Hybrids, Where Are They?
So the first Prius came out in, what, 1999? And currently there is one hybrid Toyota car, three Honda hybrid cars… and what else? Where are the American hybrids? I read recently that Bill Ford asked the U.S. Government for some help with developing new hybrid systems and I thought that was pretty lame. Can't companies do this themselves? Anyway, guess what? The EPA just announced its made a hybrid system! Wow, talk about timing. What is most interesting about this new hybrid system is that it is not like the one used in the Prius. I don't claim to know the technical details of how either system works (I get pretty danged excited each time the toaster toasts my bread properly) but this system sounds pretty interesting:
The system uses hydraulic pressure to recapture energy lost through braking, then releases the pressure during acceleration. The EPA estimates hydraulic hybrids could improve fuel economy up to 55 percent, versus 30 percent to 40 percent for a conventional gas-electric hybrid.
The EPA believes in some ways, hydraulic hybrids will be superior to gasoline-electric hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius and Ford Escape Hybrid. One big advantage: they cost less, meaning consumers will see a more immediate financial payoff.
Any engineer types out there that can offer up and opinion on this new system?
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All I can say, as a Prius owner, is – whatever works, works. Let’s “hybridize” everything – and save energy.
Recently I read a privately published book by an ex-Chrysler engineer which was hilarious at times. He was assigned to work on “hybrid” cars – one vehicle plan was a full-sized Chrysler (then front wheel drive) with a big tube down the middle and a massive rubber band to capture and release energy…
you know, a very upsized version of the rubber band in toy airplanes? Well, needless to say, it didn’t work….. but it gave me a belly laugh.
Chrysler was once known for engineering, Ford for Metallurgy and GM – for marketing. Now, they’re all lame.
Roll on Toyota and Honda. Keep the hybrids coming.
While the frenzy for hybrids might have started with the Prius (or the Insight), there are a few others already on the market and quite a few more on the near horizon. Ford Motor Company is offering the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner as Hybrids (both small SUVs), and so is Lexus and Toyota (also SUV hybrids). As for hybrid cars, in the next year or so, you’ll be able to get the Camry, Mercury Milan, Chevy Malibu, Ford Fusion or Altima in hybrid. The next big thing for fuel efficiency — Diesel???