|
|
European Auto Show Looks At Hybrid Cars March 2005Diesel is still sweeping Europe. Hybrids are catching on in North America and Japan. But these trends are only short-term, as the industry prepares for the day the world's fuel reserves dry up, some auto engineers said Wednesday.Nearly every automaker is showing off its latest hybrid cars, fuel cell models or electric prototypes, along with diesel options at the International Motor Show in Geneva. "Diesel is popular in Europe, clearly, but it's a short-term trend," said Laurent Aebi, a product specialist at Honda Motor Co., which was displaying its new FCX fuel cell car, powered by an electric motor that uses hydrogen as its energy source. "I give it another 10 years maximum. After that it will be the hybrid car. But both the diesel car and hybrid car are a transition as we head to fuel cell cars or pure electric cars." Toyota is exhibiting its successful Prius gas-electric hybrid, while Volkswagen is featuring its new Golf Bifuel, which runs on gasoline and natural gas. GM is displaying its concept Sequel car with hydrogen technology, and Honda's FCX is being shown off on a podium complete with a glittering pool. Lexus is unveiling its 270-horsepower, luxury RX400h, the first performance hybrid, which can go from 0-62 mph in 7.6 seconds. This SUV, with a 3.3-liter gasoline engine combined with hybrid synergy drive, goes on sale in June. Gas now accounts for 98 percent of energy used in transport. The world consumes about 80 million barrels of oil a day. | ||
|
Hybrid Car Links
|