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This is a projection, an educated guess. I don't like unsubstantiated claims but here goes anyway.
May 15th 2013, a national car manufacturer offers a base model car for $13k. It has a hydraulic launch assist rear axle in an otherwise conventional FWD vehicle architecture. The hydraulic launch assist recovers deceleration energy and reapplies it for acceleration after the car stops. it also offers constant speed on-off operation of the engine at most highway speeds which maximises the engines efficiency. Integral P&G without driver inputs necessary, totally automated, with start stop to eliminate idling.
EPA is 50 city and 45 highway.
August 25th 2015, a full hydraulic system is now offered with a downsized conventional engine that is optimized for the application, for the same price due to 20% lower parts content per vehicle. Now it is all wheel drive with capacitive regeneration at all wheels with 85% efficiency. Engine is downsized and throttle less, with hydraulic activated start stop capability. same price as previous model with no "break even point" that requires more money up front in hopes of a return many years later.
EPA
75 city
70 highway
November 15th 2017, the third version is a totally integrated design based on the potential power train efficiency and operation. Engine is now a free piston direct hydraulic generator operating at 60% efficiency with a transonic injection system using super critical fuel, a mixture of diesel and gasoline that produces no exhaust emissions requiring after treatment. CO2 emissions are 90% below current levels. Aerodynamics and low rolling resistance tires, optimized alignment and high strength steels allow for a total vehicle weight under 2500 pounds.
EPA
city 120 MPG
highway 90 MPG at a constant 70 MPH. Significantly lower at lower average speeds.
The third model also offers the option of interchangeable power units, as well as battery modules than can easily be removed for recharging in your apartment, or storage to render the vehicle inoperable if so desired. The purchaser now has the option to use electric power, and the option to only use the number of modules that he or she needs to do their daily commute, no one size fits all power storage system. The purchaser can choose either liquid fuel power modules or all electric power modules. Both modules only require the disconnection of two quick release couplings and a single electrical connection for removal. Mounting is pin in receptacle quick disconnect requiring no special tools for removal or installation.
Price for the vehicle with IC drive option $20k
Electric drive option add $8k.
Electric only $23k mostly due to battery costs.
By year 2025 battery technology allows for ranges close to Neils prediction, long enough for highway trips of virtually unlimited distance with exchange points for the battery modules. Stop insert your credit card and replace your dead ones with fully charged modules that use solar energy for recharging.
IC is dead at this point. 100 years later the carbon content of the atmosphere has dropped by 25% and it continues to drop as more efficient technology make oil production and distribution no longer cost effective. The carbon content of the atmosphere reaches pre industrial age levels in the year 2150. The protesters are predicting that the amount of solar energy we are preventing from warming the earth directly will cause global cooling and the death of vegetation due to insufficient carbon levels in the atmosphere.
regards
Mech
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