Californikan

Honda has sold around 300,000 Civic Hybrids since its introduction in 2001. The insight Hybrid has done much better - about 150,000 sold in the year following it's introduction in 2009. The Civic and Insight hybrid sales don't come close to the over 2 million Prius that Toyota has sold since the Prius went on sale in 1997. This explains why there are so many more used Prius for sale on the market than Honda hybrids. Far far more sold Prius sold.

The next Hybrid Civic.....all new 2012 Honda Civic concept introduced today -Qualifies as a Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle -Latest generation of the Integrated Motor Assist™ (IMA™) gasoline-electric hybrid system -First application of a lithium-ion battery in a Honda hybrid -In addition to the SULEV rated Civic Hybrid, the Zero Emissions natural gas-powered Civic GX model will help bring inherently clean-burning zero emissions natural gas technology to an even broader audience - on sale March 2011

2012 'Toyota Prius Versatility' introduced today -Qualifies as a Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle -50% more cargo room than the Prius -18km per liter fuel economy -Second row seats slide, fold flat, and recline 45 degrees for comfort

2011 Nissan Leaf. World's first mass produced electric car after the General Motors EV1 ended production 14 years ago. 100 miles per gallon/43 km per liter equivalent petrol mileage. 100 mile/160 km range on a full charge. Zero emissions. On sale now.

Toyota overwhelmed by Prius demand in India June 9th 2010: Toyota has been taken aback by the number of orders it has received in India for its hybrid car, Prius. The company had expected to sell a meager 12 units per month when it launched the world’s largest selling hybrid car in March this year. However, demand has zoomed to 80 units during the last three months, that is, more than double the company’s initial estimate. The target of 12 cars per month seemed justified at the time of the car’s launch because of the poor demand for the Honda Civic hybrid which was launched two years ago. Even though the Civic was priced lower than the Prius Honda managed to sell only 60 cars in six months before withdrawing the model from the market. The Honda Civic was priced at $45,725 while the Toyota Prius is priced at around $55,600 (1 US$ = 47.07 INR). This drastic change can be attributed to various reasons. In the recent few years, the central government has started offering subsidies on electric cars. One of the most famous electric cars in the world today is the Reva manufactured by the Reva Electric Car Company based in Bangaluru, India. Although the car has become very popular abroad, it has failed to make a mark in the Indian market. There was an international hue and cry when the TATA Motors launched the Nano (world’s cheapest car) in 2008. People across the world voiced concerns about the resulting carbon emissions when millions of Indians would buy the Nano. But even in the absence of an outright success of the ‘People’s Car’, the Indian auto market is buzzing. Last month, India’s largest car maker Maruti Suzuki recorded its highest ever sales. One of them could probably be that today consumers have more information about the deteriorating state of the environment and concerns about one’s individual carbon footprint is increasing. Data released by the company shows that most of the consumers are doctors, industrialists and top executives, that is the people having the most and the easiest access to information. Although the the government provides subsides for electric cars buyers there still isn’t the adequate infrastructure for charging the batteries that could attract the consumers, plus to own a car is a status symbol in the Indian society and small cars or domestic brands do not match up to that criteria. So go for the next best thing, a hybrid which comes from a well-known international brand. http://cleantechnica.com/2010/06/09/toyota-overwhelmed-by-demand-for-prius-in-india/

I am considering the vehicles performance in the tropics. The U.S., Australia, and Brazil, China are uniquely suited to such analysis because they are HUGE land masses and have all varieties of temperatures and conditions - including climates like SL- Hawaii and Puerto Rico in North America for example. A conventional battery does last longer in places with moderate temps like the UK. They don't last as long in hot places such as tropics, desert etc. The shorter conventional battery life that SL drivers complain about is nothing unusual or special. Drivers in hot regions all over the world (including Australia and China and US) have had the same exact experience. We have no data about hybrid performance in SL. So we have to look at other parts of the world with similar climates and conditions to glean how the hybrid might do in SL conditions. There is a wealth of data out there from over 70 countries. Many of these places have even more grueling conditions than SL. It would be silly not to use this wealth of information. In studies of hybrid performance in conditions similar to SL significant degradation in battery performance or durability has not been observed. Can anyone find anything that shows a meaningful pattern of hybrid failures/shorter overall hybrid battery life in hot condition climates similar to SL? I haven't.

