If planning a European road trip type vacation, DEFINITELY consider renting a hybrid!!
Jul 31st, 2005, 09:51 AM
#21
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>I am an Environmental Engineer) and >will only say that the FACTS as we >EXPERIENCED were LESS FUEL COSTS,
?LESS compared to what? What do you usually drive back home? a 1960 Impala?
You said yourself you were impressed by the power of the hybrid.
If we were content with less power then instead of 3000cc V8s or hybrid 1500cc engines+50kw motors
we could happily get by with a 700cc engined car.
why am i so passionate about this subject? cause the technology to reduce pollution has been here for years: 700cc petrol engines! its just that (US) car manufacturers know that there is less markup on a tiny $10000 car than on a large 3500cc $27000 car. so they come up with the idea of the hybrid! less smog in the city, plenty of markup, and plenty of Horsepower to satisfy egos.
I didnt want to single out North america as the worst culprit,but the Japanese and Europe/UK have been using small petrol engines since WWII. I dont think i have ever come across an american manufactured car with an engine below 1000cc.
you said you are a Environmental Engineer. Do you work for a car manufacturer by any chance?
?LESS compared to what? What do you usually drive back home? a 1960 Impala?
You said yourself you were impressed by the power of the hybrid.
If we were content with less power then instead of 3000cc V8s or hybrid 1500cc engines+50kw motors
we could happily get by with a 700cc engined car.
why am i so passionate about this subject? cause the technology to reduce pollution has been here for years: 700cc petrol engines! its just that (US) car manufacturers know that there is less markup on a tiny $10000 car than on a large 3500cc $27000 car. so they come up with the idea of the hybrid! less smog in the city, plenty of markup, and plenty of Horsepower to satisfy egos.
I didnt want to single out North america as the worst culprit,but the Japanese and Europe/UK have been using small petrol engines since WWII. I dont think i have ever come across an american manufactured car with an engine below 1000cc.
you said you are a Environmental Engineer. Do you work for a car manufacturer by any chance?
Jul 31st, 2005, 10:03 AM
#22
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Give me a firebreathing American V8 everyday!
I believe everyone when they say fossil fuels are evil, and ruin our environment. I believe them when they say it causes global warming. I believe them when they say the supply is finite. But I wonder why we want to conserve though, with smaller engines and hybrid vehicles. Since we will run out sooner or later, I say use it up, the sooner the better, then we can have clean air! Then no more reliance on foreign oil! Then it will be heaven on earth!
Until then, give me a mighty V8 powered SUV. Power to the people!
I believe everyone when they say fossil fuels are evil, and ruin our environment. I believe them when they say it causes global warming. I believe them when they say the supply is finite. But I wonder why we want to conserve though, with smaller engines and hybrid vehicles. Since we will run out sooner or later, I say use it up, the sooner the better, then we can have clean air! Then no more reliance on foreign oil! Then it will be heaven on earth!
Until then, give me a mighty V8 powered SUV. Power to the people!
Jul 31st, 2005, 12:59 PM
#23
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while you re at it why dont you exterminate arctic seals and other endangered species. then we wont have to protect them any more - they will be like the dodo bird - trouble free.
emissions are not a problem that will hit us in the future. exhaust is causing asthma TODAY. big engines contribute more exhaust than smaller engines.
I would accept an ambulance or military vehicle fitted with a V8. but why does every tom dick and harry need to have a BIG engine...... maybe its to compensate?
emissions are not a problem that will hit us in the future. exhaust is causing asthma TODAY. big engines contribute more exhaust than smaller engines.
I would accept an ambulance or military vehicle fitted with a V8. but why does every tom dick and harry need to have a BIG engine...... maybe its to compensate?
Jul 31st, 2005, 02:55 PM
#24
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I cann't help but notice how little this to do traveling. But I am putting my two cents.
Our federal government is not promoting more fuel efficient cars. Most of Europe has progressive taxes based on displacement. In Japan they used to have an under 360cc tax class. Compare under 360ccs to our government's giving bonus depreciation for the purchase of vehicles weighing 3 tons or more.
Now do you want to go out on the street in a 1,500 lb, 1 liter car and risk getting in accident with a three ton SUV going even 35 mph. Probably not.
This country could do easy things like a free car tag your first year if you buy a high MPG vehicle. But they don't.
Our federal government is not promoting more fuel efficient cars. Most of Europe has progressive taxes based on displacement. In Japan they used to have an under 360cc tax class. Compare under 360ccs to our government's giving bonus depreciation for the purchase of vehicles weighing 3 tons or more.
Now do you want to go out on the street in a 1,500 lb, 1 liter car and risk getting in accident with a three ton SUV going even 35 mph. Probably not.
