Hi Volks,

I'm not sure th engines they will be using will apply to Vanagons, but this
does bring up a topic on the Hybrid idea.

What one might do on a Vanagon is consider setting up a system that is not
pure electric, but instead hybrid. I heard of volks using the front diff on
a syncro to run an electric motor for starts and regenerative braking.

The rear engine would take over once some speed is accomplished.

Another way to set up a hybrid is called a "series" hybrid. In this system,
you have an engine running a generator that kicks in when the batteries get
low.

If you did a veg oil diesel generator and ran the van pure electric, i
wonder whatyou would come up with for mileage.

Still, better to start with a smaller lighter vehicle for commuting.

Kim
----- Original Message -----
From: "Steven P Smith" <kewsps@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 8:07 AM
Subject: Volkswagen, Sanyo to Develop Hybrid Car Batteries

For those wanting to electrify their Vanagon. Could be viable hybrid upgrade
on the horizon.. .

By Naoko Fujimura and Tetsuya Komatsu

May 28 (Bloomberg) -- Volkswagen AG, Europe's largest carmaker, will jointly
develop a lithium-ion battery system with Sanyo Electric Co. for use in
hybrid cars as record oil prices spur demand for fuel-efficient vehicles.

Sanyo will spend a total of 80 billion yen ($767 million) by 2015 to make
the batteries, including opening a new factory in 2010, the company said in
a statement today. Volkswagen plans to introduce its first vehicle using the
technology by 2010, the Wolfsburg, Germany-based company said separately.

Global automakers are working with Japanese electronics manufacturers to
develop lithium-ion batteries for hybrid cars, as they are lighter and more
powerful than the nickel-hydride batteries currently used. The price of
crude oil has doubled in the past year and reached a record $135.09 a barrel
on May 22.

``There will be constant growth in the hybrid-car market,'' Mitsuru Honma,
Sanyo senior vice president, said at a press conference in Japan's Osaka
prefecture today. A location for the factory has not been decided, he said.

Worldwide sales of hybrid vehicles powered with lithium-ion batteries may
total between 4 million and 4.5 million units in 2015, according to Sanyo.
The company aims to have a 40 percent share of the market for the batteries
in 2015, Honma said.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a5sRdxv2D878