By Benjamin Jones
At a panel discussion during the 2009 New York International Auto Show, the inevitable question came up: should we focus on one green technology or continue our scattered approach to things? Henrik Fisker, the charismatic man at the helm of Fisker Automotive, had an answer that surprised me: we should explore every avenue, except mild hybrids. According to him they were a short term solution at best, and much of the investment in them is wasted money.
Since then I have been thinking about the pros and cons of investment in mild hybrid technology. While hybrids like the Toyota Prius have certainly enjoyed their fair share of commercial success, there are good arguments on both sides of the issue.
3 Reasons Mild Hybrid Investment is Wasted
- Mild hybrids may reduce our fuel consumption, but they are not a substitute for petroleum based fuels. Using less gas may be great, but is it worth money that could go to developing non-petroleum transport technologies?
- Fuel efficient technologies already exist. Small cars and diesels have had the potential to get great fuel economy for decades; it would require less money and less waiting to just cut the fat.
- Hybrid technology is still a bandage for inefficient vehicles. While the Prius may be popular, more money is being spent on making SUV, trucks, and luxury cars into hybrids than vehicles with any decent fuel economy potential. Cadalac Escalade hybrid, anyone?
3 Reasons to Keep Investing in Mild Hybrids
- They save fuel. Like it or not, internal combustion engines are going to be in the United States and the world for decades. We might as well develop the technology to save fuel over that long term.
- Mild hybrid technology is profitable and affordable. Compared to other technologies like battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell, it’s actually possible to purchase and afford mild hybrids.
- The technology builds consumer acceptance of environmental automobiles. Unlike many skeptics predicted when the Insight first came to the United States, people aren’t getting shocked to death by their cars or having the electric motors blow up and fail on a daily basis.
So, is Fisker right? Is money invested in mild hybrid technology a waste? It’s clear that he has an agenda to sell his own plug-in electric vehicles, but I think he may be on to something. The economical Geo Metro is still competitive with the Prius in terms of fuel economy, but such conventional technology has all but given way to modern hybrids. Perhaps a return to the basics and renewed focus on conservation would do more than all the world’s advance hybrid drivetrains put together.
What do you think?
EcoModder is a community of fuel economy enthusiasts, dedicated to helping others increase their gas mileage and make green car choices. It is a Premier Partner of SustainLane.
