Will plug-in, hybrids, become available and affordable before gas prices become too high?

Question

The Toyota Prius has a range of 1.9miles via its battery. A plug-in, hybrid should have a range of 120miles via its battery. Obviously, the battery required for this type of hybrid is presently unaffordable for most people or unavailable.

When is the first, affordable, plug-in, hybrid, scheduled to be released? (Affordable, meaning, a price range of $20,000 to $40,000)

\

Answer 1

Yes & no. The simple fact is that most automotive companies are already investing large amounts in both EV and fuel cell R&D and production. They know only too well what lies ahead and where their income will be coming from and it isn't from petroleum.

American companies produced about 14 million vehicles in 2006 other companies produced 42 million. I am sure that American manufacturers are well aware that they cannot afford to make the same mistakes this time around that they did in the past by underestimating foreign car builders.

There are already clear signs that petroleum won't last another 50 years let alone the fanciful notion that some have that there is 500 years supply left!  That's 50 years until it is all GONE but it will only be another 5 to 10 years before it is far too expensive for use in a motor vehicle. Prices of around $15 to $20 a gallon will be common.

So, there will be cars availabe, and most will be 10 times safer than petroloeum burning ones, but the car manufacturers aren't about to lose money on them and they may still be outside the affordable range.We have all gotten used to having a car as if it was a birth right but that may well change in the future.

Answer 2

No. Pound for pound, oil packs far more energy than any other fuel. Amazingly, what you don't hear is a comparison between the energy contained in gasoline and any other commercial source.

What's important to remember is that "Energy cannot be created or destroyed..", and batteries must be charged with energy that comes from sources driven by fuel oil, coal or nuke plants.

Wind power is not economical because:(1) The industrial energy required to produce the turbine (2) The high maintenance cost (3) unpredictable

Solar is not economical because (1) Nasty, environmentally unfriendly chemicals required (2) Industrial energy (fuel oil & coal power) required to produce (3) Unreliable weather.

Hydrogen : (1) Takes massive amounts of energy (fuel oil, Natural Gas (3) Hydrogen is just potiential energy produced from another source.

If you plan on a plug-in hybrid, then you'll pay a premimum for energy - the utilities price. More than likely your utility uses fuel oil or coal to produce the energy you are charging your hybrid batts with.

Hands down, a gasoline engine is the cheepest,  most efficient way to power a car. And, considering the industrial waste and CO2/NOx emissions the plant emits producing the batteries and solar panels, it's a no brainer.

The best option is to allow nuke plants ( can be very clean - except for the nasty waste) to produce hydrogen for fuel cells.

Pound for pound, Hydrogen is as close to gasoline you can get, without the emissons problem.

Answer 3

My 95 V-8 gas guzzler has been paid for for many years now. Common sense dictates that $5.00 a gallon for gas is still a heck of a lot cheaper than shelling out $40,000.00 for some piece of c**p electric death trap, even at 12 miles per gallon.

Since global warming is a myth and there really is plenty of oil available for the next 500 years, I'll sit back and laugh at the suckers who believe all this c**p their fed, while putting around in their stupid little plastic cars.

Answer 4

click on to www.picctv.com/us   this is a very interesting article. I am going to talk to someone who has done this to their truck. He says he now gets 40 mpg,used to get 12.

Answer 5

The Aptera is supposed to be shipping this year, ~$30,000.

The VentureOne isn't far behind, ~$22,000.

Both are available in PHEV and EV models.

Only two seats apiece, unfortunately.  The Aptera isn't as quick but it's got better economy and more cargo space.

Answer 6

No, I don't believe plug-in hybrids will be commercially available before gas prices become too high.  Of course it is tough to define too high.  Most of the world pays more than we do already - it looks like we are finally starting to catch up.

There are alternatives though.

*Telecommute - working from home is possible for some jobs

*Work near where you live.

*Carpool - split the cost of gas

*Take mass transit - often cheaper than driving a personal car

*Ride a bike to work - saves gas and is good exercise.

Answer 7

robert f

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 a;sp 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

Here’s a list of other places you can charge up, don’t know if there are any prices though.

http://www.evchargernews.com/#regions

Not sure if you’re interesting in doing it your self, 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

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 People From All Over The World... Instantly Elevating Their Income & Lowering Their Debt, While Saving The Environment by Using FREE ENERGY... All With Just One Click of A Mouse...For more info Visit:  

www AGUA-LUNA com

Stop Global Warming, Receive a FREE Solar Panels Now!!!

Answer 8

They had them, then took them away.