Plug-in hybrid technology

<http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/11/10/bc.autos.gm.reut/index.html>

This sounds interesting for me, a short trip driver. I'd never have to
stop at a gas station.
--

On Sat, 11 Nov 2006 03:42:03 -0600, dbu' <lefties@arewinners.com>
wrote:
[color=blue]
><http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/11/10/bc.autos.gm.reut/index.html>
>
>This sounds interesting for me, a short trip driver. I'd never have to
>stop at a gas station.[/color]

Sounds great.....except.....it is GM.

I would not buy from GM or Ford now on a bet.

Both are losing money hand over fist and HAVE to cut costs
to remain in business. Guess where the cuts will occur?


--

Scott in Florida

In article <9rdbl2hdhg5gj1237fs3rgot0aceb5n084@4ax.com>,
Scott in Florida <askifyouwant@mindspring.net> wrote:
[color=blue]
> On Sat, 11 Nov 2006 03:42:03 -0600, dbu' <lefties@arewinners.com>
> wrote:
>[color=green]
> ><http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/11/10/bc.autos.gm.reut/index.html>
> >
> >This sounds interesting for me, a short trip driver. I'd never have to
> >stop at a gas station.[/color]
>
> Sounds great.....except.....it is GM.
>
> I would not buy from GM or Ford now on a bet.
>
> Both are losing money hand over fist and HAVE to cut costs
> to remain in business. Guess where the cuts will occur?[/color]

Toyota is working on one too. This announcement will only prod them
into working harder, faster. It would be good for me because I don't
make long trips and I'd just plug the thing in to recharge, never having
to stop at a filling station. According to the article it will have an
engine for backup just in case. For the long trips I still have my
Sienna. We'll see what shakes out. I wonder how the gov. would handle
gas tax when everybody is driving one of these things. Just think, we
could have a solar powered charging station in the garage just for this,
using no outside resources at all except for the sun.
--

"dbu'" <lefties@arewinners.com> wrote in message
news:lefties-6F9D4C.03420311112006@comcast.dca.giganews.com...[color=blue]
> <http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/11/10/bc.autos.gm.reut/index.html>
>
> This sounds interesting for me, a short trip driver. I'd never have to
> stop at a gas station.
> --[/color]

Next year, GM will have a prototype hybrid that's hybrid enough to actually
do the plug in thing? They are really late to the party. Their current
hybrids are little more than bigger starter motors and controller that shut
off the engine at stoplights (which I sometimes do, anyway).

All Toyota has to do is increase the battery capacity of their current
vehicle. I'd like to see them develop an add-in pack that would go into the
trunk for local electric operations (I'd use it most of the time) but could
be pulled out and left behind for long trips (to maximize trunk space,
vehicle weight and fuel economy - the hybrid aspect of the car does not
offer much benefit on long freeway stretches).

However, when someone does introduce a hybrid with a significant
battery-only range, I think you'd want to run the engine fairly regularly,
weekly, maybe, just to keep everything lubed and working right.



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from [url]http://www.teranews.com[/url]

In article <4555f133$0$21080$88260bb3@free.teranews.com>,
"dh" <dh@stargate.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
> "dbu'" <lefties@arewinners.com> wrote in message
> news:lefties-6F9D4C.03420311112006@comcast.dca.giganews.com...[color=green]
> > <http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/11/10/bc.autos.gm.reut/index.html>
> >
> > This sounds interesting for me, a short trip driver. I'd never have to
> > stop at a gas station.
> > --[/color]
>
> Next year, GM will have a prototype hybrid that's hybrid enough to actually
> do the plug in thing? They are really late to the party. Their current
> hybrids are little more than bigger starter motors and controller that shut
> off the engine at stoplights (which I sometimes do, anyway).
>
> All Toyota has to do is increase the battery capacity of their current
> vehicle. I'd like to see them develop an add-in pack that would go into the
> trunk for local electric operations (I'd use it most of the time) but could
> be pulled out and left behind for long trips (to maximize trunk space,
> vehicle weight and fuel economy - the hybrid aspect of the car does not
> offer much benefit on long freeway stretches).
>
> However, when someone does introduce a hybrid with a significant
> battery-only range, I think you'd want to run the engine fairly regularly,
> weekly, maybe, just to keep everything lubed and working right.[/color]

