On Tue, Jul 1, 2008 at 11:35 PM, Jim Akiba <jakiba@bostig.com> wrote:

> I would gamble the regen braking around town would see much higher
> gains than you're thinking...

Yeah, I really wonder what the truth is here.  My pessimism is based on the
crappy mpg that the hybrid suv's get:http://www.hybridsuv.com/ even with
smaller engines than stock.

In spite of the fact that hybrid technology is certainly useful, I think its
actually a surprisingly small step forward.  The prius certainly gets good
mileage, but I think that a surprisingly big part of that is just small size
and good aerodynamic design.

It's always seemed to me that a better "hybrid" setup would be to have an
engine dedicated solely to electricity generation; that way, it could run
always at its peak efficiency point. Supposedly diesel generators can get an
efficiency of ~40%.  Turbines might also be a good target.  (Maybe even a
stirling engine?).  Conventional automobiles top out at something like 20%
average efficiency.

The drive motors would be independent electric motors on each wheel.  You
would eliminate the transmission and axles all together.  (Finally, an
advancement that would result in a simpler vehicle!).  The generator could
be set up to be easily removed for servicing, since its only connections to
the vehicle would be electrical and fuel.

The generator would only have to be used for long trips. The car would be
plugged in at night, and the batteries would be enough for short commutes
around town.  Here you should really see a huge "efficiency" boost.

When is detroit/japan/germany going to build this?