Hybrid Myths: #3 and #4 in a Series

A continuation of our series on the many misnomers of hybrid technology.

HYBRID MYTH #3:  Diesel-powered Vehicles are Just as Fuel Efficient as Hybrids

Let's just suppose for a moment that you're jam-packed on ____________ (insert one: the 405 North in Long Beach, CA: I-25 South through Englewood, CO; the Garden State Parkway in Jersey on a get-away-to-the Shore Friday), going no where fast and staring down the tail pipe of the car in front of you.  Which would you prefer that car to be .  .  . a Brand X diesel-powered fuel-sipper or a Toyota Prius hybrid? 

While you ponder that, allow us to clear the air on this often cited misnomer.  Yes, some diesel vehicles do get high fuel mileage, but it’s important to look at emissions when considering a vehicle’s impact on the environment.

The Prius emits 70% fewer smog-forming emissions than the average new car on the road and produces no particulate emissions. Diesel cars, in fact, are not available for sale in California, New York, Maine, Vermont and Massachusetts, because they do not comply with even the most lenient emissions requirements in those states. Hybrids can achieve outstanding mileage and have far less emissions at the same time.  And they're a wee bit more pleasant to have in front of you wherever your Open Road takes you.

HYBRID MYTH #4:  Toyota, You've got the Wrong "H"!

We do?  Oh, you're referring to the ever optimistic myth, or rather admonishment, that Toyota as well as other car makers should be focused on hydrogen fuel cells, not hybrid technology.

In fact, hydrogen (H₂) is the most abundant element on earth, so it makes sense to concentrate energies on harnessing its power. Many companies--including Toyota--have fuel cells in use for research and development purposes; however, there are still many technical challenges to overcome, not the least of which are hydrogen storage and infrastructure issues.

Stay tuned, though, to the Open Road blog for further discussion and updates regarding Toyota's efforts with alternative fuels technology.

(Fuel Cell photo courtesy of Alternative Fuels Data Center, U.S. Department of Energy)

~ Contributed by Bruce C. Ertmann, Corporate Communications

Toyota’s contention is that the leaders in hybrids will also  be the leaders in fuel cells, but that commercial viability for fuel cell vehicles is still a long way off.

Comments

[Greg]

In your hypothetical, you forgot those of us stuck in Seattle traffic on get away Friday. I swear the backup is solid for forty miles north AND south of downtown.

[Jason]

But what about the people who need a SUV that actually has room when you have to use the third seat? Not all people live in high traffic areas, to me a hybrid would never be more efficient for the driving I do. I need a large SUV with a small 4 cyl turbo diesel, so I can tow a little, but I don't need to be driving 120mph either, which a diesel full size chevy can do, and even a diesel exdursion can do also. Way to overpowered for what I need.

[pdbw]

Well, congratulations on supporting some well-known beliefs:
1. "It’s important to look at emissions when considering a vehicle’s impact on the environment."
2. "Diesel cars, in fact, are not available for sale in California, New York, Maine, Vermont and Massachusetts, because they do not comply with even the most lenient emissions requirements in those states."
3. "Hybrids can achieve outstanding mileage and have far less emissions at the same time."

That's all swell. Too bad it has very little to do with the myth actually listed. The FACT is that, depending on what kind of performance you want, getting a comparably-sized diesel car that CONSUMES LESS FUEL (and that's what we're talking about, here, isn it?) than a hybrid is certainly do-able (especially in Europe), even if it is a little smelly. And, once you take your hybrids out of urban driving, the diesel advantage can be even greater.

Don't get me wrong--I think it's great you're trying to connect with new car buyers through the blog, as other companies have done. But I'm pretty disappointed in the snow jobs I'm reading here. Give your readers a bit more credit.