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There are several hydraulic hybrid systems available. The one that has come closest to mass production was Peugeot-Citroen's Air Car. The system was slated for production this year, but they needed a partner to fund the tooling, estimated to cost 500,000,000 Euros. Unfortunately, the economic downturn, combined with a change in corporate leadership, has shelved the project (mortally wounded with the exit of the project's leader and the gutting of the engineering staff as the new CEO is abandoning Citroen's decades long experience and leadership in hydropneumatics).
It took 30 years for electronic hybrids to get through the corporate, regulatory and marketing maze. Hydraulic hybrid is a viable option that will find its way through the maze, eventually. In the meantime, the technology will continue to improve.
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