The Triangle

Issue date: 11/5/04 Section: Sci-Tech

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The days of joyriding are most assuredly over. Soaring oil prices are turning weekly gas-ups into a major expense. There was a time when filling up set you back maybe $20 when prices were up. Fast-forward to 2004 and paying $30+ to fill up a mid-sized car is the accepted norm. Granted the economy has been in the dumps for quite some time, but a 33% inflation rate? No, the price of oil has just been rising as foreign entities begin charging more and more in the wake of the Iraq war. Rather than try to place blame, it is more important for Americans to consider solutions on an individual level.

The oil consumption rate in America has made the American people slaves to foreign oil producing nations that are not always the most amiable folk - Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria. Oil is, without question, America's Achilles heel when it comes to the war on terror. In WWII Americans at home were all too willing to ration what they had to fight the global war. If we are to fight the global war on terror, it is time to get serious domestically by realizing the threat that our reliance on oil has become.

There is no greater representation of the American need for oil than the American automobile. Yes, we're a car/truck loving bunch, and if anyone tries to tell us what we can or cannot drive, we'll just throw him out of office because that's what democracy is all about. Politicians know better, they make sure that Americans can maintain that - "life as usual" ­- state of being. In fact, they'll even suggest you treat yourself. Did everyone get their post 9/11 car and/or pile of jewelry? If you did it was probably an SUV or diamonds mined by children from the third world.

Media Credit: Toyota

Americans spend an average of $200,000 on gasoline every minute, and there is no measure for the taxing effects our over-consumption has had on our safety, foreign policy, etc.

Hybrid vehicles are beginning to enter the market, and represent the first step in reducing America's oil consumption. It's no surprise that the first models came from overseas automakers like Toyota and Honda, who invested millions of dollars in developing the technology necessary to get better gas mileage. If you look at the Department of Energy's list of the most fuel efficient vehicles by model class, you'll notice that about 80% of the vehicles listed are from foreign manufacturers.

The first models to roll off the assembly line were the Honda Insight & Toyota Prius; small, odd looking, and predictably under powered. American drivers want their spacious interiors and gut-busting engines that rocket them from 0-60 in under 6 seconds in a 45 mph zone. Nevertheless, these vehicles found a market, but certainly not in the mainstream. Luckily, there was enough interest to spur further development.

All hybrid systems employed by automakers utilize the same basic principles. The use of the name hybrid is derived from the fact that they employ power from a standard gasoline combustion engine, as well as a battery system. Both gasoline and electric power are used selectively to turn the transmission that then turns the wheels. The engines in hybrid cars will turn off and on depending on the amount of power needed. When power isn't needed, the car's battery system powers motors that propel the car. Batteries are recharged by using the kinetic energy built up while driving. By capturing the kinetic power produced by breaking and other driving events, the vehicle uses stored battery power to go farther using less gasoline.

Arguably, the most popular of currently available hybrid lines is the one being produced by Japanese automaker Toyota. Toyota, which employs what they call Hybrid Synergy Drive, introduced the Prius in 2000. Initially, the Prius had an odd and somewhat dome-like look that scared off potential early adopters. Recent model years have produced a more "normal looking" vehicle. As a result, the Prius now has a long waiting list of eager customers anxious to get their 51MPG.

Media Credit: Toyota

Earlier this year, Toyota licensed their Hybrid Synergy Drive to the Ford Motor Company. Ford is employing this technology in its line of Escape SUVs. The Escape is the first attempt to market hybrid technology to SUV buyers. The Escape features four-wheel drive and is capable of producing 155 horsepower. When it comes to fuel economy, Ford reports 36/31MPG (city/highway) which represents a significant improvement over their non-hybrid model which gets 22/25MPG. Ford has also left the original body style of their small SUV in place, giving it the same look and appearance of the non-hybrid model.

In 2005, Toyota will introduce a hybrid version of its small SUV, the highlander, and Lexus (Toyota's luxury line) will introduce a hybrid model of their luxury SUV, the RX330. Both of these models will feature four-wheel-drive, 270HP, and power to go from 0-60 in about 8 seconds. Those concerned about hybrids being underpowered can squash their concern. Although final specifications are not yet available, Toyota reports that the new Highlander and RX330 will have a range of 600 miles on a single tank.

Media Credit: Honda

Honda has also developed what they call gasoline-electric hybrid technology, which was first used in the Honda Insight. The Insight's eyesore status led Honda to adapt their technologies to other vehicles and drive trains including Honda's popular Civic line of compact sedans and coupes. While it may not be as fuel efficient as the Insight, the Hybrid Civic will still deliver 45/51 MPG (city/highway) and has much more visual appeal. However, with only 93 horsepower, some may still back down, feeling the vehicle is underpowered.

For the 2005 model year, Honda is prepared to introduce a hybrid model of their mid-sized sedan, the Accord. The Accord will feature a 3.0L V6 engine and an amazing 255 horsepower. Gas mileage is expected to be in the low 30s.

Hybrid model cars are typically priced slightly above their non-hybrid counterparts. However, when consumers consider the total cost of ownership, the hybrid delivers more bang for the buck. Getting more miles per gallon reduces the amount of high priced gasoline needed to operate the vehicle. To encourage the use of more efficient vehicles, the government now offers the "clean-fuel" tax deduction of up to $2000 to early adopters of hybrid technology.

The technology to produce more a fuel efficient vehicle is being developed, but it needs the investment of the people to spur innovation. Moreover, automakers need motivation beyond the potential of the perceived market segment demand to use this technology to improve the fuel efficiency of all vehicles.

The government must also take a more active role in ensuring that America has the energy it needs for the future. Increasing the fuel efficiency and emissions requirements of new vehicles, and then backing those initiatives with federal dollars to study and develop new designs and technology, while not the only means of conservation, is essential to preserving what oil we have, and reducing America's reliance on foreign sources.

Paul Corkery is a BS/MS student in information systems.

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