At the time of this writing, there is a game being played. And in my opinion, the game is called, "confronting the US oil crisis". The major players are the car manufacturers, the government, maybe the EPA and have course the people being the unwitting spectators that are readily lured to the show.
And the game pieces are the fuel economy cars also known as hybrid cars.
I will begin by emphasizing the point that I don't know everything there is to know about this so called "impending oil crisis". And I'm not sure if there is anyone who knows everything there is to know about this impending oil crisis too. However, I am fairly certain that the hybrid cars wouldn't be a prospective solution to the problem; not at least for a few more years.
One would notice a massive influx of hybrid cars on the roads today and yet, did nothing to help put a dent in the oil problems; but instead made a quandary with regards to car-pooling. As early as January 2005, hybrids car owners were allowed to use car pool lanes, even when driving alone. Given the fact that thousands of hybrid cars have been sold since 1999, some of the car pool lanes are becoming more congested than the regular traffic lanes they're supposed to lighten.
According to a compiled report for the past eight years made by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the pervasive presence of the supposedly fuel economy cars have saved only a measly total of 5.5 million oil barrels. It's a rather distressing contrast against the approximate 8.5 million barrels a day to power the present usage of the light, private vehicles. But even then, researchers are very optimistic with regards to fuel economy cars. They have concluded that for fuel economy cars to have an impact, they have to at least cover more than 50% of the car population in the United States. And given the growing sales of these fuel economy cars, it's just a matter of time.
On a more personal note, can fuel economy cars help you cut back on gasoline consumption? Yes they could, depending on your driving habits. However, if you consider the initial cost of the hybrids, you may want to reconsider buying one. One of the biggest challenges of the fuel economy cars is that it takes so long to repay that extra expense of purchasing them. Even in the best-case scenario (as with one of the most popular hybrids, the Toyota Prius), five years time is already considered lucky. One could purchase a standard 4-cylinder Toyota for a much lower price and the fuel economy on these models are just outstanding. Again, this will all depend on you're driving habits. Personally, being a city driver, I get excellent mileage with my four cylinder.
So what is your reasoning to purchase a fuel economy car? Is it for the environmental aspects? Whatever it may be, personally I wouldn't purchase a hybrid car for purely economic reasons.
By: Kerry Ng
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Electric Vehicles
I don’t know about everyone else but if you just ask the kids they’ll tell you they’re all for electric vehicles. It doesn’t matter what kind either. Make all the vehicles electric! After all, electric vehicles are fascinating and easy to use not mention easy on the wallet when it comes to buying gas. Maybe it’s the fact that electric vehicles run in an amazing and mysterious silent way. That’s got the roaring, gut throbbing internal combustion noises beaten hands down. Silence, it seems, is associated with thinking – at least conscious thinking occurs in the silence. Issues of reality and form and style and daydreaming are all part of this silent phenomenon.
If every kid wants electric vehicles, maybe that’s the place to start marketing them. The other day my wife and I helped move a Barbie® Jeep. It’s an electric powered kid sized vehicle and is too heavy for one person to lift, let alone a child. Nevertheless, the toy is very popular and we both thought to climb in and take it for a spin. It’s fun, adventurous, and even parents love it. Back in the adult world, one of the major unresolved electric vehicle issues that remain is that of weight vs. safety. Numerous models of Italian, Swiss and Chinese electric vehicles already exist on the market but few models satisfy U.S. requirements for highway safety. The dilemma is that electric vehicles are kept light for efficiency sake. The required battery storage adds a lot of weight but not where it counts.
Chrysler introduced an electric vehicle in California back in 2000 that was in reality a glorified, weather resistant golf cart. There was more marketing hype than real interest but the giant automaker did meet its EPA mileage goals that year. Slower speeds associated with around town driving are more suited for electric vehicles. Perhaps with new, lighter batteries we’ll see heavier electric vehicles that can meet stringent safety requirements, but it hasn’t happened yet.
Still, the attraction for electric vehicles remains. Considering the state of the world we will probably see some sort of renewable energy vehicle successfully enter the marketplace in the near future. Whether it will be an electric car or one powered by a fuel cell, the final vote is still out.
