The Future of Hybrid Technology

1335 messages, Last post on Oct 07, 2009 at 4:45 AM

You are in the Hybrid Vehicles Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer

What is this discussion about? Hybrid Cars

What does the future hold? What breakthroughs are just around the corner? The current hybrids are just the starting point. Let's hear your thoughts on what automotive power is going to look like in the years to come!

Outline

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#1326 of 1335 Future of Hybrids by coldcranker Mar 14, 2009 (9:09 am)
Replying to: gagrice (Oct 01, 2008 8:49 am) click here for hydraulic hybrids as the future of hybrids This is a very efficient way and easy way to do a hybrid, and with the torque production, you get neck-snapping acceleration quite easily on demand. This also works fantastic in UPS trucks (and similar, like garbage trucks, city delivery, etc.). No batteries or transmissions, no electric motors either!
#1327 of 1335 press request by kirstie_h HOST Apr 09, 2009 (11:52 am)
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#1328 of 1335 The future is dull by toyolla2 Jun 20, 2009 (5:55 pm)
The 2010 Prius is effectively a Camry Hybrid powertrain but with the 1.8L engine incorporating an electric water pump. The 2010 Insight is a Prius look-alike with the mild hybrid powertrain from the Honda Civic hybrid. The technological equivalent of when you've caught the bus you can stop running. Unless there is going to be serious outside competition it seems that Honda and Toyota have decided on a risk averse posture. No more to see here. Move on people. T2 Replies to this message: toyolla2 (Jul 14, 2009 9:04 pm) stevedebi (Sep 24, 2009 3:58 pm)
#1329 of 1335 Re: The future is dull [toyolla2] by toyolla2 Jul 14, 2009 (9:04 pm)
Replying to: toyolla2 (Jun 20, 2009 5:55 pm) I may have made the above comments too soon. I learned last Monday that Honda was replacing its CEO. Part reason was the 7,000 orders for the new Insight against the 50,000 demand for the 2010 Prius. It appears this is may be due to the Insight being an assist hybrid while the public is calling for a full hybrid. Clearly Honda wants to do something about being #2. If this is so maybe we will soon be seeing twin servomotor hybrids coming from Honda. It will be interesting to see how they build a partially decoupled engine system without violating the HSD patents, unless of course, they adopt the fully decoupled engine topology known as the series hybrid. Within the series hybrid approach lies the opportunity to forgo the usual 'boutique' energy source, in the name of economy, and place the emphasis on being the electric transmission instead. Advantage could be taken of adopting one of Honda's motorcycle engine powerplants since one would be an excellent choice for a directly coupled drive into a high speed alternator-generator. Ability to handle high rpms when needed for those occasional peak power demands should serve to keep size and therefore mass down for a given specified peak power. Correctly executed, expectations are that the somewhat reduced mass of the resulting powertrain would translate further into substantially diminishing the so-called hybrid premium. T2 Replies to this message: stevedebi (Sep 24, 2009 3:58 pm)
#1330 of 1335 Re: The future is dull [toyolla2] by stevedebi Sep 24, 2009 (3:58 pm)
Replying to: toyolla2 (Jul 14, 2009 9:04 pm) "It will be interesting to see how they build a partially decoupled engine system without violating the HSD patents, unless of course, they adopt the fully decoupled engine topology known as the series hybrid. " GM managed it with the Tahoe hybrid, unless they licensed the technology from Toyota (which I have not heard). Ford developed their platform independently and ended up swapping patents with Toyota; they do not license the HSD like Nissan. So it can be done.
#1331 of 1335 dangit by larsb Sep 25, 2009 (1:16 pm)
I can't find the forum where Gary and I were discussing and predicting how many hybrid cars would be available in the USA by the end of 2009. The number is 27 right now, so my guess is that I was a lot closer to the number than Gary was..... Replies to this message: gagrice (Sep 25, 2009 5:29 pm) larsb (Sep 28, 2009 7:10 am) gagrice (Oct 07, 2009 4:45 am)
#1332 of 1335 Re: dangit [larsb] by gagrice Sep 25, 2009 (5:29 pm)
Replying to: larsb (Sep 25, 2009 1:16 pm) I count about 13. Unless you are including each color. Maybe 14 if we get to see the $89,000 hybrid we just gave Al Gore and his buddies in Finland a half Billion to build. Hybrid scams abound. WASHINGTON -- A tiny car company backed by former Vice President Al Gore has just gotten a $529 million U.S. government loan to help build a hybrid sports car in Finland that will sell for about $89,000. The award this week to California startup Fisker Automotive Inc. follows a $465 million government loan to Tesla Motors Inc., purveyors of a $109,000 British-built electric Roadster. Tesla is a California startup focusing on all-electric vehicles, with a number of celebrity endorsements that is backed by investors that have contributed to Democratic campaigns. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125383160812639013.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLTopStor- ies Replies to this message: larsb (Sep 28, 2009 7:10 am) gagrice (Oct 07, 2009 4:45 am)
#1333 of 1335 re by georgeryder9 Sep 27, 2009 (12:09 am)
The Toyota 1/X concept vehicle picture looks awesome. It is a great attempt by toyota and it is also economical and environment friendly. I will give this car, 10 out of 10 if it really has output as said above. But I hope there are other electronics attachments such as bluetooth facility, plugs for laptop and laptop memory , internet facility and mobile facilities, if you know what I mean.
#1334 of 1335 Re: dangit [gagrice] by larsb Sep 28, 2009 (7:10 am)
Replying to: gagrice (Sep 25, 2009 5:29 pm) Oh, ye doubting Garys: Honda Insight Gen. 1 (Automatic) Honda Insight Gen. 1 (Manual) Honda Insight Gen. 2 Honda Civic Hybrid Gen. 1 (Automatic) Honda Civic Hybrid Gen. 1 (Manual) Honda Civic Hybrid Gen. 2 Toyota Prius Gen. 1 Honda Accord Hybrid Nissan Altima Hybrid Toyota Camry Hybrid Ford Fusion Hybrid Lexus GS 450h Mercury Milan Hybrid Toyota Prius Gen. 2 Toyota Prius Gen. 3 Lexus LS 600hL Ford Escape Hybrid Mercury Mariner Hybrid Mazda Tribute Hybrid Toyota Highlander Lexus RX 400h Chrysler Aspen Hybrid Dodge Durango Hybrid Cadillac Escalade Hybrid Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid GMC Yukon Hybrid GMC Sierra Hybrid Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid 25, 26, or 27, depending how you count. A lot, anyway. Replies to this message: gagrice (Oct 07, 2009 4:45 am)
#1335 of 1335 Re: dangit [larsb] by gagrice Oct 07, 2009 (4:45 am)
Replying to: larsb (Sep 28, 2009 7:10 am) Rebadging does not make another model of car. This is my count. on current hybrids offered. Don't look for Honda to keep throwing money away on their two losers. Honda Insight Gen. 2 Honda Civic Hybrid Gen. 2 Nissan Altima Hybrid Toyota Camry Hybrid Ford Fusion Hybrid Lexus GS 450h Toyota Prius Gen. 3 Ford Escape Hybrid Toyota Highlander Lexus RX 400h Chrysler Aspen Hybrid Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid That makes 13 hybrids with various sheet metal changes. You could stretch the truth way out with 2WD and AWD in every category. Only about 3 models are doing well in sales: Prius Fusion Escape