How NOT to promote alternative fuels technology
Representative Eric Massa, a newly-elected member of Congress, decided to drive the General Motors Chevy Equinox prototype hybrid fuel cell car from New York to Washington for the inaugural to promote alternative fuels and green energy and all of that good stuff. According to this news article, there was only one small problem with the scheme....
The prototype Equinox has a range of between 150 and 200 miles. It is 282 miles from Mr. Massa's home in Corning, N.Y. to Washington, and there is no hydrogen refueling facility along the way. What to do?
In order to complete the publicized trip behind the wheel of an "eco-friendly" hydrogen powered car, Representative Massa had to form up a small convoy. First came Mr. Massa in the Equinox prototype, followed by two Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid SUVs, each pulling a flatbed trailer. One of the trailers carried a second prototype hydrogen car. When he got to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Mr. Massa switched cars. The Equinox prototype, its fuel tank all but empty, was put on a trailer and hauled back to its home base by one of the SUVs, while the other followed Mr. Massa to DC. After his arrival, the second SUV trailered the second hydrogen car back to wherever it came from. Mr. Massa's travel arrangements for the return trip were not disclosed.
I'm struck by the amazing incompetence of whatever PR consultant set this up. Could they not have just arranged for a hydrogen tank to be prepositioned at the halfway point? Mr. Massa could have stopped to refuel, held a press conference while the car was tanking up, and made his point on the need for supporting infrastructure for alt-fuel vehicles far more effectively. Instead, he makes a well-publicized trip for the cause of "energy independence" and "ecology" in a fashion that leaves a huge "carbon footprint" and undermines the case he was trying to make.
The larger point is, I think, that hydrogen powered cars (and other alt-fuel vehicles) still have a way to go before they can begin to replace our existing gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicle fleet. It's not just a lack of supporting infrastructure: Chris Hafner has already made fun of another recent incident in which a well-publicized "convoy" of hydrogen-powered cars was trailered across the country because of their lack of range.
My not-so-alternative-fuel GTI could've gotten Representative Massa to the inauguration on about ten gallons of gas--three fewer vehicles, no fuel stop, and a much smaller "carbon footprint" than his Watch-Me-Save-The-Earth convoy. Keep in mind, too, that the GTI is not a design optimized for fuel economy--there are cars on the market that would use even less fuel, though they're not as much fun on the back roads.
There are very few consumers who will pay a premium to own a vehicle with less utility than the one they have now. In the absence of government arm-twisting--mandates and subsidies--alt-fuel or electric vehicles won't catch on until they give the same performance as conventional cars at close to the same cost of ownership. (Whatever you think of the Prius, you must admit that it's just as functional as a non-hybrid of the same size--a level of utility the EV-1 never achieved.) Before we commit taxpayer dollars to trendy alt-fuel or electric vehicle projects, and incur the opportunity cost of not having those funds available for other purposes, it's worth asking if we couldn't get better results from incremental improvements to existing technology.
--Cookie the Dog's Owner
That Car Guy on January 21, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Cookie, I think this "Top Gear" clip backs up what you are saying 100%. Thanks for helping to keep our realities on the ground!
http://www.topgear.com/us/videos/more/thirsty-prius/
Mochi Mochi on January 21, 2009 at 04:58 PM
coincidence TCG... i was watching that exact episode of TG two days ago... please stop reading my mind. This is the second time in about 6 months that an ill fated Eco-PR event was staged around hydrogen powered cars. The first one - also reported in these hallowed pages was a similar nightmare. The cars were trailered across most of the US.
I'm thinking that an aging 50cc scooter or small moto would be a more interesting and eco-friendly approach to long distance travel. imagine the fun and huge PR win if Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman rode 50cc bikes 3000 miles. I'm telling you it would make a great documentary addition to the Long Way Round series.
That Car Guy on January 21, 2009 at 06:14 PM
Mochi, now you've read my mind LOL! Seems the Top Gear three Not-So-Wise Men just rode small bikes 1,000 miles across Vietnam. It's not as funny as their trek across the South, but has its moments. Please find and enjoy!
...m... on January 21, 2009 at 06:50 PM
...already done, mochi, on the top gear vietnam special...
...m... on January 21, 2009 at 06:51 PM
...crikey, that's what i get for not refreshing a longstanding browser tab before replying...
Mochi Mochi on January 21, 2009 at 08:05 PM
note to self: watch more Top Gear
Anthony Cagle on January 22, 2009 at 02:17 PM
I rather liked that Top Gear film (I saw it a couple of weeks ago, too) but it's kind of misleading. They had the Prius floored the whole way.
Better comparison with a BMW 520 diesel: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/used_car_reviews/article3552994.ece
Mochi Mochi on January 23, 2009 at 09:54 AM
I think the point is this in regards to the Prius and the BMW it really has a lot to do with how you drive. I see people driving their Prii flat out. I see them running in excess of 90mph on the highway and doing jackrabbit starts from stop signs. Your point Anthony is that it's misleading because the Prius is floored the whole way. TopGear's point was that is you drive an "eco" car that way you'll get worse milage than a performance car driven at the same speed - but not the same way. My point is that if you go and flog your Prius on the street or highway (we'll leave the track out of this discussion cause why would you ever want to drive a prius on the track) you're not doing anyone any favors.
I drove a honda Insight a few years back. That car was awesome in a strange way. It was kind of like playing a video game that encouraged careful driving. Everything about that car rewarded you for driving economically. All the feedback was about energy conservation. Speed and handling were not part of the game. Though it was reasonably quick and handled reasonably well. It was not a super comfortable ride but the car itself fit me very well. I loved that car and found myself imagining a new driving-lifestyle if I were to own one. I saw it as a two car scenario, one car for go-fast-fun, the other car for relaxed gas-sipping travel. That's pretty much in harmony with the TG BMW-Prius face-off. Want to go fast get/make a car built to do it. Want great gas milage get a car for that. But don't flog an "eco" car and expect it to get good gas milage - that's a dream that wont come true.
When I see Prius drivers aggressively tailgating at 85 plus on the free way and trying to pass much faster cars i wish i could say something to them like "dude that's a prius, you've got the wrong car there. slow the frack down" but i figure they are delusional and think they are getting 900 miles per gallon no matter how they drive so what's the point.
That Car Guy on January 23, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Like they say, people buy Prii primarily to make a statement, not to save gas.
Mikey on January 28, 2009 at 05:05 PM
The whole Massa incident is pretty much an allegory for how Congress works.