Hybrid Porsches, One 100 years old and one "new".... Options

[neo914-6]

Electric "hybrid" Porsche


Tesla's comparison to their new roadster, Porschius. Not sure what the aircraft above it represents...

[LarryR]

Electric "hybrid" Porsche


Tesla's comparison to their new roadster, Porschius. Not sure what the aircraft above it represents...

Wow that is awesome. To bad the prius does not look like the lower pic. I have been researching electric cars for years. I would buy a tesla if I hit the lotto (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif) I have looked at converting the 914 to electric and would do it if the cost was not so crazy (Lithium Ion Phosphate battery pack at 26K is a little crazy)

Who knows 10 years from now we might all be talking about the best electric motor to swap in.

[thomasotten]

I'm curious what is going to happen with the hybrids when their electric motor & batteries start to give out. It seems like with a hybrid, you are going to have high maintenance costs because there is this whole other subsystem within your car. When people can't afford to repait the electric motor and such, will they just keep driving it, on the gas engine? Or will they just "trade it in" earlier?

The best way to conserve on energy, it seems to me, is to keep your existing car running in top shape. People don't realize that with every car that is produced, a lot of energy was consumed from harvesting the raw materials to putting the finishing coats of paint on.

[BiG bOgGs]

I'm curious what is going to happen with the hybrids when their electric motor & batteries start to give out. It seems like with a hybrid, you are going to have high maintenance costs because there is this whole other subsystem within your car. When people can't afford to repait the electric motor and such, will they just keep driving it, on the gas engine? Or will they just "trade it in" earlier?

The best way to conserve on energy, it seems to me, is to keep your existing car running in top shape. People don't realize that with every car that is produced, a lot of energy was consumed from harvesting the raw materials to putting the finishing coats of paint on.

The batteries will need replaced, but (and I don't know exactly what type of electric motor is used in the Prius) a good electric motor designed for commuter use should only require minor adjustment and or replacement of the contact brushes, and we are talking years between when this maintenance is needed.

[Joe Ricard]

Hell if people would just put air in thier tires we would save a shit load of energy every day.

I have nearly become OCD about it with my cars and now my friends cars.

[TeenerTim]

Why a hybrid? Just go all electric like these two examples.

VoltsPorsche Kit

Students Take Porsche to Electric Avenue

[LarryR]

I'm curious what is going to happen with the hybrids when their electric motor & batteries start to give out. It seems like with a hybrid, you are going to have high maintenance costs because there is this whole other subsystem within your car. When people can't afford to repait the electric motor and such, will they just keep driving it, on the gas engine? Or will they just "trade it in" earlier?

The best way to conserve on energy, it seems to me, is to keep your existing car running in top shape. People don't realize that with every car that is produced, a lot of energy was consumed from harvesting the raw materials to putting the finishing coats of paint on.

The batteries will need replaced, but (and I don't know exactly what type of electric motor is used in the Prius) a good electric motor designed for commuter use should only require minor adjustment and or replacement of the contact brushes, and we are talking years between when this maintenance is needed.

The battery pack is pretty expensive those Nickel Metal Hydrate battery packs in the prius are about 7K new. The motor is brushless inductive AC motor. It should outlast the gas engine. I wonder how much of a 'core' charge the old pack will provide. I think at current Toyota gives a 10 year waranty on the battery though and a used one from the bone yard sells for 700.

Why a hybrid? Just go all electric like these two examples.

VoltsPorsche Kit

Students Take Porsche to Electric Avenue

That electroauto kit is interesting. However, I believe their 150 mile range estimate is very optomistic. I contacted them about it and they said in northern California with all of the hills that number can be cut in half. I was looking at doing it but there is no way for me to recharge at work and I have about a 100 mile round trip to and from work. When the cost of lithium ion phosphate batteries drops down into the realm of affordability then it will be a very viable alternative. Until then a hybrid with a fairly efficient gas engine to assist and or charge the batteries is a reasonable alternative.

Their kit would also be reasonable for people with shorter commutes. Due to the high cost of housing I think a lot of people in N. California have pretty long drives to work. I think my drive is long but I am only about the median distance from work when compared to my co workers.

I cant wait for all of the efficient diesels that are supposed to be coming in 2008. VW is supposed to release the jetta after the first of the year and the rabbit by mid year. Audi, BMW and even Toyota will have diesel options in 2008 too. Unfortunately, with the Audi I think they only have plans for a diesel in their SUV. An A3 2.0 turbo diesel would be a great commuter. So for me I think I will buy one of the VW offerings this year. When the electric car technologies are more mature I will consider it.

