Call me a tree hugger, but I just decided to get a new Ford Escape and I'm getting 35.43 mpg on my first tankful. My previous 2003 model Escape got about 21 mpg. I'm not a fan of the Prius because I think it is butt ugly. But I knew exactly what I was getting with the Escape and I didn't give my any drivability so I view it as a win-win situation. And it seems to have even more power than my old Escape. What I especially like is not having to dread the cost of gas going up as it did recently. Now I go into a gas station and may squeeze in 4 or 5 gallons. And the cost doesn't require a second mortgage.
Like it or not, the hybrid concept actually does work and work well. All manufacturers will have to have them or they will be out of the auto business. See the latest issue of Car and Driver for a very good discussion of this subject. Diesels won't work because they won't pass the new EPA standards.
And those new solar panels they are coming out for homes are also something to consider. If one lives in a sunny area your meter will run backwards!! Looked both attractive and practical. Take a vacation and earn money!
Ahem.
Yes, they will, as soon as the EPA gets around to OK-ing urea injection. The Mercedes E320 CDI with the new V-6 is ready to go as soon as that happens.
There are also other alternative solutions.
Including revising the emissions standards to not be completely biased towards gasoline engines.
Hybrids make sense for urban use; diesels for rural/highway.
I agree. Hybrid technology does make sense. Even if you aren't an enviro (I am not), saving money at the stoplight makes sense. It is pretty cool to sit in total silence at the light, or to have someone ask--"Is it started?" when you give them a ride. You are also right that it is ugly-- I agree with that, but it is SO ugly that it is kind of cool-- in an ugly sort of way. Everything about the car is geared to efficiency. It is very quiet, very ergonomic, and frankly, fun. I have put nearly 35k miles on it in just over a year, and not the first problem. Oil and filter changes every 5K miles, and that's it. Brakes almost never wear out, because the friction brakes don't engage until you are down to 7 mph. Faster than that, and the brakes are used to regenerate the battery.
I understand hating it because of the liberal attraction. That is my only regret, but it does give me a chance to surprise people with my conservatism when they assume I am a lib. I am looking for a good conservative symbol to put on the car-- I had a W '04 sticker before the election-- not sure now.... maybe something with a military orientation.
In 91 I got a Nissan Sentra and it got over 30 in the city and about 45 on the highway. I wish I'd never traded it. It seems like these hybrids don't get that great a mileage.
The silent running is really cool, almost worth the money right there. Except they need a beep when they take off. I was loading my truck one day and suddenly the car next to me starts moving! I freaked.
But in Houston, there's another aspect. We had that big evacuation and lots of people ran out of gas idling. Wouldn't happen in a hybrid. Could be a big advantage in an emergency.
Yes they will, as soon as low sulpher fuel comes out. With particulate filters, as diesels in Europe have, modern diesels can be very clean.
-A8