Leave the electric pack at home. If you are stranded with a dead
battery just start up the aux put-put with a small backup batter, like
the ones they use in riding lawn mowers. Then charge the main battery.
I only travel most of the time up to six miles one way and many times
less. For long trips I still use my Sienna.
--

On Sat, 11 Nov 2006 06:44:34 -0600, dbu' <lefties@arewinners.com>
wrote:
[color=blue]
>In article <9rdbl2hdhg5gj1237fs3rgot0aceb5n084@4ax.com>,
> Scott in Florida <askifyouwant@mindspring.net> wrote:
>[color=green]
>> On Sat, 11 Nov 2006 03:42:03 -0600, dbu' <lefties@arewinners.com>
>> wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>> ><http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/11/10/bc.autos.gm.reut/index.html>
>> >
>> >This sounds interesting for me, a short trip driver. I'd never have to
>> >stop at a gas station.[/color]
>>
>> Sounds great.....except.....it is GM.
>>
>> I would not buy from GM or Ford now on a bet.
>>
>> Both are losing money hand over fist and HAVE to cut costs
>> to remain in business. Guess where the cuts will occur?[/color]
>
>Toyota is working on one too. This announcement will only prod them
>into working harder, faster. It would be good for me because I don't
>make long trips and I'd just plug the thing in to recharge, never having
>to stop at a filling station. According to the article it will have an
>engine for backup just in case. For the long trips I still have my
>Sienna. We'll see what shakes out. I wonder how the gov. would handle
>gas tax when everybody is driving one of these things. Just think, we
>could have a solar powered charging station in the garage just for this,
>using no outside resources at all except for the sun.[/color]

Can I expect a picture of your new system by email ;-)


--

Scott in Florida

"dbu'" <nospam@nospamxxxzzz.com> wrote in message
news:nospam-7871BA.11024811112006@comcast.dca.giganews.com...[color=blue]
> In article <4555f133$0$21080$88260bb3@free.teranews.com>,
> "dh" <dh@stargate.com> wrote:
>[color=green]
> > "dbu'" <lefties@arewinners.com> wrote in message
> > news:lefties-6F9D4C.03420311112006@comcast.dca.giganews.com...[color=darkred]
> > > <http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/11/10/bc.autos.gm.reut/index.html>
> > >
> > > This sounds interesting for me, a short trip driver. I'd never have[/color][/color][/color]
to[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> > > stop at a gas station.
> > > --[/color]
> >
> > Next year, GM will have a prototype hybrid that's hybrid enough to[/color][/color]
actually[color=blue][color=green]
> > do the plug in thing? They are really late to the party. Their current
> > hybrids are little more than bigger starter motors and controller that[/color][/color]
shut[color=blue][color=green]
> > off the engine at stoplights (which I sometimes do, anyway).
> >
> > All Toyota has to do is increase the battery capacity of their current
> > vehicle. I'd like to see them develop an add-in pack that would go into[/color][/color]
the[color=blue][color=green]
> > trunk for local electric operations (I'd use it most of the time) but[/color][/color]
could[color=blue][color=green]
> > be pulled out and left behind for long trips (to maximize trunk space,
> > vehicle weight and fuel economy - the hybrid aspect of the car does not
> > offer much benefit on long freeway stretches).
> >
> > However, when someone does introduce a hybrid with a significant
> > battery-only range, I think you'd want to run the engine fairly[/color][/color]
regularly,[color=blue][color=green]
> > weekly, maybe, just to keep everything lubed and working right.[/color]
>
> Leave the electric pack at home. If you are stranded with a dead
> battery just start up the aux put-put with a small backup batter, like
> the ones they use in riding lawn mowers. Then charge the main battery.
> I only travel most of the time up to six miles one way and many times
> less. For long trips I still use my Sienna.
> --[/color]

You might have enjoyed one of these:

[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_RAV4_EV[/url]

Up to 120 mile range and performance equal to the gas Rav4. 'T'weren't
cheap, though. About $30K in CA, after rebates.



