Hybrid Car Blog - Exploring Hybrid Vehicles and Alternative Fuel Vehicles2010-03-11T11:56:10ZSteveCopyright 2010, SteveSPHPBLOGCrude Oil Hits a New Record at $117 a Barrel Diesel is now at $4.39 a gallon locally here in Northwest Washington State. Slightly higher than the national average.
I used to ask the question of whether a hybrid vehicle is worth buying to save a little bit in gas savings, but with diesel over $4.00 a gallon, and unleaded gas approaching $4.00 a gallon, it certainly seems worthwhile at this point.
In a scenario where you drive 300 miles per week and you mileage is 22mpg on a non hybrid vehicle and your hybrid mileage is 45mpg, you would save about 50% on your fuel. In this example it would cost you $201 per month to fuel your non hybrid vehicle, and $98 per month to fuel your hybrid vehicle, a savings of $103 per month on fuel. Given that you financed your vehicle, you could pay $103 per month more for a hybrid vehicle, and still break even.
As gas prices continue to climb this break even point comes even faster.
]]>http://hybridcars.stevestedman.com/index.php?entry=entry080421-0943482008-04-21T00:00:00Z2008-04-21T00:00:00ZA VW Hybrid With Better Mileage than a Prius Volkswagen is working a concept car for Europe that can get up to 69 mpg on Diesel. This car is mentioned to be able to run fully electric, or on a diesel electric combination.]]>http://hybridcars.stevestedman.com/index.php?entry=entry080325-2326402008-03-26T00:00:00Z2008-03-26T00:00:00ZPros and Cons of EthanolWhat is Ethanol
Ethyl alcohol, also called grain alcohol, is produced by fermenting and then distilling starch and sugar crops. This is not a new fuel, the original Model T Ford was built to run on ethanol, and switched to run on gasoline.
Is ethanol a real solution and alternative to gasoline, or not?
Pros of Ethanol Using ethanol produces less pollution than gasoline, specifically less carbon monoxide and other toxic air pollutants. It's made from corn, which is a renewable resource. E10 can be used in any car. Can be locally produced. Which can stimulate local farm economy. Reduces fossil fuel imports.
Cons of Ethanol Lower energy than gasoline, this impacts the cars performance. Your mileage may drop by as much as 10%. Corrosion, Ethanol (as is BioDiesel) is more corrosive than gasoline, and will react with the rubbers, gaskets and lines to degrade them faster than if you were using gasoline or diesel. Availability - Few gas stations offer ethanol. E85, cannot be used in any vehicle. Some vehicle manufacturers void their warranties if fuel with more than 10 percent ethanol in it is used.
We have a long way to go if we want to use E85 as an alternative to gasoline, hybrids, diesel or biodiesel. ]]>http://hybridcars.stevestedman.com/index.php?entry=entry080323-1043252008-03-23T00:00:00Z2008-03-23T00:00:00ZCreative Solutions To Overpriced Gas I know that I can complain about the price of gas as much as the next person, but the reality is that there is nothing that I can do to impact the price of gas / diesel.
Personally over the last year there are a few things that I have done to ease the pain of the price at the pump. These are:
1. Working from home. I drive much less than I did in the past. I have a home office, and typically will go out only once or twice a week for work related travel.
2. Improving my finances. After watching the price of gas rise, I decided not to complain, but to work on improving my monthly cash flow in order to make enough money that I didn't care about the price of gas. If you are interested in how I did this, just ask me, and I can show you how to do the same. Improving My Cashflow
3. Drive a more fuel efficient vehicle. The car my wife drives gets between 40 and 50 miles per gallon on diesel.
What I am looking for here is positive responses from you, what have you done ease the pain of the price at the pump. Positive creative solutions only please....
]]>http://hybridcars.stevestedman.com/index.php?entry=entry080322-0858142008-03-22T00:00:00Z2008-03-22T00:00:00Z$4.00 A Gallon Gasoline will soon follow, and the extra cost for a Hybrid car will be easier to justify.]]>http://hybridcars.stevestedman.com/index.php?entry=entry080317-0943092008-03-17T00:00:00Z2008-03-17T00:00:00ZWill we see gas at $5.00 per gallon in the US anytime soon? A couple years ago you would have been called crazy if you hat predicted that gas would be at $3.00 per gallon.
Do you think that we will end up paying $5.00 per gallon for gas anytime soon?
I hope not.
Just click the comment link below and post your thoughts on this.
If you can also post the last last price that you paid for gas (if you remember), and what Country / State you live in.]]>http://hybridcars.stevestedman.com/index.php?entry=entry080219-1827362008-02-20T00:00:00Z2008-02-20T00:00:00ZHybrid Vehicle Downfalls - Fact or Fiction?
They're fuel efficiency is based on speeds up to 55 mph, so any highway travel forces them to burn much more gas than advertised.
This is generally true. Hybrid cars are much more efficient at lower speeds and city driving.
If you need the battery pack replaced, at this moment it could cost you several thousand dollars.
This is true, but the batteries in the hybrid vehicles last much longer than most people believe.
One downfall is that it is more expensive than the regular model.
This is also true if you consider the expense to purchase. Depending on your driving habits, the hybrid could be cheaper over time when you consider the cost of fuel.
High prices for hybrids are not justified over the long haul. You would be better off to drive a bit slower and take better care of your gasoline powered car.
This is opinion, neither fact or fiction. It is up to each person to determine if the higher prices are justified or not.
The cost of maintenance and repairs. I own a 2001 Toyota Prius and LOVE it. If you take your vehicle to the Toyota dealership it costs a fortune. It is next to impossible to do your own work (dangerous). I take my car to my regular mechanic for oil/filter changes, work on brakes and some other stuff.
This is true.
In a Car Wreck you will get killed by the stray electricty.
False. Stray electricity, are you crazy?
If you travel a lot on the highway, the gas mileage tends to be lower than city driving. This is the opposite of conventional vehicles.
This is true.
So what do you think? In your opinion what are the pitfalls associated with hybrid vehicles?
]]>http://hybridcars.stevestedman.com/index.php?entry=entry080210-1719212008-02-11T00:00:00Z2008-02-11T00:00:00ZSurvey: What Car Do You Drive Now? What car do you drive now? What gas mileage do you get in that car?
What are your thoughts on your current gas mileage?
Please post your response by clicking the comments link below. ]]>http://hybridcars.stevestedman.com/index.php?entry=entry080205-2037282008-02-06T00:00:00Z2008-02-06T00:00:00ZWho Killed the Electric Car? Movie Review
This documentary opened my eyes to the world of the automakers and politics, like Supersize Me did to the world of fast food.
In the documentary they point out how killing the electric car was the same as when years ago GM bought up the trolley line in Minneapolis just to shut it down and sell more cars.
The topic of hydrogen cell fuel vehicles was also covered in this movie, but quickly killed off by a number of reasons, including the cost and availability of hydrogen.
Overall I loved the movie Who Killed the Electric Car, although I had to set politics aside in order to enjoy this documentary.
This movie makes me want to switch over to a fully electric car, but the only thing close to that in todays market is a hybrid with the conversion kit to make it a plug in vehicle. I am really interested in finding out what it costs to convert a Prius into a plug in electric vehicle. ]]>http://hybridcars.stevestedman.com/index.php?entry=entry080201-0503282008-02-01T00:00:00Z2008-02-01T00:00:00ZHybrid Car Testimonials. Does the mileage perform up to your expectations?
Is there any thing that you are disappointed with your hybrid?]]>http://hybridcars.stevestedman.com/index.php?entry=entry080129-1458422008-01-29T00:00:00Z2008-01-29T00:00:00Z
