The hybrid car - where did we get from there?

20 years have passed since Toyota introduced the world's first hybrid electric vehicle known as the Prius in December 1997 and since the advent of the Prius, Japan is now forever known as the country that introduced this kind of vehicle so thank you for that and such hybrid technology from the Prius have been used by almost all car manufacturers experimenting their electrification promises in an all-out effort to reduce CO2 emissions.

So, as the automotive industry embraces electrification, time for some filler about how hybrids changed from Prius to P1, from boring to exciting, and how hybrids forever rule the automotive landscape with a green thumb rather than an iron fist.

The Genesis - It was late December 1997 when Toyota Motor Corporation introduced the world the Prius, the first-ever hybrid electric car on the road. Known as the more practical solution to automobile-produced pollution, a hybrid car like the Prius combines two or more power sources and the first Prius combines a 1 .5L 4-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor that generates more torque than the engine itself.

On normal driving, power from the gas engine is split through a special CVT gearbox. Some runs to the wheels and some are used to recharge the batteries. The generator usually runs the electric motor for additional power to the wheels while the batteries supplement the generator during hard acceleration. As it decelerates or brakes, the electric motor functions as a generator to recharge the batteries.

Thanks to the Prius, more and more vehicles have adopted the same hybrid powerplant as the Prius, even minivans like the Estima and SUVs like the Harrier and because of that, most car companies wanted to copy Toyota's hybrid powerplant to their new cars for the pursuit of reducing emissions to their vehicles. To date, 11 million Toyota hybrids, including Lexus hybrids, have been sold globally.

2016 Toyota Prius

The Electric Car - A year before the advent of the Toyota Prius, the United States of America is the first to introduce the world to an electric car known as the EV1 by General Motors. Available only for lease from 1996 to 1999, the first EV1 is powered by a three-phase AC induction motor and a 16.5-kWh Delphi lead-acid battery. Then, three years later, the last EV1 is powered by a 18.7-kWh Panasonic lead-acid batteries and later upgraded with 26.4-kWh nickel-metal-hydride batteries. It was the first car to be sold under the General Motors emblem, sparking confusion among consumers, and in 2003, General Motors ended leases of their two-seater EV, sparking a chain of events that lead to the documentary, Who Killed the Electric Car. However, the electric car has been revived thanks to companies like Tesla and Nissan and since then, The Revenge of the Electric Car has come to fruition as almost all car companies are joining the electric car bandwagon.

2018 Nissan Leaf

The PHEV - Car companies wanted to combine the best of both worlds by combining the capabilities of a hybrid car and an electric car and the result is the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle or PHEV. A PHEV allows owners to recharge the batteries using the car itself or at home via a charger like they do with an electric car. Simple as that. Toyota became the first to introduce the plug-in hybrid to the world with the Prius PHV in 2012.

The key difference is that the battery of a PHEV is smaller than a pure electric car and powers the wheels at slow speeds or for a limited range. With the battery range taken care of, the hybrid powertrain allows the car to keep going.

2017 Toyota Prius PHV

The Cheating EV - The advent of the Chevrolet Volt introduced a new kind of eco-car known as an extended-range electric vehicle. Much to the disdain of electric car purists, cars like the Volt feature a plug-in battery pack and electric motor as well as an internal combustion engine. It's different from a PHEV as the electric motor always drives the wheels, with the internal combustion engine serving as a generator to recharge the battery when it is depleted. The ideal thing about cars like Volt is that you can do two things; refuel with petrol and recharge the batteries, the best of both worlds.

It's not just the Volt that has this kind of clever powertrain but also BMW with their i3 when the top-spec comes with a small petrol engine that serves as a backup when the battery runs dry.

2016 Chevrolet Volt

Fuel Cell - Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles are by far the most unsung of the eco cars because there's little to be known about this powerplant. Unlike most hybrid powerplants, it uses hydrogen to produce electricity which then powers the wheels of the vehicle, and because hydrogen is the most abundant element in the world (because there's no gas lighter than that), the only tailpipe emission is water. And, no recharging is needed because it will keep generating power as long as it is fed with hydrogen.

Many car companies are studying the feasibility of hydrogen-powered cars but Toyota perfected it with the MIRAI in 2014.

2015 Toyota MIRAI

How to make hybrids more engaging - Some drivers criticized the hybrids for not being as engaging as other cars and a handful of car companies responded their words by doing the impossible for hybrids; either putting powerful engines, engaging gearboxes that work better than the hybrid-derived CVT, or both. 

