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JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

Toyota: Hybrids best 'green' car for some time

Technology Jun. 05, 2009 - 04:54AM JST ( 11 )

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11 Comments

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nisegaijinJun. 05, 2009 - 10:52AM JST

That's such a load of crap. CDI's are much better.
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mareo2Jun. 05, 2009 - 02:59PM JST

Forgive my ignorance, but can you elaborate how they are better?
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dontpanicJun. 05, 2009 - 04:34PM JST

Most small capacity diesel cars provide much much better fuel economy, emit less co2 in use and much less in production than the current hybrids. They are immensley reliable, will run all day at their most efficient, last longer, are simple to maintain and you dont need a plug socket in the street. In Japanese cities where diesels are not the best option, the new small turbo petrol cars again offer better green credentials than most hybrids.

Diverting money from pure electrics and fuel cell research to hybrids represents a sad lack of focus. Its no doubt brought on by pressure from politicians looking for an obvious quick fix and oil producers looking to maintain their power base as long as possible.
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mareo2Jun. 05, 2009 - 08:14PM JST

Thanks for the detailed answer, I take a look on these.
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BadseyJun. 05, 2009 - 10:09PM JST

Oil companies should be scared:

If electric vehicles can get 30-50miles a charge, that accounts for 90% of most peoples' vehicular trips. Now if a vehicle can recharge itself with a solar roof in say a week = no fuel/electricity costs at all.

The power of the sun will always be free unless Al Gore and his GoreBots try to take control. =People will always try to charge for that which is free (sun, water, oil, fish etc..)
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LFRAgainJun. 06, 2009 - 07:12AM JST

"Toyota’s Prius hybrid was the No. 1 selling vehicle in Japan for May, clinching the top spot for the first time—even though the latest model had been on sale for only half the month."

This article seems unwilling to give the government incentive programs more credit than is due. 100,000 cash-back rebate and a 3-year 75% income tax reduction. Not too shabby.
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cow76Jun. 06, 2009 - 04:25PM JST

The prius get 48 miles per gallon. That's damn impressive. I'm seriously thinking of buying one here and importing it back home when I leave next year.
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the_harperJun. 06, 2009 - 08:23PM JST

The problem is that at current prices, the total cost of owning a Prius doesn't stack up. Yes, it uses less petrol in its lifetime, but that doesn't balance the high purchase and servicing costs. As for diesels, you haven't mentioned the problems with fine particles from diesel engines causing respiratory illness. A hybrid running on hydrogen would be better, provided that the hydrogen is made using green power...
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BettingJun. 06, 2009 - 08:53PM JST

"As for diesels, you haven't mentioned the problems with fine particles from diesel engines causing respiratory illness".

I can't remember exactly where I saw it, but some Japanese company (once again I can't remember the name in this case) will be releasing some "clean" diesel in 2011 (I think). That was in a very recent newspaper paper article.
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LIBERTASJun. 06, 2009 - 10:10PM JST

A 2001 Toyota Prius WAS more environmentally friendly that a 2020 Hydrogen Fuel Cell car would be (under optimal manufacturing conditions), according to a California based environmental body (whose name escapes me.) Clean diesel and diesel hybrids are already on sale across the EU. Diesel is also twice the cost of gasoline in some countries, like Switzerland, too. Free charging is also available at shopping malls, if you drive an electric car. Aeon?
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dontpanicJun. 07, 2009 - 05:41PM JST

There arent many markets where diesel is more expensive than petrol in most theres either parity or it's a little cheaper. In most respects though with current standard diesel cars capable of 50-60 miles per gallon and new models upto 80, when the diesel hybrid VW Golf Twin Drive comes out next year offering 90 to the gallon, will its green credentials offer that much more than a standard car?