Numbers Jump on Alternative Fuel Automobiles
Hybrids, flex-fuel cars and other AFAs (alternative fuel automobiles) sold a record of nearly 1.8 million vehicles in the US in 2007, a spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers revealed in an exclusive "blogger call" Friday.
Are Americans losing their addiction to “muscle cars”?
Well, maybe not immediately, but there are indications of a change. Sales of alternative fuel automobiles (hybrids, flex-fuel vehicles, etc.) rose to a record of nearly 1.8 million vehicles in the USA in 2007, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers’ spokesman Charles Territo revealed exclusively on a “blogger call” Friday. These figures from R. L. Polk, to be released nationally on Monday, represent an increase of nearly fifteen percent from 2006 and show AFAs now constitute slightly more than ten percent of total auto sales.
Car makers are hopeful they will sell more than two million AFAs in 2008, although auto sales in general are down this year with the economic dip. Nevertheless, anecdotal information supports continued growth in the alternative fuel vehicle area. Statistics on first quarter sales on AFAs will not be available for another month, but passenger cars outsold light trucks (SUVs, etc.) in March 2008 for the first time since May 2003. Both of these months saw spikes in gas prices at the pump, lending credence to the theory that fuel costs influence consumers even more than ecological (global warming) or security (energy independence) concerns.
Although notably fuel stingy, diesel automobiles were the only AFA category that saw a small decrease in 2007, due in part to stringent emission controls in the US–in Europe diesels make up 50% of the market–and the reduction of models available from the companies because of technical problems due to the switch to ultra-low sulphur diesel. This sector is expected to grow once this conversion is accomplished.
The number of different alternative vehicles available is increasing in general with 70 AFAs on the market in 2007 (up from 60 in 2006 and 11 in 2000). More dramatic new models are on the horizon, some of which, like the electric Chevrolet Volt (scheduled for 2010) and the Honda hydrogen fuel cell vehicle are “game changers,” which could revolutionize driving as we know it. The Prius is also said to be evolving into a plug-in hybrid. Of course, these developments are dependent on new technologies arriving on time, particularly, in the case of the Volt, in the rapid development of functional lithium-ion batteries. Also slowing the way are huge infrastructure blockages. Of 170,000 refueling stations in the U. S., less than 1500 offer ethanol. Similar questions apply to hydrogen.
We are clearly at a moment during which the automobile is, to a great degree, being reinvented. The question is to what extent we should let market forces govern this and to what extent (and how) these developments should be encouraged by the government. Last year’s CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) Standards were supported by the Alliance of Automotive Manufacturers. What, if anything, should happen for the next round?
Roger L. Simon is an Academy Award nominated screenwriter, novelist, blogger and CEO of Pajamas Media.
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10 Comments
1. Maisy P:I’m all in favor of technological advancements in types fuel used and increasing efficiency but when I see ‘Flex Fuel’ on a Suburban, it strikes of lame posturing.
Apr 5, 2008 - 7:37 am 2. Angry African:The numbers might creep up, but I have a problem with the “coolness” factor of fighting Global Warming. But my problem is that Global Warming just isn’t cool enough. And neither is the “weapons” and gadgets to help me in this fight. No badge or hip gadget I can wear. Makes it difficult to know what I should do. A Prius? Not cool. Not like the FJ Cruiser. Windfarms? Cool but I can’t carry it around like an iPod to show off. Those pesky CO2’s are just so tiny – smaller than the diamond my wife will accept and bigger than I can afford? http://angryafrican.net/2008/04/03/global-warming-is-just-not-cool/
Apr 5, 2008 - 11:49 am 3. dow_daytrader:There is no ‘global warming’ and there is not consenus that man creates global warming and there is no consensus that carbon dioxide has anything to do with global warming.
There is no oil shortage..new reserved are being found annually that far surpass demand.
The average temp of the planet has been dropping for the past 10 years.
