Hybrids? waste of space.

[BTB 500]

my friend has just bought a prius. they (apparently) drive at 28mph as much as possible on just the battery - they reckon the battery charges itself (through motion) and therefore, in theory, never need to use petrol.

That's absolute nonsense. Take the spark plugs out of their petrol engine and see how long they last on battery alone.

 

[Alfie]

are you sure? my friend has just bought a prius. they (apparently) drive at 28mph as much as possible on just the battery - they reckon the battery charges itself (through motion) and therefore, in theory, never need to use petrol. she only really drives around town. maybe 5 mins motorway aswell. i'm not 100% convinced

I hate to slag off a friend of yours especially as I dont know them, but I have this image of a real numpty crawling around in her battery car at 28mph holding up everyone behind her! Is she a vegetarian also

As others have said, energy can neither be created nor destroyed, it can simply be converted from one form to another. Therefore energy is required to get the crate moving in the first place.

Buying a Prius is such a waste of time and energy.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Sounds like someone who might be mis-guided and naïve to me. Nothing wrong with that.

Probably a sales person hungry for another digit in his box on the sales manager's smeared white board is most likely to blame.

Quiet at the back - no rude comments about digits in boxes.

 

[recycled]

are you sure? my friend has just bought a prius. they (apparently) drive at 28mph as much as possible on just the battery - they reckon the battery charges itself (through motion) and therefore, in theory, never need to use petrol. she only really drives around town. maybe 5 mins motorway aswell. i'm not 100% convinced

At some point the battery will discharge and will need to be charged up again. And while it is driving the car, it cannot be charging itself because it is giving the turning wheels energy.
It only charges when the petrol takes over driving the wheel or when you are braking, going downhill, and then charges the battery as well.If your theory is correct, then why put in the petrol engine?


if she really wants to be green. buy a blue motion polo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Prius

 

[Dieter]

Hi,

According to this Toyota page the (new plug in) Prius can manage 8 miles on the battery alone (so, I assume, will current car....I believe the Lexus 450h can only travel one mile )


http://www.whatgreencar.com/news-item.php?Toyota-Prius-to-Plugin

perhaps the 2 (of 28) was a typo

I've mentioned this before but a decent (MB) automatic stop/start system (cf BMW efficient dynamic system) is a much more cost effective way to increase fuel economy for ALL cars than he use of petrol/hybrids.

If Li ion technology was available at a reasonable premium (£100's i.e. similar to diesel v petrol premium) then hybrids, especially diesel hybrids may be a reasonable intermediate step (prior to fuel cell?).

Cheers,

 

[recycled]

8 miles on the battery,
how long before discharge is the problem.
I work 12 or 13 hr shifts sometimes so if i park up at 7.00am having used batteries to get me there at the office, (no charging plugs there) and i come out at 8pm. to drive home, will the batteries still be charged, or will i need to use petrol all the way home ? about 20mins away

I know if you leave your car radio on for 13hrs there is a good chance, it might not start in the morning

 

[jeremytaylor]

I've mentioned this before but a decent (MB) automatic stop/start system (cf BMW efficient dynamic system) is a much more cost effective way to increase fuel economy for ALL cars than he use of petrol/hybrids.

I wasn't aware that MB had any sort of stop/start system. Or have I missed something??

 

[Dieter]

Hi Jeremy,

No they (MB) don't...........but BMW do.

Cheers,

 

[Alfie]

Anagram

Care for Prius?

I crap for sure

 

[Shude]

...no charging plugs there...

Nor would they be any use to you if there were any charging plugs as from the factory there is no way to recharge the Prius other than by using the petrol-powered generator.

There are third party companies working on plug-in solutions for the Prius though.

 

[st4]

I am sure my opinions on the needs for a hybird are well known on this forum by now

As such deduce my thoughts for them...

 

[glojo]

I wasn't aware that MB had any sort of stop/start system. Or have I missed something??

But Mercedes-Benz do have this option for the Sprinter.

Regards
John

 

[hawk20]

I wasn't aware that MB had any sort of stop/start system. Or have I missed something??

They have said it is on the way.
Plus the Bluetec diesels which they have said will be 'the cleanest and most economical engines in the world.'

 

[verytalldave]

I just dont like the look of the Prius. I think its a really top heavy design. It just doesnt work or appeal to the eye. Thats apart from any other issues or opinions.
If I wanted an economical modern car it would be either a Diesel A class or Polo Bluemotion. Both look much nicer and probabably are as green and economical as 2 Prius's.

 

[Dragon]

I've mentioned this before but a decent (MB) automatic stop/start system (cf BMW efficient dynamic system) is a much more cost effective way to increase fuel economy for ALL cars than he use of petrol/hybrids.

Which Merc model got an auto stop/start system?

 

[glojo]

Which Merc model got an auto stop/start system?

Sprinter

 

[Dragon]

They have said it is on the way.
Plus the Bluetec diesels which they have said will be 'the cleanest and most economical engines in the world.'

They want U to buy their cars but in reality???

 

[Dragon]

Sprinter

That no fun buying a sprinter when I want one in a car. Is it similar to the Bimmer or Mini system?

I am aware there are drawbacks in the current Bimmer system, it works only one when you press the clutch it will start the engine automatically and it will not work when the engine is cold.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I am aware there are drawbacks in the current Bimmer system, it works only one when you press the clutch it will start the engine automatically and it will not work when the engine is cold.

Probably doesn't work when the engine is cold to protect the engine against premature wear. Surely a good thing?

 

[hawk20]

That no fun buying a sprinter when I want one in a car. Is it similar to the Bimmer or Mini system?

I am aware there are drawbacks in the current Bimmer system, it works only one when you press the clutch it will start the engine automatically and it will not work when the engine is cold.

It only works on manual versions. So no good for Mercs where over 90% are auto.

Also, IMO, the BMW system is just to fool the taxman. According to my local dealer, owners all switch it off. How many MINI or Beemer drivers want to go into neutral and have the engine switched off at the traffic lights. There whole life is dedicated to the race from the lights

IMO the govt tests should only be done with all such systems switched off (IF they can be switched off).

And the Lexus hybrid is another 'con' because they can do the economy tests starting with the batteries fully charged (ignoring all the fuel that was used to do the charging in the first place).