Comments for Bob Lutz in LA Part 3: Big-Ass Hybrids at http://www.ecogeek.org , comment 1 to 9 out of 9 comments http://www.ecogeek.org Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:00:06 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/1209#comment-8015 These Hybrid SUV's are using 19/21 mpg's at best. If one really does need the power to haul and such, any diesel engine runs on straight bio-fuel as long as it is not in a place where the oil can coagulate due to temperature, in which case you can put heaters on the lines and manifold to keep it from doing so. In fact, Rudolph Diesel invented the diesel engine around 1900 to run on peanut oil. Our infatuation with REDUCING the carbon footprint is our problem. When you look at a system or design that is flawed, why just improve upon a bad design. We need to change the way we do things. While GM is out here trying to compete with a Prius in their own unique way, they are still producing a corvette VO6, so their intentions are questionable to say the least. The Prius is not better in my mind, because it is still using a petroleum based fuel, and it is setting a standard for other companies to use Hybrid technology in an even worse way, and be considered green. Did you know you can run a diesel engine on salt water at the right compression ratio? We need to be more concerned with fixing something rather than improving. Just because something is more efficient doesn't mean it is more effective. Our initial intention standards must be higher. - cr8 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:03:50 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/1209#comment-8013 I must admit I am pleasently suprised to hear they are talking so straight forward about two mode Hybrid systems. Given the current offerings of "hybrid" trucks that are little more then having big starters and doing away with the idle. I do agree with your summary that it is better for a big truck to save 50% then not. So in that it is a good thing. I will look forward to renting one if I need to move or haul something big. But I will never own one. And ya, that last part would have been better to leave out. - GNiessen Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:36:04 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/1209#comment-8006 Yes, it's a good thing that GM is introducing big ass hybrids. I think their appearance will break down the market into its main parts and each sub-segment will respond in kind: People who need large trucks to haul around people or stuff will continue buying these cars, in hybrid flavor. People who need large trucks for their hauling capacity probably won't get the hybrid cuz it doesn't cut the mustard in raw torque and HP (except if a diesel is produced). People who purchased these trucks for the style and recreational power (probably the same types whose actions most of us disapprove of) will buy something else. When the bulging-muscle image of the truck is gone, I think this buyer will move on too. REAL TRUCK PEOPLE (tm) will always buy trucks, but fashionistas will follow the trends. Anyway, thanks for these videos, Hank. Good stuff! - Gman Mon, 10 Dec 2007 06:29:38 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/1209#comment-7982 Thanks RhapsodyInGlue. I agree with you, but I think it needs to go much further than this. For example. One of the reasons public transit is so unmanageable in the United States is how our population is distributed across landscapes. There are a lot of reasons for this. For example, the predominant pattern of neolocal residence after marriage encourages the construction of new homes, ideals of what a home should be (including the status-enhancing symbol of the well-tended front lawn) make less efficient use of space, the abandonment of middle-class and wealthy people from urban centers (and old burbs) who can afford those big homes with their lawns encourages sprawl, (along with the construction of wide roads for motor traffic), and a relationship between counties and cities which encourages incorporation of county land into city land, which encourages further development. Add on top of that the importance of home building in our economy, and how much everyone freaks out when people start buying fewer homes. It goes deeeeep. - supergreen Sat, 08 Dec 2007 20:40:26 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/1209#comment-7977 excuses excuses, bob, but maybe you should stop catering to the 'wants and desires' of the obese idiot. - paolo Sat, 08 Dec 2007 14:53:17 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/1209#comment-7974 Supergreen, Thank you for hitting one I missed... institutions. We certainly could use better city planning and better public transit in the U.S. - RhapsodyInGlue Sat, 08 Dec 2007 13:25:58 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/1209#comment-7966 Look: hybrids are great. So great in fact that we can make our cars even BIGGER than before. Fuel efficiency is only one part of the equation guys. Our attitudes toward consumption, and how our institutions are set up to encourage it, are the other half of it. - supergreen Sat, 08 Dec 2007 04:00:48 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/1209#comment-7963 That actually was kinda creepy near the end - Brian Fri, 07 Dec 2007 23:40:52 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/1209#comment-7962 I applaud the fact that they are coming out with these since they do provide pretty dramatic increases in efficiency, and there are some legitimate uses for large vehicles. However, we need to create a feebate system to discourage those who really don't need such vehicles from buying them, coupled with a gas/carbon tax to get those who do own them to drive them as little as possible. - RhapsodyInGlue Fri, 07 Dec 2007 20:40:42 +0100