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from [url]http://www.teranews.com[/url]

In article <0t7cl2h77nsrn0qeoicslbgu6ltc4f5t6h@4ax.com>,
Scott in Florida <askifyouwant@mindspring.net> wrote:
[color=blue]
> On Sat, 11 Nov 2006 06:44:34 -0600, dbu' <lefties@arewinners.com>
> wrote:
>[color=green]
> >In article <9rdbl2hdhg5gj1237fs3rgot0aceb5n084@4ax.com>,
> > Scott in Florida <askifyouwant@mindspring.net> wrote:
> >[color=darkred]
> >> On Sat, 11 Nov 2006 03:42:03 -0600, dbu' <lefties@arewinners.com>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >> ><http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/11/10/bc.autos.gm.reut/index.html>
> >> >
> >> >This sounds interesting for me, a short trip driver. I'd never have to
> >> >stop at a gas station.
> >>
> >> Sounds great.....except.....it is GM.
> >>
> >> I would not buy from GM or Ford now on a bet.
> >>
> >> Both are losing money hand over fist and HAVE to cut costs
> >> to remain in business. Guess where the cuts will occur?[/color]
> >
> >Toyota is working on one too. This announcement will only prod them
> >into working harder, faster. It would be good for me because I don't
> >make long trips and I'd just plug the thing in to recharge, never having
> >to stop at a filling station. According to the article it will have an
> >engine for backup just in case. For the long trips I still have my
> >Sienna. We'll see what shakes out. I wonder how the gov. would handle
> >gas tax when everybody is driving one of these things. Just think, we
> >could have a solar powered charging station in the garage just for this,
> >using no outside resources at all except for the sun.[/color]
>
> Can I expect a picture of your new system by email ;-)[/color]

Somebody should market an electric fully licenseable kit car. Radio,
heater ect could be options to be purchased and installed by the garage
DYI'er later if so desired. Why hell they build airplanes in garages
why not a high tech electric car. I would nickname it the ESRV
(electric short range vehicle). You seen it here first.

The solar charging station could be another DIYer project. People are
installing solar panels on motor homes along with deep cycle batteries
they power the unit without using any outside resource except for the
sun. Great for boondocking in the desert. A solar charging station
should not be a big technical problem at all.
--

In article <45562b23$0$21179$88260bb3@free.teranews.com>,
"dh" <dh@stargate.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
> "dbu'" <nospam@nospamxxxzzz.com> wrote in message
> news:nospam-7871BA.11024811112006@comcast.dca.giganews.com...[color=green]
> > In article <4555f133$0$21080$88260bb3@free.teranews.com>,
> > "dh" <dh@stargate.com> wrote:
> >[color=darkred]
> > > "dbu'" <lefties@arewinners.com> wrote in message
> > > news:lefties-6F9D4C.03420311112006@comcast.dca.giganews.com...
> > > > <http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/11/10/bc.autos.gm.reut/index.html>
> > > >
> > > > This sounds interesting for me, a short trip driver. I'd never have[/color][/color]
> to[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > > stop at a gas station.
> > > > --
> > >
> > > Next year, GM will have a prototype hybrid that's hybrid enough to[/color][/color]
> actually[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > do the plug in thing? They are really late to the party. Their current
> > > hybrids are little more than bigger starter motors and controller that[/color][/color]
> shut[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > off the engine at stoplights (which I sometimes do, anyway).
> > >
> > > All Toyota has to do is increase the battery capacity of their current
> > > vehicle. I'd like to see them develop an add-in pack that would go into[/color][/color]
> the[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > trunk for local electric operations (I'd use it most of the time) but[/color][/color]
> could[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > be pulled out and left behind for long trips (to maximize trunk space,
> > > vehicle weight and fuel economy - the hybrid aspect of the car does not
> > > offer much benefit on long freeway stretches).
> > >
> > > However, when someone does introduce a hybrid with a significant
> > > battery-only range, I think you'd want to run the engine fairly[/color][/color]
> regularly,[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > weekly, maybe, just to keep everything lubed and working right.[/color]
> >
> > Leave the electric pack at home. If you are stranded with a dead
> > battery just start up the aux put-put with a small backup batter, like
> > the ones they use in riding lawn mowers. Then charge the main battery.
> > I only travel most of the time up to six miles one way and many times
> > less. For long trips I still use my Sienna.
> > --[/color]
>
> You might have enjoyed one of these:
>
> [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_RAV4_EV[/url]
>
> Up to 120 mile range and performance equal to the gas Rav4. 'T'weren't
> cheap, though. About $30K in CA, after rebates.[/color]

