Hybrids on the horizon

As I noted in our latest Driving Change Network Newsletter, I worked recently to fully update the Hybrid Timeline and there are quite a few new interesting tidbits about what will, or may, come down the pike.

On the redesign front, probably the best news is the Mercury Mariner Hybrid. In addition to reducing the price on the 2008 model and doing some interior redesign, Ford also gave this vehicle a more thrifty 2WD design. And if a reduced price wasn’t enough, it looks like the Fed is going to give more help as well. Tax credits on the 2008 2WD Escape and Mariner Hybrids have jumped to $3,000, an $800 jump over the 2007 models.

UCS Vehicles Engineer Don MacKenzie is checking into why this is the case, as the 2008 model did not significantly change the drivetrain. We’re guessing it might be an increase in weight that puts these vehicles up a class, which is certainly not the intention of the tax credit system. That said, these two vehicles are commendable uses of hybrid technologies, so with a bump in tax credit and competitive pricing, they may be well worth a look if you’re in the market for the most fuel-efficient SUV out there. You can get the full list of current tax credits on our incentives page.

Here are some other fun (or not so fun) facts we found in the timeline:

• There is no joy in Sienna-ville: First, and most depressing to me, is that the long-rumored hybridization of the Toyota Sienna minivan that I have been ranting about for some time now has again been pushed back to 2008 or 2009. For those of us who have been (im)patiently waiting for a fuel-efficient seven-seater while the Japanese revel in their 40 miles per gallon Toyota Estima Hybrid minivan, all I can say to Toyota is that they really seem to be missing the boat on a key market demand segment here.
• Altima is nice if you can find it: If you live in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or California, the new Nissan Altima Hybrid seems to be quite a nice vehicle. Its EPA-rated fuel economy is a bit better than the Camry, but at a lower sticker price (and a larger federal tax credit). With a car this nice, it will be interesting to see if sales are brisk enough to make Nissan reconsider its decision for only a limited release.
• Here come the two-modes: The GM/DaimlerChrysler/BMW hybrid technology teamup will begin with the fall introduction of the Tahoe and Yukon Hybrids. As of the last report, GM was promising just a 25 percent fuel economy boost over the 17 miles per gallon conventional versions (I’ll have more about why this is later in the week). However, using the same drivetrain, GM is promising a 40 percent fuel economy bump when it introduces its first real hybrid Vue model in 2008.
• Generation 3 Prius-mania: Rumors are running wild about what the next version of the hybrid standard-bearer will be able to do. Will it be a plugin? Probably not, but it may well have some electric-only driving capacity given the redesigned Highlander Hybrid has an electric-only mode (it can only travel about a mile in this mode, however). Will it get substantially better mileage than the Gen. 2? Very likely, but how much higher is still all conjecture (a recent report from a UK magazine has it topping 100 miles per gallon, but others have it in the 70-80 range). And, most importantly, will you be able to see out the back a little better as you hear the incessant beeping when the car is in reverse? Signs point to yes there, too. Expect the new Prius to hit dealerships in the fall of 2008.

There’s a whole bunch more in the Hybrid Timeline, so go check it out. As I asked our Driving Change Network members, I’d like to hear what you think about the upcoming hybrids, and what gaps you’d personally like to see filled in the market -- like a minivan, perhaps...

Posted by: ScottN

Comments

[Charles]

The hybrid gap I would like to see filled is the mini-mini van. I wish Mazda would find a way to move those hybrid power trains they get from Ford for the Tribute and put them in the Mazda 5.

[ScottN]

I'm with you Charles. Indeed, check out my open letter to Jim Press about the hybrid minivan already on the market (in Japan) -- the Estima http://hybridblog.typepad.com/my_weblog/2006/06/open_letter_to_.html

We actually have something in the works on this for April, so stay tuned...

[Jann Curtis]

Admittedly I am posting my opinion rather late here, but I only recently began researching a hybrid as I intend to purchase one this year.

What I would like to see in a new hybrid is some alternatives to the Prius in terms of a hatchback. My husband and I will be trading in his 2001 Ford Focus Hatchback (2 door version) when we purchase our next car (hopefully a hybrid) and our hope is to get similar cargo capacity out of the new car.

Based on the Focus's cargo capacity of 18.5 cubic feet, there is no hybrid CAR out there that offers this capacity. So our only two options if we stay small is the Prius (cargo cap 14 cu ft) or the Ford Escape (cap 28 cu ft).

The problem is the MUCH better mileage of the Prius vs the Escape. So we are left trying to weigh improved gas mileage over better cargo capacity. I am not saving much in $ or the environment if I buy the Prius and have to make 3 trips to haul the same amount of stuff.

How about a Civic hatchback hyrbrid for those of us more concerned with cargo space than number of passengers.