January 03, 2013

ELECTRIC VEHICLES NOT HOLDING THEIR CHARGE

Electric Car 2.jpg The premise and promise of electric vehicles has received extraordinary media attention in the past decade, exciting those who believe they could be the answer to using fossil fuels in our vehicles and would keep dollars in drivers’ wallets.

It’s not happening, according to a J.D. Power and Associates study of electric vehicle (battery-powered rechargeable batteries) ownership that has received only mild media attention.

Electric vehicles became readily available two years ago and now include, among others, the Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Volt, Honda Fit and Mitsubishi MiEV mini-car. Tesla Motors now markets a high-end Model S electric hatchback.

Volkswagen is testing an electric Golf.

While it sounds like a trend, newspaper accounts of the J.D. Power study note sales have been anemic so far, all below manufacturer predictions.

What continues to sell well are gasoline/electric hybrids, where Toyota leads the way with the Prius and other hybrids.

Buyers of electric cars often do so for environmental reasons, citing the lack of emissions from electric only vehicles. But those who are thinking of buying an electric car are primarily thinking of saving money on gas, and like some hybrids, the payoff in gasoline savings is years past the purchase.

Here’s what the study said.

“EV owners report an average monthly increase in their utility bill of just $18 to recharge their vehicle’s battery, which is significantly less than the $147 that they would typically pay for gasoline during the same period.”

Nice.

But how long does it take to earn back that $129 a month savings?

Since an electric-only (and many hybrids) cost as much as $10,000 more than a similar gas-powered vehicle, it would take average of 6.5 years to recoup the additional money paid for the electric vehicle. Many owners buy a new car every four to five years.

So unless the cost of the batteries in the electric vehicles is reduced, it isn’t a good financial decision and none of this measures the inconvenience of recharging the vehicle’s battery.

Being green can be costly.

Published: 1/3/2013 8:00 AM | 0 Comments | 0 Links to this post

December 27, 2012

STUDY CLAIMS MORE WOMEN DRIVERS TODAY THAN MEN

woman driving.jpg Women are beginning to outnumber men on the highway, according to a study by the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute.

The implications: women are more likely to purchase smaller, safer and more fuel-efficient vehicles; they spend less time behind the wheel; they live longer and they have a lower traffic death rate than men.

The 15-year study, according to news reports, shows a sharper decline in driver licenses for men aged 25-29 than for women of the same age.

The study covered 1995-2010 and noted the rate of young men ages 18-34 living at home has been increasing and is greater than the rate of young women the same age living at home.

One factor could be the cost of automobile insurance for those under 25, combined with unemployment and underemployment that makes owning a car financially challenging.

In South Carolina in 2009, women represented 50.3% of licensed drivers – about 20,000 more than the 1,711,125 licensed male drivers. When it came to collisions that year, however, women were involved in 46.3% of the crashes – men in 53.7%. When it came to being in fatal crashes, men were involved more than twice as often with 69.3% of the deaths as compared to 27.2% for women (3.4% gender unrecorded).

For 2010 in North Carolina, women represented 51.7% of licensed drivers – about 230,000 more than the 3,351,846 licensed male drivers. When it came to collisions in 2010, men were involved in 54% of the crashes; women in 45.8% (remainder not identified). When it came to being in fatal crashes, men were involved twice as often with 71.8% of the deaths as compared to 28.2% for women.

Published: 12/27/2012 8:00 AM | 0 Comments | 0 Links to this post

November 30, 2012

E15 GASOLINE COULD DAMAGE YOUR VEHICLE GOVERNMENT MANDATE NEEDS MORE STUDY

Gas Handle.JPG The Environmental Protection Agency recently approved the use of E15 (85% gasoline and 15% ethanol) in the nation’s fuel pumps.

Yet 95 percent of consumers say they have never heard of E15 and nearly half do not know if it is approved for their car, according to a recent AAA survey.

Only about 12 million out of more than 240 light-duty (includes cars) on the road today are approved by manufacturers to use E15 fuel. Sustained use of E15 in both newer and older vehicles could result in significant problems such as accelerated engine wear and failure, according to AAA automotive engineering experts.

“Bringing E15 to the market without adequate safeguards does not responsibly meet the needs of consumers,” according to John Nielsen, AAA’s Director of Automotive Engineering and Repair.

Labeling and consumer education efforts are under way to mitigate problems for motorists and their vehicles. One requirement would be large pump signs noting that the fuel contained 15% ethanol.

