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regarding 2. Why are companies not putting out electric gas hybrids that use a tuned generator as a backup source of energy like the Chevy Volt did? (I suspect

regarding 2. Why are companies not putting out electric gas hybrids that use a tuned generator as a backup source of energy like the Chevy Volt did? (I suspect then the vehicle wouldn't qualify for subsidies) It's crazy to me, as it adds maybe 300 lbs to the vehicle and provides all the benefits of electric, but with the potential range of gas. I find electric vehicles as a technology highly appealing, but current offerings atrocious. I want a privacy (crazy I even have to say this) respecting electric vehicle with a backup gas charging generator. This truck would be ideal to _me_ if it met those two criterion, but as is it's a no go. I may just have to build my own someday. :sigh:

blacksmith_tb 5y ago
The BMW i3 has a gas range extender option[1] (though it's not exactly a pickup truck...) I personally went with a Toyota Prius Prime[2], which has been a solid vehicle. 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_i3#Range_extender_option https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_i3#Range_extender_option 2: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Prius_Plug-in_Hybrid#Drivetrain_2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Prius_Plug-in_Hybrid#Dr...
outworlder 5y ago
The Volt was "hybrid done right". It was 90% an EV, it just had backup generation, which didn't even have to provide that much power. It can run at a constant (optimal) speed, with the variability absorbed by batteries. It doesn't take that much power to maintain speed in cruise, as opposed to accelerating. No complicated drive train either. The Prius drivetrain is an engineering marvel, but looks complicated to me. It seems to be reliable, which is incredible. Sure you need to carry the extra weight, but maintenance is (supposedly) much simpler. The I3 is an even better example. It's marketed with the 'range extender' as an option. Only issue is that it had a teeny tiny fuel tank that only added a pitiful range(I suspect some incentives were in play), but it demonstrates the concept. Maybe this could even be optional.
- carlivar 5y ago
  Completely agree about the Volt. PHEVs are ideal, and best for the environment. Who cares if you have to use gas a couple times a month for longer ranges if you don't need to mine so much lithium and cobalt for the battery? Cutting gas usage by 80% should be considered essentially equivalent to 100%. And the lower electric range of PHEVs is likely offset by lack of range anxiety and potentially greater adoption.

blacksmith_tb 5y ago

The BMW i3 has a gas range extender option[1] (though it's not exactly a pickup truck...) I personally went with a Toyota Prius Prime[2], which has been a solid vehicle. 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_i3#Range_extender_option https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_i3#Range_extender_option 2: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Prius_Plug-in_Hybrid#Drivetrain_2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Prius_Plug-in_Hybrid#Dr...

outworlder 5y ago

The Volt was "hybrid done right". It was 90% an EV, it just had backup generation, which didn't even have to provide that much power. It can run at a constant (optimal) speed, with the variability absorbed by batteries. It doesn't take that much power to maintain speed in cruise, as opposed to accelerating. No complicated drive train either. The Prius drivetrain is an engineering marvel, but looks complicated to me. It seems to be reliable, which is incredible. Sure you need to carry the extra weight, but maintenance is (supposedly) much simpler. The I3 is an even better example. It's marketed with the 'range extender' as an option. Only issue is that it had a teeny tiny fuel tank that only added a pitiful range(I suspect some incentives were in play), but it demonstrates the concept. Maybe this could even be optional.

carlivar 5y ago
Completely agree about the Volt. PHEVs are ideal, and best for the environment. Who cares if you have to use gas a couple times a month for longer ranges if you don't need to mine so much lithium and cobalt for the battery? Cutting gas usage by 80% should be considered essentially equivalent to 100%. And the lower electric range of PHEVs is likely offset by lack of range anxiety and potentially greater adoption.