Hybrids
Hybrids have never achieved the popularity some environmental groups and auto industry analysts expected. A variety of factors hold back sales. For instance, to reduce weight and improve fuel efficiency, automakers have removed sound deadening materials, allowing road and wind noise into the cabin, especially at highway speeds.
Hybrids cost more than regular cars. With the average price of regular gasoline now well under $3 a gallon nationally, the payback period on gas savings can be long.
Still, hybrids are a great choice for those who drive many miles — especially in stop-and-go traffic, when the cars recapture energy during braking to power electric motors that help propel the car and save gas.
Some are exceptionally well done. The Honda Accord hybrid is a full-size, family sedan that gets 47 mpg in combined driving and goes more than 550 miles between gas station stops
Compressed Natural Gas
Natural gas cars are only a little more polluting than a comparable hybrid, and they are less expensive to fuel. But the CNG tanks take up too much space, limiting the size of the cabin and trunk, and their driving range is limited. The CNG Civic travels less than half the distance on one fueling than the gasoline model and only a third of the hybrid.
"CNG is probably a dead technology for consumers, but still useful for fleet operations," Baumhefner said.
It seems I just needed to wait...I'm going to enjoy this post.
ReplyDeleteI can't totally agree on the CNG. My fuel bill has been reduced from $1200 monthly to $300-$400 monthly.
ReplyDeleteMy car is a 2018 model she's sexy and has standard cabin room as most cars. Even though trunk size is less and I never used all anyway, she holds suitcases, grocery, pennywise, Pricesmart.
ReplyDeleteIt's all about perspective. Mr. Baumhefner's comment I believe is country specific. In Trinidad, CNG has been around for on or around 20 years and the market is growing. Consumers are trying to save money in a harsh economic time and CNG is $1.00 per litre, and the Government is expanding the CNG infrastructure. I think we have some years to go before it becomes a dead technology. Hint hint..in Holland the ratio of bikes to cars to public transport - 36%:45%:11%
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with kiki. CNG can be installed in any vehicle which makes it cheaper for consumers versus purchasing a hybrid vehicle. A lot more people can afford to be eco friendly due to the ability to install a CNG kit into any vehicle.
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