Map nerd alert: hot hybrid states
If you happen to be a map nerd, this will surely interest you: a US map that shows how hybrid sales cars are doing. The only problem is that the map only shows absolute values, but the page also shows the ratios for the 15 states with the most hybrids per capita. It's no surprise that the number of cars sold in states such as California, New York, Florida, Texas and Illinois, being the most populous states in the Union, are the states where the most hybrids were sold.
What else does the map reveal? Like the rest of the auto market, hybrid sales were also down this year. When it comes to ratios, California, Washington DC, Oregon, Washington (state) and Vermont are the places where hybrids are the most popular choice. Last but not least, you'll find a pie chart showing that 1 out of every 2 hybrids is a Toyota Prius and 3 out of every 4 hybrids are Toyotas.
[Source: HybridCars]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MattJ 8:51PM (12/11/2008)
In Austin, Tx, you can't throw a rock without hitting a Prius!
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Gary Reysa 11:14PM (12/11/2008)
Hi,
I'm in Bozeman, MT and own a Prius. They used to be so rare around here that we waved at each other.
Now they are actually pretty common even here in the land of pickup trucks.
Gary
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damian 10:20AM (12/12/2008)
Did anybody realize that Alaska is one of the states with higher concentration (per capita) of hybrids? It's ranked 15
I'd never thought of that.
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graylion 10:39AM (12/12/2008)
do you have the figures and could you do a breakdown per capita?
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damian 10:53AM (12/12/2008)
Hi graylion,
There's a link on the article that will provide you the information you are requesting
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Carney 3:29PM (12/12/2008)
Who cares. Hybrids put in a redundant, second (electric) engine, and haul around a huge lead acid battery, with thousands of pounds of added weight, reduced room, and thousands of dollars extra in cost, all without breaking out of the oil-only lock-in.
At least it's a start, and some incremental progress, you say? I think not, because it distracts attention and dollars from the REAL short and mid-term solution: flex fuel.
Flex fuel is the only technology that is affordable ($100 vs. thousands for hybrids) and provides a practical bridge from gasoline to alternatives because it can still burn gasoline (unlike natural gas and fuel cell cars).
Most of all, again unlike hybrids, flex fuel does more than just only slow down (slightly) the galloping growth of oil demand by stretching petroleum mileage slightly further. They instead fundamentally change the game, by SWITCHING us and thus our economy to a different fuel base, alcohol.
Alcohol fuel doesn't contribute to smog or global warming, quickly and safely biodegrades when spilled or leaked, is not a carcinogenic or mutagen, and redirects our massive fuel spending away from hostile petro-tyrannies to peaceful farmers and trash recyclers.
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Nathaniel Sears 11:50PM (12/12/2008)
Sorry but my hybrid and nearly all others use nickel metal hydride not lead acid. and the only reduced room is in the trunk which doesnt really affect me.
and flex fuel can hardly be considered a solution. corn hardly yields any real gains after conversion and it is taking potential food and turning it into something we cant eat. (not to add the additional soil erosion from traditional farming methods, and the extra water and pesticides that are needed for those crops. It is also not widely available and is less energy dense which translates into lower miles per gallon so you are using more.
this is truly a bridge to nowhere because it distracts attention and dollars from the REAL SOLUTIONS completely electric vehicles.
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Carney 2:19PM (12/15/2008)
I stand corrected on the battery technology issue, but you are COMPLETELY wrong about the other things you said.
It's true that the lower alcohols (ethanol and especially methanol) have lower energy content than gasoline, and thus offer lower miles per gallon.
However, they offer lower miles per dollar, especially methanol, and ethanol as well once we drop our stupid tafiff on imported ethanol.
Furthermore, your complaint that ethanol is "not widely available" as a reason for not pursuing a flex fuel mandate is silly. The whole point of a flex fuel mandate is to make alcohol more widely available. If every new car can burn alcohol fuel, then gas station owners will be far more likely to offer a pump with alcohol. Anyone who doesn't will be undercut by drivers flocking to cheaper fuel.
As for the environmental impact, again, no smog, no global warming, no worries about oil tanker or gas station tank spills.
If you're opposed to agriculture (what do you eat?) and poor Third Worlders making a living, and thus ethanol, consider methanol.
Methanol can be made without any further cultivation, from sourches such as sewage, urban trash, weed plants that clog waterpipes and waterways, crop residues (like the stems, leaves, roots, etc., of corn), TODAY, with no further research. Methanol can also be made from natural gas and even coal (by FAR the cleanest practical way of using this abundant resource). And it's much cheaper than gasoline.
Much more information about the specious, non fact based myths about ethanol etc, here:
http://tinyurl.com/6yapew
http://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/in-defense-of-biofuels
Nathaniel Sears 11:29PM (12/16/2008)
I'm just not sure if u realize that ethanol is cheap because it is subsidised but our government. not to say that oil isnt but im just saying its not quite as cheap as it looks at a gas station. (i think the substidy is around a dollar a gallon though please dont quote me on that.) I do support ethanol just not corn based. the net gain for corn ethanol is only 1.9 to 1 while sugar cane is 9 to 1.
Also what may look to be a savior for "Poor Third Worlders" may be a disaster. ex. oil companies in kenya. (though i know it is not a dirt fuel like oil) Little profits made by the production of oil trickles down to the people who need it most. I would also add that third worlders arn't known for making the most money by selling products to developed contries. unless there is some fair trade agreement with a company i would not support foreign ethanol.
though i havent looked into methanol yet it sounds promising.
though im looking for a truly sustainable mode of transportation so im saving my pennies for a vectrix and then just purchase renewable energy from my local energy company.