help save that fuel, so at least you’re not losing money and time.
Study – US consumers don’t understand hybrids and plug-ins
You don’t have to plug-in a Prius?
A plug-in hybrid can use both gas and electricity? A Toyota Prius doesn’t have to be plugged-in?
While those sound like silly questions to fans of hybrid and plug-in vehicles, many average US new car consumers are confused by those questions, and many would answer those questions wrong according to a new study.
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