Do Hybrids Really Make Sense?

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by EVmetro

I tend to prejudge the Prius. It seems so common to come across a Prius going 55 in the left lane, and not exhibiting any signs of Eco driving etiquette. It usually happens when I want to be going 75, but then there is the Prius trying to up his mpg from 50 up to 51. Then the EV snob in me kicks in since I am getting twice the economy as the Prius, even at 75. I would guess that there are other hybrids that congest traffic for that extra 1 mpg, but they are harder to notice if they are most often seen in their ICE only format. The Prius on the other hand is immediately identified as a hybrid.

Are we going to get a look at your EV,along with road test data and specifications to see the origin of your prejudice?
Your source of electric power? Life cycle cost analysis? Consumer availability? Dealer network? Parts department? Service department? EPA certification results? NHTSA crash test results? Chassis dynamometer results ? Wind tunnel survey? Noise ,Vibration,and Harshness anechoic evaluation ? Warranty? Loaner car program? Advertising? Financing?

[oldtamiyaphile]

Originally Posted by aerohead

Are we going to get a look at your EV,along with road test data and specifications to see the origin of your prejudice?

I know you're more about 'Aero', much like MetroEV is about Metro EV's so here are the links:

First Conversion

Second Conversion

Third Conversion

Enjoy

[aerohead]

It's a good question,but may not be germane when comparing to a plug-in EV.
*The Metro has smaller frontal area but higher Cd,giving the Prius perhaps a 9% aero advantage.
*The Metro's lighter curb weight is offset by the Prius' LRR tires.
*On the highway,at posted speed limits,the road load of the Prius would be lower than the Metro.
*Claiming twice the efficiency of the Prius at 75-mph is going to require some remarkable prima facie evidence.
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*If say we're using coal-produced electricity,the thermal efficiency of the electric car at the traction wheel may be around 31.5% (generating loss,transmission loss,charger loss,battery loss,controller loss,motor loss).
*Toyota's engines are capable of thermal efficiencies in the 40% range (just like the coal-fired generating station),and with the CVT transmission,would come in at 35% thermal efficiency.So in effect,the Prius uses it's energy more efficiently in highway driving (which is under discussion).
*On a Btu basis,the hybrid has the edge.
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I don't own a Prius.I have no attachment to them.Friends and neighbors do own them.
*They're a manufactured vehicle,we don't have to make them.
*$20,365 ,not $65,000 (estimated cost of the MetroEV)
*You can just put a down payment on one and drive it away,or lease.
*They seat five.
*5-Star crash rating
*Okay ride
*Pretty okay mpg (Gary has averaged 47.5 mpg over 2-years now)
*Unlimited range at up to 85-mph cruising
*Dealer network
*Parts and service
*Financing
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They're not a perfect car,but they were the PNGV car that America refused to build after taking hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars during Clinton's presidency.They use 1972 TRW technology which was completely disrespected in its home country.
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Perhaps some of the Prius owners shouldn't have a drivers license,but I don't think that's the fault of Toyota.Maybe the DMV is due for some introspection.

[drainoil]

Originally Posted by aerohead

They use 1972 TRW technology which was completely disrespected in its home country

I've not heard this before, would you mind giving a brief summary?

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by drainoil

I've not heard this before, would you mind giving a brief summary?

I'm away from my library.I'll try and hunt it down tonight.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Perhaps some of the Prius owners shouldn't have a drivers license,but I don't think that's the fault of Toyota.Maybe the DMV is due for some introspection.

One notion I entertain is to permanently deny 1% (or some other percentage) of the population that applies for a license. If we reject the drivers that demonstrate the lowest aptitude to drive safely while not impeding others, then it relieves the infrastructure for everyone else that is allowed to use it. After all, the major congestion, accidents, and other slowdowns are the cause of the few inept, distracted, or selfish drivers. Perhaps the permanent ban could occur after people have demonstrated to be a menace, and either cannot or will not improve their driving. Criteria would be too many citations of a certain type, or too many accidents.

[gone-ot]

Already exists...called "Points"...accumulate 8 points and your license is revoked in AZ.

[redpoint5]

I've had my license suspended 3 times due to speeding tickets, and caused 1 accident on the freeway. These were the sins of my youth; always racing everywhere I went. After I began taking Lafawnda out to the race track, I realized that driving fast on public roads is pointless when compared to racing on a track.

I drive 5 MPH over nowadays and don't get traffic citations.

Come to think of it, I think the public in general would drive better if they had some track experience, especially learning the limits of the vehicle and how to recover it. Software will take care of all of that in the future though, so I guess it's pointless to talk about now.

[gone-ot]

Accidents always happen to others...unless you happen to be that other.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

Accidents always happen to others...unless you happen to be that other.

I was rear-ended on my birthday in 2009 at a stoplight, and the Subaru Legacy was totalled by the pickup. I was surprised for sure, but just calmly collected the kid's insurance info. My birthday present was getting insurance money to apply towards the TSX.

I only get mad when people intend to do evil, especially towards others.