In 2009, the world was taken by storm when China overtook the United States as the largest car market in the world, following it up with an unprecedented 18 million car sales the following year. The Indian market has also experienced similar growth trends with local OEMs and industrial giants introducing inexpensive sedans and other utility vehicles. This tremendous growth in the Asian market was brought about by the rising consumer affluence in these economies. But with this growth in opportunities comes a parallel growth of related problems.
Are Hybrids Really 25% Safer?
Earlier this month, you may have read that hybrid vehicles are 25% safer (for drivers) than their non-hybrid counterparts. This was according to a recent study by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) where the main factor cited was the increased weight of hybrids (in part due to hybrid battery packs). While occupant protection in newer vehicles continues to improve, vehicle safety is largely a function of physics. In most collisions, smaller and lighter vehicles simply don’t fare as well as larger, heavier ones.
97 SUVs For 2012
Most visitors to HybridSUV.com are here for one of two reasons. Either they want to learn more about hybrid-electric SUVs, or they are looking for a sport utility vehicle that gets decent gas mileage.
And while we are very passionate about green car technology at Hybrid Kingdom, we also realize that there aren’t enough hybrid models (yet) to fit the needs of many SUV buyers.
For model year 2012, those of you in the market for a new SUV have roughly 100 vehicles to choose from. In terms of MSRP, they range from under $17,000 for a basic Jeep Patriot to over $107,000 for the Mercedes Benz G550.
How To Charge An Electric SUV
Who You Gonna Call When Your EV Batteries Run Low?
Even with the ubiquitous availability of gas stations to choose from, most people have run out of gas once or twice in their lifetime. Some of us just forget to refill the tank; others get a thrill from seeing how far they can push it before fueling up when the gauge reads close to empty.
So it’s not hard to imagine electric vehicle (EV) drivers will occasionally cut it close when battery power is low or simply run out of juice. And, with plug-in hybrid SUVs on the way – it is only a matter of time before our readers will be commenting on their near power outage experiences.
Where Did All The Hybrids Go?
The hybrid market has seen low sales in the months leading up to the summer. But sales are expected to ramp up in next few months, as well as longer term.
For most of the spring, sales of gas-electric hybrids dropped off due to limited supplies. June was the low point for availability. One contributor to the supply shortage was the reduction in the production of Toyota hybrids due to the March earthquake.
Hybrid SUVs Now Among Safest Vehicles
SUVs including hybrid SUVs are among the safest vehicles on the market today.
Certainly the size of an SUV plays a role. But a few years ago, one potential flaw loomed over the SUVs’ safety record. Namely, some models were prone to rollovers. This is no longer the case thanks to the wide-spread adoption of anti-roll technology in SUVs.
SUV Hybrid In Hiding: Audi Q5
Playing to a Niche Market: 2012 Audi Q5 Hybrid
The way some advertisers parse markets so finely, they can make any product seem unique.
That doesn’t seem to be the case with the 2012 Audi Q5 Hybrid. It truly seems to be in a class by itself. When the 2011 Q5 was introduced last November, U.S. News stated that it didn’t have any competition. Specifically, the Audi Q5 Hybrid is the choice if you are in the market for a luxury compact SUV that was a bit more eco-friendly.
Will GM Amp Up Green SUVs?
With the Chevy Volt finally launched, General Motors is expected to leverage the car’s electric motor and battery technology in other vehicles. The next potential target for this equipment is a five-seat crossover many believe will be called the Chevy Amp.
Car and Driver reports that the new vehicle might be unveiled as early as January at the Detroit Auto Show.
GM has already laid down some hints as to what to expect in the new crossover. At the Beijing Motor Show in April, the company showed off the Chevy Volt SUV MPV5 (Multi-person vehicle for five) concept vehicle.
EV Coming, But Where’s The Hybrid Rav4?
Toyota plans to release an electric Rav4 in 2012, but we are still waiting for more news about whether or not a Rav4 hybrid will be one of the 11 new hybrids they plan to introduce before 2013. Until more news is offered, we can at least enjoy the green Rav-4 we know is on its way.
It’s been almost 14 years since Toyota introduced an EV version of its Rav4 SUV. Now Toyota has announced the next generation RAV4 EV – one that is being developed through a joint collaboration with Tesla Motors, the electric vehicle technology specialists.
Military Developing Hybrids on Steroids
Hybrid SUVs of the future will likely benefit from multi-million dollar research projects and technology being developed by the Department of Defense (DoD) today.
Significant funding is being dedicated to develop more efficient hybrid engines, high-strength composites to reduce body weight, better performing transmissions, and new batteries. All of which will go into heavy and large military vehicles to transport troops and carry out combat missions.
Much of the work is being done through the Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) and its National Automotive Center. TARDEC is the DoD’s leading laboratory for research and development of advanced military vehicle technologies. All told, more than $320 million is being spent for Army research on combat vehicle and automotive technologies.
