[Glen M]

Interesting.....

http://www.valentintechnologies.com/default.asp

I have always liked the idea of the hydraulic hybrids for their simplicity.

 

[Jason M. Hendler]

I agree. I knew Eaton was developing a hydraulic hybrid system for heavy vehicles, like garbage trucks, but when I did a quick Google search to check my facts, there was a long list of companies who have suddenly come out with these types of systems:

Link

They are very inexpensive, very simple, very light and very efficient, which is a winner for the heavy vehicle market, where the requisite battery regenerative braking system would be very expensive, very large and very heavy.

 

[Glen M]

One place where I see a great potential for hydraulic's is for retrofitting. Splice in a hydraulic assist motor in the drive-line, similar to external over/under-drive units. The storage tank could be made removable. During the week, put the storage tank in the back of your SUV and let the system pump in and out hydraulic fluid. When you need more space, remove the tank.

 

[Jason M. Hendler]

I expect these systems to start in large commercial vehicles first - garbage trucks, school buses, parcel trucks, delivery trucks, etc. - then, they will make their way into personal vehicles.

You are right that there is a retrofit market. Just as A123 is retrofitting Prius's, a third party company could retrofit personal trucks and SUV's.