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My $300 car is a statement to the manufacturers.
Some people need a hybrid.
Some don't want the complexity since it makes driving a car into the ground a daunting proposition. Look at 10 year old hybrid prices, especially those with over 200 k miles.
The lithium battery in my computer is toast at less than 4 years. The electric cooling fan is rattling like crazy, and the charger had to be replaced.
MY PERSPECTIVE is since I am building my own design and eventually my own powertrain design, why would I want another car bleeding money (depreciating) on the garage floor, when that same money can do so much more building the last car I will ever need.
One thing about hydrids that is not easily understood. Most of the difference in mileage is due to the ability of the hybrid to save the 13% of fuel consumed that is wasted idling and not moving.
To me start-stop is more important and energy recovery needs to be;
A heck of a lot more efficient
A heck of a lot more simple
The whole car needs 25% fewer manufactured components, while exceeding the regenerative efficiency of 80% wheel to wheel. Current designs will simply never reach that level of simple design AND extraordinary efficiency.
regards
mech
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