E flex System versus Hybrid Synergy Drive: First Thoughts
Several years ago I thought that automakers should do everything possible to develop hydrogen powered vehicles, especially fuel cell vehicles. Eventually, however, it became obvious that there were many, many technological hurdles - in addition to massive costs - to overcome and make this hydrogen future a reality. Yet, it seemed obvious, especially after 9/11, that America couldn't just wait for the hydrogen highway to deliver a road to energy security.
Fortunately, Honda launched the Insight hybrid and Toyota quickly followed with the Prius. For Honda, hybrid technology was a niche a technology, an experiment in fuel efficiency. By the second generation of the Prius, however, not only was the Prius a hit with consumers, it was the beginning of a foundation, an element of Toyota's kaizen.
The Prius had become a path to fuel cell vehicles.
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Fortunately, Honda launched the Insight hybrid and Toyota quickly followed with the Prius. For Honda, hybrid technology was a niche a technology, an experiment in fuel efficiency. By the second generation of the Prius, however, not only was the Prius a hit with consumers, it was the beginning of a foundation, an element of Toyota's kaizen.
The Prius had become a path to fuel cell vehicles.
--> Read the Full Story
Labels: Chevy Volt electric vehicle concept, e flex system, fuel cells, GM, hybrid synergy drive, Hybrid Vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, prius, saturn vue hybrid, toyota, yukon hybrid
posted by Dahcredyns at
8:03 AM
6 Comments:
(Rest of Story)
Essentially, one can buy a Prius today and know that their purchase is not only an investment in clean and fuel efficient hybrid technology, but it is also an investment in fuel cell technology. For Toyota the Hybrid Synergy Drive is an adaptable foundation that will one day evolve into a fuel-cell electric vehicle.
Why, I've often wondered, isn't any other automaker taking this path? If one models the evolution of the automobile after the evolution of life, one has to realize that evolution doesn't typically occur in one big boom, it happens in small adapatations. Sure, there might be a small boom here and there - typically the after-affect of a small adapatation - but constant flexibility, adapatability will eventually result in evolutionary changes.
It seems Toyota's belief in kaizen, or incremental change, has evolved Toyota's manufacturing process to the next level. Hybrid vehicles are not an interim technology to fuel cell vehicles, hybrids are an integral step to fuel cell vehicles, the Australopithecus of fuel cell evolution if you will.
Again, I wondered, why isn't any other automaker taking such a natural, evolutionary path to the automotive revolution?
Then I started to hear rumors of GM's plug-in hybid program, and a possible line of series hybrids. Then both Rick Wagoner and Bob Lutz started announcing that the future was electric. Soon after, GM announced that the Saturn Vue hybrid would eventually be converted into a plug-in hybrid vehicle.
Suddenly, I began to realize GM might have accepted evolution.
On Sunday, January 7 it all came together. I sat for two hours waiting to see the most important moment in GM's modern history, the debut of the Volt electric concept vehicle and the launch of the E-flex system - a platform of varying electrical vehicle propulsion systems built on a common chassis - an adaptable, evolutionary path to fuel cell vehicles.
While some critics have griped that the Volt was a publicity stunt that couldn't conceivably hit showrooms for at least 5 years, possibly even 10, all I saw was flexibility, adaptability and an endpoint, a fuel cell-electric Volt.
Soon GM will launch the Yukon hybrid, the Australopithecus of GM's evolutionary path to fuel cell vehicles. Eventually, the dual mode hybrid powertrain driving the Yukon hybrid will evolve into the plug-in hybrid powertrain of the Saturn Vue hybrid.
In order to make a quality plug-in hybrid, GM and all other automakers will have to further develop lithium-ion batteries - the foundation of the first series of Volt electric vehicles. The first Volt will probably be an electric flex-fuel plug-in hybrid vehicle, or maybe just an electric diesel plug-in hybrid. Then, as fuel cells develop and become cost effective, the Volt will become a fuel cell electric vehicle.
Evolution: GM versus Toyota
The E-flex System and the Hybrid Synergy Drive are different, yet similar. Both are flexible, adatable, evolutionary paths to the fuel cell vehicle.
Yes, Toyota is a huge step in front of GM, having sold several hundred thousand hybrids. GM still has yet to sell one single full hybrid passenger vehicle, but there are still a number of steps and adaptations to be taken between now and the full fuel cell vehicle. Now at least, GM has a legitimate game plan to challenge Toyota.
Now it's just time for GM to produce as many dual mode hybrids as possible and start stepping into the future. Then the E-flex System will become as believeable as the Hybrid Synergy Drive.
The E-flex System versus the Hybrid Synergy Drive: It's all about evolution.
Hybrids are nice and all but they really don’t solve the problem, all they are doing is postponing it. If the reason for purchasing a hybrid is greenhouse gas reduction and the dependency of foreign, how it is that burning something that consumes a little less gas is going to solve that. It seems like everyone is jumping on this hybrid bandwagon, including you, when in reality not that much is changing.
It helps invest in the type of technology that can end foreign oil dependency and end CO2 emissions. Investing in today's hybrids is an investment in tomorrow's fuel cell vehicles.
For the record, if everyone drove a Prius America could easily end foreign oil dependency. Yet, the potential of hybrid technology is only just emerging - the best is yet to come.
Nothing is going to happen overnight.
Besides, what is your solution, complaining that things aren't happening fast enough? Or, is it why do anything since it doesn't help much?
New Year all the best and forget its past troubles. www.qweas.com
The Chevy Volt E-Flex propulsion System represents a major shift in how American Auto manufacturers go to market. For once they are thinking long-term sustainability and seeing the virtues of a green way of life. Unfortunately, until they roll this technology out to serve the SUV market, Americans will still be paying a premium at the pump due to those who feel the need to drive an Excursion solo 40 miles to and from work. In order to make this technology thrive, there needs to be more options, less trade-offs and a greater level of consumer interest/adoption.
Chevy Volt Pictures, news, videos, photos and more http://www.chevy-volt.net
Dedicated site:
http://www.gm-volt.com
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