Hybrid cars, trucks, SUVs: All vehicles hybrid

Saving money with a plug-in hybrid conversion

Today there are a number of options for converting a hybrid into a plug-in hybrid. Thus, a 50 mpg Toyota Prius can be converted into a 100 mpg plug-in Prius.

But, do plug-in hybrid conversions save any money?(more)

Latest hybrid news

• Toyota hybrid sales sink in August
• Dealer markups on Nissan Leaf possible
• LOL – GM trademarks ‘range anxiety’
• Self-drive plus auto-drive: The new hybrid
• Is China GM’s real Volt target?
• Nissan to show off Infiniti M hybrid in LA
• Fuel economy: Is it you or is your hybrid a dud?

Despite recent commercials, GM has not payed back its debt to America in full, with interest. Instead, the government still owns 60 percent of GM and $50 billion in stock, some of which might never be recovered without a bit of a miracle, and that miracle might just be the Chevy Volt(more)

Without doubt there are good intentions behind the government's plug-in tax credits. Unfortunately, study after study seems to confirm that current plug-in tax credits could be ineffective and even counter-productive. Isn't it time to let the facts do the talking?(more)

No this isn't about safety, for that the data speaks for itself. Compared to almost all other vehicles, Toyota hybrids are safe. That's simply a fact according to many years of data and validated by Consumer Reports and JD Power. Waiting to buy a Toyota hybrid is all about the potential deals(more)

Can the Chevy Volt or the Nissan Leaf outsell the Toyota Prius before 2020? Can the plug-in Prius outsell the regular Prius? When will plug-ins outsell the Prius?(more)

2012: The Fordaizening of hybrid cars

Alan Mulally has already brought some kaizen to Ford, and it saved Ford from bankruptcy. In 2012, however, the kaizening of Ford's hybrid cars begins with a new battery lab and several new hybrid and electric vehicles (more)

Is new drilling a necessary evil?

Ending foreign oil dependence will be far harder than most seem to think, and the actions we take TODAY are critically important. That means political compromise so we can achieve effective legislation RIGHT NOW. Increased CAFE requirements, more hybrid and EV production, etc., might just require a new bipartisan drilling deal (more)

Could a Bloom box hybrid be in your future?

The Bloom box might change everything about energy, from creating next gen fuel cell hybrid vehicles to providing the missing link for cost-effective plug-in hybrid cars. (more)

Does the government have battery-powered cars all wrong?

Obviously, the battery is the key to any battery-powered vehicle, and recent reports suggest that the battery manufacturing wars will be won within the next five to seven years by those making the most money producing the most batteries. Big battery plug-ins are not enough and conventional hybrid cars will be critical to US success (more)

The Great EV divide: Taxing the poor for little gain?

Tax credits for plug-in hybrid cars are a good idea. Still, if you can afford a $50,000 vehicle, should the government subsidize your purchase? Tax credits for hybrid cars can offer more bang for the buck, especially in the interim, while also advancing lithium battery technology (more)

Is the Honda CR-Z hybrid being underestimated?

For those interested in the manual transmission CR-Z hybrid option, the world's first production hybrid sports car could offer serious hypermilers an interesting new toolbox for achieving maximum fuel economy. (more)

What if you can't afford a Chevy Volt?

The Volt will be a fantastic car for those that can afford to pay extra for such a plug-in vehicle. For the majority, however, the Volt will be too expensive for more than a decade. How does America fight foreign oil dependence without solutions for the masses?(more)

Time for Honda to embrace full hybrids vehicles?

Honda is indicated that it is ready to take hybrid cars to the next level. However, doesn't a serious increase in Honda hybrid production require adding full hybrids to Honda's hybrid lineup?(more)

According to the political pundits, any serious cap and trade legislation is dead. Why not try foreign oil dependence as the path to a new energy paradigm?(more)

When it comes to hybrid cars, plug-in hybrids receive all the glory. Yet, when it comes to reality and to reducing foreign oil dependence and global warming, conventional hybrid cars offer much more bang for the buck in the interim. (more)

Chevy Volt to charge GM's IPO?

According to a forecast from Fitch, yearly auto sales might improve a bit next year, but not enough to fix GM's balance sheet. However, could the Chevy Volt be a wild card in that forecast? (more)

Best plug-in vehicles: EVs, range-extended EVs, or plug-in hybrid cars?

