Article: The Hybrid Highway

cybele · 02-27-2004, 02:46 PM

I saw this article and thought it was of interest. It advocates high(er) efficiency hybrids (both diesel and gas) in place of the new "hydrogen economy". Since it's true that ethanol and biodiesel at present can't solve America's thirst for fuel, making hybrid cars more efficient could make the goal of energy independence possible. It mentions the Prius.

The Hybrid Highway by David Morris
The hydrogen-fueled transit vision being peddled in Washington and Sacramento obscures a more achievable alternative.

from MotherJones.com

plusaf · 02-27-2004, 05:10 PM

Great article!

i used to have a similar debate with a guy at work... an electric car fanatic. he just couldn't seem to get it through his head that the "where will the extra electricity come from?!" question was the thing that would kill electric cars. (not to mention the overall efficiency, range, etc., etc.)

but keep in mind that this, too, is a religious debate, underpinned by political and economic forces. the point about Archer-Daniels-Midland is not to be dismissed. the Corn Lobby is a formidable force, and if they think they can shove hydrogen down our throats in order to make more money on growing corn, you can bet they will. if it looks like they'll win, just buy a bunch of their stock! it'll help cover some of your expenses if they win.

but the article's arguments are excellent!

Jerry P · 02-27-2004, 06:00 PM

I have advocated ethanol for a long time. Isn't it better to use our own abundant farmland and employ our own farmers to run our transportation?
Ethanol can come from any source of biomass. This may be corn or sugar beets in the midwest or hybrid poplar tree groves in the east and northwest. Brazil ran it's cars on ethanol for many years, until the program got derailed by cheap gasoline. We moan about the fact that so many American jobs are going overseas and our trade deficits are growing. Here is a chance to put Americans to work and spend our money here to benefit our own people. What better way to assure national security than to become energy independent?

Here's a challenge to Toyota, if they are truly monitoring this site, as they should be - Offer a dual fuel Prius, Ethanol or Gasoline or any combination thereof, to America. Build it here with American workers, American steel and aluminum, and offer it to us as the New American Freedom Machine. You will gain a market share beyond your wildest dreams and the gratitude of a country in need of a new vision.

Please pardon the soapbox oratory, but this is something I strongly believe in and hope I can persuade others to embrace.

04prius · 03-01-2004, 05:47 PM

I agree, we need more ethanol. I was so excited when they built the first E85 pump on the west coast just a mile from my home. I too wish the prius could run on E85 or higher. Better yet if more stations had E10 we would all be using more ethanol. Every car made after '87 (I think) can run E10.

http://www.rtc4afv.com/

02-27-2004, 02:46 PM	#1
cybele Former Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 406 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Article: The Hybrid Highway I saw this article and thought it was of interest. It advocates high(er) efficiency hybrids (both diesel and gas) in place of the new "hydrogen economy". Since it's true that ethanol and biodiesel at present can't solve America's thirst for fuel, making hybrid cars more efficient could make the goal of energy independence possible. It mentions the Prius. The Hybrid Highway by David Morris The hydrogen-fueled transit vision being peddled in Washington and Sacramento obscures a more achievable alternative. from MotherJones.com

02-27-2004, 05:10 PM	#2
plusaf plusaf Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 306 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Great article! i used to have a similar debate with a guy at work... an electric car fanatic. he just couldn't seem to get it through his head that the "where will the extra electricity come from?!" question was the thing that would kill electric cars. (not to mention the overall efficiency, range, etc., etc.) but keep in mind that this, too, is a religious debate, underpinned by political and economic forces. the point about Archer-Daniels-Midland is not to be dismissed. the Corn Lobby is a formidable force, and if they think they can shove hydrogen down our throats in order to make more money on growing corn, you can bet they will. if it looks like they'll win, just buy a bunch of their stock! it'll help cover some of your expenses if they win. but the article's arguments are excellent! __________________ Alan Falk, Raleigh, NC, USA; Silver, Leather; Auto-Door-Lock, Auto-"I-Agree"-Circuit; Trailer Hitch. Purchased 04.10.04, Fremont, CA, Toyota. Recent Odometer: 37,750 miles as of 10.01.2008. You can tow a trailer with a Prius! see Coast to Coast to Coast and My Yahoo Prius Trailers Group My GreenHybrid.com mpg history; More stuff at http://www.plusaf.com/prius/prius.htm .

02-27-2004, 06:00 PM	#3
Jerry P Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Waterford, PA Posts: 291 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I have advocated ethanol for a long time. Isn't it better to use our own abundant farmland and employ our own farmers to run our transportation? Ethanol can come from any source of biomass. This may be corn or sugar beets in the midwest or hybrid poplar tree groves in the east and northwest. Brazil ran it's cars on ethanol for many years, until the program got derailed by cheap gasoline. We moan about the fact that so many American jobs are going overseas and our trade deficits are growing. Here is a chance to put Americans to work and spend our money here to benefit our own people. What better way to assure national security than to become energy independent? Here's a challenge to Toyota, if they are truly monitoring this site, as they should be - Offer a dual fuel Prius, Ethanol or Gasoline or any combination thereof, to America. Build it here with American workers, American steel and aluminum, and offer it to us as the New American Freedom Machine. You will gain a market share beyond your wildest dreams and the gratitude of a country in need of a new vision. Please pardon the soapbox oratory, but this is something I strongly believe in and hope I can persuade others to embrace. __________________ Warrior in the Battle for American Energy Independence

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03-01-2004, 05:47 PM	#4
04prius Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Diego, CA. Posts: 35 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I agree, we need more ethanol. I was so excited when they built the first E85 pump on the west coast just a mile from my home. I too wish the prius could run on E85 or higher. Better yet if more stations had E10 we would all be using more ethanol. Every car made after '87 (I think) can run E10. http://www.rtc4afv.com/