Very cold climates reduces the battery operational efficiency in hybrids much more so than very hot weather. This is well documented on the web and I know this from personal experience. In very cold weather it takes longer for a hybrid to reach ideal operating temperature because the system has to warm up making it take longer for the car's computer to turn on the electric motor and battery assist thereby reducing overall maximum efficiency. Extremley hot weather can reduce efficiency also because conversely the battery and hybrid system has to be cooled through the AC to reach optimum operational temperature. There is a vent by the right rear passenger seat that blows hot or cold air into the rear compartment to keep the battery at optimum operational temperature. With hybrid batteries mileage is much more of a factor than age when it comes to how long they will last before they need to be replaced. It is mileage and use that depletes up the battery. A 7 year old hybrid with 75,000kms is a much better and safer purchase than a 3 year old hybrid with 200,000kms. Complete battery depletion of 10+ year old Priuses is still not an issue. Toyota states a 300,000km battery life expectancy and based on 10 years of data and 3 millions Prius in use in 70 countries (with climates ranging from arctic to tropical to desert), that appears accurate.

Dec 09, Colombo: Sri Lanka is planning to use Natural Gas as an energy source to meet the country's ever increasing needs for power and energy. Towards this initiative, the Sri Lanka Cabinet has granted approval to a joint proposal by Ministry of Power and Energy and the Ministry of Petroleum Industries to appoint a high powered Steering Committee to implement the proposed measure. The Committee is to authorize the Ministry of Petroleum Industries to explore the possibility of a long term natural gas supply arrangement under a Government-to-Government basis. The government says that an estimated USD 572 million could be saved annually by using Natural Gas in the power sector. http://www.colombopage.com/archive_10C/Dec09_1291911332CH.php totally off topic from hybrid vehicles

Clarkson didn't talk about the Prius low emissions either which is an equally important feature of the car.

Sorry. I'll set up a different thread for pics.

Honda FCX Clarity. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. A limited number available for lease in Japan and the U.S. 68 miles per gallon/29km per liter equivalent fuel economy.Zero emissions - the only thing that comes out of the tailpipe is water vapor.

Gen II (2004-2009) and Gen III (2010+) Prius

My current favorite hybrid - 2011 Infiniti M35 Hybrid (Nissan Fuga Hybrid) (apologies in advance for some images being flipped)

I don't necessarily agree with this statement. Manufacturers do design some of their models for certain markets and they also design 'world cars' - cars that are designed to be sold around the world without big engineering changes. The Toyota Camry, Corolla and Prius, and Honda Insight, Civic and Accord are examples of 'world cars'. Take the Corolla for example. It is sold in 140 countries around the world. There are not 140 different models of Corolla for each market. The development and manufacturing costs of so many parts and varieties of Corolla would be unfeasible - it wouldn't make sense. Manufacturers engineer one basic car that can be sold all over the world and all conditions (good roads/bad roads, hot weather/cold weather, humid temp/dry temp) and have variations for differing markets. I've driven the local Sri Lanka Camry and Corolla. They are pretty much the same Corolla and Camry that I've driven in Europe and North America - looks the similar, drives similar, feels similar. Toyota has done a huge enormous amount of development and torture testing to ensure it's Hybrid Synergy Drive system can operate in all conditions all over the world over the long term. It has to - the Prius is sold in over 70 countries. By the way, back in Dec 2004 the local Toyota agent had a brand new 2004 Prius on display. I was on the way to Colombo and did a big double take when I saw it out of the corner of my eye. Couldn't believe it. I was ecstatic to see this super-low-emissions, super-low-pollution, super-environmentally friendly car for sale in SL. I spent an hour examining it carefully and talking with the sales agent. It was pretty much the same Prius that I know so well in in North America and Japan. You are correct, I didn't pick that up that the press release is from 2004. With hybrid batteries mileage is much more of a factor than age. It is use and mileage that depletes up the battery. A 7 year old hybrid with 75,000kms is a much better and safer purchase than a 3 year old hybrid with 200,000kms. I would add that the Prius is sold worldwide and has been on the market worldwide for ten years now so there is a lot of data on the car and battery reliability and dependability. Of course there have been some failures, but complete battery depletion of the even the early cars still is not an issue. The 300,000km battery life expectancy appears accurate. Guys, very cold climates reduces the battery operational efficiency in hybrids. This is well documented on the web and I know this from personal experience. In very cold weather it takes longer for a hybrid to reach ideal operating temperature making it take longer for the car's computer to turn on the electric motor and battery assist thereby reducing overall maximum efficiency. You're not an ass, bro. We are all learning.

