Motor Trend's new print magazine finally ditches oil for mpg

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Rybold, Apr 30, 2011.

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  1. Tranzor

    Tranzor New Member

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    I think for 90% of the population, what they drive is a mostly economic decision... Gas will have to get over $5.00 per gallon before we see a real change in what Americans drive. You'll first see changes in habits though... people will drive a little less, hunt for the best gas price, carpool more, take the bus more, etc. People don't like giving up those SUVs, sports cars, full-sized luxury cars, etc.

    It would be nice though if everyone just made a smarter decision on what to drive, and with buying habits alone demanded that car manufacturers not make anything that gets less than 35 mpg combined. If that were to happen, every major manufacturer would have a Prius competitor, which is how it should be.
     
    #21 Tranzor, May 1, 2011
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  2. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    Getting back to the article, I am in favor of higher-efficiency ICE vehicles. Why?

    There is no silver bullet. And if there were, I can't promise that hybrids are it.

    Even if there were a silver bullet, there is no way to completely replace the millions of cars rapidly. Even if it were possible, there will be many people who will not want to a rapid paradigm shift. Even if everyone wanted to, most of them wouldn't be able to afford a vehicle change for several years. This means that there will always be "legacy" technology floating around.

    So the way I see things, you work on developing new technology with one hand and work on improving existing technology on the other.
     
    #22 TonyPSchaefer, May 1, 2011
  3. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Hardly.

    If that was the case SUVs would not exist and only a small fraction of consumers would buy a truck. 0-60 ratings would not be part of adverts, let alone be a prominent selling point. Lastly, upside-down loans would be rare.
     
    #23 SageBrush, May 1, 2011
  4. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

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    hybrids are certainly a way to improve efficiency of any ICE.

    but at what cost?

    and at any case, improving traditional ICE will improve overall efficiency.

    So I applaud these 30% gains in 2012 vehicles, i just hope they are reproducible in real life. For instance, on fueleconomy.gov you dont see new Elantra 40 MPG doing any better in real life than old one... but you do see new Sonata doing better...
     
    #24 spwolf, May 1, 2011
  5. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    I'm on Tranzor on this. One of these has to happen for Americans to make the shift:
    - gas prices have to go WAY up
    - gas-guzzling full sized SUVs are outlawed or illegal to be produced or something really makes them very burdensome to own (e.g. VERY high reg fees, VERY high insurance, much lower speed limits applied to them, lots of extra driver training required, etc.)
    - HUGE gas guzzler taxes are applied on them (vs. them being completely exempt right now)
    - those who buy these or are considering these finally get a clue and use some common sense about what to buy and drive
     
    #25 cwerdna, May 1, 2011
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