Poll: Aussies Unconvinced By Hybrid Cars - $10 Fuel Bills LPG Hybrid On The Way?

[JoeT]

Aussies Unconvinced By Hybrid Cars: Poll

AAP
5 June 2008
www.smh.com.au

Many Australian motorists think hybrid cars are too expensive, don't suit their needs and wouldn't even consider buying one, a survey reveals.

Conducted by motoring website carsguide.com.au, the internet survey was completed by 1,075 people, 98 per cent of whom don't own a hybrid, despite versions of the petrol-electric cars being on the market for more than 10 years.

It found that, despite soaring petrol prices, 44 per cent still wouldn't even consider buying one.

The top two reasons cited for not considering the greener option were the cost (41 per cent) and that hybrids did not offer what they were looking for (28 per cent).

The results are a potential blow for Australian car companies like Toyota, Lexus and Honda that already have hybrids in their range, but also for local producer Holden, which has pledged to have a hybrid model of the Commodore on sale in about two years.

Click here to continue article



$10 Fuel Bills With LPG Hybrid Car

Richard Blackburn
5 June 2008
www.drive.com.au

Hyundai Australia executives have visited South Korea to evaluate a new hybrid LPG version of the Elantra that could use as little as $10 a week in fuel.

The car, which is due on sale in Korea in the middle of 2009, would have easily the lowest operating costs of any car in Australia, costing roughly $10 a week. Hyundai won't confirm the cost of the car, but it is likely to be priced around the $30,000 mark.

Its fuel consumption is expected to be slightly higher than Toyota’s hybrid petrol-electric Prius, but with LPG selling for up to 90c a litre less than petrol, the small Hyundai’s annual fuel costs would be less than half those of a Prius and five times lower than Australia’s top-selling car, the Holden Commodore. The Hyundai could travel close to 300km on $10 worth of fuel.

Hyundai’s director of sales and marketing, Kevin McCann, says the hybrid, which is based on the same platform as the Hyundai Elantra small car, is under the microscope for local introduction.

"The situation is that while we would not like to be announcing that we are definitely bringing it here, it is under serious consideration," he says.

"There are a number of things to be clarified. We need to weigh up things like the cost and how it would be accepted by consumers, but it looks like a very viable alternative."

Click here to continue article

Confirmed: Hybrid Holden Commodore By 2010!
Australian Fuel News - As Diesel Price Grows, LPG Advantages Grow

[redTT]

How about an LPG hybrid commodore? LPG Commodores already exists.

[JoeT]

Originally Posted by redTT

How about an LPG hybrid commodore? LPG Commodores already exists.

If that were to happen Holden would have to cancell the G8 program just to keep up with local hybrid orders.
Sales would go through the roof! I would buy one in a flash.

[SpaceCowboy]

Hybrids are nothing more than a romantic notion. Yes they may use less fuel, especially in urban stop/start driving situations, but most of Australia doesn't suffer from those kinds of conditions.

As far as I'm concerned it still may not be ideal, but a better and more workable solution would be a torquey, fuel efficiant diesel, better for long distance running and without the battery pack disposal issues of a hybrid.

But why aren't Holden, Ford and Toyota capitalising on Aussie conditions to build better cars. Think about it, a solar panel in the roof to take advantage of all that sunshine could be used to keep the interior cool when parked and assist the air con when running, thereby reducing load on the engine.

Alright... I'm getting carried away and off topic. I just don't think hybrids are the answer for local manufacturers, especially with a shrinking large car segment. Something mid-size, built here and diesel powered (or at least the option of) would be much better.

[mikmak]

I think a Hybrid Commodore would be a great idea if they could maintain respectable reliability levels. I have some reservations about the effectuality of present hybrids but there seems to be weekly an monthly break throughs at the CSIRO, in regard to battery packs and different types of fuel generation. To say no to a hybrid Commodore is a pretty blunt response to a question that has a multitude of potential solutions.

No to plug in? No to two mode? No to LPG boosted small capacity turbo diesel single mode AWD hybrid Commodore?

The question is too basic and I am fairly confident that a mojority of responses were knee jerk "lunchtime net break" responses.

[Slick_Holden]

I'd like a hybrid Turbo-Diesel, Best of both worlds.. Fuel econemy would be insane and power wouldn't be limited torque would be way up still.

[BBDOS CV8]

The servicing of battery pack is one issue: another is - like the Denali XT concept - that evey kilo of battery is one less of load. I'd rather they worked hard on tech to reduce carcinogens and particulates in diesel to achieve clean oilers.

I agree with Space Cowboy - test after test here and overseas has shown small diesels of equal load capability (oassengers and load) knock the Prius and Civic into a cocked hat for economy even around town, but especially on the open road. They're lighter and simpler and simply go better.

[Ming]

I think the so called "mild hybrids" and me-too hybrids that flaunt the name but offer puny fuel savings for a not-cost-effective price have soured a lot of people on Hybrid models of regular cars. Besides, many of these hybrid SUVs or hybrid big cars were never designed for maximum aerodynamics or the other things that make a purpose-built hybrid like the Prius remain more attractive in the midst of the also-rans.

[jlt0x]

The Denali XT would be an excellent vehicle to use a diesel-2-mode hybrid transmission. Hell, all of the current Lambda SUVs would be good candidates for at least a good diesel engine and 6-sp transmission.

[RedVee8]

I'm a yes, but mainly for marketing. I think in this age you need to have a hybrid or be left behind.
I'd lease or coy car a hybrid but would have huge reservations owning one on a personal basis. Huge worries about repairs / replacement parts etc when the things get a few years on them. Certainly sir, a replacement battery pack? that'll set you back $bulk plus $bulk battery recycling tax......