Hybrid Car Reviews
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Would you drive a hybrid car?
Just a few years back, I never thought I would.
But here it is, Spring 2008 and I’ve just spent a month with four different hybrids — two sedans and two SUVs. I have two more on the way. I’ve made a pledge to deliver hybrid reviews of nearly all of these cutting-edge vehicles by the end of the year … I’d gladly do them all, if the stars align.
Advanced forms of the hybrid will soon be more the norm then the novelty. The current crop of hybrids is just the tip of the iceberg. As Lithium Ion battery technology develops, the electric motor will become the primary, rather than the secondary means of propulsion. Next-generation hybrids like the Chevy Volt (video) show the clear path to the future … with gasoline or diesel engines functioning as generators, rather than as the drive train.
3 Comments
Mike Henley
April 15th, 2008
at 7:55am
MDI’s Aircar should be on the market in Europe by 2010, TATA’s version in Asia even sooner.
Imagine the savings and reduced pollution if the Post Office switched to Aircar vans to do local delivery of the mail! Any short haul, many stop, small package delivery companies could effect tremendous savings.
Heck, I’d buy one for local and short trip driving. The gas/air hybrid, with more power and 100+ mpg might even be practical as an only car.
As a plus, the exhaust is cold enough to provide a/c without a compressor.
Small versions of air engines, such as now being developed in Australia, could power fork lifts, lawn tractors and mowers, etc.
I hope somebody in North America takes a serious look at this technology, and soon.
RamseyHere
May 13th, 2008
at 8:32am
Have you looked seriously into the compressesd air vehicles in France, India and Australia? This to me seems to be the true Holy Grail of choices.
RamseyHere
May 20th, 2008
at 6:43am
I’m with you…if they were available here in the US i would definitely go shopping! At $50+ per tank on my Accord (and climbing), I can’t imagine this wouldn’t pay for itself in no time.