Looks like government BS killed it. Besides it's too heavy and big,
don't need anything like it to do the little run around trips and
back-forth to workplace. This is more what I had in mind only electric
and shaped a little different with attention to home maintanence and
easy to find parts:

<http://www.theaircar.com/>
--

On Sat, 11 Nov 2006 15:01:46 -0600, dbu' <nospam@nospamxxxzzz.com>
wrote:
[color=blue]
>In article <0t7cl2h77nsrn0qeoicslbgu6ltc4f5t6h@4ax.com>,
> Scott in Florida <askifyouwant@mindspring.net> wrote:
>[color=green]
>> On Sat, 11 Nov 2006 06:44:34 -0600, dbu' <lefties@arewinners.com>
>> wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>> >In article <9rdbl2hdhg5gj1237fs3rgot0aceb5n084@4ax.com>,
>> > Scott in Florida <askifyouwant@mindspring.net> wrote:
>> >
>> >> On Sat, 11 Nov 2006 03:42:03 -0600, dbu' <lefties@arewinners.com>
>> >> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> ><http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/11/10/bc.autos.gm.reut/index.html>
>> >> >
>> >> >This sounds interesting for me, a short trip driver. I'd never have to
>> >> >stop at a gas station.
>> >>
>> >> Sounds great.....except.....it is GM.
>> >>
>> >> I would not buy from GM or Ford now on a bet.
>> >>
>> >> Both are losing money hand over fist and HAVE to cut costs
>> >> to remain in business. Guess where the cuts will occur?
>> >
>> >Toyota is working on one too. This announcement will only prod them
>> >into working harder, faster. It would be good for me because I don't
>> >make long trips and I'd just plug the thing in to recharge, never having
>> >to stop at a filling station. According to the article it will have an
>> >engine for backup just in case. For the long trips I still have my
>> >Sienna. We'll see what shakes out. I wonder how the gov. would handle
>> >gas tax when everybody is driving one of these things. Just think, we
>> >could have a solar powered charging station in the garage just for this,
>> >using no outside resources at all except for the sun.[/color]
>>
>> Can I expect a picture of your new system by email ;-)[/color]
>
>Somebody should market an electric fully licenseable kit car. Radio,
>heater ect could be options to be purchased and installed by the garage
>DYI'er later if so desired. Why hell they build airplanes in garages
>why not a high tech electric car. I would nickname it the ESRV
>(electric short range vehicle). You seen it here first.
>
>The solar charging station could be another DIYer project. People are
>installing solar panels on motor homes along with deep cycle batteries
>they power the unit without using any outside resource except for the
>sun. Great for boondocking in the desert. A solar charging station
>should not be a big technical problem at all.[/color]

.....my email box is open.

Some nerd like Bill Gates will probably come out with a good kit and
retire wealthy...


