A hand to California, the first State with almost 10% electrified vehicles.

Had all States done the same (and they will soon do), USA would already have a fleet of some 26 million electrified vehicles.

I would say: hardly any progress in the last couple of years for hybrids (i.e. from 6% in 2009 to 7% in 2013). Furthermore, most of the sales boil down to only one model (Prius). It does not indicate “complete fiasco” for hybrids, but it is very close. What must to be done to make hybrids more popular? Increase efficiency? Decrease cost? Improve performance? Obviously, cost-benefit assessments by customers do not favour hybrids over ICEs for the moment. The increased supply of various new car models (other than Prius) does not seem to have had any significant impact (yet). Perhaps simpler (and cheaper!) mild hybrids will have a chance to increase the market penetration.

@Kit P
What is your point? As always, your comments are confusing. Is it so that, according to your theory, light trucks have a better image, or??? I do not know much about the US and Californian market but I presume that the most sold hybrid car has much better mileage than the corresponding light truck. If so, why not promote hybrids? I can see no reason to promote light trucks with conventional (V6/V8) ICSs that are primarily used to transport people, not goods, weigh two tons and use much more fuel than conventional cars with hybrid drive system. What would you want to promote?

@Peter
“What would you want to promote? ”

I am not promoting any particular kind of car. I do frequently point out that hybrids are more about image than substance. I can show how we decided on a Corolla rather than a hybrid. I could also see how a hybrid might be a good choice for some families but when people tell you why the have a hybrid the reason is unfounded. No more of a silly reason than those in California telling they need a jacked up 4wd for driving in the snow.

So my point is looking at the big picture. People seem to like big cars and SUVs. You need to have a compelling reason reason to get people to change.

@Kit P
My main point is that the progress for hybrids has been very slow. Hybrid fans have difficulties in accepting this fact. However, I see no problem that fuel-efficient solutions are promoted in some way. Ideally, incentives should be technology-neutral, i.e. not tied to any particular technology, such as e.g. hybrids. If people choose hybrids just because of image – it is fine with me. However, if they choose 4WD light trucks without any other apparent reason than image; you should do something about it. You cannot continue wasting fuel while the rest of the world is changing.

“As we all know on GCC ...”

Most posters on GCC confuse unverified assumption with facts based on data. For example,

“reduce your CO2 a good deal if the electricity is from a low carbon source, like nuclear or hydro ”

The fact is power for BEV comes from burning coal.

It is a fact that hybrids cost a lot more. If someone commenting on GCC congress commented that they rented a Corolla for a normal week and then rented a pious for a week and then based buying a Prius on those facts I would stop calling them the pious.

It is a fact that hybrids are more dangerous because they have more accidents. Turns out hybrid owners are so busy patting themselves on the back and text about how green they run over school children.

“are still effective at reducing local pollution. ”

Not where I live. Year before hybrids were introduced, air pollutions was already eliminated. Judging from comments on the GCC, I am the only person who post here that has bothered take environment engineering classes to learn about effective ways to protect the environment.

“switch commonly used lighting to CFL ”

That would be an example of something to promote. Promoting hybrids which are more expensive for people who do not have driving habits that would take advantage improved mileage would be an example ineffective policies. So again why promote something that does not work?

PHEVs and EVs have taken up some of the market that would have naturally gone to hybrids. EVs and PHEVs have the greater economic impact for certain commuters especially given the greater tax incentives. Eventually EVs will be far cheaper than any ICE car and significantly cheaper than any Hybrid or plug-in because of the simplicity of EV and the complexity of a dual drive system.

8.8% drive trains containing an electric component.

Kit...driving habits may soon be improved with a new very small plug-in on-board GPS based black box together with communication capalities to down load data on a daily basis.

One local isurance firm already offers 25% reduction for improved drivers...coupled with an increase of up to 100% for bad drivers. Premium adjustment is done on a monthly basis. The offered bonus-malus is currently baised in favor of the insurer. a 50%-50% balanced approach would have more sucess and is probably in the cards for the near future.

Kit P...

CFLs are more efficient but early models cost over $10 each or up to 20X the cost of an equivalent regular bulbs. Currently, most CFL cost less than $1 and are more efficient than early models and last 5X to 10X times longer than regular bulbs.

LEDs are more efficient yet but early models cost over $30 each or up to 30X the cost of equivalent regular bulbs. Currently, many LEDs cost less than $3 and are 2X to 3X times more efficient than early models and last 50X to 100X times longer than regular bulbs. LEDs are dimeable while CFLs are poor candidates.

There are similarities between regular/CFL/LED/OLED bulbs and ICEVs/HEVs/PHEVs/BEVs. Each new technology is more efficient than the previous but initial (early models) cost is always higher. However, a few years latter, their TOTAL NET cost is much lower and older technology units are phased out.