Posted by Jim Higgins on March 23, 2006, 11:22 am
Plug-in feature could bolster hybrid models
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060323/BUSINESS01/603230540/1014
--
"I have tried to live my life so that my family would love me and my friends
respect me. The others can do whatever the hell they please."
John Wayne
Posted by OscartheGrouch on March 23, 2006, 8:52 pm
> Plug-in feature could bolster hybrid models
>
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060323/BUSINESS01/603230540/1014
> --
> "I have tried to live my life so that my family would love me and my
> friends respect me. The others can do whatever the hell they please."
> John Wayne
The good old USA car manufacturers are going to be behind the curve again.
They don't learn. They passed on hybrids originally. "Customers won't buy
them." Until they saw customers buying Hondas and Toyotas, then Ford gets a
first generation hybrid (purchased from japan) and puts it in the Escape,
while we are all buying 2nd generation hybrids. Now domesetic manufacturers
are saying the same thing about these plug in hybrids. They're missing the
boat again. They have stupidity built into their infrastructure. End rant.
Posted by Bill on March 23, 2006, 10:26 pm
> The good old USA car manufacturers are going to be behind the curve again.
> They don't learn. They passed on hybrids originally. "Customers won't buy
> them." Until they saw customers buying Hondas and Toyotas, then Ford gets
> a first generation hybrid (purchased from japan) and puts it in the
> Escape, while we are all buying 2nd generation hybrids. Now domesetic
> manufacturers are saying the same thing about these plug in hybrids.
> They're missing the boat again. They have stupidity built into their
> infrastructure. End rant.
I'm hoping the 2008 Prius will have a plug-in feature. My mileage suffers
only when I make the 3-mile trip to town, a trip that would then be
all-electric. Now, I wonder if my power-co-op will let me wire an outlet to
my off-peak panel.
Posted by Lynn McGuire on March 24, 2006, 5:52 pm
> I'm hoping the 2008 Prius will have a plug-in feature. My mileage suffers
only when I make the 3-mile trip to town, a trip that
> would then be all-electric. Now, I wonder if my power-co-op will let me wire
an outlet to my off-peak panel.
Why not put a solar panel on top of your Prius:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/08/solar-powered_t.php
Lynn
Posted by Bill on March 24, 2006, 7:11 pm
>> I'm hoping the 2008 Prius will have a plug-in feature. My mileage
>> suffers only when I make the 3-mile trip to town, a trip that would then
>> be all-electric. Now, I wonder if my power-co-op will let me wire an
>> outlet to my off-peak panel.
> Why not put a solar panel on top of your Prius:
> http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/08/solar-powered_t.php
> Lynn
As a retired electrical engineer I can't get several factors out of my mind:
1. It can't be justified by the cost/benefit ratio.
2. It would have to be insured separately.
3. I park my car inside and besides, the battery is often nearly "full"
when I park it so even if this fellow had engineered his system to charge
while parked (he didn't) the battery would reach maximum charge quickly.
4. I can't remember a summer when hail didn't fall where I live.
I do think this was an interesting project and hope it inspires more
practical solutions like, for example, building the solar panels into the
roof and developing batteries better suited to both hybrid and pure electric
motivation. He's definitely on a good track.
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