Hybrid CarsDrew Tepper

What is a hybrid?Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) include both a combustion engine as well as an electric motor.If we had better batteries, we would not need hybrids at all.Hybrids can be implemented in many kinds of vehicles.

Global-Warming: Still An Issue.Hybrids are not zero-emission vehicles.Will cut down emissions of global-warming pollutants by a third to a half.Later models may cut these emissions down by even more.

Why hybrids?Regenerative braking actually makes city driving more economical than on the highway.Fuel efficiency is greatly increased (twice).Emissions are greatly decreased.Dependency on fossils fuels can be decreased.Hybrids can be run on alternative fuels as well.New materials can be implemented.

EPA at workFederal guidelines for emissions:Tier 1 took effect in 1997Tier 2 will phased-in beginning 2004.National LEV (NLEV): builds on the California Emissions Standards until Tier 2 is implemented.LEV II: California Emissions Standards.

ULEV/SULEVTier 1, TLEV, LEV, ULEV, SULEV, ZEV.CARB: California Air Resources Board.CO2 reductions not called for. Only HC, CO, NOx.Cars can be certified Low Emissions Vehicles but at the same time have high fuel consumption.

Reductions

Tax IncentivesThe IRS has determined that purchasers of a new Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid or Toyota Prius are eligible for a "Clean-Fuel" vehicle tax deduction of $2,000. The current incentive is scheduled to phase out in 2004-06.

www.fueleconomy.gov/

Some EPA factsEvery gallon of gasoline your vehicle burns puts 20 pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere.A 5 mpg difference in fuel economy equates to about 2,800 pounds of CO2 a year.www.epa.gov/greenvehicles

Tons of greenhouse gasNLEV program does not take CO2 into account but lets see some numbers:Honda Insight: 3.4 t/yr.Honda Civic Hybrid: 3.9 t/yr.Toyota Prius: 4.0t/yr.Ford Explorer: 11.0 t/yr.Honda Civic: 5.7 t/yr. (calculated)

Honda Insight 2003Cost: $19,080/$21,280 (MT/CVT)MT: manual transmissionCVT: continuously variable transmission

Honda Insight 2003IMA: integrated motor assist system

Honda Civic Hybrid 2003Cost: $19,550/$20,550 (MT/CVT)

Honda Civic Hybrid 2003

Toyota Prius 2003Cost: $20,480 CVT

Toyota Prius 2003

A note about FordI believe Ford is behind in the Hybrid world.The Hybrid Escape is due at the end of 2003 with 40/29 mpg as compared to 19/25 mpg.The Explorer: 239 HP, 4422 lbs., gets 17/21 mpg, and has a 22.5 gallon tank.

Tepper Fleet Consumption33.3 t/yr. CO2Could be reduced to less than half if all cars were hybrids.www.fueleconomy.gov

Cars to comeGM: Chevy Pickup 2004, Chevy Suburban 2004.Daimler-Chrysler: Dodge Ram Pickup 2005, Mercedes S-Class 2006.