Saturn Runs Hybrid Dig TV Spot

I just saw a commercial for the Saturn ION that took a jab at hybrids. If I remember correctly, the narrator pokes fun at vehicles that get "300 miles to the gallon" but get passed by mopeds. The Saturn ION gets 32 mpg highway and has 130 hp (ooh, ahh). Perhaps the creatives that made this up to misinform the public all drive electric pogo sticks, because the notion that efficient vehicles have no acceleration is completely false. Or maybe GM (Saturn's parent company) is just sore that it dragged its R & D feet in the fuel efficiency game.

If anyone can find a link to this commercial it would be greatly appreciated. Please post it to the comments for this entry. Thanks.

NY Times: Owner Testimonial

The New York Times printed an editorial by Oliver Sacks a couple days ago discussing the benefits of being a hybrid owner. From saving money on fuel to the convenience of a 500 mile tank to polluting the atmosphere less, the article really sums it up here:

Doing a rather average amount of driving in a year - 20,000 or 30,000 miles - I find that I am saving 500 to 1,000 gallons of gas...There are many ways to save energy, but few are as easy as this.

Mr. Sacks owns a Honda Accord Hybrid.

The fact is that there is no easier or more effective way for an individual to conserve than to purchase a fuel efficient vehicle.

Lexus GS 450h Hybrid Sedan: 2006

From Green Car Congress

The full details can be seen at the link above, but here's a quick overview:

• 0-60 in under 6 seconds
• SULEV emissions rating
• 3.5-liter V6
• 300 horse power

The Lexus hybrid sedan will be a 2007 model, but should be available in the spring of 2006. It appears to have a split configuration, but I'm not certain. More to come later.

Fuel Savings Calculator Updated

The hybrid car fuel savings calculator has been updated with the GreenHybrid Mileage Database's latest data, and now includes the Lexus 400h based on EPA mileage estimates.

Have a look and see how much you can save on gas when you drive a more fuel efficient car.

Lexus Announces EPA Milage and MSRP

Lexus recently announced the official mileage according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the MSRP for their new hybrid SUV, the 400h.

While the luxury model will have a stunning suggested price of $48,535, Lexus assures the customer that there will be many features its sibling, the RX330, doesn't have beyond the hybrid drive train like its 0-60 time of 7.3 seconds.

The EPA mileage for the Lexus 400h is 31 mpg city / 27 mpg highway. While we all know the EPA's miles per gallon ratings are somewhat inaccurate, they do serve as a benchmark for comparison.

Check out the Lexus press release here.

Gas Prices Top $3.00 in CA

This is unbelievable:

Analysts in Forbes recently predicted that gasoline prices would have to reach $3 per gallon for hybrids to really take off. Is that day here?