9 Responses

1. They are a great idea but here in England they are far too expensive and way beyond the means of the working man at least until there is enough of them to filter into the secondhand market.

2. They are very expensive. Traditional cars get better highway mileage than hybrids and electric cars don’t have much range. If you live in the country or have a long commute they don’t make much sense.

3. hybrids are perfect if you drive in huge cities or areas with lots of hills. For people in flat rural areas they do not perform as advertised.

   Electric cars are a step above hybrids, again, only for use in cities.

4. hybrids are a nice idea, but the automakers are doing them wrong in my opinion. instead of using an electric motor to supplement a gas engine, a much better idea would be to use an electric motor for the motive force, and use a small gas or diesel powered generator to handle recharging the batteries, running the a/c, etc. you can even supplement this with solar panels on the roof of the car. this way the gas, or diesel, engine runs at one or two different rpm settings, and that means the engine can be tuned for maximum efficiency at those rpms. and being small engines they would use far less fuel than a gas engine that powered a car, even if it used an electric motor as supplemental power.

5. The electric vehicle is going to take off very soon. There are new batteries by Toshiba that are coming out in the next 1-2 years that charge in 5 minutes and waste less energy during charging because of this. Also new solar tech will revolutionize electricity production.

   Batteries at the bottom of these two articles
   http://www.toshiba.co.jp/about/press/2008_08/pr2801.htm

   http://www.i4u.com/article19995.html

   Solar info
   http://www.solarfeeds.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2523:breakthrough-new-silicon-solutions-promise-cheap-solar-energy&catid=64:64&Itemid=163

   http://www.nanosolar.com/

6. The short answer is (a) they are definitely available and (b) they MIGHT be a money saver.

   If you drive a lot, hybrids are an excellent way to save money in the long run. However, they do cost a little more up front, so you need to really drive them in order to recoup your initial investment.

   Electric cars are almost the opposite. You need to be able to plug them in, so you can’t drive them a huge amount. However, if you use them every day for small trips, they could also be a net savings to you.

7. The one EV car I currently have (have 2 vehicles that run on hydrogen also) I converted from a vw bug and is free to charge. As I live completely off the grid all my electricity comes from solar panels and 2 wind generators, which I also built.

   However I did charge up at Costco in Carlsbad California (I actually only drove up there to fill up) if I remember right it was around $2.00

   Not sure if you’re interesting in doing it yourself, but I’d be willing to walk you step by step threw the conversion. I’ve converted 3 of my own cars (a datsun truck, ford ban, and a vw bug) and a few for neighbors. I’ve also converted cars to run on hydrogen, ethanol and biodiesel, by far EV is the easiest.

   If you’re interested here’s what it would entitle…

   – The engine compartment is first cleaned out of any gasoline components.
   – Electric components are then installed in exchange.
   – A battery bank is built and incorporated.
   – Existing starter and driving systems are connected.
   – Turn the key, step on the gas pedal sending more energy to the electric motor, & thus more power to the drive system, which in return creates more speed, more acceleration.
   – The system has normal automotive top speeds and acceleration, typical to the vehicle your modifying. If your top speed was 85 mph and your acceleration was 1 mile per min, then this will be what your left with after the conversion.

   The methods are extremely simple, making the process possible for anyone, everyone, ANYWHERE.

   Typical tools, hardware & supplies are used, making access to parts available for all.

   Electric Conversions can be easily accomplished in ANY model vehicle, even tractors, Generators, types of machinery, etc.

   Project lengths range from 1 day to 1 month.
   If you’re interested I wrote a guide on it which is available at www agua-luna com

   My last EV conversion ran me about $1400. Everything is available online. I have a how to do it yourself guide available at www agua-luna com that will walk you step by step through the process. If you have ANY questions feel free to contact me through the site. Here’s a list of what you’d need…

   Advanced DC Motor
   The motor is an 8″ Advanced DC series-wound motor. It weighs 107 pounds and is rated at 68 peak horsepower. These motors are available in several sizes.

   Adaptor plate
   The adaptor plate mates the motor to the transmission. It is constructed of 1/2 inch aluminum and is pre-drilled with bolt hole patterns for both the motor and transmission. An aluminum spacer is also used for proper spacing between the shafts of the transmission and motor. Adaptor plates are available for many cars.

   DC Motor Controller
   The controller regulates current going to the motor. It is a solid-state device that uses a pulse width modulator (PWM) that sends short bursts of current to the motor at a rate of 15 kHz. Controllers are available from both Curtis and DCP.

   Potbox (Potentiometer)
   The potbox is a 5K ohm throttle between the controller and the accelerator, similar to the way a sewing machine pedal works. The potbox’s lever arm is attached to the existing accelerator cable.

   Main Contactor
   An electric relay that serves the same purpose as the ignition switch in a gas car. When the key is turned to the start position, the contactor closes the circuit to allow current to flow to the controller.

   Circuit Breaker
   A safety device that shuts down power for servicing or during an emergency. The circuit breaker is installed under the hood and can be switched both off and on from the drivers seat with an extension or cable.

   Main Fuse
   The main fuse protect the system from high voltage spikes. A fuse should be installed at each battery box or group of batteries.

   Shunt
   A shunt is placed in series within the wiring as a means to connect meters. Shunts are available in different sizes for both high and low power configurations.

   Charger interlock
   A relay that keeps the circuit open so nobody will inadvertantly drive off with the charge cord plugged into the car.

   DC/DC Converter
   The DC/DC converter is similar in function to a gas car’s alternator. It charges the 12 volt accessory battery by chopping voltage from the main battery pack down to 13.5 volts.

   If you interested I offer several DIY alternative guides to walk you step by step threw EV conversion process at agua-luna com or

   www agua-luna com
   Hope this helped, feel free to contact me personally if you have any questions if you’d like assistance in making your first self sufficient steps, I’m willing to walk you step by step threw the process. I’ve written several how-to DIY guides available at www agua-luna com on the subject. I also offer online and on-site workshops, seminars and internships to help others help the environment.

   Dan Martin
   Alterative Energy / Sustainable Consultant, Living 100% on Alternative & Author of How One Simple Yet Incredibly Powerful Resource Is Transforming The Lives of Regular Peop

8. Hybrid cars make no sense. Compare fuel consumption of Prius and Corolla diesel. I can’t understand what makes people buying Priuses. Really, no idea.

9. The cost for a hybrid is a little more than the standard car, but when you can double the gas milage you can usually recoup the investment in a short time. I’ve had a Prius for 6 years, it has been the least expensive car I’ve ever owned, I get 45 mpg, have only had to replace tires, and windshield wipers and it’s the first car I’ve paid off in over 20 years. I save money because I only have to have the oil changed every 7500 miles vs 3000-4000 for most cars, I live in CA and save by not needing a smog check ever other year since it is a SLEV. I don’t commute often, but if I did I could get a sticker that would allow me go to use the carpool lane when I’m alone.

   I’m looking forward to giving this car to my son and I’ll get an electric or a plug in hybrid when they become available.

   There are some smaller electric cars available, like the Zap and I’ve seen a few others.