hybrid technology

Quite frequently people re-invent something that already exists and re-introduce it with great fanfare. When they do so they make sure the "new" item is so well camouflaged with the latest widgets that consumers will not see the obvious connection. And so it is that Toyota re-invented the small light-weight car with a small engine and made it look appealing to US consumers. That is no small feat really and the company should be given ample credit for building a small car that Americans want to buy and drive.

Prius is so successful that some have suggested Toyota spin out the line to stand on its own. Prius has also been the target of vicious attacks from SUV makers, some of whom have claimed it was less energy efficient than a full-size SUV. To prove their point these defenders of waste engaged in some creative math using some wild assumptions, but overall they failed to drive their point home. Luckily, the average citizen is smart enough to realize that a Prius has to be more energy efficient than a hummer.

Unfortunately, the hybrid gimmick is having some unwanted side-effects. Many people seem to believe that the Prius achieves its remarkable mileage and its environmentally friendly status by virtue of it being a "hybrid" car. Some people really do believe that the Prius uses less gas because it has an electric engine. But where does the electricity come from?

This is a classical example of a trick question for physics 101. Since the only energy source available to the Prius is gas, it follows that all the Prius' output comes from gas. And that includes the power developed by its electric engine. It is true that the Prius uses some clever tricks such as regenerative braking to fill its batteries, but somehow the initial speed used in this process had to be developed by burning gas. Even if the braking results from coasting down a hill, one has to realize that gas was used to climb that hill in the first place.

The Prius uses several gimmicks to give people the impression of something truly novel. For example, it uses its electric engine to accelerate because electric engines accelerate much faster than a comparable gas engine. And it also shuts off its engine when it isn't needed, saving additional gas in the process. While all that sounds good, there are inevitable losses that come with the dual technology. Converting chemical (gas) energy to electrical energy adds some waste, and storing and retrieving electricity from batteries does too.

The real advantage of the Prius therefore lies in its small size, low weight, and aerodynamic profile. The clever tricks, regenerative braking, shutting down the engine, etc. result in some gains, even after losses due to conversion and storage are taken into account. But these gains are minimal and the lion's share of savings is due to the physical properties just mentioned. And that is important for two reasons.

First, the label "hybrid" is pretty meaningless, especially when attached to large and heavy SUV's. One would be better off buying a smaller conventional car. Second, if you want to save money buy a small conventional car. It will do just as well in gas usage and CO2 production, but will cost a lot less. Prius commands a very high premium. Estimates are that it is "over-priced" compared to a regular car, by at least $7K, or almost 33%.

That is the price you pay for your badge of honor. It is a price you can only get back by driving a lot. And that is exactly what you shouldn't do. If you really care about the environment and your pocketbook, buy a smaller car instead. The most important thing to do is to drive less. Ride your bike. That has the added benefit of keeping you in shape and healthy in the long run.