After thinking about hybrids again....
Keeping an open mind, I am trying to understand the hybrid equation for a cab or a police car. It appears that hybrids are a viable power train today for cab companies across cities in the US. However, I believe natural gas (they have them in my area) is as good and electric would be better. In the future, hydrogen I believe is the best alternative.
I don't think anything but a gas or diesel is appropriate for a police car outside of an urban setting. Once you get out on the road either in the burbs or rural areas, a hybrid would become a negative. Could a hybrid be the right choice for urban police departments? I think the police are best to answer that one.
So maybe hybrids are not BS. However for general use purposes I am far from convinced they are worth the hype. In a side by side comparison to a high mileage gas or diesel I don't think the benefits outweigh the additional purchase costs along with the impact on the environment to source the materials and battery disposal.
I love the idea of an electric car (provided by electric plants that are not oil fed but rather by natural gas, methane or waste to energy plants) and also believe hydrogen will play a significant role in transportation for general purpose use.
Adding a national infrastructure to handle hydrogen is the 10-50 year problem ahead. It's not technology, it's politics, capital and general resistance to change. However, fix the capital side of the equation and private business can and will succeed in the right mix of investment and service availability.
I believe we will see a tipping point or a catalyst (could be an oil shortage like the 70s or a tax or investment policy at the Federal level) that will lead to the construction of hydrogen production and distribution infrastructure. Auto manufacturers already have proven the technology in vehicles.
Because the amount of oil is finite it will eventually be priced out of reach before supply is exhausted. Energy alternatives that exclude oil 100% are obviously the only solution when there is no oil or the costs far exceed the value derived.
However, in my opinion, for general purposes, I don't see hybrids being smarter or a better choice. High mileage non hybrid cars are out there today for less money and near if not equal in many cases to the mileage. If hybrids were the same price as a high mileage car/vehicle then it makes more sense.
So hybrids are not BS. They have a role.
02-13-2011, 08:19 AM
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