Comments on: More Criticism of Hybrids: Buy One, Keep a Guzzler Running http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2669 Independent Tech News and Product Reviews from former VP and head of CNET.com and Longtime Computer Shopper Columnist, Alice Hill author of the popular "Hard Edge" column. Originally named AliceandBill.com. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:23:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: matthew richo http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2669#comment-984837 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 05:41:31 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2669#comment-984837 I hate to be the cynic here guys, but has anybody here noticed that the prius' body shape is distinctly different. It also has a bright blue and very distinguishing badge on the back that lets everyone behind you know it's a hybrid... God forbid you drive a hybrid car and not let everyone know that your saving the environment! Give me a hybrid Valiant Charger and I'll happily buy one. In the meantime.. I'll continue driving my Carby fed goodness! I hate to be the cynic here guys, but has anybody here noticed that the prius’ body shape is distinctly different. It also has a bright blue and very distinguishing badge on the back that lets everyone behind you know it’s a hybrid…

God forbid you drive a hybrid car and not let everyone know that your saving the environment!

Give me a hybrid Valiant Charger and I’ll happily buy one. In the meantime.. I’ll continue driving my Carby fed goodness!

]]> by: Plug-In Hybrids Bill Signed Into Law In Minnesota ~ Tech News Watch http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2669#comment-130551 Wed, 28 Mar 2007 21:49:44 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2669#comment-130551 [...] We’ve written many times on RTN about hybrid cars, but something we haven’t written about is the plug-in hybrid. A plug-in hybrid is one in which extra batteries are added to the car, to extend the time at which it can run in fully electric mode. The drawback is that it has to be plugged in at night to recharge, as the normal recharging measures can’t keep up. Such a car, however, can get twice the MPG that a hybrid can. [...] […] We’ve written many times on RTN about hybrid cars, but something we haven’t written about is the plug-in hybrid. A plug-in hybrid is one in which extra batteries are added to the car, to extend the time at which it can run in fully electric mode. The drawback is that it has to be plugged in at night to recharge, as the normal recharging measures can’t keep up. Such a car, however, can get twice the MPG that a hybrid can. […]

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]]> by: Leonard Dalton http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2669#comment-53150 Wed, 26 Jul 2006 15:15:08 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2669#comment-53150 While OPEC continues to loot western countries our government continues to FAIL in protecting the U.S. OPEC raises prices and may bankrupt our economy assisted by heavy U.S. taxes on fuel. Why the self seeking congress can't act to protect our way of life via lower fuel taxes and alternate fuels is beyond me. I'se regusted!!! While OPEC continues to loot western countries our government continues to FAIL in protecting the U.S. OPEC raises prices and may bankrupt our economy assisted by heavy U.S. taxes on fuel. Why the self seeking congress can’t act to protect our way of life via lower fuel taxes and alternate fuels is beyond me. I’se regusted!!!

]]> by: Lockergnome's Tech News Watch http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2669#comment-43619 Wed, 21 Jun 2006 00:45:37 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2669#comment-43619 <strong>Plug-In Hybrids Bill Signed Into Law In Minnesota</strong> Michael Santo of RealTechNews writes: We've written many times on RTN about hybrid cars, but something we haven't written about is the plug-in hybrid. A plug-in hybrid is one in which extra batteries are added to the car, to extend the time at which ... Plug-In Hybrids Bill Signed Into Law In Minnesota

Michael Santo of RealTechNews writes: We’ve written many times on RTN about hybrid cars, but something we haven’t written about is the plug-in hybrid. A plug-in hybrid is one in which extra batteries are added to the car, to extend the time at which …

]]> by: Drivers Ed Direct http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2669#comment-13363 Wed, 22 Feb 2006 08:12:34 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2669#comment-13363 Our driving school in California has been using several Toyota Prius since June of last year for driving lessons. Each Prius drives a few thousand miles per month and they each average 45-50mpg. Most of our driving lessons are done on surface streets in the city or on residential streets and the Prius does get better mileage there as others have commented. The EPA is definitely off with their MOG estimates, but most of us are driving hybrids for the environmental and social benefits in addition to the fuel savings benefit. Our driving school in California has been using several Toyota Prius since June of last year for driving lessons. Each Prius drives a few thousand miles per month and they each average 45-50mpg. Most of our driving lessons are done on surface streets in the city or on residential streets and the Prius does get better mileage there as others have commented. The EPA is definitely off with their MOG estimates, but most of us are driving hybrids for the environmental and social benefits in addition to the fuel savings benefit.

