Live Science
Experimental Hybrid Cars Get Up to 250 Mpg
Monrovia-based Energy CS has converted two Priuses to get up to 230 mpg by using powerful lithium ion batteries. It is forming a new company, EDrive Systems, that will convert hybrids to plug-ins for about $12,000 starting next year, company vice president Greg Hanssen said.
University of California, Davis engineering professor Andy Frank built a plug-in hybrid from the ground up in 1972 and has since built seven others, one of which gets up to 250 mpg. They were converted from non-hybrids, including a Ford Taurus and Chevrolet Suburban.
6 comments:
Battery technology is heralded to be the big next energy breakthrough. Our current internal combustion and battery technology has changed little in the last 100 years. We've improved our knowledge of it and therefore the efficiency but still the technology is pretty much the same stuff. Both also polute a whole heck of alot.
Hopefully ultra-efficient (and long life batteries) will make a big difference is the ability to harness renewable energy (specifically wind and solar as it's inconsistant during generation).
As for the claims of a 250 mpg car, I doubt it. They are probably attempting to drive up some venture capital. The battery break through is the big holy-grail of renewable power right (like cold fusion in the 70's and 80's).
Its cool stuff to read about though.
technology can be really cool but when the time comes when fuel efficiency is an average of 50 mph plus, you can just imagine the folks at odot will put their imagination to work to make up for the loss of income.
If California's unique emmission standards weren't around most economy cars would get around 50mpg. Just like Europe four cylinder clean-diesel engines would pump out high efficiency. Cali is anti diesel because of NOx which is a smog causer. Mention should be made that though diesel creats more NOx it produces way less CO2 and is way more fuel efficient.
By the way, little known fact, VW diesel Jettas and Golfs get better mileage than any similar class hybrid after a year of service. They consistenly perform above 45mph with all the convenience of a normal vehicle. Hybrids also have tempermental mainenance which includes a $3000 battery swap out at about 30,000 miles.
Hybrids are an experimental technology so let hippies pay for it. Yeah diesel!!!
I agree
Hybrids are going to get a big surprise when it comes time to replacing all those batteries.
also, if I remember correctly, didn't the owner of electric cars get a (pardon the pun) shocker when it came time to renew the registration?
I think they a higher registration fee and had to pay back mileage taxes or something simular.
Where the hell is that nuclear powered flying car they were telling me I would have by now back when I was a kid in the '60's?
and if you think about it, how long does it really take to travel 30,000 miles anymore.
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