| Click to Post a New Message!
Page [ 1 ] |
|
|
|
Hybrid cars
I'm also having a problem with the concept of a hybrid. It seems to violate some of Newton's laws. What we don't realize is that engineers have been working on this for some time and have used all the tricks to cut power losses and power consumption to near optimum levels.
I think we all realize that a gasoline engine's efficiency has improved over the years and that we are or have been at peak efficiency for the last few years. Smog controlling devices decrease this slightly. Every time you change the form of energy you have some sort of loss. I've been told that a gasoline engine is most efficient when driving down the highway at 55-65mph. So using a gasoline engine to charge a battery that in turn operates an electric motor doesn't make sense until you understand that the gasoline engine is tiny. It runs at this optimum speed nearly all of the time when it is running. Braking energy normally turns into heat and is wasted, so having each wheel operator as an alternator/generator makes sense. I understand that the battery lasts about 100,000 miles worth of recharging and is at least $3,000.00 to replace.
The other part that I can't understand is all of these gizmos only costs about $5,000.00 more. I am also told that some sort of Federal Tax credit can be gotten by purchasing one of these energy saving automobiles.
The other part that makes me concerned is 3 years down the road, is the concept or technology obsolete so the normal vehicle having a $15,000.00 trade in value is now worth about $2,000.00. Remember, when you buy it, it is yours!
I'm definitely going to consider the Ford Escape hybrid for my next vehicle purchase which is several years away.
|
|
 Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Hybrid cars
When you are looking at hybrid vehicles, you should take the time to look at the Ford Escape Hybrid model which was just released this month. I understand it has a highway mileage rating of 40 mpg. It is the first SUV of its kind. If you look at the sales volumes of the previous models brought over from the pacific rim the numbers are nothing when looking at the whole picture. I'm sorry but can't stop waiving the red, white and blue.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Hybrid cars
The Ford Escape hybrid comes in 4x2 and 4x4 models which is much like all wheel drive that turns on as you need it. It should get you most places in northern climates. I couldn't find the mileage ratings for the 4x4. They only shown it for 4x2 which is 36/32 which still isn't bad for a small SUV.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Page [ 1 ] | Thread 94069 Filter by Poster:
1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 |
|
()
Picture of the Day
dododo
Unanswered Questions
Active Subjects
Hot Topics
Featured Suppliers
|
Gas Generator Weather Protecti
08-23-2004, 08:23 
Digg It 
Del.icio.us