Matthew C. Huntley wrote:
> I have been following the discussions on Fuel Economy, and Diesel engines,
> and all the other ways to save $ and Fuel. I am wondering what else can be
> done on a stock Vanagon. I drive a 86 GL myself.
> I was wondering how hard it would be to hybridize a vanagon. Add a little
> helper motor/generator like in an honda insight? Could you take a synchro,
> and put the motor/generator up front? What other Ideas could be done?
>
> Just puting my .02 out there.
>
> Matt

Considering the number of components that make a hybrid work converting
a stock Vanagon would seem to be an expensive proposition.

Basically you need an electric drive motor capable of driving the
vehicle on it's own.  You need a large battery pack, electric generator/
fueled motor, and power electronics, in addition to specialized braking
to recover forward momentum and recharge batteries.  The stock Vanagon
motor probably isn't the best choice for charging the batteries.

There has been a recent announcement of a hydraulic hybrid (as opposed
to the electric hybrids)...

http://www.iags.org/n033104t3.htm

numbers seem impressive though I'm uncertain until I see one.

It seems to me it would be possible to make a Vanagon hybrid ...if you
started with a good body only...and find a way to add the electric drive
/computer controls/recharging brakes/batteries and capacitor cells/and
still had space for a small gas motor or turbine and a cut down fuel
tank for it...

Converting a Vanagon to straight electric on batteries is quite costly.

The price for a hybrid would be similar plus a few items.

--

Wil

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