

| Subject: | Re: Hybrid Vanagon |
| From: | David Marshall |
| Date: | Wed, 2 Jul 2008 08:50:40 -0700 |
The average North American driver is too stupid to deal with anything else other than a stop sign. In Europe, Germany at least, most non-major intersections don't have any stop or yield signs, they are unmarked four way yields meaning always give way to the guy on the right... meaning that you don't stop at every intersection... David Marshall http://www.hasenwerk.ca Box 4153, Quesnel BC, Canada V2J 3J2 Engine Conversion FAQ - http://www.hasenwerk.ca/faq On Wed, July 2, 2008 08:27, Dug Smith wrote: >> Around town you'll get the benefits of regenerative braking, but >> I'd be surprised if that alone bought you more than 2-3mpg or so in >> around-town driving. > > I did wonder whether this would be a more efficient way of charging the > battery than using an alternator, hence eliminating that drag on the > engine. That's got to help right there :o) > > The hybrids also have juiced up starter systems, allowing them to shut > down the motor whenever you stop for more than a few seconds - I shudder > to think how much fuel we waste sitting at red lights. > > At the end of the day, if the government really wanted to help fuel > economy, they'd do away with all the 4 way stop signs. Accelerating, then > braking, a 5000lb vehicle continuously to get from A to B is incredibly > inefficient. I drive my Vanagon to the gym a couple of times a week, and > I make that 5x 4 way stop signs (and 2 sets of traffic lights) each way > for a 3 mile drive (if I weren't carpooling, I'd cycle). > > toodle pip, > -- > Dug Smith | Terry Pratchett: It's almost > (mailto:dug@dugbert.com) | impossible to ride a rock and roll > (http://www.dugbert.com) | motorbike and stay on for three verses. >
Have something to add on this topic today? Revive this thread in the forum »