Textio

Archive for the ‘Hybrid Cars’ Category

The hybrid revolution and unprecedented greatness

Time for the President to listen to his Job’s Council

One can only laugh, or perhaps cry, at the irony of today’s political world. This morning I learned that the President was rejecting the Keystone Pipeline, an outcome most closely following this story expected because of the political prowess of those against the pipeline and their importance to the 2012 election. Then oddly enough, came the release of the President’s Job’s Council’s Road Map to Renewal that strongly suggests that pipelines like Keystone, and the jobs such natural resource orientated endeavors will bring, are essential to American economic viability.

Just like cars, the hybrid approach to US energy policy” just can’t get no respect”.

What I’ve loved about hybrid cars through the years is the multi-fueled approach, the combination of electricity and conventional fossil fuels. Any way you slice and dice it, America’s fossil fuel dependence will take decades to overcome. Thus, a visionary, but practical approach is required, such as the kaizen that resulted in Toyota’s hybrid cars. Ultimately, that means an intelligent utilization — a compromise if you will — of multiple energy sources is the wisest path forward, and the President’s Job’s Council clearly agrees.

Consequently, again, as the Job’s Council clearly indicates, new drilling and new pipelines are inevitable to restoring America’s economic strength. While the President can claim Republicans forced his hand on Keystone by not allowing enough time for an alternative pathway to be developed, those in opposition don’t want ANY pipeline, and most don’t want ANY new drilling.

Unfortunately, it’s clear to those that remain objective that we have no choice but to accept new drilling and new pipelines.

However, new drilling and pipelines won’t be enough. Efficiency, alternative fuels and electrification must be part of the mix, especially over time. That’s as paramount as is the need for new drilling.

Thus, as I’ve argued in the past, the Keystone pipeline affords the President immense power to compromise, to negotiate the most important US energy policy ever. Give Republicans the pipeline, but force Republicans to support a road to much better efficiencies, and not just fossil fuel infrastructure, but smart grid infrastructure as well. Similarly, set up a plan to increase R&D revenues for renewables via the job creation created by pipelines like Keystone.

And that might be just scratching the surface. For instance, instead of taxing oil companies when drilling on government land, incentivize them to concurrently build solar and wind farms. And when they build a new oil or natural gas pipeline, have them add some new grid to transport electricity from those solar and wind farms as well.

Take the hybrid approach.

Sure, approving Keystone would mean the loss of important Obama supporters, but I’d bet it would renew faith in the much larger population of independents that made Obama’s election possible.

And, let’s be honest. America is a divided country. Neither party is going to gain full control of the government in a way that a grand energy policy won’t require political compromise. It’s inevitable and denial of that fact is simply counterproductive to the welfare of the Nation. Therefore, the real missing ingredient is unprecedented leadership.

Sure, that’s a lot to ask of any President, especially one residing in such difficult and polarizing times, but the immense opportunity facing the President is his to seize. We don’t need a Democrat or Republican solution because we’ll need both Republican and Democrat ideas and votes. We need a hybrid solution. America needs the hybrid revolution.

Prius provides real bang for the buck according to some studies.

At least for some hybrid cars

Americans are holding onto their cars longer, an average of 10.8 years, according to the latest data. That means old gas-guzzlers are becoming even bigger gas-guzzlers, not to mention more costly to fuel.

And maybe that means hybrid cars are a better deal than many might believe, and that the hybrid premium really is more of an investment rather than a cost.

For example, a recent Forbes piece on the cars with the most bang for the buck after 5 years of ownership includes both the Toyota Camry hybrid and the Toyota Prius. If these hybrids provide some of the best bang for the buck after 5 years, what about 10 years?

According to Consumer Reports, for instance, even a 10 year old Prius is one of the better values in terms of used cars — even if the battery has to be replaced thanks to a healthy supply of used battery packs. Thus, if the Prius is a great deal after 5 years, it must be a really great deal after 10 years.

Of course, many hybrids have much longer payback periods, but there is no doubt that many hybrids can be a real value compared to conventional gas-powered vehicles if you’re an average vehicle owner.

Obviously, even long term savings still won’t be enough for most consumers to pay that hybrid premium up front, but if gas prices start permanently residing above $4.00 per gallon, it seems some hybrids could offer exceptional long term value — at least as far as autos go.