[hermperez]

Thinking about this some more, this may refer to 18 miles on the Japanese cycle, a very low speed cycle... if it is so then it could translate into a 9 mile range in an EPA city cycle.

9 miles would require a 4.5kwh pack, that option may turn out pretty inexpensive at $1400 for the plug in option.

 

[Van1]

I expect that in about 5 months, the veil will be lifted on the Plug-in Prius. We will know the size of the lithium battery and the size of the gas tank. We will know its AER based on independent evaluations. And we will know its MSRP. As for speculation, how about 15 miles of AER, with a top speed in EV mode of 62 MPH, then 50 MPG.

 

[Dan_Petit]

Do you have a link for that article Altair Nanosafe Battery?

 

[Arch]

Dan

My system will be a closed loop system. There will be four 150 ft deep wells. The heat exchanger pipes will run up and down in each one. I will end up using a little bit more electric energy. My problem is
propane. When I built this place I was paying 40 cents a gallon for it. This last year I paid $2.99 a gallon for it. I use about 1200 gallons a year. There are NO permits in this part of the world. I built the entire house and the only "permit" I had to go through was a lady from the
health department came out and watched them set the septic tank.
The guy running the backhoe laughed when she left. He said she was the one that did the typing in the office.

Take Care
Arch

 

[Tagamet]

Dave K - Sounds like you shot yourself in the foot (lol), but I wouldn't want to test drive a real hog unless the company covered the gasoline during the test period. As usual, the Volt is in a sweet position re getting volunteers (g).
Be well,
Tagamet
LJGTVWOTR!!

 

[Carcus]

You're downplaying Fords success, making it sound like they just sold more cause there weren't enough GM and Chrysler cars on the lots and Canada's economy is strong and ready to buy (relative to U.S.) ------ Really?


June was Ford's 8th consecutive month of gaining market share in Canada.
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSN026834320090602

Canada unemployment
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/Economics/Unemployment-rate.aspx?Symbol=CAD

/ if having a good quality lineup and cars ready to sell isn't the name of the game, then what is?

 

[Michael_Robinson]

Toyota has the best fuel cell prototype car in existence. Toyota is foolish to try and compete in the PHEV market when it can crush
that market with a fuel cell SUV that is cleaner.

With today's advancements in fuel cell technology, fuel cells that use no more platinum than today's catalytic converters are possible. That means cheap fuel cells. Figure out how to tack on a hydrnol reformation system, you have a car that will satisfy anyone.

Hydrnol may only work with hydrogen ICEs, but home refueling will probably be possible depending on how the depleted hydrnol is reconstituted.

Let's say that the Clarity goes on sale for $100k in 2015 where the
home refueling system costs $50k. Chances are, Honda will at least cut that price in half and even if it doesn't, $100k is price competitive with the Tesla roadster. Toyota has a better car than
the Clarity which is an SUV to boot. If Toyota matches Honda for
price or undercuts Honda, Toyota will have to focus on fuel cell cars.

There are problems with expecting Lithium ION batteries to go into millions of cars let alone thousands. Fuel cells on the other hand,
especially as platinum use is reduced and platinum recycling increases, can easily be mass produced. Honda already has a
dedicated factory for the Clarity where Toyota probably isn't far behind. Even GM has a dedicated factory I believe for fuel cell vehicles.

As far as where do we get the hydrogen goes, we start by getting
it from natural and over time switch to renewable sources and nuclear splitting of water. Enough hydrogen is routed to refineries to remove sulfur from gasoline, hydrogen that could fuel millions of
fuel cell vehicles.

As far as the why convert methane to hydrogen comment, because you get more miles out of the hydrogen than you do out of methane.
There's also the advantage with hydrogen that it is not a hydrocarbon.

I wonder if NASA can use hydrnol instead of liquid hydrogen to
pack more of the gas more safely om a tighter space?

 

[Jean-Charles_Jacquemin2]

Hi Dave K and you all

Perhaps a lot of us should remember that the price of the iMIEV will be halved in a few months.

See :
http://www.allcarselectric.com/blog/1021670_mitsubishi-to-slash-price-of-i-miev-in-half-by-mid-2010s

Regards JC

 

[Rob_Stone1]

Having driven the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, I can say that it boasts a comfortable interior with quality materials, top-notch fit and finish, and bold styling. People contemplating the purchase of a hybrid owe it to themselves to take the Fusion seriously.

For me the downside is placement of the battery pack in the rear seat back: this prevents the Fusion Hybrid from having a 60-40 split, fold down rear seat, and the trunk loses 4.7 sq. ft. of trunk space.

 

[MetrologyFirst]

When were you in Japan last? I have been there many times, there is NO SPACE for vehicles over there, where most people live. They have no driveways. The cars are parked under their houses in very small spaces. The parking lots are very small spaces. They do not own pickups. They do not own sports cars.

Their licensing taxes escalate with car size. The smallest cars are cheaper, the largest cars are REALLY expensive to own. And by largest, I mean Camry size. Considering their limitations from land and population, it probably is the best approach to take.

As far as importing, I agree the Japanese would not buy imported cars due to their strong commitment to their national interest. They admit it freely.

We could learn something from them in this area.

 

[Noel Park]

Kind of like the electric Mini.

I volunteered for this a long time ago. I would pay for the lease, a la the electric Mini.

 

[Noel Park]

Toyota? 10-88. I'm not buying a Toyota in this life or the next.

LJGTVWOTR!! NPNS!

 

[Bradyb2]

It still can’t go 75 MPH on the freeway on electric power alone, so it can’t compete with Volt.

When Toyota builds a car that you can drive to work on the freeway on fully electric power let us know, until then who cares!

 

[hermperez]

I think the all electric range will be much lower, closer to 10 miles.. but that will still save a tremendous amount of oil.. it also means that it may be a relatively cheap option.

 

[grat1]

The study on the Hymotion converted Priuses suggests there won't be that much advantage to just throwing a bigger battery and better software into a Prius.

To my knowledge, the HyMotion conversion doesn't change out MG1 or MG2, something that I would think would be required to get better efficiency out of the car.

Otherwise, all you're doing is using house-current to "preload" the batteries-- You'll still need the ICE for any serious driving.

 

[grat1]

Toyota doesn't share your optimism.

 

[grat1]

Don't forget that the first 40 miles of a trip are combustion-free on the Volt, whether it's at highway speed or 5 miles per hour stop and start. The Prius on the other hand, stops the electric motor after what, 34 mph?

 

[DaveP]

I have to comment on those flowers and birds on the side... but I'm totally speechless. I've never put car styling as a really high priority in cars, but I am not sure I could drive a car with that graphic on it...

Yes, yes, I know it's just the demonstrator graphic and all, but still...

 

[Bob_G1]

I can imagine the disappointment of all the people who will pay extra money for a plug-in Prius, only to discover that it burns gasoline whenever they aren't feathering the throttle on short trips at low speeds on ideal flat roads on a warm (but not hot) day.

 

[Bob_G1]

I also test drove the 2010 Fusion Hybrid and I agree with your comments.

If you want a super-efficient car, but prefer a larger size and more comfort than the Prius, the Fusion Hybrid is worth a look.

In my case, my wife is looking for more performance ... possibly a Camaro.