Where Will You Be When the Headlights Go Out?

One thing that keeps coming up in conversation are fuel prices. I've heard more people complain about how we need to just take over Mid-Eastern oil fields and we need to drill in our National Parks system, and all sorts of ridiculous solutions for our “high” oil prices. The only problem with these solutions is that they are all VERY short term.

Not because they won't lower oil prices for as long as we control the supply, but because there's such a small cache of oil left in the world. Industry experts, who generally look on the sunny side of things, are making grim predictions about how long we are going to have a reliable supply of oil, and that's at TODAY'S consumption rates.

But consumption is not going to stay the same. China is fast becoming the largest consumer of hydrocarbon fuels. Americans are being pushed from many sides to buy bigger, less efficient vehicles such as Ford Expeditions, Toyota Sequoias, Chevrolet Suburbans, Etc. From keeping up with the Joneses, to getting a TAX CREDIT for buying a less efficient vehicle, there's plenty of reason to buy the expensive, ugly, and wasteful monsters you see driving down the road, taking up two lanes. Plus, they're great for carrying single passengers, and consumers realize that- just think how often you see one- maybe two people in a SUV driving down the road.

So, with our consumption of oil, it's no wonder that the prices are high- it's simple economic theory. As more people want something, the price of that good or service will increase. The Idea that it's OPEC hating Americans is ridiculous, since those prices are not just for Americans, they're for everyone in the world.

But where is this going?

I'm suggesting rather than seeking cheap oil, why not look for ways to stretch each gallon of oil over more miles? Japan, Germany, Korea, and numerous other European and Asian countries have been doing it for years. Small engines=Great efficiency.

But smaller displacement engines generally have meant smaller horsepower numbers, and Americans want power. Ok, got it.

So we want Great Efficiency and plenty of power. Sounds impossible, right?

Wrong.

Gas-Electric Hybrids have been around for many years, and in production since 1997. Granted, the first hybrids were undeniably underpowered, even for daily transit, but recent advancements in the power-sharing technology has boosted both power and efficiency. This is achieved by a patented power splitter that sends power from the gas engine either to a generator/motor or to the wheels, wherever it's needed most.

Toyota is the undisputed leader in the field, but they have competition from Honda, General Motors, Daimler/Chrysler and Ford Motor Corp. Hopefully this competition will spur innovation in the field, but only time can tell. However, with Ford's announcement of their diesel hybrid “sport wagon” and Honda's Accord V6 hybrid, it seems that performance is becoming a point of focus for hybrid engineers.

Is it possible that in 25 or 30 years, if we use our resources responsibly, we still may run out of fuels distilled from crude oil. It is inevitable, but can be delayed. Hybrids are an easy way to do this. They're being proven reliable, and palatable to Americans right now with vehicles like the Accord Hybrid, Highlander Hybrid, the Toyota Prius, and Honda Civic Hybrid. The days of hybrids being the little odd looking cars that get great mileage are over. More and more, manufacturers are building “regular” models with hybrid platforms, and I think that will continue their success, and maybe, just maybe help stretch every drop of oil that we have.

That's about it for the moment. Hopefully this has been informative and interesting in some way, and for more information, google “Hybrid Vehicle” or “Alternative Fuels”

Larry