]]> by: Snopesman http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2669#comment-12644 Tue, 14 Feb 2006 16:30:51 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2669#comment-12644 Bike lanes are wonderful when you live in a place where it doesn't snow for 3-4 months out of a year. Also when you live in a place where regualr commuting distances are bike-able. Also when you don't have a couple of kids to drag to school before you get to work. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to bike to work every day. But I live in a region where it's commonly freezing/cold/rainy, and the only affordable housing was 20 miles from work, and we made a concious decision to buy a smaller house, so we would consume less resources and have a better family life --- and we still are busting the budget to do so. There are zero mass transit options for me that are viable -- they would at least double my commute time each way, and I'd still have to drive to the train station. I love the outdoors and nature. I conserve. I recycle. I am an avid runner. I am a member of the AMC. But I'm realistic. American cities are not European cities. They are built around the automobile, not based on people walking and horse-drawn carriages. Americans also love the freedom of the automobile. Solutions therefore need to encompass the automobile if they are going to be successful in the US. Bikes and mass transit just don't work here. Bike lanes are wonderful when you live in a place where it doesn’t snow for 3-4 months out of a year. Also when you live in a place where regualr commuting distances are bike-able. Also when you don’t have a couple of kids to drag to school before you get to work. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to bike to work every day. But I live in a region where it’s commonly freezing/cold/rainy, and the only affordable housing was 20 miles from work, and we made a concious decision to buy a smaller house, so we would consume less resources and have a better family life — and we still are busting the budget to do so. There are zero mass transit options for me that are viable — they would at least double my commute time each way, and I’d still have to drive to the train station.

I love the outdoors and nature. I conserve. I recycle. I am an avid runner. I am a member of the AMC. But I’m realistic. American cities are not European cities. They are built around the automobile, not based on people walking and horse-drawn carriages. Americans also love the freedom of the automobile. Solutions therefore need to encompass the automobile if they are going to be successful in the US. Bikes and mass transit just don’t work here.

]]> by: Snopesman http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2669#comment-12630 Tue, 14 Feb 2006 13:48:11 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2669#comment-12630 A SUV has a lot more in common with a pickup than it does with a commercial truck that must stop at scales. A SUV has a lot more in common with a pickup than it does with a commercial truck that must stop at scales.

]]> by: Tom http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2669#comment-12623 Tue, 14 Feb 2006 13:11:09 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2669#comment-12623 I'm surprised no one has brought up the jaw-dropping resources spent on researching, designing, and manufacturing these hybrids... Additionally, I'd rather the public money was spent on mass transit and bicycle lanes. The US has enough potential energy stored in its collective waistbands to significantly reduce our dependancy on fossil fuels. (me included) I’m surprised no one has brought up the jaw-dropping resources spent on researching, designing, and manufacturing these hybrids…

Additionally, I’d rather the public money was spent on mass transit and bicycle lanes. The US has enough potential energy stored in its collective waistbands to significantly reduce our dependancy on fossil fuels. (me included)

]]> by: lanzdale http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2669#comment-12574 Tue, 14 Feb 2006 08:13:12 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2669#comment-12574 In my family we have now driven three 2000 Honda Insights over a combined 240,000 miles. This car is slightly different from decent hybrids (Prius and Civic) and very different from other hybrid "style" vehicles (Lexus, Ford, Accord, etc.). It's not expensive and it really does get close to its advertised mileage. Our combined lifetime average is now about 57 MPG. They cost about $20,000 each, maintenance costs have been low, reliability high. They're comfortable (albeit 2 seats) and perform more very well. A few times we've had to hold our noses and rent an SUV or truck for a special trip, costing us in all about $1000. But even deducting that and assuming gas costs $2 / gallon, we've saved over $20,000 in gasoline alone over what we would have spent driving SUV's for the period. (240,000 / 57MPG = 4210 gallons @ $2 = $8420 vs. 240,000 / 15MPG = 16000 or $32,000 ). Do the math yourself. Gas costs more, the savings are higher. No tricks, that's it: Three drivers, five years $20,000+ not spent on oil, enough to buy one of those other "vehicles" you mention here. In my family we have now driven three 2000 Honda Insights over a combined 240,000 miles. This car is slightly different from decent hybrids (Prius and Civic) and very different from other hybrid “style” vehicles (Lexus, Ford, Accord, etc.). It’s not expensive and it really does get close to its advertised mileage. Our combined lifetime average is now about 57 MPG. They cost about $20,000 each, maintenance costs have been low, reliability high. They’re comfortable (albeit 2 seats) and perform more very well. A few times we’ve had to hold our noses and rent an SUV or truck for a special trip, costing us in all about $1000. But even deducting that and assuming gas costs $2 / gallon, we’ve saved over $20,000 in gasoline alone over what we would have spent driving SUV’s for the period. (240,000 / 57MPG = 4210 gallons @ $2 = $8420 vs. 240,000 / 15MPG = 16000 or $32,000 ). Do the math yourself. Gas costs more, the savings are higher. No tricks, that’s it: Three drivers, five years $20,000+ not spent on oil, enough to buy one of those other “vehicles” you mention here.

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