Bigger Not Always Better in Super Truck World
Bigger is not always better, and this is true for large heavy-duty pickup trucks. These monster trucks are the supercars of the truck world and have more power than drivers are likely ever to need, while presenting day-to-day challenges that go beyond lower fuel economy. One example is Ford's 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V-8 with 400 horsepower and 800 pound-feet of torque. The base engine in a Peterbilt 348 dump truck offers a mere 260 horsepower and 660 pound feet.
Utility Fleet Managers Report on Hybrid Trucks
During a presentation at the recent 2011 Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference, fleet managers discussed their experience with putting medium-duty diesel-electric hybrid trucks into full-time day-to-day work. Better fuel economy and significant downturn in engine idling time were reported by Duke Energy on their 2009 model year hybrids. Service work for hybrids takes longer than expected because of the need to find experienced support. Pacific Gas & Electric, with 3500 pickup trucks, is re-evaluating the business case for hybrids. PG&E uses an electric-vehicle research center to validate different alternative technologies. Florida Power & Light has 21 hybrid line trucks and a total of 364 hybrid vehicles, trimming total fuel use by 10% from 2006 to 2010.
No Significant Drop in Gas Costs With Lower Oil Prices
Consumers often question why gas prices at the pump are slow to drop when the price of oil declines and rise quickly when oil prices are up. Station owners may have paid a much higher price for their existing gasoline and slowly sell through it, knowing their next tank load will cost less. Competition is a key factor as stations resist dropping prices until someone else does. Supply and demand also impact the pump price with current gasoline inventories lower than last year.
Toyota Introduces New 107 MPG Prius Hybrid
Toyota will introduce the cleanest and most-technically advanced Prius built to date at next month's auto show in Frankfurt, Germany. A newly designed, compact lithium-ion battery enables the new plug-in Prius hybrid to achieve a remarkably low fuel consumption rating of 2.2 liters per 100 kilometers (107 miles per gallon U.S.) and CO2 emissions of just 49 grams per kilometer. It will go up to 20 km (or 13.4 miles) on battery power alone. The Prius plug-in hybrid will be on sale in the U.S. in early 2012 and in Europe next summer.
Ideal Vehicle Awards Recognize Porsche as Top Brand
Porsche's 911 model was named the most desirable brand in the latest Ideal Vehicle Awards from AutoPacific, Inc. The awards balance quality problems with features that surprise and appeal to customers such as comfort, ride and handling, fuel economy and performance. Ford captured more individual segment wins than any other manufacturer by winning in seven product segments, including top hybrid with the Ford Fusion, and top light-duty pickup with its F-Series. American brands won in 11 of 24 Ideal Vehicle Award segments, while European brands captured seven wins, and Asians took six.
