The perfect hybrid
And the winner is.....Is the Toyota Prius the perfect hybrid? What if you added some extra batteries and a plug, would that make the Prius the perfect hybrid? How much electric range should it have, as much as possible?
Is 40 miles of electric range the key to plug-in hybrids, such as GM's Chevy Volt is expected to provide?
According to GM's research 90 percent of commutes average less than 40 miles. But, what does 'average' really mean? Isn't it possible that many people drive much shorter distances most days per week, but on one or two days per week, they drive much further?
If your average commute to and from work is only 10 miles or less, and the rest of your mileage is made up of much longer trips, what's the most efficient and cost effective hybrid to meet your needs? Is it a conventional hybrid, a short range plug-in hybrid or a long range plug-in hybrid?
Inevitably, it seems the perfect hybrid will be different for different consumers based on many different needs and wants. Still, is it simply premature to even discuss the perfect hybrid?
Labels: Chevy Volt electric vehicle concept, plug-in hybrid vehicles, toyota prius
posted by Dahcredyns at
9:05 AM
14 Comments:
good observation about what "average" means.
I know in our METRO area - that daily commutes in excess of 50 miles are common.
When you combine that fact with some questions about the availability of daytime plugs - the potential market segments are not large.
I have a question for folks.
Let's Assume that Toyota ultimately makes two versions of the Prius - regular and plug-in.
Tell me in terms of percentages how they will sell.
thanks.
well, production rates won't allow a real comparison for many more years.
today, i'd say at least half of prius owners would consider the plug-in version if priced effectively. a good percent of those would buy the plug-in version even if cost-ineffective.
still, the key to plug-in success will require far greater market penetration than what has currently been achieved by hybrid cars.
okay.. I'm going to push the envelope here... what if the plug-in version of the Prius looked more like the Aptera (but badged as a Prius)?
which would sell better against te conventional Prius - a look-alike but with a plug-in or a Aptera-type styling?
Can you tell I like to play devils advocate now and then?
there's actually a real point to the devil's advocacy - I think it helps us to put a smell test on our views... at least sometimes.
i do to.
the plug-in conventional-looking prius without question.
The idea of the perfect hybrid is as flawed as the idea of the perfect truck.
Trucks now all have 4 doors, big engines and need a step ladder, all in the effort to build a truck that would do everything.
The same goes for hybrids. They can't do everything.
If you attempt to build a hybrid that can do everything, you will build a hybrid that is good at nothing, and gets very mediocre gas mileage.
I think we need to focus more on specialization of vehicles. I have believed for a long time that we need a "commuter vehicle". I bought my Civic hybrid for specifically that purpose.
I also own an old truck for those few times when I need to haul or tow equipment. I drive the Hybrid 12,000 miles per year and the truck less than 3000 miles per year. I do not have one vehicle to do both jobs.
My hybrid, plus the old truck, cost less than a new full size truck (or hybrid) designed to do everything...
I absolutely agree, Smurf.
I think multi-person households do this. You'll often see a commuter vehicle and the a mini-Van or a 4-door pickup.
many commuter vehicles these days are "beaters/econo-boxes" - where as long as the car is reasonably reliable and gets reasonable gas mileage... they don't want or need a more expensive car.
I used to have a 4-door Mazda Protege bought new for 10K (so not a true "beater")
It got 30+ mpg and had almost 200K on it when it got retired.
it's main redeeming qualities were that it was functional, reliable and fuel efficient with almost a zip for styling.
I do like the 4-door pickups though...the Tacoma would be my choice
but i think smurf is alluding to new, specialized commuter vehicles.
that's why i like aptera. it's not that it has a real compelling offer today, but it's possible that such designs could lead to a revolution in specialized commuting vehicles.
if most commuters are doing 90 percent of their commuting alone, we don't really need such large vehicles to accomplish this task.
Yup - but I think this is the kind of a car that will find widespread appeal as a commuter car - with the proviso that it has to be as safe, fuel efficient and reliable as it's competitors.
but perhaps, as usual, I don't quite understand.
How would a specialized commuter vehicle differ from the standard ones we see today?
single seat vehicles, tandem seating - just whole new designs.
"How would a specialized commuter vehicle differ from the standard ones we see today?"
Well, to begin with, it wouldn't have 4 doors.....
and who knows exactly what it would be. once we get out of the box so much more becomes possible it seems to me.
I think one requirement for a commuter car is a low price.
One problem with the Smart for two is that it costs almost as much as a full sized vehicle, while getting only slightly better city mileage.
Since a commuter car only can do a fraction of what a full size vehicle can do, customers expect is to also come at a fraction of the price....
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