Jan. 8, 2007 16:10
New E85 Flex Fuel Vehicles, Hybrids, Diesel Engines Indicate Lease
By Dr. Energee
Lease or Buy Your Next Car?
Green Technology Signals Lease
The 1990s should have taught us something about laying down hard cash for rapidly changing and evolving technologies.
Like me, you probably bought a new computer for yourself or your business about once every two years starting around 1988. The fast pace of development led to computers with increased clock speeds, greater hard drive storage, evolving operating systems (Windows 95?), and the bulge in software code that pushed the envelope further. These were the impetus behind constant new investments in hardware, software upgrades and storage devices. By the mid 90s, most IT managers figured that it was better to lease than buy.
The evolving technology game it appears confronts us now with automobiles. At the Detroit Auto Show this week, GM introduced the Chevy Volt. The Volt can be fully charged by plugging it into a 110-volt outlet for approximately six hours a day. When the lithium-ion battery is fully charged, the Volt can deliver 40 city miles of pure electric vehicle range. GM's future vision power plant relies on E-Flex technology that translates to (E) electric propulsion generated through battery power maintained from a small engine fueled by [Flex) flexible fuel alternatives such as E85, biodiesel or hydrogen. Although a concept vehicle, earlier blog-meisters talked about a vehicle with these characteristics being available mid 2008. This week they are talking about "?". Point is these new vehicles are coming and coming soon at GM, especially with Toyota at their heels with their own 113 mpg vehicle due out in 2008.
Rapid technology changes in the automotive industry are already in play. GM announced at the Los Angeles Auto show in late November its intention to produce a plug-in hybrid SUV that can achieve 113 mpg through use of lithium ion batteries by 2009, as part of its VUE Green line 2 mode system.
In 2008, the 2-mode hybrid system will expand to the Cadillac Escalade full-size SUV and the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra crew cab pickups.
In 2007, the GM Hybrid system will expand to the Saturn AURA Green Line and Chevrolete Malibu front wheel drive midsize sedans.
In 2007, the 2-mode hybrid system will debut in the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon full size SUVs.
TOYOTA already has four hybrid models, Camry, Highlander, Prius, and Explore.
That does not take into account the growing availability of Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) available for 2007 including the recently announced FFV-capable H3 Hummer. See bottom of this article or a list of 2007 E85-capable (Ethanol blend of 85% Ethanol and 15% gasoline) models from our USAEnergyIndependence.com and EthanolIsUs.com websites. (Check our websites for the E85 fuel station closest to you.)
Still, we’re not through. A flood of new diesel engines, some capable of burning Biodiesel blends up to B100 (all biodiesel, no petroleum diesel), will be available for 2008.
DaimlerChrysler and Volkswagen said that their Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz, VW and Audi brands were designing nearly a dozen cars and sport utility vehicles with diesel engines using an emission-cleaning technology called Bluetec.
The Bluetec emission-cleaning technology was developed by Mercedes-Benz to meet the new U.S. diesel emission standards. The system uses special filters to trap particulate matter that causes sooty emissions.
To meet California standards, a special catalytic converter or a device to inject ammonia-based liquid into the fuel stream will be added to reduce smog-causing nitrogen oxide emissions.
Mercedes-Benz debuted a trio of Bluetec-equipped cars last November — an E320 sedan, an ML sport utility and an R-Class sport wagon at the Los Angeles auto show, and said it intended to add the system to its GL sport utility next year. Those vehicles are sold in 45 states where emission rules aren't as strict as in California.
Chrysler said its initial Bluetec diesel would be a Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV. Volkswagen intends to use a 4-cylinder diesel in its Jetta sedan and a new small SUV called the Tiguan in 2008, and diesel versions of its Touareg large SUV and Passat midsize sedan by 2009. Audi is expected to launch a diesel vehicle in 2008.
New hybrids. New Flex Fuel capable vehicles. New diesel engines. There’s a lot to choose from in the next few years. Most of these technology-changed vehicles will start hitting showrooms throughout 2008, which we predict will be a pivotal year for Green automotive technology.
So we’re recommending anyone looking to buy this year instead lease (and negotiate for a short term one at that) a fuel-efficient FFV-capable or hybrid vehicle. You may end up paying more this year as a down payment and with greater monthly outlay for the lease, but the technology upgrade will reward you in 2009-2010 and bring us all toward greater energy independence in the near term.
2007 FFV Capable Vehicles
DAIMLER/CHRYSLER
4.7 L H3 Hummer
4.7L Dodge Durango
4.7L Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 Series
4.7L Chrysler Aspen
4.7L Jeep Commander
4.7L Jeep Grand Cherokee
4.7L Dodge Dakota
3.3L Dodge Caravan, Grand Caravan and Caravan Cargo
2.7L Chrysler Sebring Sedan
FORD
4.6L Ford Crown Victoria (2-valve, excluding taxi and police units)
5.4L Ford F-150
4.6L Lincoln Town Car (2-valve)
GM
5.3L V-8 engine Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra half-ton pickups 2WD & 4WD
5.3L Vortec-engine Avalanche, Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon & Yukon XL
3.5L Chevy Impala (LS, 1LT & 2LT)
3.5L Chevy Monte Carlo (LS and LT models only)
5.3L Chevy Express
5.3L GMC Savana
3.9L Chevy Uplander
3.9L Pontiac Montana (Offered only in Canada and Mexico by special order)
3.9L Saturn Relay
3.9L Buick Terraza
MERCEDES
2.5L C230 Sedan automatic AND manual transmission
MERCURY
4.6L Mercury Grand Marquis (2-valve)
NISSAN
TITAN 5.6L Titan V8 engine
5.6L Armada V8 engine