[Cap'n Krusty]

The Jetta's been bumped to late summer ........ The Cap'n

[zymurgist]

The best way to conserve on energy, it seems to me, is to keep your existing car running in top shape. People don't realize that with every car that is produced, a lot of energy was consumed from harvesting the raw materials to putting the finishing coats of paint on.

I'm getting ready to retire my Neon and start driving my dad's old car... a 1994 Toyota Camry with under 70,000 miles. I figure that there's a car that's already been manufactured, gets good gas mileage, is reliable and maintainable, and to me, that not only saves me the cost of buying a new car, but saves the environmental impact of building a new car.

I'm going to sound politically incorrect here, but I see no incentive to "go green" unless I see an immediate economic benefit.

[Brett W]

Even now it is cheaper to operate a vehicle on gas. Especially with the lack of price flexibility of diesel.

[racunniff]

Why a hybrid? Just go all electric like these two examples.

VoltsPorsche Kit

Students Take Porsche to Electric Avenue

That's what I did - http://volt914.blogspot.com - as well as TimK - http://914ev.blogspot.com - along with a lot of other people - http://www.austinev.org/evalbum/type/PORS

Most of us use lead-acid batteries, which weigh a lot. I'm hoping in a couple of years when it is time to replace them that there will be a better technology out there.

[LarryR]

The Jetta's been bumped to late summer ........ The Cap'n

SH*T! Oh well I guess if I have waited this long a few more months wont hurt.

[VaccaRabite]

Tesla's comparison to their new roadster, Porschius. Not sure what the aircraft above it represents...

The plane is the Burt Rutan space plane that won the X-prize last year. Not sure what the context is with the porshius though.


Zach

[Mid_Engine_914]

Warum mit da hybrids?


ECONOMY

"The Audi averaged a far more frugal 31.5mpg, proving that the A8’s light weight and diesel power are a better formula for real-world economy. This means a huge 624-mile range."


"After covering more than 1,000 miles, the LS600h’s average consumption was only 19.4mpg. This is highly disappointing from a car that claims to achieve 30.4mpg."

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/gr...vs_audi_a8.html


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Autobild magazine comparison test of the Lexus LS600h, Mercedes S420 CDI, BMW 745d and Audi A8 4.2 TDI

Test consumption/test CO2

Audi A8 4.2 TDI: 9.5 L/100km - 252 g/km

Lexus LS600h: 12.1 L/100km - 285 g/km

http://www.autobild.de/artikel/Themen-Test...lg-_435966.html

[BahnBrenner914]

The best way to make what we already have more efficient is to streamline cars and give them better aero! Stop driving around a brick with wheels.

[BMXerror]

Everyone seems to be forgetting that cars aren't the only cause of greenhouse emissions... In fact, they aren't even the largest cause. I think the best way to curb global warming is to start putting solar and wind generators on each new house that is built, as well as updating the old ones. Those electric cars do little good when they're charged up by a coal power plant.
As for the automotive part of it, why does the almighty Prius get all the praise at 40ish miles to the gallon, while diesels in Europe are getting 50-70 MPG? Just a thought.
Of course, that's just the wannabe engineer in me talking. The human side of me says that it's about time for this species to go the way of the dinosaurs anyways, so I'm not too concerned.
Mark D.

[neo914-6]

We can debate maximum efficiency or best methods, there is a greater need to be less dependent on oil for obvious reasons. There will be more alternatives made available to us but we, the consumer will ultimately decide on the direction.

[Brando]

Everyone should ride motorcycles. Even better, LPG, CNG or Bio Diesel bikes!

[Brett W]

I could give a shit about global warming. Don't believe Al Gore anyways. But we do need to come up with something better than petroleum. At least then we can tell the middle east to take a flying leap.

Electric ain't the way to go. Batteries cost too much and are still an evironmental nightmare. Ethanol is a joke. Diesel ain't bad but it ain't the solution.

[smontanaro]

Most of us use lead-acid batteries, which weigh a lot. I'm hoping in a couple of years when it is time to replace them that there will be a better technology out there.

Firefly Energy recently announced their Oasis line of batteries. Might be easier to convert to a lighter weight battery pack without too much effort in the fairly near future.

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