The Worst of the Hybrids

By Gregory Mone Posted 09.20.2007 at 9:45 am 4 Comments

Forbes just released a list of the least fuel-efficient hybrids, and though the fact that some of these supposedly green rides aren't exactly saving the planet shouldn't shock too many people, it's still nice to see the guilty called out. Just because your Lexus LS 600h has some batteries in it shouldn't make you feel all nice and environmental. The thing still burns up a gallon of gas every 21 miles. Even worse: A GMC Sierra model that gets only 16 mpg. Enough said. Here's the list.—Gregory Mone

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4 Comments

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popsci

09/20/07 at 5:25 pm

I'd say that the domestics are simply behind on the hybrid R&D effort and can't economically produce the MPG you see in the japanese models, and the "hybrids" you see from them are merely a business decision to put out what they can and capitalize on the "hybrid" name glamor. Of course, if I need a pickup or SUV (and some people do), I can at least get a little MPG boost.

Maybe the domestics learned their lesson - GM may just come out first with a commercial plug-in hybrid, with Toyota announcing big delays in their competing system that uses the same Li battery technology as the famous burning laptop batteries.

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popsci

09/21/07 at 11:53 am

They stubbornly cling to using the IC engine as the prime motive power. They use fuel from start to stop. A Model T Ford could do 28 mpg, so much for technological improvements.

Since 80-90% of driving is done within 30 miles of home an electric car would be great. The problem is if you need to go farther, use AC, heat, power steering and brakes and accessories. Then the EV becomes a car so costly that only the rich can afford them. Steam engines are cleaner, more efficient and just as safe compared to IC engines. They also are more multi-fuel capable. Use the steam engine to run an onboard generator that keeps the batteries charged. Most of your driving would be as an EV and very little driving would be using fuel. That keeps the cost down, there is no 6+ hour recharge delay when driving beyond battery range and no need to buy or rent a second car for long trips. When parked at home, just plug it in to recharge for the next day. With this system you would have all the convenience and flexibility of a conventional car, but your mpg of fuel would be very good. E-mail beesidemeusa@yahoo.co.uk for more on this, just ask about steam-electric hybrids.

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popsci

09/23/07 at 7:41 am

what happaned to the totoal elect. auto i saw a oakridge tn, over 20 yrs ago

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popsci

01/01/08 at 11:46 pm

I'll be glad when we get some real fuel efficient cars that aren't simply the hybrids of today. Once we exceed 40-50 miles per gallon on the average car, then we will be getting somewhere.