[ajnagpur]

Hi Guys,

Just came across this news on Economic Times Auto:

LONDON: Road tests conducted on latest models of hybrid cars have dismissed the environmental claims made by their manufacturers as a marketing gimmick.

According to a report in The Times, the road tests, conducted by the Auto Express magazine, criticized the so-called "eco-friendly" cars as pumping out up to 56 per cent more carbon dioxide than the manufacturers claim.

In fact, three models, including the Honda Civic hybrid, performed so badly in tests that their environmental claims were dismissed as a gimmick.

A further five vehicles, including Volkswagen's Polo BlueMotion, hailed as Britain's greenest car when it was claimed that it emitted less than 100 grams of CO2 per km (g/km), failed to match the claims made by their makers.

The magazine has accused manufacturers of attempting to cash in on concerns about global warming.

According to David Johns, the magazine's editor, demand for eco-friendly cars was rising rapidly but it could be hard for consumers to determine what was "truly green or just pure gimmick".

Almost a quarter of new cars now claim a CO2 rating of less than 140g/ km. Those with a figure below 120g/ km accounted for one in 20 sales last year. It is thought that there would have been more, given a better supply.

The Honda Civic hybrid, regarded widely as one of the lowest emitting cars, performed the worst in the tests. Instead of the 109g/km of CO2 claimed in the makers' specifications, it was found to put out 171g/km.

The testers said its electric motor was "not strong enough to propel the oddball four-door Civic on its own" and they concluded that the vehicle "failed to match the firm's economy claims".

The second car labelled a gimmick was the Lexus GS450h, which managed fuel consumption of 26.7 miles per gallon (mpg) in the road test compared with the claimed 35.8 mpg - meaning higher carbon emissions.

Skoda's Fabia Greenline was condemned because its emissions were higher than two other less bulky super-minis that use the same 1.4 litre diesel engine - the Polo BlueMotion and Seat's Ibiza ECOmotive.

[GTO - Touring]

Buy a hybrid to look tree-hugging green...sure. But anyone to buys a hybrid to save $$$ is just kidding himself; an efficient small block diesel is better suited to economy.

[ajmat]

I read somewhere about two journalists taking a Prius and a BMW 520d. Guess which was quicker, nicer to drive and used less fuel.

The Prius is only good for pottering in town. At speed, it is too busy lugging the battery dead weight

[Mayavi]

Originally Posted by ajmat

I read somewhere about two journalists taking a Prius and a BMW 520d. Guess which was quicker, nicer to drive and used less fuel.

The Prius is only good for pottering in town. At speed, it is too busy lugging the battery dead weight

Even with the dead weight of a battery, the Prius gives 45+ mpg on highways and city (actual MPG from a friends car). This is higher than any other petrol vehicle, the difference is so great that the local discount cabs are switching from Crown Victoria's to Prius. And this is just a second generation prius, Toyota is now coming up with the third Gen which will give almost 10% more fuel efficiency while actually increasing hp from 90 BHP to over 120 BHP. 5 years down the line I am pretty sure we will have vehicles that give upto 100 mpg.

I am not sure what mileage 520d gives but I am pretty sure it costs almost twice that of the Prius.

[srishiva]

The myth about Co2 emissions were exposed a long time back. In real world driving with load and speeds the levels are expected to be more than the ideal figures that the manufacturers claim.

[spadival]

Jeremy Clarkson has been saying and proving this fact for years now !! I hope this news deters Honda and others from launching their so called "Green" gimmicks in India.

[Mayavi]

Originally Posted by spadival

Jeremy Clarkson has been saying and proving this fact for years now !! I hope this news deters Honda and others from launching their so called "Green" gimmicks in India.

Ok, So the Co2 emissions for hybrids more than what is being claimed but is it higher than the Co2 emissions of non-hybrid models? If not, then the hybrid vehicles are greener compared to the regular petrol vehicles. Besides you get better fuel economy, what exactly is the complaint here?

I understand that we pay more money for the car, so we aren't really saving any money. This is true, but the premium we are paying and the interest we are showing gives the auto manufacturers an indication that there is money to be made in green cars and hence there will be more R&D in that direction. This will result in better cars for the future, not necessarily now.

[amitoj]

Originally Posted by Mayavi

Ok, So the Co2 emissions for hybrids more than what is being claimed but is it higher than the Co2 emissions of non-hybrid models? If not, then the hybrid vehicles are greener compared to the regular petrol vehicles. Besides you get better fuel economy, what exactly is the complaint here?

True.
Also, the article is comparing road test figures with manufacturer's claims and crying foul!! I dont see any reason in singling out hybrids here. You take any car, and compare its road test figures with what manufacturer claims, the differences will be there.

This article seems like another advertorial to me from manufacturers who dont have a hybrid in their stable.

[srishiva]

Originally Posted by Mayavi

Ok, So the Co2 emissions for hybrids more than what is being claimed but is it higher than the Co2 emissions of non-hybrid models? If not, then the hybrid vehicles are greener compared to the regular petrol vehicles. Besides you get better fuel economy, what exactly is the complaint here?

I understand that we pay more money for the car, so we aren't really saving any money. This is true, but the premium we are paying and the interest we are showing gives the auto manufacturers an indication that there is money to be made in green cars and hence there will be more R&D in that direction. This will result in better cars for the future, not necessarily now.

got to agree. Co2 measurements are done in the same way for hybrid and non-hybrid cars. Fuel economy measurement is really tricky for hybrids and are better anyway. Cost alone is a bit of drawback for them.

Comparing with diesels is not fair. As long as petrols are bought and sold, petrol hybrids are always better.

[sandeepmdas]

Originally Posted by amitoj

True.
Also, the article is comparing road test figures with manufacturer's claims and crying foul!! ...

This article seems like another advertorial to me from manufacturers who dont have a hybrid in their stable.

Either the so-called auto journos working in our national "Hinglish" channels have managed to secure postings in the ET or the ET has started outsourcing the columns to them.

What a dumb article!

[ajmat]

Read about the BMW Vs Prius here

Also read about the truth about the Prius, yes, it does reduce emissions but owners ahould not be totally smug - here

[spadival]

Originally Posted by sandeepmdas

Either the so-called auto journos working in our national "Hinglish" channels have managed to secure postings in the ET or the ET has started outsourcing the columns to them.

What a dumb article!

erm.. The article was originally published by the UK based Auto Express mag. ET had nothing to do with it except quoting it.

[Shan2nu]

Jeremy Clarkson has been saying and proving this fact for years now !!

In a recent episode, he was so frustrated with all the "Hybrid" theory, he said he plans to fit a 12 volt motor on a Hummer and call it a green car. LOL

Shan2nu

[im_srini]

Originally Posted by Shan2nu

In a recent episode, he was so frustrated with all the "Hybrid" theory, he said he plans to fit a 12 volt motor on a Hummer and call it a green car. LOL
Shan2nu

Yup, remember that episode, was very funny... JC's not the only one who's criticizing the new "hybrid-for-hybrid's sake" cars though - here's one other

[spadival]

Originally Posted by Shan2nu

In a recent episode, he was so frustrated with all the "Hybrid" theory, he said he plans to fit a 12 volt motor on a Hummer and call it a green car. LOL

Shan2nu

LOL.. That means my car is already "green" (Its actually Blue. but never mind). It has got an electric motor for the the windshield wiper.. and oh.. one more for the windshield water spray too.