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Hybrid of the future; ...check this out
Topic Started: Jan 11 2008, 10:59 AM (184 Views)
The 89th Key
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If this doesn't get Kenny back here, nothing will. (Although I'm not sure where Kenny went)

Anyway, check out this video from CNN. It's about this hybrid vehicle prototype that for the first 40 miles, uses no gas at all. Of course you have to plug it in each night, but it's not that expensive and will debut at the Detroit Auto Show soon...

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2008...reme.hybrid.cnn
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Kincaid
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HOLY CARP!!!
I wish I could get sound here at work (one way I think they try to keep us "on task"). I am curious - that looks like a fully developed vehicle platform - I can tell what it is though. I wonder if this vehicle is coming out of Europe?

What I think is a bit strange is that GM has their Chevy Volt that is a plug-in hybrid but they have issues with the battery technology (Lithium-Ion I think) and apparently it isn't set to debut until 2010. So that makes me wonder if the vehicle in the video has other issues they didn't mention - like maybe recharge time or vehicle weight or the cost. Very few takers if it will be in the same cost range as the $100k Tesla.
Kincaid - disgusted Republican Partisan since 2006.
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The 89th Key
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Kincaid, sorry about your sound.

This company took an existing Saturn SUV and installed a patented battery/hybrid system. You plug it in each night and on batter alone it can go for 40 miles, as fast as 85 MPH, etc. Then the gas kicks in of course, but for 80% of commutes, people would NEVER have to use gas. Pretty cool...

If a manufacturer picks up the license, we could see this car in 3 years. Here's hoping...
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Kincaid
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HOLY CARP!!!
One issue I thought was interesting about plug-in hybrids is that you might not use any gas at all. I was a bit concerned because I believe gas can "go bad" in pretty short time, like a month or so. I could commute every day w/o using any - I have just a 30 mile round trip.
Kincaid - disgusted Republican Partisan since 2006.
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Steve Miller
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Bull-Carp
If I am not mistaken, there are kits available to set up Honda and Toyota hybrids the same way.
Wag more
Bark less
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Kincaid
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HOLY CARP!!!
Saw (and heard) the video at home. I am skeptical but we'll see. I did note that this car must be charged each night, which is one issue that I bet the Chevy Volt won't have. This vehicle seems to have a separate battery pack that is charged every night in addition to the hybrid battery pack that came from the manufacturer.
Kincaid - disgusted Republican Partisan since 2006.
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