Hybrids - Pros and CONS
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
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Hybrids - Pros and CONS
Interesting take on this HOT subject:
http://www.autoweb.com/content/resea...onomy/id/24116
http://www.autoweb.com/content/resea...onomy/id/24116
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Magrath
The link didn't work for me but I cut and paste and modified and looked into the forums. Now there is some good reading if you want a laugh.
One guy asked why you would buy a hybrid when they only have a life expectency of 10 years (150000miles). The reply back was, "some people care about the enviroment". My thinking is between the battery packs and the car itself, if it is junk in ten years, which one is harming the enviroment more, my 01 supercrew that will get 200000+ miles out of it or the hybrid.
One guy asked why you would buy a hybrid when they only have a life expectency of 10 years (150000miles). The reply back was, "some people care about the enviroment". My thinking is between the battery packs and the car itself, if it is junk in ten years, which one is harming the enviroment more, my 01 supercrew that will get 200000+ miles out of it or the hybrid.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
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From: Running Springs CA
"Hybrids provide the 'Feel Good Factor'". This is where I realize why I work in engineering and not marketing. These things are for people that rule their lives primarily by emotion. My partner at work has one and justifies it because he likes tech gizmos.
Instead of providing subsidies for certain technologes or lowering CAFE, etc, government can do the unpopular, but practical step of raising gas taxes to pay for needed road improvements while stimulating demand for better fuel economy using market forces.
This is stop-gap technology until fuel cells arrive. Meanwhile, modern turbodiesels already deliver greater economy at a lower price. The current "hybrids" are not pure hybrids anyway, a disappointment to me as an engineer. I was hoping for something more like a diesel-electric locomotive system scaled down + batteries and regenerative braking.
Jim
Instead of providing subsidies for certain technologes or lowering CAFE, etc, government can do the unpopular, but practical step of raising gas taxes to pay for needed road improvements while stimulating demand for better fuel economy using market forces.
This is stop-gap technology until fuel cells arrive. Meanwhile, modern turbodiesels already deliver greater economy at a lower price. The current "hybrids" are not pure hybrids anyway, a disappointment to me as an engineer. I was hoping for something more like a diesel-electric locomotive system scaled down + batteries and regenerative braking.
Jim
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Marple Township, PA
The Escape hybrid is almost like diesel-electric locomotion, and I think it's the best effort for hybrid so far...uses battery storage and regenerative braking.
The other hybrid technologies, using huge battery packs that must be replaced in several years, are indeed a stop-gap effort. The cost of replacing that huge battery is significant.
I agree, let's get the fuel cells rolling!
The other hybrid technologies, using huge battery packs that must be replaced in several years, are indeed a stop-gap effort. The cost of replacing that huge battery is significant.
I agree, let's get the fuel cells rolling!
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 616
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From: WHITE LAKE, MI
I don't think any serious effort will be made towards fuel cells until Big Business finds a way to charge us more. If the oil companies could make a big profit today, you better believe they would be going all-out.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
Hybrids are the way of the future, whether we like it or not. The technology still can use some perfecting, and Lord knows the cost will drop considerably once we get more of them on the road (remember $900 VHS video-tape recorders?). Anyone that complains about them today are the same people that were opposed to automatic overdrives, electronic fuel injection, 3-point safety belts, etc... Technology marches on, it's up to us whether we keep up with it.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Cheyenne Wy.
Unfortunately...Other than the "feel-good" factor, they still have a major issue with purchase cost and cost of repairs when needed.
When they can at least come close to the same $/mi as a non-hybrid of the same model, even in say 60,000 miles....then I might start looking at them
Where we are missing out is adding Hybrid Technology to the trucking industry. If we could get 10% better fuel economy there, price of shipping would go down making most other commodities cheaper as well.
No to mention the rigs have the space for batteries and some very powerful electric motors....
Jim
When they can at least come close to the same $/mi as a non-hybrid of the same model, even in say 60,000 miles....then I might start looking at them
Where we are missing out is adding Hybrid Technology to the trucking industry. If we could get 10% better fuel economy there, price of shipping would go down making most other commodities cheaper as well.
No to mention the rigs have the space for batteries and some very powerful electric motors....
Jim
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 282
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From: Winchester
I have driven the honda civic,I liked it.I don,t know if the extra cost is worth it or not.The performance was not bad.I would compare it to an 80,s escort,nothing great,but not awful.
The honda motor kicks in when extra power is needed.And it does recharge when braking.I think they get about 55mpg or so.
The honda motor kicks in when extra power is needed.And it does recharge when braking.I think they get about 55mpg or so.
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