There is current technology that powers a auto/minivan on “compressed air” …the inventor is in India. The US Govt will be frustrated with this because there is no way to tax “air”.
check out the youtube video also, besides the MFR’s website…
http://www.theaircar.com/acf/
Can’t wait for this vehicle to be imported in the USA…the socialists will be SO frustrated because the can’t tax it!
Apr 6, 2008 - 5:40 am 4. ZEUGS: Gores Haus, Hilfe für Soldaten und Bush gegen die Todesstrafe « USA Erklärt:[...] und Mais: Mehr als zehn Prozent der 2007 neu verkauften Autos in den USA hatten einen “alternativen Antrieb”. In Zahlen waren es fast 1,8 Millionen Stück, ein neuer Rekord. Viel machen dabei die [...]
Apr 7, 2008 - 3:25 am 5. TheSUBWAY.com:It’s good to hear BP & GM talk about alternative fuels, but 50 years to implement is too long.
http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/05/news/companies/bigoil_hydrogen/index.htm
Perhaps this link will spark more attention:
http://www.chevrolet.com/electriccar/
It is GM’s electric concept car the Chevy Volt. If more people begin to demand alternative fuel cars, we should be able to speed the rate at which the technology is developed.
We have started an Investor Forum where Investors can meet and discuss topics like this:
http://investor-forum.thesubway.com/
Apr 7, 2008 - 6:31 am 6. kevin:A cost-inefficient death trap that will do nothing for the global climate non-event? Sorry but I’m keeping the Mustang…
Apr 7, 2008 - 10:22 am 7. Carney:Wait, UNLIKE hybrids and electrics, an FFV can be just as beefy, brawny, fuel-guzzling, rip-snorting, rubber-laying, tire-squealing, load-hauling, rev-roaring, and all-American as a car that is restricted to gasoline only.
The ONLY difference between FFVs and non-flexible fuel cars is that the FFVs can burn BOTH gasoline and alcohol fuel, in any mix. All it takes is different materials in the fuel line, an optical sensor to tell what the fuel is at any moment, and some software changes in the electronic fuel injector.
There’s no cost to performace, and the dollar price for the change is just $100~$200 tops. The FFV is exactly the same as a regular gas car, just as much weight, just as much horsepower.
By contrast, a hybrid has to haul around a redundant second electric engine and a huge lead-acid battery. That adds hundreds of pounds in weight and thousands of dollars in cost. Which is why so many hybrids have such extreme design compromises, such as small size, weak gasoline engine, etc, designed to cut back on the enormous cost and weight.
That makes hybrids conspicuously obvious and the road and gives them a high profile. People who want to show off their green bona fides find that attractive, which is why hybrids are a fad right now. But FFVs have been quietly out-selling hybirds by several-to-one for many years.
FFVs are just not as noticeable because the only sign that they’re different is just a little badge or logo somewhere on the car.
As for the Volt, concept, showroom and lab demonstrators are fine, but tend not to work in the practical reality of the gritty daily grind of real-world, real-life commutes, trips, and hauling duties. Hydrogen fuel cells are especially a big boondoggle.
FFVs are the way to go.
Apr 9, 2008 - 10:22 am 8. Carney:By the way, I don’t buy the global warming baloney either; I support FFVs as a way to de-fund the jihad and other mischief makers like Venezuela and Russia.
Apr 9, 2008 - 10:24 am 9. Jo Parker:If you are interested in alternative fuel vehicles, there is a great new website called http://www.afvtrader.com. It specializes in buying and selling AFVs – new and used.
Apr 11, 2008 - 5:00 pm 10. StockPromoter07:It’s good to hear BP & GM talk about alternative fuels, but 50 years to implement is too long.
http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/05/news/companies/bigoil_hydrogen/index.htm
Perhaps this link will spark more attention:
http://www.chevrolet.com/electriccar/
It is GM’s electric concept car the Chevy Volt. If more people begin to demand alternative fuel cars, we should be able to speed the rate at which the technology is developed.
We have started an Investor Forum where Investors can meet and discuss topics like this:
http://investor-forum.thesubway.com/
Apr 14, 2008 - 6:51 am