Could you expand on what you mean by tropicalized? What specific component changes are made to a vehicle for the SL market compared to other markets? What has been changed in a car for it to become 'tropicalized'?

Here is a statement from Toyota USA: "The Prius battery (and the battery-power management system) has been designed to maximize battery life. In part this is done by keeping the battery at an optimum charge level - never fully draining it and never fully recharging it. As a result, the Prius battery leads a pretty easy life.We have lab data showing the equivalent of 180,000 miles (290,000 km) with no deterioration and expect it to last the life of the vehicle. We also expect battery technology to continue to improve: the second-generation model battery is 15% smaller, 25% lighter, and has 35% more specific power than the first. This is true of price as well. Between the 2003 and 2004 models, service battery costs came down 36% and we expect them to continue to drop so that by the time replacements may be needed it won't be a much of an issue. Since the car went on sale in 2000, Toyota has not replaced a single battery for wear and tear." The US has a wide range of climates and temperatures from -80F/-62C in Alaska to 120F/49C in Nevada. Toyota does a huge amount of testing in all conditions to ensure its cars are reliable there (since it is their biggest market) and elsewhere. There are plenty of hybrids throughout the Middle East for example. So the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive system has proven itself in all condition. There were some issues with early models of the first gen Prius, especially the first year 1999. That is why the statement says '2000' instead of 1999 when the Prius first was introduced. As the statement says the battery was improved for the 2nd generation car (2004). Maybe those 2 local Prius were 1999 models. And who knows how much tinkering was done to those cars by local SL mechanics who did not understand the hybrid system.

Here is a statement from Toyota USA: "The Prius battery (and the battery-power management system) has been designed to maximize battery life. In part this is done by keeping the battery at an optimum charge level - never fully draining it and never fully recharging it. As a result, the Prius battery leads a pretty easy life.We have lab data showing the equivalent of 180,000 miles (290,000 km) with no deterioration and expect it to last the life of the vehicle. We also expect battery technology to continue to improve: the second-generation model battery is 15% smaller, 25% lighter, and has 35% more specific power than the first. This is true of price as well. Between the 2003 and 2004 models, service battery costs came down 36% and we expect them to continue to drop so that by the time replacements may be needed it won't be a much of an issue. Since the car went on sale in 2000, Toyota has not replaced a single battery for wear and tear." Keep in mind that Toyota has sold over 1 million Prius, and hundreds of thousands of other Toyota hybrid models in America, and well over a million in the rest of the world over the last ten years.

Don't worry about the battery. The Alphard uses the same Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive system as in the Prius. The hybrid battery does not wear out so much with time, but more so with use (mileage). The hybrid battery in the Prius can run for over 300,000km before needing replacement. Remember, in a hybrid the battery is charged every time the driver uses the brakes so it is continually being charged. Toyota has been selling Prius for 12 years now and has NEVER had to replace a battery early. There are many first generation Prius on the road with over 300,000kms still on their original battery. A brand new replacement battery costs about $2000 (Rs 200,000) in the U.S, but can be recharged for about $400(Rs 40,000). No doubt, Sri Lankans will find a much much cheaper way to recharge the hybrid battery (if it ever even depletes during the life of the car). Also once the battery has lost it's ability to hold a charge one does not have to replace it. It just means you're fuel mileage will go down a little because they hybrid system isn't increasing the fuel economy like before. By the way, the Prius is as also rated the 'most reliable car in America' by the prestigious American consumers magazine Consumer Reports.

The hybrid battery does not wear out so much with time, but more so with use (mileage). The hybrid battery in the Prius can run for over 300,000km before needing replacement. Remember, in a hybrid the battery is charged every time the driver uses the brakes so it is continually being charged. Toyota has been selling Prius for 12 years now and has NEVER had to replace a battery early. A brand new battery costs about $2000 (Rs 200,000) in the U.S, but can be recharged for about $400(Rs 40,000). No doubt, Sri Lankans will find a way to recharge the hybrid battery (if it ever depletes during the life of the car) for much much less.

