The Detroit auto show is featuring some great progress in vehicle efficiency. The 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid boasts fuel economy of 41 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. Honda will begin selling a larger version of its Insight that will get 40/43 mpg in April. But the king of efficiency remains the Prius, which is introducing a 2010 version within a few months that promises to achieve almost 10% better fuel economy at 50 mpg and will include a solar installation on its roof to lower air conditioning’s drag on the car’s power.
There are many other hybrid models that GM and other brands are showcasing, and the battery electric vehicle platform continues to progress through concept cars which aim to be ready for lots by the end of this year. Two key factors that will shape these developments into the future are whether the Big 3 survive in their current form and how gasoline prices shift in the months ahead. If Ford, Chrysler, and GM are involved in a merger to lower their costs toward financial sustainability through the current recession, will they cut some of these hybrid models or delay their electric vehicle deployment? If gasoline prices get back into a downward spiral toward $1 per gallon on further economic deterioration, will consumers forget their miserly attitude toward fuel?
These are some of the trends I will be covering as the months unfold. And I will also share information on how you can get involved to help Obama & Co. implement sound policies that are beneficial to our environment, our wallets, and to fostering long-term economic recovery in the years ahead.
Onwards in the Sustainable Energy Transition-
Tags: efficiency, Ford, fuel, Honda Insight, Oil, Solar, Toyota Prius