Confused by the Barrage of Hybrids, Diesels, Compacts and Flex-Fuel Vehicles?
Irvine CA June 8, 2006; Autobytel sent us this release:
Only 35% percent of the car shoppers recently polled by Autobytel say their current vehicle gets at least 25 mpg. Yet 71% say that their next vehicle purchase must get at least 25 mpg, while 43% say it will have to get better than 30 mpg – and 15% say it will have to get at least 40 mpg. While this reflects a stunning shift in car-buying priorities, equally remarkable are the automakers’ efforts to keep pace. In fact, with all the unfamiliar new models and technologies hitting showrooms, the factories may actually be building fuel-efficient/alternative-fuel cars faster than consumers can learn about them. To help car shoppers close this knowledge gap – and make smart buying decisions in what’s becoming something of a ‘wild west’ marketplace – Autobytel’s auto experts have created Clearing the Air at www.autobytel.com. This unique buying guide covers the four basic categories of fuel-efficient vehicles – hybrids, diesels, small cars and flex-fuel vehicles – detailing the pros, cons, key issues, and available vehicle options for each. Clearing the Air also provides context and clarity for issues important to today’s environmentally- and fuel-conscious buyers, including an explanation of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE), EPA and emissions ratings – and how these standards may be changing in the near future. …Here’s a brief overview from Clearing the Air: Diesels We know, we know. Diesels are loud, smoky and you can only buy the fuel at truck stops. Right? … Maybe not. Coming soon is a new kind of diesel vehicle, powered by cleaner fuel called Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD), and by quieter, more powerful and efficient engines that are clean enough to be legal in all 50 states. Starting with a basic definition of what a diesel engine is, to the potential impact of these upcoming changes and the pros and cons of diesel-powered vehicles, Clearing the Air makes sense of it all. Pros: -Better fuel mileage than gasoline and flex-fuel vehicles, comparable fuel economy to hybrids -Markedly better emissions than the diesels of yore - Diesel engines are traditionally more durable than gas-powered engines Cons: -Despite improvements, still produces higher overall emissions than E85 or hybrid vehicles and many gasoline-powered vehicles -Diesel is generally more expensive than gasoline per gallon -Limited availability of diesel fuel at gas stations “Economy” hybrids All hybrids are not created equal. V6 “power” hybrids like the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Honda Accord Hybrid and the Lexus RX 400h and GS 450h offer excellent torque and improved efficiency compared to similar vehicles – but not compared to four-cylinder “economy” hybrids like the Toyota Prius, Ford Escape Hybrid, or Honda Civic Hybrid. Economy hybrids have other bonuses as well: They rate a larger tax incentive compared to other, less efficient hybrids, and may qualify for access into HOV lanes in some states. Pros: -Low emissions, better for the environment -Reduces oil consumption -Best fuel economy available -Tax incentives and potential access to HOV lanes (laws and incentives vary) Cons: -Generally higher-priced than comparable gas, diesel or flex-fuel vehicles -Compromised performance -Limited availability -Potential long-term issue regarding nickel-hydride battery recycling Flex-fuel vehicles Flexible-fuel vehicles are a great idea that may one day prove to be a significant answer to our fuel consumption needs … but not quite yet. Led by domestic automakers, flexible-fuel vehicles run on gasoline or E85, which is an 85% to 15% mix of ethanol and gasoline. That makes it a clean fuel, at least in terms of greenhouse emissions. It also reduces our oil consumption, and even offers a slight improvement in performance. Unfortunately, E85 is only available at a few hundred pumps nationwide. And while E85 costs about the same per/gallon as gas, it’s less efficient – meaning drivers actually spend more to drive the same number of miles. Pros: -Cleaner burning fuel, better tailpipe emissions than gas -Reduces overall oil consumption -Same sticker price as a non-flex-fuel vehicles -Slight improvement in performance vs. gasoline -Runs on either gas or E85 Cons: - E85 ends up costing more than gas per mile of driving -Lack of fuel stations carrying E85 fuel -E85 is a less efficient fuel than gas -Still requires significant petroleum to produce -Mostly only trucks and SUVs available as flex-fuel Small cars Small cars are big again, and the contemporary offerings include many stylish cars that maximize interior space, offer great fuel economy and are inexpensive to build (and buy). Still, there are potential drawbacks: Shoppers, for example, should be aware of emissions ratings that can be less than what they expect. The 2007 Honda Fit, for example, has an emissions rating of LEV (Low Emissions Vehicle), which some may view as quite poor for a subcompact. And, as always, there are performance and safety tradeoffs inherent to small car design: No matter how many air bags, a subcompact will not fare too well against a large SUV; and performance-wise, most small cars lack the punch and quiet ride we’ve grown accustomed to enjoying. Pros: -Excellent fuel economy -Nimble driving character -Improved interior space vs. past small cars -Low sticker price -Most models produce low emissions Cons: -Loss of performance -Questionable safety based on curb weight disadvantage -Some subcompacts rate poorly in emissions testing