Why Go Hybrid? An Introduction to global energy issues and how hybrid vehicles could help with the crisis

What is the problem? Fossil fuels & the Energy Crisis Politics Environment gears.com/shifting_gears html

Fossil Fuels Fossil fuels- hydrocarbon deposits, such as petroleum, coal, or natural gas, derived from living matter of a previous geologic time and used for fuel The amount of fossil fuels is limited due to the lengthy process of forming them Fossil fuels, when used, create emissions that are harmful to the environment Fossil fuels are a Nonrenewable Energy Source Americans are most dependent on #1Oil, #2 Coal, and #3 Natural Gas

Peak Oil Peak Oil-point where oil extraction reaches its peak and the supply begins to decline Have we reached peak oil? – We can only speculate Bad News! – We won’t know until after the fact – We have no way of knowing when we reach peak oil until it is too late and supplies begin to run out

An example of a peak oil estimate from the Energy Information Administration (EIA)

The BIG Question: When will we run out of our nonrenewable energy? Predications range between We need to plan now Develop alternative fuels Decrease reliance on fossil fuels

Social Issues U.S. politics and international relations U.S. demand for oil forces it to buy oil from other nations Dependency for oil puts the nation at risk during wartime Decreasing availability of oil is a huge problem for developing nations that are very dependent on fossil fuels Developing nations do not have the money to develop alternatives to fossil fuels By using hybrids we become less reliant on other nations!

What do we do? Find an alternative fuel? Develop a more efficient way of using current fuel? Keep living life like nothing is wrong?

Why go hybrid? CostTime $ Now >$ Now- 5 Years *Total Fuel Cycle Impacts of Advanced Vehicles Stodolsky, Gaines, Marshal, An, Eberhart $$$$$$ Years

To go hybrid or not to go hybrid… Some people feel switching to hybrid vehicles is the answer to the energy crisis Others are not so sure hybrids are the answer Now let us compare the pro-hybrid and no- hybrid groups

GO hybrid! Tax incentives – The Federal tax incentive can be thousands of $ – An individual in the 27% tax bracket can save $500/yr – Some state and local gov’ts have developed their own incentives Free parking for hybrid owners in Los Angeles, CA Fuel efficiency – Hybrids can be more efficient than IC vehicles but the driver needs to be a responsible driver

Go hybrid! Hybrids run cleaner – Burn less fuel, therefore create fewer emissions – Reduce GH gases up to 90% – Some hybrids can run solely on their electric engines, creating no tailpipe emissions at all

Go hybrid!! Look like normal vehicles – Lexus RX 400h – Honda Accord Hybrid – Ford Escape Hybrid SUV Honda Accord Hybrid, ewsarticle.html

GO hybrid!! Lower dependence on foreign oil Hybrids run quieter Feel good factor – Doing your part to reduce energy crisis – Save $$ in a time of rising gas prices

NO hybrid! – A different view Some drawbacks to hybrid vehicles exist To be an informed citizen, one should be aware of other perspectives on this issue

NO hybrid! Hydride-nickel batteries – Heavy – Costly – No plan for disposal Hybrids are expensive – Consider both U.S. and other nations – What are developing nations supposed to do who may not be able to afford the technology? Tax breaks will stop by 2007

NO hybrid! Hybrids are expensive – Consider both U.S. and other nations – What are developing nations supposed to do who may not be able to afford the technology? – Brings up a lot of issues with foreign aid – U.S. cannot develop hybrid technology in a bubble

NO hybrid! Long wait lists to buy hybrid Hybrids weigh up to 300 lbs more than IC vehicles – Increased weight results in lost horsepower Reliability Unknown

Conclusions An alternative to traditional IC cars should be developed for several reasons – Energy crisis – Environmental – Cost of oil Want to learn how a hybrid works? emplates/index.cfm/article_id_int/132