We've been eagerly awaiting Toyota's final pricing on the new 2010 Prius. Knowing that Honda recently slapped down a beat-that-if-you-can sticker of $20,470 on the 2010 Insight, we figured that Toyota would come back with a nice, tight, and competitive counter-punch. How'd they do? Well, not too shabby. With the Prius I package set at $21,000 even, they didn't exactly beat Honda's price. But then, considering Prius's sterling reputation and devoted following, they really didn't have to. They just had to be close, and that they've done. Accordingly, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division, Bob Carter said, “The 2010 Prius delivers outstanding mileage, performance and advanced technology at a great price.” Scott spent some time behind the wheel of Prius G-3 at Toyota's Media Preview Event, and he enthusiastically says, "Yes, Bob, I agree."

Truthfully, we're a little surprised that Toyota went so low. In our blog announcing Honda's Insight price, we said, "Expect Toyota to fire back with a probably pricier, but much-improved 2010 Prius in late spring 2009." And in our initial Preview test drive of the Generation 3 Prius, we guessed the price to be somewhere in the $23,000ish range. So yes, we're a bit surprised, but very tickled, that Toyota "got real price competitive." We've said it before about Prius versus Insight, and we'll say it again, "Oh, this little hybrid war is going to be fun to watch. Will price win? Will reputation win? Will value win? Let the games begin."

2010 Generation 3 Prius © Scott Gable

Today, April 22, is Earth Day, the day when we celebrate the beauty and wonder of this great big "Blue Marble" we all call home. It's a time when we stop to reflect on the impact we humans have on our resilient--but all at once fragile--host. The good folks at Honda understand. They recognize the importance of treading as lightly as possible while still living enjoyable lives and getting the daily business-of-life done. And that's why they've gone back to their hybrid roots. After a 4-year hiatus, Honda brings back the fuel-sippy-and-emissions-friendly-little-hybrid, the 2010 Insight.

To celebrate Earth Day, American Honda is hosting a homecoming of more than 100 owners of the first-generation Insight. Happen to be in L.A. today? Expect to see lots of these ground-breaking hybrids tooling around and poised for display and photos at Honda Center in Los Angeles, California, and be sure to get in line for a 2010 Insight test drive on the special hybrid course.

And of course, no party would be complete without a door prize. Go online at www.greenliving.com/greenliving or register live at the event for a chance to win a good-looking-common-sense-making 2010 Insight. No need to be present in order to win.

Where:
Honda Center
2695 East Katella Avenue
Anaheim, CA 92806

When:
Earth Day
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.

2010 Insight © Aaron Gold. "Blue Marble" © NASA

"Greenhouse gas pollution is a serious problem." That's according to Lisa Jackson, EPA Administrator, when discussing a recent finding which boldly states that greenhouse gases, and the greenhouse effect in general, are a danger to the public welfare. And these are results that come two years after the U.S. Supreme Court directed the EPA to resolve this issue: Are carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions truly contributing to dangerous air pollution or is it just a bunch of hooey based upon unsound science?

Stating potential economical havoc, the Bush administration policy was dead set against greenhouse gas controls and limits. Looks like times are a-changin': It is now anticipated that the EPA may use its power to crack down on CAFE standards. No surprise there, eh? To eliminate the tons of carbon dioxide emitted by commuters each and every day--year after year after year--improved fuel economy and emissions (and yes, cleaner, greener electric vehicles) are needed. While federal law already states that automakers must improve their average fleet economy to 35 mpg by 2020 (a 40-percent improvement over today and a major step towards reducing their contribution to global warming), those numbers could become even more demanding in the near future.

What say you? Are we on the verge of fuel economy mandates? ... Would you support legislation on climate change? ... Would you support federal regulation on CAFE standards? ... Do you think this is just the beginning of a long regulatory process that won't bring about any necessary change? ... Will the automakers step up and meet the punch of the climate change issues that seem to be just the tip of the iceberg?

Go ahead and sound off. Let us know what you think--comment below.

The Europeans. They always do things a little differently (sometimes a lot differently) than we do here in North America. They eat a little less red meat, we eat a little more ... they drink a little more wine, we drink a little more beer ... they drive many more alt fuel vehicles, we drive predominately gasoline powered cars. And for our purposes here at Hybrid Cars and Alt Fuels, it's those vehicles and fuels that we care about.

And so it is, according to a report from Automotive News Europe, that the Italian government has created a bit of a run on propane and compressed natural gas (CNG) powered cars and trucks (orders are up to the tune of 30 percent). Through its initiative to replace old cars with clean fuel-efficient gas (not gasoline) models--that emit far fewer CO² emissions--buyers of LPG vehicles are eligible for incentives from 1,500 to 2000 euros ($1990 to $2655) while CNG buyers get between 1,500 and 3500 euros ($1990 and $4645). An unfortunate side effect: The sale of clean diesels in Italy, once quite popular as an option to gasoline cars has suffered at the hands of the this popular incentive package, falling by better than 15 percent so far.

Europeans have little trouble finding factory-built gassers from local dealerships, but try buying one of those in the U.S. The only purpose-built natural gas car available in America is the Honda Civic GX CNG. Otherwise, the only choice is to go the CNG conversion or propane conversion route.

We think things will eventually change in the United States though. With the EPA feeling more and more pressure to classify and regulate CO² as a global warming inducing pollutant, the Federal government may well decide to sweeten the deal and encourage propane and CNG vehicle production here in the States.

CNG powered Opel Zafira © Opel Europe