--

Scott in Florida

In article <u3pcl2tjg5ckc2qk19dmrgegdgjh1si7dk@4ax.com>,
Scott in Florida <askifyouwant@mindspring.net> wrote:
[color=blue]
> On Sat, 11 Nov 2006 15:01:46 -0600, dbu' <nospam@nospamxxxzzz.com>
> wrote:
>[color=green]
> >In article <0t7cl2h77nsrn0qeoicslbgu6ltc4f5t6h@4ax.com>,
> > Scott in Florida <askifyouwant@mindspring.net> wrote:
> >[color=darkred]
> >> On Sat, 11 Nov 2006 06:44:34 -0600, dbu' <lefties@arewinners.com>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >> >In article <9rdbl2hdhg5gj1237fs3rgot0aceb5n084@4ax.com>,
> >> > Scott in Florida <askifyouwant@mindspring.net> wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> On Sat, 11 Nov 2006 03:42:03 -0600, dbu' <lefties@arewinners.com>
> >> >> wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >> ><http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/11/10/bc.autos.gm.reut/index.html>
> >> >> >
> >> >> >This sounds interesting for me, a short trip driver. I'd never have
> >> >> >to
> >> >> >stop at a gas station.
> >> >>
> >> >> Sounds great.....except.....it is GM.
> >> >>
> >> >> I would not buy from GM or Ford now on a bet.
> >> >>
> >> >> Both are losing money hand over fist and HAVE to cut costs
> >> >> to remain in business. Guess where the cuts will occur?
> >> >
> >> >Toyota is working on one too. This announcement will only prod them
> >> >into working harder, faster. It would be good for me because I don't
> >> >make long trips and I'd just plug the thing in to recharge, never having
> >> >to stop at a filling station. According to the article it will have an
> >> >engine for backup just in case. For the long trips I still have my
> >> >Sienna. We'll see what shakes out. I wonder how the gov. would handle
> >> >gas tax when everybody is driving one of these things. Just think, we
> >> >could have a solar powered charging station in the garage just for this,
> >> >using no outside resources at all except for the sun.
> >>
> >> Can I expect a picture of your new system by email ;-)[/color]
> >
> >Somebody should market an electric fully licenseable kit car. Radio,
> >heater ect could be options to be purchased and installed by the garage
> >DYI'er later if so desired. Why hell they build airplanes in garages
> >why not a high tech electric car. I would nickname it the ESRV
> >(electric short range vehicle). You seen it here first.
> >
> >The solar charging station could be another DIYer project. People are
> >installing solar panels on motor homes along with deep cycle batteries
> >they power the unit without using any outside resource except for the
> >sun. Great for boondocking in the desert. A solar charging station
> >should not be a big technical problem at all.[/color]
>
> ....my email box is open.
>
> Some nerd like Bill Gates will probably come out with a good kit and
> retire wealthy...[/color]

Something tells me that won't happen for a few years, at least until the
Republicans can get back control. Small startups will be burdened with
extra tax and government requirments to build a widget. I doubt anyone
would want to gamble a life savings on something other than a sure
thing.
--

"dbu'" <repubs@waitfor08.com> wrote in message
news:repubs-93CCC3.05103512112006@comcast.dca.giganews.com...[color=blue]
> In article <u3pcl2tjg5ckc2qk19dmrgegdgjh1si7dk@4ax.com>,
> Scott in Florida <askifyouwant@mindspring.net> wrote:
>[color=green]
> > On Sat, 11 Nov 2006 15:01:46 -0600, dbu' <nospam@nospamxxxzzz.com>
> > wrote:
> >[color=darkred]
> > >In article <0t7cl2h77nsrn0qeoicslbgu6ltc4f5t6h@4ax.com>,
> > > Scott in Florida <askifyouwant@mindspring.net> wrote:
> > >
> > >> On Sat, 11 Nov 2006 06:44:34 -0600, dbu' <lefties@arewinners.com>
> > >> wrote:
> > >>
> > >> >In article <9rdbl2hdhg5gj1237fs3rgot0aceb5n084@4ax.com>,
> > >> > Scott in Florida <askifyouwant@mindspring.net> wrote:
> > >> >
> > >> >> On Sat, 11 Nov 2006 03:42:03 -0600, dbu' <lefties@arewinners.com>
> > >> >> wrote:
> > >> >>
> > >> >> ><http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/11/10/bc.autos.gm.reut/index.html>
> > >> >> >
> > >> >> >This sounds interesting for me, a short trip driver. I'd never[/color][/color][/color]
have[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> > >> >> >to
> > >> >> >stop at a gas station.
> > >> >>
> > >> >> Sounds great.....except.....it is GM.
> > >> >>
> > >> >> I would not buy from GM or Ford now on a bet.
> > >> >>
> > >> >> Both are losing money hand over fist and HAVE to cut costs
> > >> >> to remain in business. Guess where the cuts will occur?
> > >> >
> > >> >Toyota is working on one too. This announcement will only prod them
> > >> >into working harder, faster. It would be good for me because I[/color][/color][/color]
don't[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> > >> >make long trips and I'd just plug the thing in to recharge, never[/color][/color][/color]
having[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> > >> >to stop at a filling station. According to the article it will have[/color][/color][/color]
an[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> > >> >engine for backup just in case. For the long trips I still have my
> > >> >Sienna. We'll see what shakes out. I wonder how the gov. would[/color][/color][/color]
handle[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> > >> >gas tax when everybody is driving one of these things. Just think,[/color][/color][/color]
we[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> > >> >could have a solar powered charging station in the garage just for[/color][/color][/color]
this,[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> > >> >using no outside resources at all except for the sun.
> > >>
> > >> Can I expect a picture of your new system by email ;-)
> > >
> > >Somebody should market an electric fully licenseable kit car. Radio,
> > >heater ect could be options to be purchased and installed by the garage
> > >DYI'er later if so desired. Why hell they build airplanes in garages
> > >why not a high tech electric car. I would nickname it the ESRV
> > >(electric short range vehicle). You seen it here first.
> > >
> > >The solar charging station could be another DIYer project. People are
> > >installing solar panels on motor homes along with deep cycle batteries
> > >they power the unit without using any outside resource except for the
> > >sun. Great for boondocking in the desert. A solar charging station
> > >should not be a big technical problem at all.[/color]
> >
> > ....my email box is open.
> >
> > Some nerd like Bill Gates will probably come out with a good kit and
> > retire wealthy...[/color]
>
> Something tells me that won't happen for a few years, at least until the
> Republicans can get back control. Small startups will be burdened with
> extra tax and government requirments to build a widget. I doubt anyone
> would want to gamble a life savings on something other than a sure
> thing.
> --[/color]

