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Hybrid Cars Efficient in Fuel, have Better Aerodynamics to Reduce Emissions
:: 20 July, 2008
Hybrid cars are not likely to gain popularity here due cheap, subsidised petrol in Bahrain, unless incentives are introduced to encourage further environmental protection, say experts. A hybrid car uses more than one energy source to power it, most commonly the gas-electric hybrid car.
It uses an efficient combination of a petrol engine and an electric motor, which reduces emissions and fuel consumption.
"Hybrid cars are efficient in fuel, have better aerodynamics and give better mileage in addition to reducing emissions and green house gases," Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife senior environmental specialist Rehan Ahmed told the GDN.
"In Bahrain, the petrol prices have been grossly subsidised so people are not searching for alternatives. The government needs to subsidise the hybrid cars or give a price incentive for its use."
Mr Ahmed stressed that there was no maintenance support for hybrid cars in Bahrain.
He added that Bahraini vehicle emission standards need to become more stringent as they are not on par with other countries.
Cars emit both carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide fumes, the latter is one of the leading causes of global warming.
Mr Ahmed said that hybrid cars could reduce this by half.
The US Corporate Average Fuel Economy restricts the mileage on cars, making hybrid cars a more feasible option. This could be established in Bahrain, said Mr Ahmed.
He said that the average resident in Bahrain is not very concerned about the environment and its protection because they are not aware.
"There is also an absence of major incentives to change existing ideas about the environment," said Mr Ahmed.
Mr Ahmed believes the changeover to hybrid cars in Bahrain will be slow because of the initial high price, but he maintains that eventually they will reduce spending.
"Due to the rise in prices of food and housing, people will begin to reduce their budgets and turn to hybrid cars as it saves money in the long run," he said.
"The initial high price of hybrid vehicles may be a deterrent, but the environmental advantages are great" he said.
Twelve top car dealers in Bahrain say they have no intention of selling hybrid cars because the eco-friendly vehicles are not marketable due to low petrol prices.
However, Porsche brand manager Anthony Raymond told the GDN that Behbehani Brothers would have two hybrid Cayenne Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) in stock by 2010.
"There will also be a Panamera Hybrid introduced to our garage, although it has not been produced yet," said Mr Raymond, adding that it is likely to be released by 2011.
"Petrol in Bahrain is inexpensive so there is not a high market for the hybrid cars at the moment," Mr Raymond said.
Montana Motors proprietor Shaikh Ahmed bin Hassan Al Khalifa told the GDN that although Montana Motors do not currently stock hybrid cars, they will import them if customers demand it.
General Motors are introducing the first hybrid taxis throughout Dubai as part of a 12-month eco-friendly trial.
The venture is sponsored by Dubai's Road and Transport Authority and includes five Tahoes and Malibu cars.
"I think what they are doing in Dubai by gradually introducing hybrid cars is highly beneficial as taxis use a lot of petrol which in turn cause more pollution," said Mr Ahmed.
"We need to change our driving habits before we use hybrid cars.
"For example, we have to drive slowly and maintain constant speed for efficient use of fuel."
About Hybrid Vehicle
A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to propel the vehicle. Common power sources include:
On-board rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) and a fueled power source (internal combustion engine or fuel cell)
Air engine and internal combustion engines
Human powered bicycle with electric motor or gas engine assist
Human-powered or sail boat with electric power
The latest hybrid technology is the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). The PHEV consists of a gasoline-electric hybrid whose battery pack (usually Li-ion) is upgraded to a larger capacity, which can be recharged by either a battery charger hooked into the electrical grid or the gasoline engine (only if required). The car runs on battery power for the first 10 to 60 miles (16–100 km), with the gasoline engine available for faster acceleration, etc. After the battery is nearly discharged, the car reverts to the gasoline engine to recharge the battery and/or return the car to the charging station. This may get around the fundamental obstacle of battery range that has made nearly all pure electric cars impractical. Fuel costs (ignoring conversion costs), in principle, may be as low as 5 cents/mile. It's not clear yet whether converting an existing hybrid car will ever pay for itself in fuel savings. The biggest problem is finding a good, cheap, high-energy battery pack—the same problem that has plagued the pure electric car. If everyone plugged into the utility grid to charge up their car this would seem to be merely displacing the gasoline/diesel combustion problem to the typical coal powered electrical generating plant. But, if cars were recharged late at night this would allow the base load of the electrical system to be more efficient with a much more even base load and electrical power can also be generated by clean wind, hydro, tide power, etc. Since most travel is about 30 miles/day this may be the cleanest personal transportation system presently available. There is a "cottage" conversion industry for owners of existing hybrids, and several large auto industry groups (GM, Toyota, Mercedes etc.) as well as the US Department of Energy are investigating this system. No major car company (as of late 2007) offers PHEVs yet. The typical "cottage" industry conversion car is the Toyota Prius, since it is a full hybrid with enough power in its electrical system to maintain typical city speeds.