By: Kerry Ng
If every kid wants electric vehicles, maybe that’s the place to start marketing them. The other day my wife and I helped move a Barbie® Jeep. It’s an electric powered kid sized vehicle and is too heavy for one person to lift, let alone a child. Nevertheless, the toy is very popular and we both thought to climb in and take it for a spin. It’s fun, adventurous, and even parents love it. Back in the adult world, one of the major unresolved electric vehicle issues that remain is that of weight vs. safety. Numerous models of Italian, Swiss and Chinese electric vehicles already exist on the market but few models satisfy U.S. requirements for highway safety. The dilemma is that electric vehicles are kept light for efficiency sake. The required battery storage adds a lot of weight but not where it counts.
Chrysler introduced an electric vehicle in California back in 2000 that was in reality a glorified, weather resistant golf cart. There was more marketing hype than real interest but the giant automaker did meet its EPA mileage goals that year. Slower speeds associated with around town driving are more suited for electric vehicles. Perhaps with new, lighter batteries we’ll see heavier electric vehicles that can meet stringent safety requirements, but it hasn’t happened yet.
Still, the attraction for electric vehicles remains. Considering the state of the world we will probably see some sort of renewable energy vehicle successfully enter the marketplace in the near future. Whether it will be an electric car or one powered by a fuel cell, the final vote is still out.
By: Kerry Ng
Auto Auctions – Luxury Vehicles For Economy Budgets
Auto auctions are making it easier than ever for consumers to get into the car of their dreams. Like most Americans, you probably have luxury taste, but live on an economy budget. With a little research and patience, however, that luxury vehicle you’ve been eyeing could be in your driveway sooner than you ever thought possible.
Contrary to popular belief, auto auctions are not solely restricted to car dealers. This little known fact is what continuously drives Americans to purchase from car dealerships time and time again. Just imagine how much money you could save if you bypassed the dealer’s huge markups and purchased directly from their sources. Consumers regularly report savings of 60% to over 90% off book value! That’s an incredible savings that no dealer could ever offer you.
The majority of these vehicles are late models with very low miles. Some are still even under their manufacturer’s original warranty. So how did these great vehicles end up at auction, you ask? Well, it’s really quite simple. A majority were repossessed by banks and other financial institutions for defaults on loans. And others were seized by local and federal government agencies. Because of the huge costs associated with storing these vehicles, it is necessary that they be auctioned off as quickly as possible.
Auto auctions put you, the consumer, in control. When you go to a dealership the sticker price of the vehicle is either what you pay, or the dealer has a certain price in mind that they’re willing to settle for. At an auto auction, however, there’s usually a low starting bid of $100 to $500, and the bidders determine the final price. If you research and plan accordingly, you can probably attend an auction on a slow business day with very few competing bidders, and walk away with a great car at an incredible price.
By: Cat Tobin
Contrary to popular belief, auto auctions are not solely restricted to car dealers. This little known fact is what continuously drives Americans to purchase from car dealerships time and time again. Just imagine how much money you could save if you bypassed the dealer’s huge markups and purchased directly from their sources. Consumers regularly report savings of 60% to over 90% off book value! That’s an incredible savings that no dealer could ever offer you.
The majority of these vehicles are late models with very low miles. Some are still even under their manufacturer’s original warranty. So how did these great vehicles end up at auction, you ask? Well, it’s really quite simple. A majority were repossessed by banks and other financial institutions for defaults on loans. And others were seized by local and federal government agencies. Because of the huge costs associated with storing these vehicles, it is necessary that they be auctioned off as quickly as possible.
Auto auctions put you, the consumer, in control. When you go to a dealership the sticker price of the vehicle is either what you pay, or the dealer has a certain price in mind that they’re willing to settle for. At an auto auction, however, there’s usually a low starting bid of $100 to $500, and the bidders determine the final price. If you research and plan accordingly, you can probably attend an auction on a slow business day with very few competing bidders, and walk away with a great car at an incredible price.
By: Cat Tobin
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