Do you think Steve Jobs looked at tax policy before he decided to build the
first Apple Computer? Before introducing the Mac? The Next?

Did Bill Gates look at employment law before starting up Microsoft?

Democrats have, in fact, been as good for business as anybody else. We do
billions of dollars of business today over the Internet. Laugh all you like
but it WAS Al Gore who made it possible. He never claimed to have invented
it, he claimed to have taken the intiative to move it beyond ARPAnet and
that is perfectly true (I was networking in those days). Would this have
happened without Al Gore? Probably but it would have been years later that
it occurred.

The fundamental problem with electric cars has nothing to do with tax,
employment or any other government policy. In fact, government
anti-polllution regs are GOOD for the electric car business. What hurts the
electric car business is the electric cars themselves. The best ones were
probably the EV-1 and the Rav4-EV. But people are reluctant to buy into
technology with limited range and capability and uncertain technology. As a
second or third car, an EV is OK. You could use one for around-twon but
you'd still keep the Sienna for long voyages. This marginalizes the EV
market. Then there's cost. And the teeny one you pointed to has
extra-limited market because many people will perceive it as unsafe to
operate in heavy or fast traffic. There's another little EV on the market
called, I beleive, the Zebra. It's funamentally an electtric motorcycle
with a cheesy fiberglass or plastic body. It's really pretty icky. A golf
cart would be more luxurious. Airbags? Fuggeddaboudit! That really limits
the market. I would be interested in one of these little vehicles but it
would have to be pretty cheap and, operating it locally, I'm mindful that I
could be T-boned by a Navigator anywhere along even my shortest trips.

Battery technology is holding the EV back. Gasoline (and diesel) packs the
necessary energy density to move a car 400 miles or more. The hybrid is an
interesting and realistic attempt to bridge this gap, providing some of the
benefits of EVs with the range and utility of gassers.



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Posted via a free Usenet account from [url]http://www.teranews.com[/url]

"dbu'" <lefties@arewinners.com> wrote in message
news:lefties-6F9D4C.03420311112006@comcast.dca.giganews.com...[color=blue]
> <http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/11/10/bc.autos.gm.reut/index.html>
>
> This sounds interesting for me, a short trip driver. I'd never have to
> stop at a gas station.
> --[/color]

So, I opened up my latest copy of "Scientific American" and there, on page
53, is a reference to "EDrive Systems" and "Hymotion," which offer plug-in
hybrid upgrade capability for the Toyota Prius. Today.

According to the EDrive FAQ, an EDrive-equipped Prius can go up to 30 miles
before requiring the gas engine to kick in.

[url]http://www.edrivesystems.com/faq.html[/url]

The system is not perfect. Mild acceleration and speeds under 34 mph are
necessary to prevent the gas engine firing up. It takes 9 hours to recharge
(but, if you deplete the battery completely, you can still drive if you
like, relying on the gas engine to recharge the batteries).

Hymotion:

[url]http://www.hymotion.com/[/url]

upgrades either your Prius OR your Ford Escape hybrid. It also looks like
they'll do an E-85 conversion (I didn't check details).


