The problem with Consumer Reports

As I predicted, there's a reporter out in Chicago citing the Consumer Reports study. Only, he didn't get the word on the correction. At first, CR reported that you will not make your money back when you go hybrid.

Chicago Tribune news : YourMoney

No hybrid on the market will save its owners money by visiting the gas pump less frequently, according to the April issue of Consumer Reports, which evaluated the projected costs of hybrids versus their gasoline counterparts over five years and 75,000 miles.

Unfortunately for Gregory Karp, CR later retracted that story, stating that two of the hybrids under study would save you money in five years. This could be a long standing issue for reporters who only see the original story, and don't find out about the corrected story until later.

ER Responders get a quick lesson on how to respond to hybrid car accidents in Rockland

According to an AP report, Toyota put on a lesson for ER volunteers from Rockland, Westchester, Orange and Bergen counties attended last night in Pomona. The lesson demonstrated where the various power switches are located, and where the high voltage lines run.

Once in an accident, Toyota's computers shut down electric power.

SiLive.com: NewsFlash - Emergency responders learn how new Hybrid cars work

Despite some resistance to the idea, Des Moines is looking into hybrid technology as a possibility for the future in their police cars.

The Mayor, Frank Cownie, has asked the police to look into the idea of replacing some of the police vehicles with hybrid cars. Most police cars are Crown Victorias, which get about 15 mpg.

But department spokesman Sgt Todd Dykstra was pessimistic about switching to hybrids with concerns about power and speed available to hybrid vehicles. It seems he was also concerned about reliability.

"You have to understand that patrol cars run 24/7," he said. "They have to be dependable and relied on."

Cars used by parking meter officers, might lend themselves to being switched over, however. Sheriff officials in Marion County, Fla., for example, use Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles to deliver subpoenas and run administrative errands. Cownie acknowledges the plan to covert to hybrids would be a multi-year process.

Read the whole story in the DesMoines Register.

My problem with this story may be the lack of understanding about hybrid technology. Hybrid cars can be more more powerful than their counterparts (see Hybrid Myth #6). The Prius may not lend itself to police chases, but that doesn't mean the Ford Escape hybrid wouldn't be a good choice for a town looking for an SUV to be used in its police fleet.

Hydrogen Hybrid unveiled by US Army and Quantum Fuel

With a Ford Escape Hybrid as its base, the US Army unveiled a hydrogen hybrid at the 2006 SAE World Congress in Detroit.

Press Release follows:
DETROIT, March 30, 2006 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The U.S. Army and Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc., Irvine, Calif., (Nasdaq: QTWW), unveiled a hydrogen-hybrid demonstration vehicle today at the 2006 SAE World Congress in Detroit.

Using a Ford Hybrid Escape as the demonstrator platform, the Army's Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), with its National Automotive Center (NAC), and industry partner Quantum, is working to pair hybrid electric vehicles with a hydrogen delivery and storage system. Part of the 21st Century Base Initiative, this technology has the potential to offer a cost-effective alternative to full fuel cell powered vehicles.

"Currently one of the biggest vehicle technology focuses for the Army is alternative energy, both hybrid and fuel cell. Although the Army has set standards for Future Fleet hybrid energy use, we [Army] are looking at many industry solutions to infuse into the Current Fleet," said Paul Skalny, Acting Director of TARDEC's NAC. "The NAC has numerous agreements with top automotive suppliers and research companies, and we are continually exploring the uses of commercial fuel cell and hybrid platforms for both tactical and combat vehicles."

Under this collaborative agreement, the NAC and Quantum are developing an advanced hydrogen storage system, a fuel injection system, and electronic controls that are required for the Hydrogen Escape Hybrid. The complete Hydrogen Hybrid package will include: an electronic, multi-point hydrogen injection system; a turbocharger and intercooler for increased performance and efficiency; compressed hydrogen fuel storage modules equipped with a pressure regulation system; and, a hydrogen fuel delivery system that uses hydrogen compatible components.

"We are pleased that the U.S. Army has partnered with Quantum to develop the Hydrogen Escape Hybrid, as we [Quantum] continue our expansion into the hybrid vehicle market," said Alan P. Niedzwiecki, President and CEO of Quantum. "The U.S. Army NAC is at the forefront of supporting the development and demonstration of advanced technologies to support the needs of our Soldiers, and Quantum is proud to have been their partner on this and other programs."

Quantum's HyHauler Plus(TM) will be supporting the Hydrogen Escape Hybrid as a transportable hydrogen refueling station. In the fall of 2006, this infrastructure will be supporting the Department of Energy's Fuel Cell Fleet demo program at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Harrison Township, Mich., serving as an interim hydrogen fueling station until their permanent fueling station is complete.

