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The best car for long grades is the lightest car that has gearing to climb the grades efficienctly, while it's lower sectional density means it will not accelerate downhill as rapidly as a heavier car or one with better aerodynamics. Everything is balance and you can always find a scenario where that balance is lacking. The question is how large of a percentage of scenarios can you cover COST EFFECTIVELY.
With hydraulic hybrids if you want greater hydraulic storage then you increase the size of the high and low pressure accumulators, which could be offered as an inexpensive option with a new vehicle purchase. The weight penalty must be considered as well as the cost.
My goal with my individual pursuit is to see all vehicles become more efficient as Ian so eloquently posted in his thread.
Building a vehicle with no cost penalty means the payback from fuel cost savings begins immediately. No other design currently available has that capability, and it is not likely that will change in the near future. Even those whose priorities are completely different from mine should be able to agree that this objective is valid. I want every vehicle on the planet to be much more efficient, not just the few who come to this forum. We are a minuscule percentage of the worlds vehicle population and drivers, and even a number of our wives don't hypermile their cars.
Bottom line is make the cars hypermile themselves, which will negate inefficient driving to the greateest degree possible and it will be planetary in it's effects, with a huge reduction in global fuel demand with consequences far beyond any individual effect.
regards
Mech
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