This country could do easy things like a free car tag your first year if you buy a high MPG vehicle. But they don't.
Jul 31st, 2005, 03:02 PM
#25
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littilesthobo,
In case you have not noticed, the U.S. car manufacturers are playing catch-up to the Japanese when it comes to hybrid cars. The sad thing is that the Toyota's new hybrids (see today's N.Y. Times) are not energy efficient and cost more than the same car with a standard engine.
In case you have not noticed, the U.S. car manufacturers are playing catch-up to the Japanese when it comes to hybrid cars. The sad thing is that the Toyota's new hybrids (see today's N.Y. Times) are not energy efficient and cost more than the same car with a standard engine.
Jul 31st, 2005, 09:37 PM
#26
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the japanese targeted theirs for an american market.
the japanese have been mad about 700cc (Kei) cars for years. in tokyo you get special tax rebates if you buy one of these cars. since they tend to be tiny in size too they get a parking bay rebate too. less consumption,less pollution, less parking space needed.
i had read about the collision aspect, and yes i agree that a kei car would be at a serious disadvantage in a collision with an american SUV.
but if everyone drove a small car this wouldnt be an issue. this is where legislation should come in. legislation will change when people understand that the high powered hybrids are not the solution, but using smaller lighter cars is.
i think it is travel related.when going to europe people should leave their gas guzzling culture behind and choose an environmentally friendly small engined car under 1000cc. there is no rush when you are on holiday anyways.
the japanese have been mad about 700cc (Kei) cars for years. in tokyo you get special tax rebates if you buy one of these cars. since they tend to be tiny in size too they get a parking bay rebate too. less consumption,less pollution, less parking space needed.
i had read about the collision aspect, and yes i agree that a kei car would be at a serious disadvantage in a collision with an american SUV.
but if everyone drove a small car this wouldnt be an issue. this is where legislation should come in. legislation will change when people understand that the high powered hybrids are not the solution, but using smaller lighter cars is.
i think it is travel related.when going to europe people should leave their gas guzzling culture behind and choose an environmentally friendly small engined car under 1000cc. there is no rush when you are on holiday anyways.
Aug 1st, 2005, 01:23 PM
#27
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Politics aside, the original comment was about renting a hybrid car in Europe. I would not reccomend it for several non-political reasons. You could probably have a cheaper rental by renting a local diesel powered car. The European diesel car will not only be cheaper to rent, but probably get near identical mileage while burning fuel that costs much less than gasoline. This equals great savings. (Note that in the US, diesel costs much more than gasoline, just the reverse.)
The other factor is that if you are going on the superhighways or autobahn, a hybrid just will not perform as well at their higher highway speeds. They are best at stop and go driving or around town. Not the typical tourist driving.
The other factor is that if you are going on the superhighways or autobahn, a hybrid just will not perform as well at their higher highway speeds. They are best at stop and go driving or around town. Not the typical tourist driving.
Aug 1st, 2005, 01:57 PM
#28
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littiless--- You have given me a good laugh today, thanks so much.....and I rather not share any other info on my career with you, I do have better things to do and with smarter people.
It seems that the only person here talking from experience is me. Thank you all for sharing opinions.
It seems that the only person here talking from experience is me. Thank you all for sharing opinions.
Aug 3rd, 2005, 01:26 PM
#29
I realize this topic has now been talked around into a full circle, but I thought I'd add one humorous (?) fact about air pollution reported in the L.A. Times this week: In the San Joaquin Valley of California, the greatest percentage of air pollution is now caused by ... COWS!
Aug 4th, 2005, 08:33 AM
#31
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maybe you're an env engineer for an oil company?
hybrids are good news for oil companies
hybrids allow car owners to feel they are 'going green' and apply for 'clean fuels' tax credits without buying a really fuel efficient 700cc compact car with a 'girly' engine.
article:
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepu...1thur2-21.html
hybrids are good news for oil companies
hybrids allow car owners to feel they are 'going green' and apply for 'clean fuels' tax credits without buying a really fuel efficient 700cc compact car with a 'girly' engine.
article:
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepu...1thur2-21.html
Aug 4th, 2005, 09:04 AM
#32
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have you ever driven a 700cc vehicle? what is this experience you mention?
how can you claim fuel savings? you expect that just because you declared yourself a env eng that we just accept your unscientific conclusion as fact?
http://www.rightnation.us/forums/lof...hp/t82805.html
how can you claim fuel savings? you expect that just because you declared yourself a env eng that we just accept your unscientific conclusion as fact?
http://www.rightnation.us/forums/lof...hp/t82805.html