For example, Honda tried to make a hybrid car more engaging when it launched the first Insight in the year 2000. They were the first to put a manual gearbox in the hybrid and then in 2010, they've done it again with the CR-Z. Later, Honda experimented with adding double-clutch gearboxes on hybrids like the Fit, the Grace, and the Vezel, and the result is better fuel economy and more engaging driving feel unless we bother about reports on Honda recalling such cars a couple of years ago. Still, it's pretty much impressive that the Koreans copied Honda's hybrid DCT sorcery to hybrid cars like the Hyundai iONIQ and Kia Niro.

Nissan, on the other hand, put a seven-speed AT on hybrid models like the Fuga and the Skyline and the result is a hybrid that balances performance and fuel efficiency at the same pace.

As for engines, car companies like BMW, Porsche, and Volvo dumped turbocharged engines on their hybrids to give them more oomph than your basic hybrids.

Honda CR-Z

Experimenting with different fuel sources - Few companies trying to go beyond gasoline by experimenting with different fuel sources for their hybrids. For instance, Hyundai and Kia made a hybrid that runs on liquefied petroleum and it was based on the Avante HD and the Forte. Sadly, they never really made the cut. Then, Peugeot experimented with making a diesel hybrid on a 3008 crossover and the 508 RXH as well as Land Rover with their Range Rover Hybrid. Again, they never really made the cut.

Hybrids in motorsports - Even motorsports are catching up with the trend of hybrids, more importantly at the World Endurance Championship and Formula 1. Hybrids played a pivotal role in LMP1s since the Audi R18 corked numerous wins before Porsche returns with the 919, the car that became the three-time Le Mans champion before it bids farewell to this sport for good. In Formula 1, they've even gone nuts with the kinetic energy recovery system, which recovers the car's energy during braking.

The rise of eco sportscars - The advent of the McLaren P1, Porsche 918, and the Ferrari LaFerrari sparked a new revolution in the eco-car race, using hybrid technology to unleash bare naked speed. It's not just them, but also Honda with their revived NSX with their Sport Hybrid SH-AWD powertrain, V6 turbo engine in the middle, and a double-clutch gearbox, capable of winning the hearts of car enthusiasts many. As for electric sportscars, well, thanks to the rise of the Tesla Roadster, it's rare to see an electric sportscar coming out on the road like the Mercedes-AMG SLS Electric Drive or even the Rimac Concept_One, the one that Richard Hammond crashed it on The Grand Tour. With cars like these, electrification just got a whole lot sexier.

McLaren P1

And there we have it. 20 years of hybrids from Prius to P1, from boring to exciting, it's fair to say that because the whole automotive landscape is trying to adapt the road to electrification following that nasty scandal that plagued Volkswagen and other car companies a few years back, we have no choice but to embrace it, even if it's ugly. Good hybrids, bad hybrids, doesn't matter how it ends up as long as car companies put their effort to make the road to electrification beneficial to everyone but we can all learn something from them.

At least, no matter how boring or exciting a hybrid can be, it's proof that we all live in the future now whether we like it or not. The more you know.

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: North Korea will restore inter-Korean communication

North Korea said it will restore inter-Korean communication channel at 1550 hours local time. The South Korean government has waited for a response from North Korea for the proposed bilateral talks next Tuesday.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said on Monday his country is willing to send its delegation to the upcoming PyeongChang Winter Olympics to be held in South Korea. LKim said in his New Year's Day message that the Winter Games will be a good occasion for the state, adding that North Korea is ready to take various steps, including the dispatch of the delegation.

The leader also said that the North is open to talks with South Korea to discuss its participation in the games.

It marked the first official announcement by North Korea over its willingness to attend the Games.

Meanwhile, the US government has responded to North Korea's suggestions to open dialogue with South Korea ahead of next month's PyeongChang Games. Washington says it will continue its policy of maximum pressure on North Korea and closely cooperate with South Korea.

US President Donald Trump claimed his policy have stated to have a "big impact" on North Korea as South Korea proposed to hold talks with Pyongyang on January 9th.

Source: Arirang News

Let's Do The News! (January 3, 2018)

- Tropical Storm Agaton has left the Philippine Area of Responsibility after dumping continuous rains over the Visayas and Palawan region since New Year's Day. As of 1300 hours local time, PAGASA said that Agaton was 40 km west northwest of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, outside PAR.

