With Earth Day and news of the increasing costs of fuel, I decided that I wanted to begin an investigative series on what is needed to address the current energy crisis and what we need to do to ensure a future that is not dependent on foreign oil, as well as using innovative technologies to ensure that we protect the environment with common sense.   The first part of the series will focus on the advent and popularity of hybrid and partial zero emissions vehicles (PZEV).

       Recent reports from various news sources (AP, Reuters, AFP) are all forecasting the prices of oil to reach $4.50-$5.00 before the end of summer.   The rising costs alone are causing people to rethink traveling, find more cost effective measures, utilizing mass transit, and placing more financial distress on working families.   With the rising costs, more people are starting to buy hybrid vehicles.   Since the hybrid vehicle tax breaks were passed in 2005, there has been more demand for the limited number of these energy saving cars/SUVs.   The technologies have improved significantly in hybrid vehicles with many of these cars reaching 35-40 miles per gallon on the highway.  More studies are needed; however, to determine the longetivity of the battery life and other mechanical issues that may arise in these vehicles.   Hybrids come with one downfall:  the sticker shock, since most of these vehicles range from $20,000-$30,000.   Even with the tax credit issued by the Federal government, it is often not able to compensate for the costs of owning these environmentally friendly vehicles.    The question often posed by many hybrid owners is should the state government should issue tax credits for these vehicles due to the current state of energy in our country?  It is a question that many conservatives and liberals might argue for or against, but it needs to be addressed for the future considering the energy crisis.

         However, let’s take a look at a new innovation that incorporates the emissions lowering technologies of the hybrid vehicles and how it is being incorporated in standard vehicles.   Partial Zero Emissions Vehicles (PSEV) are vehicles that have zero evaporative emissions from its fuel system.  These vehicles are tailored to California’s strict vehicle emission laws, and these cars are only sold in states like NY, CA, and some Northeastern states.   Now, why aren’t these vehicles allowed for purchase in other states like Virginia or Maryland?   If there are more PSEVs on the highways, then this will be better for the environment and these vehicles use less fuel.   According to an MSN article about PSEV, the Clean Air Act is preventing these vehicles from being sold in other states due to California’s high emissions standards.   It is a total travesty that the Federal government would regulate vehicles that are better for the environment and have better mileage standards than other vehicles.

       When I was living in New York, I test drove the Ford Focus PSEV around the streets of Manhattan.  Quite remarkable for a Maryland trained driver, who grew up near the farms and corn fields near Frederick.   I loved the fact that the car was great on gas mileage and was more affordable than a hybrid.   I own a Ford Focus, and it has the same great mileage as a PSEV.   It actually makes me glad that I am protecting the environment every time I drive in my car because the emissions standards are higher than most automobiles. 

       The Federal and State governments need to work together to ensure that PSEVs are available for purchase by the consumers, because these vehicles are environmentally and energy friendly.   If more of these type of vehicles were on the highways around the DC metro area, the air quality would be drastically improved and fuel prices might go down (since less fuel would be used).  

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