EVcast #5: Hybrids, Plug-ins, EVs, Oh My!

When talking about being able to charge the battery while rolling down a hill, it would've been appropriate to mention the poulsen hybrid : http://www.poulsenhybrid.com/

I believe it constantly charges the battery while the wheels spin.  It claims to be able to turn alsmost any car into a hybrid..

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  I think your attitude towards hybrids needs a reality check.

  The greenness factor of hybrids is very real.  Driving around a car that gets 55MPG rather than the typical 21MPG car that people use has environmental benefits.  If everyone drove these cars, the gasoline consumption would be cut in half and the pollution would be reduced even more dramatically.

   EV lovers also owe a debt of gratitude to hybrid because hybrids are the proving ground for many of the technologies that go into EVs.

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Hi John, there are only 2 hybrid cars that get 55mpg or above (source: http://www.greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/ ) - we were actually attempting to bring more "reality" into the picture.  Our point being an all gas average of about 24mpg vs hybrid of 35mpg is not as significant as many think.  I do agree 100% that a hybrid is better than its non-hybrid counterpart.  Hybrids certainly help, but are just an interim solution at best.

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I agree there are greenwashing hybrids out there (e.g. Chevy Malibu) but these represent a distorted picture of the hybrid market.

People understand hybrids and know that you have to get a Prius to make it a real hybrid.  So as a result, in practical terms today hybrid = Prius.  Well more than 50% of the hybrids on the road are Prius.  These are highly efficient vehicles.  The idea that hybrids are 35mpg is truly distorted.  I took a long trip in my Prius on Sunday and got 55mpg.  This is break-through technology that deserves the support of thoughtful people not to be talked down.

  If you want to talk down the Silverado hybrid, by all means.  But the attitude towards hybrids in general seems misplaced.

   "Hybrids certainly help, but are just an interim solution at best."

    What problem are you actually interested in solving?  Once you answer this question, then we can see if hybrids are a good solution or not. 

   What makes the pure EV so much more compelling in your mind than a hybrid?

    Look at how rediculous the Telsa is.  There is 1000 lbs of batteries in that small car just to give it a reasonable range.  That to me is the real "interim solution".  Perhaps they will figure out that they need a small gas engine in the thing.

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Yes heating and AC are issues for EVs, but I think they have got this covered thanks to all the development with hybrids (and EV1).

  We also take for granted power steering and power brakes.  These also traditionally run from the ICE.  Fortunately many manufacturers have started creating things like electrically assisted power steering.  Interesting, these are used on non-hybrid cars as well has hybrid cars.  Apparently traditional power steering is known to put a large drag on the ICE engine and make it less effecient.  As a result, electrically assisted power steering has been developed by companies like Toyota to improve the efficiency of their ICE vehicles.

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Yes.Hybrids, EVs, Plug-ins are all over the world nowadays because buying these cars are really worth it because they have low emission rates and an Oil Filler Tube

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