Here's some more info on hybrid vehicles from the world's biggest market for hybrid cars California USA has the strictest vehicle emissions standards in the world. California standards for low-emissions low pollution vehicles: A ULEV or Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle is a vehicle that has been verified by the Air Resources Board of California, USA to emit 50% less polluting emissions than the average for new cars released in that model year. These are petrol and diesel vehicles. SULEV: Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle. SULEVs are 90% cleaner than the average new model year car. These are petrol and diesel vehicles. PZEV: Partial Zero Emission Vehicle are 95% cleaner than the average new model year car.. These include compressed natural gas vehicle and hybrid vehicles. ZEV: Zero Emission Vehicle have zero tailpipe emissions and are 99% cleaner than the average new model year vehicle. These include battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Best Selling hybrid cars in the U.S. (please convert the fuel mileage into Km per liter) #1. Toyota Prius Hybrid. About 2.5 millions rupees. 51 miles per gallon. #2. Honda Insight Hybrid. About 2 million rupees. 41 miles per gallon. #3. Ford Fusion Hybrid. About 2.8 million rupees. 41 miles per gallon. #4. Honda CRZ Hybrid. About 2 million rupees. 37 miles per gallon. #5. Lexus RX Hybrid. About 4.5 million rupees. 32 miles per gallon. #6. Toyota Camry Hybrid. About 2.6 million rupees. 35 miles per gallon. #7. Lexus 250H. About 3.7 million rupees. 35 miles per gallon. #8. Ford escape Hybrid. About 3.4 million rupees. 34 miles per gallon. #9. Toyota Highlander Hybrid. About 4 million rupees. 27 miles per gallon. #10. Honda Civic Hybrid. About 2.3 million rupees. 43 miles per gallon.

I've lived in Colombo and Los Angeles and New York City. You can walk down Sunset Blvd in LA or 5th Ave in NYC and not smell vehicle exhaust emissions, even though there are thousands of cars on those streets. You cannot walk down Galle Rd in Colombo without chocking on the exhaust fumes. The thick black hazardous toxic vehicle exhaust fumes coming out by the buses, lorries, vans and 3 wheelers with no emissions controls in Colombo produces an environment that is much, much, much worse than even the worst U.S. city. For scientific data to back up what I am saying I refer you to this study on air pollution in world cities by the world Health Organization. http://econ.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTDEC/EXTRESEARCH/0,,contentMDK:20785646~pagePK:64214825~piPK:64214943~theSitePK:469382,00.html Sri Lanka scored a poor 94 pollution level (a little worse than India but much better than Pakistan), the United States a 26, Sweden a very clean 13. All your points, A, B, C, D on the causes of vehicle air pollution in Sri Lanka make sense. I'd add that it's past short-sighted government planning and policy that has created the air pollution problem in Sri Lanka. The govt could easily have mandated strict vehicle emission controls on all vehicles in the 70's and avoided this air pollution problem. The United States is the largest market for hybrid vehicles in the world. Here are some figures (courtesy of JD Powers, 2020 projections): United States (1.7 million units), Europe (977,000 units) Japan (875,000 units) http://ecofriendlytip.com/2010/10/27/future-global-market-demand-for-hybrid-and-battery-electric-vehicles-may-be-over-hyped-wild-card-is-china/ I didn't mean to imply that hybrids are the sole reason for low pollution levels in the U.S. Government and public awareness about vehicle exhaust pollution, and REQUIRED strict vehicle emission controls on vehicles have much more to do with it. Hybrids were first sold in the U.S. only 12 years ago and account for less than 5% of total vehicle sales there. Three generations of the Toyota Prius, the world's best selling hybrid vehicle. Almost 2 million sold, half of them in the United States. The current Toyota Prius, about $25,000 ( 2.5 million rupees) brand new in the U.S. The second generation Honda Insight hybrid, the main competitor to the Prius. About $20,000 (2 million rupees) in the U.S. Best selling car in Japan upon its launch in 2009. The state of the art in hybrid cars: The 2011 Chevrolet Volt, about $40,000 (4 million rupees) in the U.S. This is the future of the car: The all electric Nissan Leaf. About $40,000 (4 millions rupees). Sold out in the U.S. for 2011. (All images courtesy of Wikipedia)

Don't forget chaps that the point of this tax break on electric and hybrid cars is not only for fuel efficiency but to increase the number of environmentally friendly, low-emissions, low-pollution vehicles in Sri Lanka. The United States is the world's largest market for hybrid vehicles with hundreds of thousands of hybrids sold every year. People buy them there not only for fuel economy but because they want to minimize vehicle emissions and vehicle pollution in the air. And it works. New York City for instance has millions of cars more cars than Colombo yet the air is much cleaner than Colombo. A fleet of U.S. government Toyota Prius in New York City http://www.hybridcars.com/top-hybrid-cars-list