What is the best plug-in vehicle? Is it a pure electric car, such as the Nissan Leaf, or a range-extended electric vehicle, such as the Chevy Volt? Or is plug-in cost-effectiveness about plug-in hybrids, such as a plug-in Prius? (more)

Report: The importance of plug-in hybrid vehicles
A new report finds that plug-in hybrids are critical to the American auto sector.(more)

Larger Prius-derived lithium hybrid coming next year
Reports coming out of Tokyo indicate that larger, lithium-powered Prius-derived hybrid will debut next year..(more)

Toyota Sienna hybrid: Would it sell?
Toyota will debut an updated Sienna minivan at the LA Auto Show with fuel efficiency suprise. If Toyota offered a hybrid version of the Sienna minivan, would it sell?.(more)

Could natural gas vehicles make sense?
How do natural gas vehicles compare to hybrid cars and conventional vehicles in terms of cost-effectiveness?(more)

2-door, sporty Toyota Prius on the way
Toyota will take on the upcoming Honda CR-Z hybrid with a sporty take on the Toyota Prius hybrid car. (more)

Best and worst tires for hybrid cars
There is nothing worse than buying a hybrid car to save money on fuel only to have to use that savings to buy new tires many hybrid buyers have complained. What are the best tires for hybrids?
(more)(5 Comments)

Toyota's new Lexus hybrid
Lexus has released this interesting sketch of what could potentially be its next hybrid vehicle, the CT.
(more)(2 Comments)

Toyota Prius and Honda Insight are top safety picks
Fuel efficient and safe.
(more)(4 Comments)

Are tax credits for plug-in vehicles insufficient to spur PHEV sales
A new study by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) finds that the move to plug-in hybrid vehicles will not be easy.
(more)(15 Comments)

Are tax credits for plug-in vehicles counter productive?
Are plug-ins ever cost-effective without swappable batteries? Shouldn't the goal be as many batteries in as many cars as fast as possible?
(more)(4 Comments)

Does the Volt really resonate in America?
The Chevy Volt might be a revolutionary hybrid vehicle. But most consumers already don't want to pay more for conventional hybrid vehicles. Can the Volt change that attitude?
(more)(41 Comments)

Will cap and trade reduce foreign oil dependency?
Americans are just not motivated by global warming, but they are very concerned about foreign oil dependency. So why not a campaign to end our dependence on foreign oil?
(more)(25 Comments)

Jetta TDI better than the Toyota Prius
Hybrid haters say it all the time. Now VW is making the claim in a new commercial, but is the Jetta TDI, a clean diesel vehicle, better than Toyota Prius hybrid car?
(more)(36 Comments)

Carbon schmarbon. It's foreign oil dependency, stupid
Americans are just not motivated by global warming, but they are very concerned about foreign oil dependency. So why not a campaign to end our dependence on foreign oil?
(more)(18 Comments)

Will there ever be a cheap American hybrid?
A few decades ago it was small cars. A decade ago it was hybrid cars. Today, it's cheap hybrid vehicles. Will US automakers ever offer a cheap American hybrid?  
(more)(8 Comments )

  (More hybrid news)

Hybrid Cars Buying Guide: Which hybrid vehicle is best for you?
If you are not sure which hybrid vehicle best meets your needs, use our Buyer's Guide (more)

--> Also see, All hybrid cars save money

The Toyota Prius Hybrid  
The hybrid car leader at just over $20,000?

Simply an unbelievable piece of automotive technology. Tax credits for this hybrid vehicle have now been cut in half, however, supply of this hybrid is up.
(more) (test drive)
--> Buying a Toyota Prius Hybrid
--> A Third Generation Prius in 2008?

Toyota Camry Hybrid
Top selling Camry, as a hybrid

A hot, new hybrid vehicle from Toyota. This hybrid offers excellent performance, fantastic fuel efficiency - and its a Camry!
(more)

Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Great performance and efficiency

This hybrid SUV from Toyota offers V6 performance with V4 fuel economy. Hybrid credits for this Toyota have also been cut in half.
 (more)
> Official Highlander hybrid pricing

Mercury Mariner Hybrid Hybrid
The hybrid drive is similar to the Escape hybrid, with Mercury styling.

The second hybrid vehicle from Ford, the Mercury Mariner hybrid, will only be offered in limited numbers through 2006. An elegant and efficient hybrid!

The Ford Escape Hybrid 
The world's first hybrid SUV. 

V6 power with V4 fuel efficiency, the Escape hybrid offers SUV functionality and environmental awareness. The most fuel efficient full hybrid vehicle. 
(more) ( test drive)
--> Buying a Ford Escape Hybrid

The Honda Accord Hybrid 
Simply the best Accord.

Faster than a conventional Accord, the hybrid Accord is the first V6 hybrid. This is a hybrid vehicle built for the highway and the open road, a performance hybrid.
(more) (test drive)
--> Buying a Honda Accord Hybrid

The Honda Civic Hybrid
The first converted hybrid vehicle 

Now in its second generation. It looks like a Civic, drives a Civic, but at 50 mpg it gets 40 percent better gas mileage than a regular Civic. (more)
--> Buying a Honda Civic Hybrid

The Nissan Altima Hybrid
Nissan's first hybrid vehicle 

Nissan would love to sell 50,000 Altima hybrid vehicles per year, but in only 8 states?.

The Lexus RX400h Hybrid
The world's most luxurious hybrid SUV. 

This hybrid is a luxurious performer for those seeking to help the environment
(more)

Dodge Durango Hybrid
Yes it's got a Hemi! 

The Dodge Durango is a 2009 model that should be available in 2008. 
(more)

Chevy Tahoe Hybrid
One of GM's first dual mode hybrids 

Full size SUV performance in a hybrid package. 
(more)

Chevy Malibu Hybrid
A very nice mild hybrid 

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