- House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez warned that the 2019 midterm elections might be cancelled if the Philippines will shift to a federal parliamentary form of government. A transition government would be needed if the shift would be approved by May of this year. However, the presidential spokesperson said that the elections would have to push through unless the Constitution is amended.

- Meanwhile, the revision of the 1987 Constitution and the shift from a unitary to a federal form of government would be the top priorities of the House of Representatives for this year. According to House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, he is hopeful that Congress will convene this month for a constituent assembly and submit a referendum for a plebiscite along with the barangay elections on May.

- The Israeli parliament passed a law on yesterday requiring a supermajority to relinquish control over any part of Jerusalem, a move that could hamstring the city's division in any future peace deal. The law also permits the government to remove outlying Palestinian neighborhoods from the city, a move promoted by hard-liners to preserve Jerusalem's Jewish majority. They would be turned into separate municipalities under Israeli control.

- US President Donald Trump threatened to cut off U.S. aid money to the Palestinian Authority, asking why the U.S. should make "any of these massive future payments" when the Palestinians are "no longer willing to talk peace."

- Pakistan has summoned the US ambassador and Islamic groups have held rallies in major cities after US President Donald Trump lashed out at the country over its alleged support for extremists.

- A baby polar bear at Berlin's Tierpark zoo has died, less than a year after its mother lost another cub.

- Mercedes teases the next-gen G-Class with an ode to the original.



- The 100th Porsche dealership has opened in Guangzhou, China.

- Shelby SuperCars returns with a teaser of their new supercar.



- Seiyuu Yurika Kubo has left her talent agency to go freelance. She was famed for playing the role of Hanayo Koizumi from the Love Live series.

TTFN!!!

Let's Do The News! (January 2, 2018)

- Over 6,000 people are stranded in ports across Visayas and Mindanao due to Tropical Depression Agaton. Right now, all classes in Capiz are suspended.

- Senator JV Ejercito came to his colleague, Sen. Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian’s defense after the latter drew flak from his tweets cursing online bashers. Ejercito said Gatchalian’s online outburst only showed that politicians are also “humans.”

- President Rodrigo Duterte is set to fire cops accused of committing graft and corruption while in service, according to presidential spokesman Harry Roque.

- According to the Malacanang Palace official, a compromise between the government and the Marcoses would require the approval of Congress but such law may face challenges if it singles out the former first family.

- The Malacanang credited the optimism of Filipinos on the prospects for 2018 to the “changes” brought by the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

- Researches at University College London used scanning technology to uncover the name of an Egyptian mummy, three millenniums after he was laid to rest. According to an ancient Egyptian saying, by uttering the name, the mummy is guaranteed eternal life.

- ICYMI: A mother of three-year-older in Chennai broke the Guinness Book of World Record of longest yoga marathon. She shattered the previous record of 103 hours by performing yoga marathon non-stop for 170 hours.

- Watch a BMW F90 M5 drifting around drone cones in its latest promo video.

- Audi promises to abandon repetitive designs to ensure each model will be different from one another, according on reports.

- Alfa Romeo is planning successors to the Giulietta hatchback and the 4C sportscar, according to reports, as both renewed models will help complete the brand’s new generation of products, which now includes the Giulia compact executive sedan and Stelvio SUV.

TTFN!!!

Leopaul's Heaven and Hell: Can't afford to put fizzy drinks in our glasses anymore...

In case you really missed it, the Philippine government has implemented the first phase of the controversial tax reform, which is different that the other controversial one in America that was favored by the fat man who controls the human race, and while the sharp rise of consumer prices are something to worry about, what's even worrying to me is that one clause in this tax reform is the taxation of sugar sweetened beverages. In other words, your fizzy drinks that you commonly bought from your neighborhood sari-sari store is not safe from that menace. So, why does this part grinds my gears?

Coke Emoticon Bottles

Ever since everybody in the world warned us not to drink too much beer because of the devastating events apart from turning every husband into a maniac who's going to kill his family without knowing, we find a better alternative way to stave off from a bottle of beer because of the crazy effects our body and mind are getting and that's where the softdrink come from. Sure, they can be as fizzy as a beer but unlike alcohol, it doesn't leave our mouths smell like beer and won't end up like family beaters but on the downside, all that sugary content will end up going wild until at the end of the day, we all end up with slight hangovers.

