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You already have that kind of hybrids with ICE engines and they are bad. A lot heavier because of two systems, with a system that is rarely used (unless it's a

You already have that kind of hybrids with ICE engines and they are bad. A lot heavier because of two systems, with a system that is rarely used (unless it's a gaz car with a tiny battery only for the taxes benefits) so it's not very reliable, and more expensive. I will cite Carlos Tavares (CEO of Stellantis, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram Trucks and Vauxhall Motors.) when he was still working for Renault and talking about hybrids to the government. The guy is not a EV fan, far from it. "Why not opt for the hybrid engine? We think that it can only be a temporary solution because it requires two types of motorisation, thermal and electric, which has an impact on the total cost of the vehicle and ultimately on prices. Two motorisations is one too many." The same argument works for hydrogen.

foota 6y ago
Isn't it strictly better on a non cost basis for now though if you need range and want efficiency?
- speedgoose 6y ago
  Not really, efficiency of ICE engine or hydrogen are pretty poor. And on long trips you need to take breaks anyway. Today we already have production electric cars that charge at more than 1000km/h for a while. If this number is increased even a bit more and the charging network continue to be developed there is no good reason to put something else in the car. Not to mention it's difficult to find hydrogen everywhere, while electricity is very well developed.
kenhwang 6y ago
I wouldn't put much weight on Stellantis' opinion for car tech. They're the furthest behind in both ICE and EV technology and innovations. So of course they're going to resist regulations for better anything.
tonyedgecombe 6y ago
A lot of people are down on hybrids but they look like a good interim solution to me. We can't make enough batteries to electrify everything right now but we can eliminate a ton of emissions with plugins. If I look at our usage patterns most of the year we are making short journeys, 20 miles or less. Then occasionally we will take the car on holiday. We could easily eliminate the majority of our car's emissions with a plugin hybrid.
- speedgoose 6y ago
  With the price difference between a PHEV and an EV, you could get a nicer short-range EV for everyday and rent a nicer car for holidays.
  - sergiosgc 6y ago
    Not true, due to tax incentives. I just looked up the difference between my PHEV and the equivalent gas-only version [1]. The PHEV starts at 43k€, the gas one (Cooper S) starts at 40k€. [1] https://www.mini.pt/pt_PT/home/standard-selector/configurador.html https://www.mini.pt/pt_PT/home/standard-selector/configurado...
    - speedgoose 6y ago
      Due to tax incentives, the EV Mini is 29k€ where I live, 31k€ in France. Even though it's outdated tech, it's still a nice short-range EV and you save money by not having to buy, maintain, and transport around an ICE.
      - tonyedgecombe 6y ago
        My brother in law has one, it doesn't have the range to drive to his mum's house and back (58 miles each way).
        speedgoose 6y ago
        Not at highway speeds indeed. He should have got another car without outdated technology and a small battery, or he should stop charging for a few minutes. Difficult life.

foota 6y ago

Isn't it strictly better on a non cost basis for now though if you need range and want efficiency?

speedgoose 6y ago
Not really, efficiency of ICE engine or hydrogen are pretty poor. And on long trips you need to take breaks anyway. Today we already have production electric cars that charge at more than 1000km/h for a while. If this number is increased even a bit more and the charging network continue to be developed there is no good reason to put something else in the car. Not to mention it's difficult to find hydrogen everywhere, while electricity is very well developed.

kenhwang 6y ago

I wouldn't put much weight on Stellantis' opinion for car tech. They're the furthest behind in both ICE and EV technology and innovations. So of course they're going to resist regulations for better anything.

tonyedgecombe 6y ago

A lot of people are down on hybrids but they look like a good interim solution to me. We can't make enough batteries to electrify everything right now but we can eliminate a ton of emissions with plugins. If I look at our usage patterns most of the year we are making short journeys, 20 miles or less. Then occasionally we will take the car on holiday. We could easily eliminate the majority of our car's emissions with a plugin hybrid.

speedgoose 6y ago
With the price difference between a PHEV and an EV, you could get a nicer short-range EV for everyday and rent a nicer car for holidays.
- sergiosgc 6y ago
  Not true, due to tax incentives. I just looked up the difference between my PHEV and the equivalent gas-only version [1]. The PHEV starts at 43k€, the gas one (Cooper S) starts at 40k€. [1] https://www.mini.pt/pt_PT/home/standard-selector/configurador.html https://www.mini.pt/pt_PT/home/standard-selector/configurado...
  - speedgoose 6y ago
    Due to tax incentives, the EV Mini is 29k€ where I live, 31k€ in France. Even though it's outdated tech, it's still a nice short-range EV and you save money by not having to buy, maintain, and transport around an ICE.
    - tonyedgecombe 6y ago
      My brother in law has one, it doesn't have the range to drive to his mum's house and back (58 miles each way).
      - speedgoose 6y ago
        Not at highway speeds indeed. He should have got another car without outdated technology and a small battery, or he should stop charging for a few minutes. Difficult life.