May 10 2006
Demand For Hybrids Out Strips Supplies
I stated many months ago that the energy issues in the US tend to take care of themselves to a large degree, especially when it comes to sound, low mileage options in the market. The hybrids are smart technology because they retain the power of a gas engine when needed but add the economy of electric. I also predicted (though for the life of me I cannot find the post!) that people would snatch the hybrids up and work to wean our country of oil a bit. Seems I was right:
They blame supply shortages for sales declines on Toyota Prius and Honda Civic hybrids in April from April 2005.
“We sold down our inventory. We’re down to a two-day supply,” says Toyota U.S. President Jim Press. “The fact is, demand has never been higher.”
The Power Information Network’s Tom Libby says dealers sell Priuses and Civics in an average of less than 10 days. The average for all models is 57 days.
We love our technology and we love our environment and we love to save money. Package all three and you get a sea change. So much for the Liberal idea of brow-beatings and punishment.
The other thing that happens when you let capitalism take its course is innovation. Check out this engine by Ford out of MIT:
http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?id=16727&ch=biztech
Obviously, I don’t know how to make that into a link but the url is good
Delphi Helps Cut Refueling Costs
PR Newswire – May 08, 2006 09:01
Cylinder deactivation allows a vehicle to go further on a tank of gas without compromising performance
TROY, Mich., May 8, 2006 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — With fuel prices across the nation exceeding $3 per gallon and continuing to rise, Delphi Corp. has introduced a technology that will help reduce refueling costs by increasing efficiency.
Cylinder deactivation is an advanced valve-train technology that de- activates up to half of the engine’s cylinders under certain driving conditions. For example, with an eight-cylinder gasoline engine, up to four of the cylinders cease to operate when there is a light load on the engine — such as cruising on the highway. The system precisely closes the intake and exhaust valves on the targeted cylinders using electronically controlled hydraulic actuation, while disabling fuel and spark to those cylinders. Fuel economy is improved because the firing cylinders operate at higher load, reducing the pumping losses of the overall engine. When the driver needs full power, the system then re-activates all the engine cylinders.
Innovation still alive…shhhhhhhhh don’t tell the MSM
Oy. In enough numbers these batteries are a disaster for our landfills. They’re a worse solution. Not better. And, it turns out when these hybrids are in accidents, the rescuers face danger from electrocution.
So the word’s not out. It’s just a gimmick. And, it probably is just junk science. But it sells cars. And, people think without really examining what they’re buying. Or what’s under the hood. Or what they know about batteries that amounts to a hill of beans, just the same.