On 10th June we learned that Australia's first locally manufactured hybrid car will roll off Toyota's production line in less than two years, in a deal Victorian Premier John Brumby has heralded as a 'coup'.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Toyota's president Katsuaki Watanabe made the announcement today in Japan.
ABC News: Brumby lauds $35m Toyota hybrid 'coup'
I don't have any axe to grind over Hybrid cars, I'd just like to know the truth about how 'green' they really are. In the US and UK there has been some controversy over the 'dust to dust' or 'life cycle' CO2 emissions, costs and energy useage of the Toyota Prius. Toyota supposedly produced their own report, which to the best of my knowledge has never been made public. A CNW Marketing report claimed that the dust to dust cost per mile for a Toyota Prius was $3.249, compared to $3.027 for Hummer H2. There is more in a balanced article from the UK Telegraph from 2007 entitled: Who are you kidding?
This news has reached Australia:
As more Australians scramble to buy hybrid petrol/electric cars, Britain's biggest-selling auto magazine has taken a swipe at them, saying hybrids are no better for emissions than an efficient diesel or petrol-driven car.
The magazine Auto Express says none of the hybrids' advertised emissions figures were borne out in their test drives.
ABC News: Hybrid cars 'not so green'
Meanwhile, Toyota are promising a 'plug-in' hybrid for 2010.
Thanks to Luke for alerting me to Australia embracing the hybrid car, while I was on holiday in Spain - I'm still catching up!
To do a DYI service one's Prius:
*Don't touch any orange coloured cable, wire, plastic plug or switch.
*Remove the key from the ignition when changing oil, as the motor may start at any time.
*Coolant flush: under the left headlight is a hot coolant storage tank. The coolant is circulated to the cylinder head 5 hours after switch off to keep the motor warm for restart.
Disconnect the 12v pump on the coolant storage tank (stainless steel and round) before releasing the coolant pressure cap, take care, this can still blow up in your face!
*The dashboard readout is the high alter. It is essential that correct engine oil is added, that tyre pressures are correct and that wheel alignment is maintained otherwise Kms/L will suffer.
*High voltage linesman gloves are recommended for when fiddling with the battery pack. It packs enough wack to do you in!
NiMH batteries are not partial to long storage or hot climate, so purchasing 2nd hand units could be a drama.
*Oh... and you can the change tyres.
Just did some Monday research... my always very reliable source informs me the $2800 Prius diff I seem to recall seeing somewhere, is in fact closer to a $5000 repair and in the bargain took 2-3 days, whereas the Falcon diff takes 2-3 hours.
Hmmm, could be the new automotive paradigm, where less is more!
Ender,
"This is an ignorant falsehood as the battery in a Prius will last the life of the car."
Agreed up to a point, I thought the battery packs were guaranteed for 8 years? Maybe that is the life of the car? I did come across a comment piece by an Australian motoring correspondent who has a Prius and a Honda Civic HV. The Prius had been in his garage for some time waiting for a new battery pack. He's now buying a diesel.
"Yes turbo diesels are good for the moment but still need diesel to run them."
Absolutely, it's an interim measure - I intend mine to last maybe 5 years until the private transport picture becomes clearer - it's a very muddy pool at the moment.
"As it get more expensive and scarce BEVs and PHEVs will be the answer."
If they're the answer I'm not sure we're asking the right question. I'm yet to be convinced that either of those technologies will provide long-distance travel without support from fossil fuel. Which leaves urban travel - and I think there are better alternatives that don't involve the use of powered, privately-owned, vehicles.
Meanwhile, back at the dogbox Prius, cab companies in Sydney have several on the road, with Legion Cabs having one needing a new diff after 250,000kms and 3 years later costing around $2,800. A Falcon could expect 500,000 - 800,000kms and cost $1200. Don't know what that Prius was doing only those kms in 3 years, because a falcon could reasonably expect to do 500,000+ kms in that time. Seems as though the Prius is not quite up to it.
Louis - "I am not a diesel expert - you blather pure nonsense.
You provide the evidence they have since you assert it."
Yes I agree you are not a diesel expert however you claimed that you knew about these things because you worked in the mining industry. How can you say that the trucks do not have any storage? I am not asserting that they have it necessarily just that you cannot rule out they they might have some storage there in the drivetrain.
Lets start on this letter that you seem unable to see the falsehoods in:
"Inefficient because they have two power sources instead of one, two control systems instead of one, two losses in converting mechanical power to electrical power and back again, two sources of electrical ``slippage’’ (generators and motors) instead of none in a manual transmission,"
So I assume that this vehicle he alludes to has neither a starter motor or alternator? The Prius really only has enlarged the starter motor and alternator along with the battery, and transferred it by a power sharing transmission that is no more inefficient than a normal automatic. Having said that a battery electric car is more efficient still and is the ultimate solution in my view.
"And those costly batteries need to be replaced every two to three years."
The company I used to work for got a Prius in 2004 when they came out. Still going strong on the original battery. Nobody I talk to that has the previous model Prius has had to replace the battery and the oldest of these is approaching 8 years. This is an ignorant falsehood as the battery in a Prius will last the life of the car.
"Meanwhile, so-called “zero-emission’’vehicles require much new science before they are available in the showroom"
BEVs require no new science and are ready to go today.
"Hydrogen takes more power to produce than it replaces and “plug-in’’ electric cars are not the answer either."
I agree with the hydrogen however why are not PHEVS the answer - he just asserts it!
"Turbo diesel is the way to go right now. The technology is well proven, diesel engines are inherently more efficient than petrol ones and they last longer."
Yes turbo diesels are good for the moment but still need diesel to run them. As it get more expensive and scarce BEVs and PHEVs will be the answer.
Other than practically all of his statements it is clearly correct.
From John Ray's Greenie Watch - letter to The Australian.
The Prius is a huge waste of resources
The following is a clearly correct letter to the editor of "The Australian" by Anthony Hordern of Jamison, ACT
POLITICIANS’ comments about “green’’ cars are merely techno-babble they have picked up somewhere but don’t really understand.
Hybrid vehicles are at best expensive and inefficient. Inefficient because they have two power sources instead of one, two control systems instead of one, two losses in converting mechanical power to electrical power and back again, two sources of electrical ``slippage’’ (generators and motors) instead of none in a manual transmission, plus they have heavy batteries to carry around. And those costly batteries need to be replaced every two to three years.
Meanwhile, so-called “zero-emission’’vehicles require much new science before they are available in the showroom, if ever. Hydrogen takes more power to produce than it replaces and “plug-in’’ electric cars are not the answer either. Techno-illiterates assume that pollution in the Latrobe and Hunter valleys simply disappears.
Turbo diesel is the way to go right now. The technology is well proven, diesel engines are inherently more efficient than petrol ones and they last longer.
Surely the four-cylinder engine plant Holden is closing at Fishermans Bend in Melbourne could readly produce modern turbo-diesel engines with minimum re-tooling and without funds from the taxpayer.