Comments on: Solid Tech Improvements Advance Practical Hybrids

By: go go

go go — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 23:24:39 +0000

My understanding is that, at highway speeds, most cars are using from 5 to 10 horsepower. if you are making 9 hp, and needing 11, then batteries that would last 10 minutes will suddenly go for an hour (55 minutes in this example). Batteries that can only last 10 minutes would be a huge savings. In urban driving, no problem at all. On long trips, a small percentage of driving, you might need to slow down a little or take a few more breaks. It would not be ideal for this purpose, but maybe the cost savings could sway you.

By: MEK

MEK — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 22:40:30 +0000

The idea has been put forward however a 100cc engine would not provide sufficient electricity. That size engine maxes out around 9hp and most aerodynamic cars need about 11 hp for long distance cruising at highway speeds. Thus the little engine would not be running in it’s sweet zone but running it’s heart out. Idea’s good just needs a bigger engine. I believe the chevy volt is looking at using this method.

By: James Fountain

James Fountain — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 03:04:13 +0000

Has anyone ever thought about an electric motor driven car with a small (100cc) gas engine, running at it’s most efficient speed, used only to turn a generator for the batteries? This would require a lot less battery size and weight and provide constant recharging on the go.

By: Wayne Checker

Wayne Checker — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:49:48 +0000

Earl I share your concerns, from the big picture they are very valid in my opinion.

I would add that at least these vehicles (Prius and similar) have good goals in site; the development of alternative power and minimisation of fossil fuel consumption. So it is a move in the right direction.

We should not however loose sight of the fact that there is also at least one non-hybrid on the market that uses less fossil fuel at the pump than all the hybrids and its made by Fiat. Furthermore is is much cheaper to purchase so their is a financial advantage as well. There is so much hype about the hybrids that we too easily ignore the fact that the same or better fuel consumption is available the conventional way.

Finally, I believe we must reduce our dependency on cars by way of better urban planning and improved public transport capacity that better meets the need of people to name just a few.

By: Earl Adair

Earl Adair — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 21:11:28 +0000

It’s not the fossil fuels that it takes to manufacture the vehicle although it is a concern, but its the same old fossil fuel techniques that are being used to produce the electricity to recharge the vehicle that really concerns me. Lets get alternative electricity production up and running at least at the same pace that we are producing vehicles the run on electricity. Swapping one pollution source for another is not going to make much of a difference from my point of view.