Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and GM are pursuing hybrids/ electrics to increase MPG and decrease emissions. While Mercedes, and VW are partnering up to promote their advanced Diesel and Bio-Diesel engines to achieve the same.

There's even a company in the UK (I think) with a Diesel Hybrid.

It'll be interesting to see which direction things go.

 

Diesel hybrids should be the next big thing! Think of the torque that could be coaxed out of those things. Think of Accord Hybrid power with Prius consumption.

 

In automotive I learned Diesel will be the cars comming out soon because they have gotten the mixture to burn more cleanly and efficienty by taking out the sulfur...
and diesel sounds meaner

 

Ok first off do some more research. You have questions, right? Well you have the whole Internet to help you answer them.

http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/k_forum/tenji/pdf/pgr_e.pdf

20,000 Km is the CO2 break even point for the ENTIRE car, a 2004. From that point onward it will emit less C02 than a non-hybrid. For those who don't want to do the math that's less than 12,500 miles.

Plastics made from plants, CO2 absorbing stuff last I checked. Batteries are nickel metal hydride, no heavy metals. The lead-acids are smaller than in equivalent cars. Frame uses recycled steel...yada, yada. So yeah, Toyota actually went to great lengths to design a fairly environmentally friendly car.

By the way, does anyone ever asks these same questions regarding regular cars? Not really, but you should ask yourself why they don't.

Sorry, but that's just a ridiculous statement. It borders on, "It's too complicated, so let's not even bother trying."

As for the comments regarding power generation needing to increase. One of the main problems with using cars is that they go places and pollute. Now if you have a centralized facility generating pollution you could actually put some sort of filtration system on it that would be more effective than trying to do it on the individual cars. I think that would be a good idea.

 

The Toyota system will put the others to shame. For example, GM is looking at two independent engines, when the battery runs out yoou switch over to gas. Toyota's 3rd generation Hybrid will allow you to recharge and run in electric only mode, but then go back into the current intergated mode so you continue to have a electric mode that is self recharging.


The method you mentioned hasn't been used for something like 30 years. The latest SAE calculation, adjusted about 2 years ago now, pretty much is based on power to the wheels. Many companies started the new calculation in 2006, though it is mandatory on 2007 and forward. The one that had been used before that required everything be hooked up, but you did not have to have the AC on (nor do you still). But the only crank measurement still used is for racing purposes.

 

Acurrate is the biggest part of my "wish." i don't care how they get the "real" numbers, but the xA and xB don't get 103 to the wheels (or 108 pre '06)

 

As far as this applies to a Hybrid vehicle, measuring HP is almost impossible. The electirc motor generates maximum HP at 0 MPH - where the gas engine is phased in and out of the equation. This is why Toyota estimates the number. Think of a tandem bike, it is not necessarly the average of both inputs, nor is it the total of both. There is a range, and an impossible to calculate maximum.

 

I don't follow

 

[/quote]Sorry, but that's just a ridiculous statement. It borders on, "It's too complicated, so let's not even bother trying." [/quote]

THANK YOU!! I'm glad somebody said it.

My other favorite is "..oh well, i'm not going to be alive anyways so why should i care?"

Here's three things electric cars need to be successful (automakers please take note):
1. A rapper to rap next to one in a video (maybe Jay-z or Ludda)
2.Ferrari or Lambo to come out with their own "electric super car"
3.Pairs Hilton to get out of one with out any panties!