Using E15 can void manufacturer warranties.

Five manufacturers are on record saying their warranties will not cover fuel-related claims caused by the use of E15. They are BMW, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen. Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda and Mercedes-Benz have said E15 does not comply with the fuel requirements in their owner manuals and may void warranty cover.

The only light-duty (includes sedans, vans, pick-ups and SUVs) vehicles approved to use E15 are flex-fuel models, 2001 model year and newer Porsches, 2012 and newer GM vehicles and 2013 model-year Fords.

E15 is prohibited in heavy-duty vehicles, boats, motorcycles, power equipment, lawn mowers and off-road vehicles.

As of this date, E15 is only being sold in Kansas and Iowa but with the EPA approval, blenders can now begin increasing the ethanol content.

Published: 11/30/2012 10:00 AM | 0 Comments | 0 Links to this post

October 11, 2012

HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS HEATING UP

With a less than enthusiastic response to plug-in electric cars, auto manufacturers are beginning to revive their interest in hydrogen fuel cells.

Nissan, Toyota and Honda all are developing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for the mass market. Others testing hydrogen fuel-cell sedans are Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai and Kia.

Hydrogen Cars - Honda.JPG

Honda FCX Clarity

Launch date appears to be 2015 for the mass-market introduction by some of the foreign-based manufacturers, according to USA Today. (No United States manufacturer has a scheduled hydrogen-fuel cell powered vehicle mass market release date yet, although General Motors, for example, is testing them.)

Helping fuel (excuse the pun) the move to fuel cells is the unexpected increase in natural gas extraction throughout the U.S.

Hydrogen fuel tanks will allow for longer trips and the pollution effect is zero, since hydrogen used in cars is made by separating molecules in natural gas. The fuel-cell cars create their own electricity and the only emission is water vapor.

What is keeping the fuel cell from becoming mainstream? Two issues.

One is the expense of building the car at a price-point the public would accept and the delivery/availability of hydrogen for the vehicle.

Two is the danger of pure hydrogen. It can easily catch fire – it only takes one-tenth as much energy to ignite hydrogen than it does gasoline, according to the American National Standards Institute.

Firefighters and other emergency responders worry about what happens in the case of a traffic crash. Some have hypothesized - perhaps rhetorically - it would be like a mini-hydrogen bomb, depending upon the severity of the crash.

The bottom line is hydrogen fuel-cell technology is emerging to the point it will become a reality in the near future.

Published: 10/11/2012 8:00 AM | 0 Comments | 0 Links to this post

October 09, 2012

SPARE TIRES ARE MISSING FROM MANY VEHICLES TODAY COSTING CONSUMERS

Car manufacturers are stealthily eliminating spare tires from many vehicles, often without notice to the consumer, to reduce weight and increase gas mileage.

Buried in the trunk in oft-reduced space once reserved for spare tires is a small tire repair kit can equipped with a gooey sealant that may or may not repair the flat tire and may cost the vehicle owner additional money. One in every seven cars sold today does not have a spare tire and many car buyers don’t check for a spare tire when buying a new car and they are not proactively told one doesn’t exist.

Car manufacturers maintain the tire repair kit reduces the weight of the car by 20-40 pounds to improve gas mileage and conform to federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, currently 29.7 mpg and increasing to 35.5 mpg by 2016.

They typically improve mileage only marginally.

AAA recommends everyone buying a new – or used – car check the trunk for a spare tire and learn what the ramifications are if it has been replaced by a tire sealant kit. If sealant is used, the car should be driven no faster than 45 miles per hour and typically no farther than 50 miles.

If there is room for a spare tire, AAA recommends buying one because sealant won’t work on a blowout or a flat in the sidewall or tread slash larger than one-quarter of an inch.

Eliminating spare tires help reduce the cost of the vehicle and can increase trunk space.

However, tires that have used the sealant may not be repairable, require an extra cost to scrape out the sealant before repair and may damage the tire pressure-monitoring gauge, requiring replacement.

While some drivers will continue to drive on tires repaired with sealant beyond the recommended distance and speed, the more the tire is driven on, the more compacted the sealant becomes, making repair more difficult and costly.

Cleaning the sealant from a tire costs between $50-$80; replacing and resetting the tire pressure monitor can range from $60 to $100.

The tire repair kits utilize a pressurized sealant and inflator applied through the valve stem of the tire. If the puncture wound is too big, the tire won’t inflate. The vehicle must be driven to distribute the sealant to the tire interior, thus blocking the leak.