No need to wait for GM.



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Posted via a free Usenet account from [url]http://www.teranews.com[/url]

In article <4557917f$0$21085$88260bb3@free.teranews.com>,
"dh" <dh@stargate.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
> "dbu'" <lefties@arewinners.com> wrote in message
> news:lefties-6F9D4C.03420311112006@comcast.dca.giganews.com...[color=green]
> > <http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/11/10/bc.autos.gm.reut/index.html>
> >
> > This sounds interesting for me, a short trip driver. I'd never have to
> > stop at a gas station.
> > --[/color]
>
> So, I opened up my latest copy of "Scientific American" and there, on page
> 53, is a reference to "EDrive Systems" and "Hymotion," which offer plug-in
> hybrid upgrade capability for the Toyota Prius. Today.
>
> According to the EDrive FAQ, an EDrive-equipped Prius can go up to 30 miles
> before requiring the gas engine to kick in.
>
> [url]http://www.edrivesystems.com/faq.html[/url]
>
> The system is not perfect. Mild acceleration and speeds under 34 mph are
> necessary to prevent the gas engine firing up. It takes 9 hours to recharge
> (but, if you deplete the battery completely, you can still drive if you
> like, relying on the gas engine to recharge the batteries).
>
> Hymotion:
>
> [url]http://www.hymotion.com/[/url]
>
> upgrades either your Prius OR your Ford Escape hybrid. It also looks like
> they'll do an E-85 conversion (I didn't check details).
>
>
> No need to wait for GM.[/color]

I used to subscribe to SA. What issue? I'd like to read that article.

I've got numerous articles from years ago which I saved. The new SA is
not as good, in my opinion.
--

"dbu'" <repubs@waitfor08.com> wrote in message
news:repubs-939578.16455912112006@comcast.dca.giganews.com...[color=blue]
> In article <4557917f$0$21085$88260bb3@free.teranews.com>,
> "dh" <dh@stargate.com> wrote:[color=green]
>> "dbu'" <lefties@arewinners.com> wrote in message
>> news:lefties-6F9D4C.03420311112006@comcast.dca.giganews.com...[color=darkred]
>> > <http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/11/10/bc.autos.gm.reut/index.html>
>> >
>> > This sounds interesting for me, a short trip driver. I'd never have to
>> > stop at a gas station.
>> > --[/color]
>> So, I opened up my latest copy of "Scientific American" and there, on
>> page
>> 53, is a reference to "EDrive Systems" and "Hymotion," which offer
>> plug-in
>> hybrid upgrade capability for the Toyota Prius. Today.
>>
>> According to the EDrive FAQ, an EDrive-equipped Prius can go up to 30
>> miles
>> before requiring the gas engine to kick in.
>>
>> [url]http://www.edrivesystems.com/faq.html[/url]
>>
>> The system is not perfect. Mild acceleration and speeds under 34 mph are
>> necessary to prevent the gas engine firing up. It takes 9 hours to
>> recharge
>> (but, if you deplete the battery completely, you can still drive if you
>> like, relying on the gas engine to recharge the batteries).
>>
>> Hymotion:
>>
>> [url]http://www.hymotion.com/[/url]
>>
>> upgrades either your Prius OR your Ford Escape hybrid. It also looks
>> like
>> they'll do an E-85 conversion (I didn't check details).
>>
>> No need to wait for GM.[/color]
>
> I used to subscribe to SA. What issue? I'd like to read that article.
>
> I've got numerous articles from years ago which I saved. The new SA is
> not as good, in my opinion.
> --[/color]

How far back? I agree that it's not as good as it used to be. Remember the
Amateur Scientist? That was my favorite column. I was saving the old ones
but they just got to be too musty to keep. Until about two years ago, I
still had articles clipped from SAs from the 60's. However, the "new" SA is
far from bad.

I think it's the December issue; it's a mostly red cover with a picture of
the skull of the recently discovered 3.2 million year old humanoid pictured
on the front. The issue topic is "The Scientific American 50... " trends in
business and/or science.

The article I mentioned is one of the "50". Look at the top of the page I
referenced and the reference to EDrive Systems and Hymotion is near the end
of the "50" item that continues from page 53.



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