TARDEC is headquartered at the Detroit Arsenal, Warren, Mich. It is the Nation's laboratory for advanced military automotive technology. TARDEC's mission is to research, develop, engineer, leverage and integrate advanced technology into ground systems and support equipment throughout the life cycle. Its technical staff leads research in ground vehicle survivability, mobility, intelligent systems, and maneuver support and sustainment.

Quantum and its subsidiary, Tecstar Automotive Group, are leaders in powertrain engineering, system integration, and manufacturing of packaged fuel systems and accessories for specialty vehicles and applications including fuel cells, hybrids, alternative fuels, hydrogen refueling, new body styles, mid- cycle vehicle product enhancements and high performance engines and drive trains for OEMs and consumers of aftermarket parts and accessories. Quantum also designs and manufactures hybrid and fuel cell vehicles. More information can be found about Quantum's products and services at http://www.qtww.com .

SOURCE U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center

CONTACT: Paul Mehney, +1-586-770-3438, or Ashley John, +1-586-405-5570, both of TARDEC

URL: http://www.prnewswire.com

http://tardec.army.mil

http://www.qtww.com www.prnewswire.com

Copyright (C) 2006 PR Newswire. All rights reserved.

The Dodge Sprinter Plug-In Hybrid

According to Daimmler Chrysler, 40 Dodge Sprinter plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) will be tested by customers in several locations in the US. California, Kansas City, and New York will receive shipments of a test fleet in order to investigate the feasibility of plug-in hybrids.

The Dodge Sprinter is available in three configurations, the cargo van, the passenger van and a cab chasis. Its particularly designed for commercial applications. With this purpose in mind, a commercial PHEV may be plugged in after each shift, and will work well in urban traffic situations.

According to the press release, the Dodge Sprinter PHEV can drive up to 20 miles on electric power alone. The switch over to electric only mode can be done automatically, or there is a switch available on the dashboard. There are two combustion engines, a V6 gasoline and a five cylinder diesel engine mated to the PHEV system. The diesel engine is being tested in this fleet.

Are hybrid drivers smug?

South Park took aim at hybrid drivers with their latest show "Smug alert". It seems Stan convinces all of South Park to drive hybrid cars, but a 'smug' cloud threatens to destroy them all. Its only when all of the hybrid cars are destroyed and everyone starts driving SUVs (the bigger the better!) that the danger truly passes.

In the real world hybrid owners, especially those who drive the Prius, are getting a reputation for being smug. This attitude is crytalised in the post "Why you won't buy a hybrid". This seems to stem from the privileges being passed onto hybrid owners, specifically being allowed to drive in the HOV lane. Or, it seems that people don't like to see hybrid owners driving the speed limit on the highway.

Why the Prius in particular? Most of the other hybrid cars and suvs aren't distinct. They tend, except for a hybrid badge, to look a lot like their gas counterparts.

SAAB introduces its BioPower Hybrid Concept

The SAAB Biopower Hybrid Concept car was unveiled this week at the Stockholm Motor Show. According to the press release:

Innovative hybrid concept based on pure bioethanol

Zero fossil CO2 emissions in all modes

260 hp Saab BioPower engine running on E100 fuel

Increased performance with threefold torque boost from electric motors

Fuel saving 'Zero Mode' for city driving on electric power only

Energy saving features including regenerative braking

Space efficient modular design uses existing vehicle architecture

The engine runs on pure E100 bioethanol fuel. In other words, its fuel is made from sugarcane, corn, and other kinds of biomass, which means it has zero carbon-dioxide emissions. When in the city, you can switch to all electric driving, allowing the 'gas engine' to shut off completely. The 'Zero Mode' kicks in below 31 mph and will last as long as the battery doesn't need to be recharged (6-12 miles).

With 260 hp (191 kW) 2.0-liter turbo BioPower engine and 53 kW electric motors, it is expected to go from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds. Its also capable of going from 50-75 mph acceleration on 'kick-down' in only 5.5 seconds.

The electric engine sports a 42-cell, 300-volt lithium-ion battery bank, mounted under the floor of the trunk. The 42-Volt ISG powers the hybrid stop/start functionality. It serves a multi-functional role as a starter motor, alternator and 15 kW engine power booster, while also helping to iron out residual crankshaft vibrations. The water pump, air conditioning and power steering systems are electrically powered leading to fuel savings.

"Hybrids are certainly interesting for Saab in the future and this project allows us to evaluate and explore the potential of hybrid technology in combination with BioPower," says Jan Åke Jonsson, Saab Automobile's Managing Director. "Although the exact hybrid application shown in this concept does not currently figure in our production plans, the project has been extremely valuable in helping us further our expertise. It shows how we could develop the sporty performance associated with Saab while using only renewable resources and saving energy overall."