Manufacturers with some models without a spare tire include Acura, Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Lexus, Lotus, Mazda, Mercedes, Mini, Nissan, Pontiac, Porsche, Saturn, Scion, Smart, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo.

Some of the above models use run-flat tires that are able to function for a reasonable distance after being damaged. Run-flat tires typically provide a rougher ride and are one-third more expensive than standard tires.

Buyers should always check for a spare tire when buying a new car. If a buyer notices a vehicle without a spare tire, they should review their owner’s manual to be informed and prevent panic or delay when suffering a flat tire. Tire repair kits have a date and should be replaced every five years or after usage. Sealant becomes less effective with age.

If you carry a spare tire, AAA Carolinas advises that you check periodically (at least annually) to be sure it is properly inflated. For more detailed information, visit AAA.com/Auto and click on the Tools and Tips section for more tire maintenance tips.

View video footage from our press conference on missing spare tires.

[[BLOGVIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/v/1Y8rRLUeqwQ?version=3&hl=en_US]]

Published: 10/9/2012 8:00 AM | 0 Comments | 0 Links to this post

September 11, 2012

TRAFFIC CONGESTION WASTES 60 HOURS ANNUALLY AND COSTS $2 BILLION IN FUEL

INRIX, an international provider of traffic information, calculated that United States drivers wasted 60 hours in 2011 on just their afternoon commute due to congested roads.

INRIX’s Fifth Annual Scorecard found that traffic congestion actually decreased 27 percent last year, which the company attributed to the economic recession and the higher price of gasoline.

Still, an estimated $2 billion in fuel was lost by vehicles idling in traffic last year, according to a study conducted for AAA by Cambridge Systematics, which estimated the overall cost of congestion at $97.7 billion – or $590 per person.

Internationally, the United States was ranked the 14th worst country for traffic across Europe and North America with the top five being Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, the United Kingdom and Spain.

When INRIX rated the worst traffic cities in Europe and North America, the worst six were Milan, Brussels, Antwerp, Honolulu, Paris and Los Angeles. Also making the top 25 worst were San Francisco (19th) and New York (23rd).

INRIX’s Scorecard analyzes data from approximately 100 million GPS-vehicles worldwide on a daily basis and provides traffic information and intelligent driver services to clients such as BMW, Ford and Microsoft.

Looking at speed, location, date and time they can look at traffic problems and calculate, among other things, total hours spent in traffic, worst day of the week for commuting and average speeds for the Top 100 U.S. cities.

Some 2011 conclusions:

Friday is the worst traffic day, has the worst commuting hour (5-6 pm) and worst evening commute but best morning commute.
Tuesday is the worst morning commute.
Monday has the best traffic during morning and evening commutes.

The report said 70 of the Top 100 most populated U.S. cities showed decreased traffic in 2011, similar to 2008 when traffic congestion decreased 34 percent.

Published: 9/11/2012 8:00 AM | 0 Comments | 0 Links to this post

September 06, 2012

SOUTH CAROLINA'S HIGHWAY PATROL MIXES UP IDENTITY OF POLICE CRUISERS

When those flashing blue lights appear behind your bumper in South Carolina, they may not be coming from a Ford Crown Victoria anymore.

Last year Ford discontinued making Crown Victoria vehicles so the latest batch of “road ready” law enforcement vehicles delivered to the state’s Department of Public Safety included Dodge Chargers, Chevy Impalas, Ford Interceptors and Chevy Tahoes, according to The State newspaper.

Still, Crown Vics, which make up 68 percent of the department’s assigned fleet, will be around for the next five to six years before they are completely phased out.

Police departments purchase enforcement vehicles large enough to handle enforcement tools, including computer equipment needed to research license plates and other communication devices.

The new trooper vehicles likely to be seen on the road (marked and unmarked) are the V-8 Dodge Chargers and Ford Interceptor sedans – each with enough engine muscle power to keep up with speeders.

Chevy Tahoes will also be tested for their ability as a police enforcement vehicle.

Meanwhile, the hope is, as a driver, you never have the opportunity to personally check out the make of the police vehicle that stopped you.

Published: 9/6/2012 8:00 AM | 0 Comments | 0 Links to this post

August 30, 2012

GENERAL MOTORS HOPE TO GET CHARGE OUT OF NEW BATTERY

Dan Akerson, CEO of General Motors, told a meeting of employees in August that a small battery company working on breakthrough technology could power an electric car 100 to 200 miles on a single charge.

