So Many Alternatives - Just Can’t Choose Anything

New ways of tackling the problem of greenhouse effect and energy resources exhaustion appear quiet regularly. And get as regularly criticized in all possible ways. Bio fuel is not enough to supply the entire nation’s demand, plug-in cars are too small and have odd design, electric and hybrid cars are not satisfactory speed-wise. Yeah, let’s guzzle gas until scientists and automakers won’t come up with a perfect solution. Or until oil will cost an arm and leg – literally.

Take E85. It has gotten many votes and has almost been recognized as a great alternative to oil fuel. As distinct from gasoline, ethanol is made from plants. 85% of ethanol and 15% of gasoline put together make E85 – an energy source for flexible-fuel vehicles. The problem is that unlike gas stations that you bump into on every corner E85 is not always easy to find. Never mind, you can always check the alternative fuel location beforehand. There is even a mobile phone service for finding the nearest station where E85 is available.

But if you have a look at some studies you’ll discover not so optimistic results and assumptions. Like Professor Mark Jacobson from Stanford University said that he couldn’t see where exactly it had been proved that ethanol was decreasing air pollution. More than that, the results of his study showed that use of E85 could cause respiratory problems (the ground-level ozone, increased by ethanol, aggravates our lungs). The figures he got weren’t very dramatic and required additional research, but were enough to make hypochondriacs worry. And drive attention away from the evils of excessive gas consumption and its consequences.

However, Professor Jacobson puts his trust in battery-electric technology. Electric and hybrid cars have gotten their bit of criticism too, but keep drawing more and more attention and approval. As Toyota hybrid cars are expected to appear in all possible models and hybrid car market is welcoming hybrid SUV models, there has to be the light at the end of the tunnel. Probably the main root of the problem is not in the imperfections of alternative technologies, but in the mass psychology. We do realize we’re going nowhere when consuming too much gasoline, but can’t change our habits. It’s much easier to find faults in everything that might force you to reconsider your routine.

Turning back to electric and hybrid cars. Fuel efficiency depends on your driving skills almost as much as on technology. Some especially gifted drivers can turn even Toyota hybrid cars, famous for their fuel-efficiency, into thirsty monsters. And there’s hardly anything carmakers can do about it. Dieter Zetsche, Daimler Chairman, suggested that special education should be given to teach low fuel consumption driving skills. In fact, Daimler already provides such program for truck drivers in Europe and apparently it pays off.

So maybe instead of knocking to pieces the introduced ideas of alternative technologies we should revise our habits and try to get the most of what is on offer now?

Hybrid Trains: Welcome Aboard!

The long-awaited environmentally-friendly train has hit the railroad in Japan. The two-car Kiha E200 currently circulates on a mountain area line which is about 80 km long. The distance is rather short, yet officials believe that it’s the beginning of a long journey.

Although trains are not the prime contributors to air pollution and global warming process, as “a part of efforts to be green” as Yasuaki Kikuchi, a spokesman for East Japan Railway Company, has defined it, introduction of a hybrid train is another step in the right direction. It is due to the success of electric and hybrid cars that interest in hybrid trains grows. American and German railway companies are also working on implementing the green technology.

The train works similar to its predecessors – Toyota hybrid cars. It has 4 electric motors (2 under each car) and a diesel engine which kicks in when the train is climbing a hill or when batteries are getting low. Lithium ion batteries are located on the roof and get recharged from braking. The train looks just like normal ones, but runs more quietly – another resemblance to electric and hybrid cars. Emission reduction provided by this technology is about 60%, fuel consumption is cut by 20%.

Cost is the weak point though. Kiha E200 runs about $1.7 million – twice as much as a normal train. It is necessary to gather data on fuel consumption in correlation with various passenger loads and different climate conditions. The company engineer said that to be really effective, this technology has to become more widespread. Hopefully, hybrid train cars will pass all tests and come into mass production.

Toyota Hybrid Cars Approved By Clergy

Isn’t it nice of Bishop Nigel McCulloch to go green with his new Toyota Prius? Just like Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt and Leo DiCaprio were the early adopters of hybrid technology in Hollywood, he seems to be the first cleric of a high rank in the history of electric and hybrid cars.