Like you and I, we love having a bottle of softdrinks in our refrigerator because the drinks section can be so bland without it. Softdrinks change the world according to us. They are our quenchers in lunchtime and tea (dinner), our means of entertaining our friends, our relaxation, whatever our reason, we all bound by our decision to stock ourselves with softdrinks at home because they're much safer to drink than alcoholic beer.

At the dawn of the new year, looks like the softdrink days are now numbered because of the dreaded tax against sugar sweetened beverages. According to the Department of Finance's Comprehensive Tax Reform Program, they will tax six pesos per liter of drinks containing caloric or non-caloric sweetener and 12 pesos per liter on drinks containing high fructose corn syrup. Sweetened juice drinks like Zest-O or Hi-C, sweetened tea like Nestea, flavored water, energy drinks, sports drinks, non-milk powdered drinks, cereal and grain beverages, and other non-alcoholic beverages that contain added sugar. 3-in-1 coffee, milk, and 100% natural juice are exempted from the rule.

As you may wondering, do diet and zero sugar softdrinks do count on this beverage tax? The answer is a major yes because those so-called diet and zero sugar softdrinks like the ones we drink sometimes have been sweetened by non-caloric sweeteners, thus making them victims of this rule. Looks like no one's safe on this rule, unless you want to drink yourself a glass of water, which is bland but obvious.

It's not just the Philippines that falls victim to the tax against sugary beverages, in fact, some parts of the world did. From where I'm standing, they've imposed a sweetened beverage tax which most of the sugary drinks are subject to a tax of $1.75 per ounce. Which means, a 12-pack of canned soda like the ones they sold at your nearest Safeway will now cost $2.52 while a box of 10 juice-drink pouches will cost $1.75, 6-pack of sport drink $2.10, a 16oz fountain drink 28 cents, and 23oz can of sweetened tea 40 cents. Thank you Seattle for such dreaded tax on our favorite beverages.

Taxing sugary drinks is nothing new in this world. In fact, the main reason why they want to slap some tax on such drinks because of health and safety reasons and while some oppose because it's anti-poor, some health-conscious people lauded it because such drinks are linked not just obesity but also type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and dental decay. Come on, we only drink them moderately like beer, you know, and still drive our car back home without getting caught by authorities and doing the breathalyzer thing.

Now that softdrinks are getting more costly than it were back in the good old days, seems like we can't afford to put fizzy drinks in our glasses anymore. What happens next? Put sofdrinks in the sin tax bill? That's crazy and if that to happen, we couldn't afford to drink them anymore and that makes us dull.

Softdrinks are a way to chill ourselves on a hot day, to entertain our guests, and relax, but by making them more expensive, our wallets are running dry and thanks to such tax reforms that favor only the rich people, I can't say what's what but it really made us grind our gears and ending up with alternatives such as 100% natural juice, which is rare to find in today's markets, plain milk, and a glass of water. Can't believe we start the year with a much blander lifestyle because of high consumer prices thanks to tax reforms that are deemed regressive and unless we get ourselves a job, there's no way we can live in such times like these. Here's hoping that we can all learn something from such a purpose.

See you next time and if you got some cash, better stock up on some drinks while you can.

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: North Korea signals Olympic truce

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for urgent talks with South Korea to make next month's Winter Olympics a success even with repeated threats to use nuclear force against the United States.

In an annual New Year's Day speech, Kim said that "we sincerely hope the games will be successful." He said both Koreas should seek to resolve problems among themselves rather than seek help from outside the region.

"It's about time that the North and South sit down and seriously discuss how to improve inter-Korean relations by ourselves and dramatically open up," Kim said on Monday. Referring to the Olympics, he said later "We're willing to take necessary steps including sending our delegation, and for this, the authorities from the North and South could urgently meet."

President Moon Jae-in welcomes Kim's comments and repeated that South Korea is ready for talks without conditions, a spokesperson said.

Source: Bloomberg

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Moon vows stepped-up efforts to build "sound" nation

South Korean leader Moon Jae-in vowed ongoing efforts in the new year to right the wrong and build what he called a sound nation.

In his 2018 message released by his presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae, President Moon is putting top priority in state affairs to improve the quality of people's lives while striving to prompt tangible changes to everyday life.

The President said the country has also made progress in the economy, noting the country's trade volume exceeded 1 trillion dollars for a second consecutive year with its annual economic growth expected to top 3%. He said these accomplishments are all the more precious because they were made in the face of political conflict and security challenges despite ongoing threats from North Korea.

Source: Arirang News