Akerson said an electric vehicle that could go 200 miles “would be a game changer,” according to the Associated Press.

GM continues to believe in the electric car as the wave of the future. The Chevrolet Volt, which consumed millions of dollars in development money, has been a financial and market disaster.

It goes 35 miles on a single charge and then switches to a small gasoline motor. It is a hybrid but GM spent millions marketing it as an “electric car” before noting it had a gasoline motor back-up. So the driving range is closer to 350 miles, but mostly by using the gasoline engine which averages less than 50 miles per gallon (mpg).

Sales have been anemic because hybrids like Toyota’s Prius (about 50 mpg) and Honda’s Civic (about 44 mpg) both cost thousands less.

Akerson knows his company has to do better and said GM is looking closely at hybrids (although way behind Toyota at this stage of the game); all-electric cars (they will need good range); hydrogen fuel cells (cost and safety are biggest concerns right now); natural gas vehicles (distribution is a challenge here) and more efficient gasoline powered engines (the holy grail for every auto manufacturer).

It would be nice to have a domestic automaker the champion of “green” but so far GM’s effort is all in the red.

Published: 8/30/2012 9:00 AM | 0 Comments | 0 Links to this post

August 28, 2012

VEHICLE RECALLS REVEALED

The odds are strong that you or someone you who know are driving or have driven a vehicle that was recalled.

In 2010, a record 14.9 million vehicles were recalled by manufacturers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which oversees recalls.

Here’s how the process works:

Most recalls are initiated, without any government, prompting by the manufacturer who discovers a flaw through vehicle owner complaints, dealerships, service centers or manufacturer post-production testing.

However, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation screens more than 40,000 complaints annually and ordered 450 recalls (in addition to the manufacturers) in the past three years involving 20 million vehicles.

Some recalls are non-safety related, dealing with air conditioning or entertainment systems. Some problems are just normal wear and tear like batteries and exhaust systems.

Safety related items that set off alarms deal with steering components, air bags that deploy unexpectedly, defective child safety seats or windshield wiper assembly units.

It the government discovers the problem, the manufacturer has three options: repair, replace or refund.

The problem is notifying consumers to react to a recall. Letting the consumer know how great the risk is a challenge. For example, a problem might create a “thermal event,” which is technically correct, but what it means is FIRE.

If you want to check out your vehicle, go to SaferCar.gov, which provides detailed information about recalls and also lets consumers file reports.

Published: 8/28/2012 10:00 AM | 0 Comments | 0 Links to this post

August 14, 2012

AUDI’S NAVIGATION SYSTEM CONNECTS WITH DRIVERS

Navigation systems, Bluetooth, up-to-date weather and traffic information are no longer oddities in upscale vehicles.

However, Audi, the German automotive manufacturer that doesn’t receive the same media exposure as Mercedes-Benz or BMW, has taken the technology to a higher level, with many of the features voice-activated.

Under its Audi Connect™ umbrella, a high-resolution three-dimensional terrain and aerial image from Google Earth™ shows on the dashboard information screen.

An arrow shows the street you are traveling on, trees, buildings and sidewalks (not traffic) and your programmed route.

It is very cool and actually less distracting than a bunch of rectangular spider web lines seen on most navigation screens.

However, it gets better.

Audi Connect™ includes a factory integrated mobile Wi-Fi hotspot for passengers who can hook up to it with a laptop, iPad®, netbook or other mobile device and retrieve web-based information.

Voice activation is excellent and beside requesting a destination, you can get real-time weather, nearby gasoline prices, the latest news, traffic and travel information, like making hotel and restaurant reservations vocally.

Audi has been around, in one fashion or another, since before 1900. It was 1932 when four companies merged to create Audi, thus the four rings that serve as the iconic logo.

Other technological touches – Audi may be the automotive tech leader today – include a head-ups display, a Multi-Media Interactive (MMI®) touch pad that can recognize handwriting in multiple languages, a thermal imaging camera with night vision assistance and an Audi pre-sense system that can electronically assist with braking when a crash appears imminent.

Having test-driven Audi vehicles for years, the technological aids are a pleasing addition to vehicles that are quick, quiet, comfortable and handle with precision.

The 2012 Audi A6 recently was named the Most Appealing Midsize Premium Car designation from J.D. Power and Associates in it is latest APEAL study.

Published: 8/14/2012 10:00 AM | 0 Comments | 0 Links to this post

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