The Right Rev Nigel McCulloch is in the middle of his 3-year pilgrimage along the diocese of Manchester. So, better mileage and eco-friendliness of a car are good for both bishop and his bishopric. He says that it takes some time to get used to driving Prius, but is very impressed by its performance and the economy it provides. Unlike some other hybrid-owners he is satisfied with its fuel-efficiency and encourages other drivers of Manchester to opt for green technology. It just proves once again that electric and hybrid cars do give a good mileage when driven skilfully.

Hopefully, he set a good example for his congregation. And gave a distinct hint to the Manchester transport chiefs, that it would be a righteous deed to do something about the congestion charge for those who drive eco-friendly vehicles.

Size Of The Car Matters. Government And Females Set Their Standards

Size criteria related to any item will always be of great importance. Size of a car is not an exception. Probably, in this case it matters more than in any other.

As the government have introduced new standards of fuel-efficiency to be met by 2020, automakers have something to think over. Over and over again. It is going to be a serious challenge for all of them, for an average of 35 mpg is not so easy to achieve. Producing vehicles that are fuel-efficient and appealing to consumers at the same time is a tough job. Engineers and designers are working on light-weight materials and improvements in aerodynamics. Better power trains, solenoid valve actuation, electric power steering and other things of this kind also help. Many of these changes won’t be cheap, so consumers will probably have to pay more. What can really give a better mileage is limitation of huge SUV models. But this idea may be hard to embrace for many Americans with their affection for big vehicles.

Some specialists think there’s still enough time to make such changes that will allow both meeting the new mileage standards and keeping trucks on the market. Switching to diesel versions or extending the range of electric and hybrid cars is an option.

To develop a subject of fuel-efficiency and car-sizing – just a few days ago one auto-dedicated website carried out a little research. They sent 2 interviewers on the streets of Chicago to find out how people would react to the car model of their potential date. Along with almost unanimous disapproval of small car owners, male and female respondents had different opinions about truck-driving dates. The image of a girl steering the SUV wheel was found rather appealing. While male Hummer-drivers didn’t score many points. “Hummers are not very…erm… environmentally friendly…” and “Trying to compensate for something…” really match the size-reduction tendency that may take place in the years to come. So those guys, who relied on massive trucks in boosting their ego can relax and get something smaller. And more fuel-efficient.

Curiously, most female responders gave the green light to a Prius driver. Not sure if they know much about the hybrid car concept, but still… Although there was one particularly fussy lady who found hybrid owner cheap and therefore not a good match for her. What would she say if that “cheap” chap was Brad Pitt or Leo DiCaprio, who actually drive Toyota hybrid cars?

The Difference Between A Bad Car And A Bad Driver

Two electric and hybrid cars made it into the last week’s news top-list: Honda Civic and Toyota Prius. For rather contradictory reasons. Despite publicity electric and hybrid cars get, there’s still a lot to learn about them.

Toyota hybrid cars, Prius in particular, have gotten an unexpected promo campaign with Albert Gore’s son starring in it. Apparently, Gore’s kid had been pulled over doing about 100 mph. In his Prius. Normally companies tend to attract more or less positive characters to promote their products, and in case with GoreIII, drugs were found in the car. But who cares now that we know for sure that hybrid cars can do 100 mph! Toyota spokesman, Mike Michels, confirmed that Prius is even capable of breaking this speed. You can accelerate up to 103 mph without being worried about battery depletion. That was probably the most unbiased and resulting test-drive ever: the myth about electric and hybrid cars being underpowered was debunked.

The other hybrid-related issue was the story of a guy, who sued American Honda Motor Company over the mileage claims for Civic Honda hybrid. Mr.John True wasn’t satisfied with the mileage he was getting. Driving his Civic hybrid he averaged just 32 mpg (city/highway combined), instead of 49-51 advertised. Most hybrid and non-hybrid owners would agree that mileage of any car depends a lot on your driving habits.

There’s not much to add, for the case looks ridiculous. It’s just amazing how much is being told about electric and hybrid cars and how little people learn. Nevertheless, hybrid technology is gaining popularity. Managers of Toyota branches report the growth of sales of hybrid models. And even if customers don’t end up buying straight away they are willing to learn more about how Toyota hybrid cars work. The technology is quite easy to understand and average drivers don’t need to know a lot to get the most of their green-vehicles. All you need is just consult a few useful hybrid car articles before you're off to enjoy the ride.