Cool the Planet with Eco-Friendly Cars

Hybrids, low-emission vehicles, diesels, and more.

by ZACK SPENCER

On April 22, I’m hosting the SharedVISION Earth Day Test Drive. This is your chance to take the newest hybrid and eco-friendly cars out for a spin on our closed-course track. There’s no pressure to buy a thing—and it’s free! It’s a great way to get into the 2007 models and see for yourself that these vehicles are smooth, quiet, fuel-efficient, and fun to drive.

The first gasoline/electric hybrid car was invented by Ferdinand Porsche in 1899, but it’s taken more than 100 years for consumer interest and technology to catch on. Today, skyrocketing gas prices and concern about climate change have resulted in a fascination with alternative-fuel vehicles; fans include everyone from Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio to B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell.

Hybrids that operate with electricity at low speeds and gasoline at higher speeds, and low-emission gas vehicles, are the most popular earth-friendly choices for today’s drivers. But technology is evolving. Soon, we’ll see the introduction of plug-in hybrids. These vehicles charge while parked and use electric power only until the battery is depleted; the gasoline engine then switches on to charge the battery. This type of hybrid has a typical range of 70 to 80 km—more than enough to get most commuters to work and back with zero tailpipe emissions.

GM recently made a big splash with the unveiling of the Volt electric car. The Volt has a small gasoline generator, so that more electricity can be produced on longer trips.

B.C.’s Ballard Power develops hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles for buses and industry. But passenger models are still in the prototype stage. They cost millions of dollars to make and it may be 10 to 15 years before they come to market, if ever.

Alternative-fuel cars are limited by battery technology. The entire auto industry is waiting for the next big breakthrough, so that some of the exciting new automotive ideas will make it to your driveway. In the meantime, there are all kinds of cars on the market that can help you make less of an impact on our environment.

The choices can be overwhelming, so here’s a brief overview of some of the vehicles you’ll have a chance to try at the SharedVision Test Drive Day.

Toyota and Lexus Hybrids
Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system allows the vehicle to operate under full electric power at low speeds, then switches to a combination of gas and electric power—or just gasoline power at higher speeds. This system is best for stop-and-go city traffic, when the vehicle is primarily operating from the battery. The gasoline engine also switches off when the driver stops and will restart automatically, eliminating idling.

Honda Hybrids
Honda’s hybrid technology is called Motor Assist. The gasoline engine is running most of the time, with the electric motor kicking in to achieve lower consumption. Honda hybrids have the ability to run on battery power alone, but only at consistent speeds; the cars also switch off when the car is not in motion.

Ford Escape and Toyota Highlander
The Ford Escape was the first hybrid SUV, with technology licensed from Toyota. It runs on a similar system to Toyota’s Synergy Drive. Both the Escape and the Highlander are compact to mid-sized SUVs. The Escape has a four-cylinder gasoline engine and the Highlander a V6. These SUVs do not have the same weight-carrying or towing capacity of a conventional gasoline SUV.

Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris
Sub-compact cars like the Fit and Yaris are wonderful alternatives to hybrids. They are sometimes more efficient than hybrids and they cost less, have a proven track record, and are Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs). Unlike hybrids, these fun cars are efficient at all speeds, not just in stop-and-go traffic.

Flex-Fuel and Diesel
Flex-fuel vehicles run on a combination of gasoline and alternative fuels. Ford, Chrysler, GM, and others offer cars and trucks that can accept up to 85 per cent ethanol (E85) or methanol, resulting in reduced emissions. Diesel motors also produce low amounts of carbon dioxide—the No. 1 greenhouse gas—and are 20 to 40 per cent more efficient than gasoline-powered cars. Mercedes, VW, Honda, and BMW will have diesel engines ready for the new strict 2009 California and B.C. emissions standards. Diesel motors produce plenty of power and are efficient at all speeds.

Curious? See you at the Earth Day Test Drive on April 22.

Zack Spencer is the co-host and writer of the national automotive show Driving Television. He also hosts and writes Driving with Zack and Mac for GlobalBC and The Province.

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