Hybrid Cars

What are your thoughts on these hybrid cars. I think it's a step in the right direction. There are probably even better alternatives like solar power. How can we put pressure on local and national gov't to switch all there official cars and trucks to environmentally safer forms of transportation like hybrids. Our taxes are paying the gov't gas bill. Wouldn't it be nice if they made the switch to hybrids and saved us some cash along with destroying the environment a little less.

 

I agree with you. I like the toyota prius, that is my family's newest car. I wish I could drive it, because it is so clean!

 

Shouldn't everyone be using hybrid cars if they're so good? That people aren't suggests that there is something wrong with them, most probably cost related.


If this is so wouldn't government be wasting tax payers money by using expensive alternatives to standard cars?

 

they still aren't easily accessible to everyone. there isn't a used market for them yet. i have a brother who is looking at the importance in studying alternative fuels in school as he studies cars. they are recognizaing in his feild that this is the future. i hope it comes quickers than it already seems to be.

 

How much have cars changed since Henry Fords days? Sill using combustion engines, still riding on four wheels..


Is the change value for the billions that must have been spent on research in that time?

 

Hybrids are an interesting concept, and I laud Honda and especially Toyota with the work that they've done with their respective hybrids. However I believe that there are several options and ideas which at the current time seem to be overlooked. First, a technology that is currently being overlooked is that of the diesel engine. With more efficient combustion processes than in years past, these engines now offer decent performance and better emissions. With the superb fuel mileage to go along with it, it's a shame that this technology is not being given the emphasis it should. Add to the fact that diesels can run on fuel which would be easy to manufacture (biodiesel, hemp, etc.) at a reasonable price domestically, we could be that much less dependant on foreign oil. Second, too much emphasis is being placed on Hybrid-gasoline and not hybrid-diesel, which would deliver superior fuel mileage. On top of all this, even with Toyota's and Honda's remarkable quality, with the level of technology that is involved with the manufacture and operation of hybrid autos, I would be concerned with long term maintenance (both cost and frequency) with such a vehicle.

This may not be a bad idea. I don't know about the feasibility of such a setup.

Eliminate the ability of special interests to lobby government to protect their industries (like oil, etc.). Emphasize cost and health benefits. Emphasize that- at least in the case of hemp or biodiesel, anyway-that such fuel will not only relieve us from foreign dependency, but will also aid local farmers who grow and produce such products. In addition, fuel transportation costs could also be reduced.

http://www.hempcar.org

 

I think Hybrid cars are a great idea. It is a step in the right direction - away from fossil fuels and foreign oil and towards sustainable energy solutions. I know some people are disallusioned since they still don't get 100 mpg but its still a step in the right direction and I think it is important to support sustainable energy and tell those car companies that the public loves the environment! BOO HUMMERS!

 

thespeez - yay for recognizing diesel as an alternative! Diesel does get much better gas mileage, except there are other problems.
1. major polluting
2. still dependent on fossil fuels
solution = biodiesel!!! Run your diesel engine off of vegetable oil! Most diesel engines can be modified to run off of biodiesel which is a renewable resource and is somewhat less polluting then regular diesel.

 

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Do you really think we developed our current fossil fuel-based economy without massive government subsidy? It's long past time for some serious public investment in alternative sources of energy, if we want to avoid a painful and abrupt reaction to dwindling supplies in the next few decades.

As for hybrids, I think they're far preferable to standard gasoline vehicles, but they still rely largely on fossil fuels for their electricity production. Filtered vegetable oil and biodeisel probably hold more long term promise.

 

NAMASTE


It is about time that we are moving in that way.Long over due.The price to buy one though is still set to people in a higher bracket.But it is a start.I am very glad to see the two main companys out there doing this.

 

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Car companies have always had the ability to build fuel-efficient cars, and will only do so when market forces force them to do so, which finally appears to be the case. Unfortunately, fuel-efficient cars will solve few problems--while they may release less pollutants and lessen our dependency on foreign oil, cars make possible a materialistic, consumeristic lifestyle that is still extremely detrimental to the environment. Sorry, but cars have got to go--period.

 

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I think it's a step in the right direction for people who want to drive.
For me, I think a few steps down in technology would be a step up for me...as in bikes or walking. I don't see the need to add to an already huge problem.

 

No, because the government is fucking stupid and would rather make millions of oil profits than try and look for an alternative energy source, and it's not just the republicans, its the dems too...

Peace and Love,
Dan

 

...And people have to do that themselves

 

If the war in Iraq goes on much longer, I think the market for hybrid type vehicles will be in big demand. Look what Vietnam did to oil and gas prices. I envision that happening again.

 

What happened to oil and gas prices with Vietnam?

 

This is true to an extent. Most of the innovation that you're seeing is coming from the foreign manufacturers. Granted, some of the domestic manufacturers are putting hybrids into their truck models. Despite this, the domestic manufacturers still seem to have a sense of arrrogance by lining the pockets of the executives and shareholders and not putting enough money into research and development, and also by lobbying the government by keeping the competition at bay as much as posssible.

I agree that we may be better off living in an environment where personal vehicles were less necessary. It would be nice to live in an area where you could walk to the nearest store and where public transportation could provide you with the means to get you to most places that you needed to go. However, to say that we should give up our personal transportation completely is virtually absurd! For those who can do it, fine. But for those of us who have no other way of getting around or who are in a situation which reqires personal transport, how will our needs be met? Maybe what we need to do is first get auto manufacturers and oil companies off corporate welfare. They shouldn't have a monopoly on transportation and should compete on a level playing field with everyone else! (Of course we should eliminate all corporate welfare, but that's another discussion.) Then we should talk about revitalizing our cities and towns, make them more safe and livable, and create a situation where we'll be less inclined to move to the suburbs-an incentive for such residents to consider additional vehicle purchases.