Toyota keeps natural gas hybrid idea alive
Next job: Surfrider Foundation outreachAt SEMA Toyota is showing off a natural gas Toyota Camry hybrid that will be used by the Surfrider Foundation for various public outreach programs.
So, how will the CNG hybrid perform?
Basically everything is the same, except the fuel system was replaced with a natural gas system that does utilize a chunk of trunk space. Likewise, total horsepower drops to 170 hp from 187 hp. Range is 250+ miles.
I wonder when Boone is getting his?
Labels: toyota camry hybrid
posted by Dahcredyns at
7:57 AM
7 Comments:
It is about a third of a current range. In a long trip, I can easily make 700 on a full tank.
Still, most studies indicate that consumers expect, minimally, a range of just under 300 miles, at least last i saw.
This puts such a vehicle in that sweet spot of consumer acceptance.
Likewise, this wasn't build ground up as a natural gas vehicle. If it were, i'd bet range could be increased .
Propane is about twice an energy dense as NG... smaller storage, longer range... much more expensive but still not more expensive than gasoline.
If cars could be equipped with 2 20lb standard size tanks.. with quick connects... filling up could be as easy as swinging by any retailer that sells the tanks and swapping out the empty.
http://www.npga.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=623
http://www.propane101.com/propanevsnaturalgas.htm
be nice to find a comprehensive, objective and scientific study comparing all these different alt fuels, including tar sands, US oil production, and the potential of any, or some combination of, to end foreign oil dependence - and what the environmental impact would be.
multiple scenarios spreadout over time frames would be a bonus.
anyone have that in a nice spreadsheet? jk
Indigo Incarnated
I would think it would make sense to start developing NGVs and NG/hybrids now since Peak Oil is probably less than 10 years away (and possibly as little as 5 years away). Honda also has some experience making NGVs.
i'd just like an honest conversation about this topic without political slants or pork concerns. just an honest and transparent conversation about our options.
i've long been opposed to natural gas, but new technologies seem to have made this fuel much more clean, plentiful and viable. and, according to the sierra club, natural gas is far better than petroleum via an measurement.
it doesn't have to be the future, just a bridge off foreign oil as other greener technologies are perfected and scaled. likewise, it should have a significant affect on reducing co2 emissions.
Dahc,
You are right. With all this shale gas advances, it might be so much better to drive mild hybrids powered by gas. Or, perhaps, even regular hybrids (with small lithium batteries). And combine it with other fuel-efficient technologies. Then, the current 200+ mile range can easily become something more like 400+ mile range.
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