hybrid car

UncleZen

neilmcl wrote: »

Diesel electric hybrids are the way forward. In fact nothing particularly new but having a diesel that not only powers the car when appropriate but more importantly generates electricity, is the the best solution to a hybrid.

I agree, in principal, but I would expect to see lots of choked DPFs on diesel hybrids, with all the stop/starting of the engine. I cant imagine you wouldnt notice a diesel engine starting "seamlessly"

sebastianj

I don't think there are any diesel hybrid cars around. My preference was an automatic car' there don't seem to be much choice within the very small 8k budget.
sebastian

withabix

sebastianj wrote: »

I don't think there are any diesel hybrid cars around.

Peugeot 3008 and Citroen DS5 for a start.

sebastianj wrote: »

My preference was an automatic car' there don't seem to be much choice within the very small 8k budget

Hybrids tend to be automatic (so the computer has more control over what happens) and I presume your £8k budget is for a second hand car.

You will probably be looking at an early Prius with that budget. Other manufacturers haven't been making Hybrids for long.

grizzly1911

withabix wrote: »

Peugeot 3008 and Citroen DS5 for a start.



Hybrids tend to be automatic (so the computer has more control over what happens) and I presume your £8k budget is for a second hand car.

You will probably be looking at an early Prius with that budget. Other manufacturers haven't been making Hybrids for long.

If you go for an older Prius think about saving for the new battery pack replacement after year 8.

Hybrids are a stop gap in my opinion until a "real" alternative is found. They do of course scream "I am green" which hence the premium price.

They cost a lot for what they are and also create an awful lot of greenhouse gases in the manufacturing process.

Strider590

sebastianj wrote: »

Does any one has any experience of hybrid cars, part electric part petrol? are these any good? any pitfals? please help if you can, thanks in anticipation.
sebastian

Huge additional cost over a similar spec petrol car, money you'd NEVER recover in fuel savings..... I'd say that's a pretty big "pitfall"

sebastianj

strider590, thanks, what costs are we talking about here, do hybrid cars cost more to repair or run?
sebastian

grizzly1911

sebastianj wrote: »

strider590, thanks, what costs are we talking about here, do hybrid cars cost more to repair or run?
sebastian

Just think about all the bits that aren't on conventional cars that are made in limited numbers and hence more expensive or in addition to a standard car.

Batteries, motors, regulators, electronic control systems, gear boxes/CVTs/torque converts for a start. A PP has already mentioned the tyres and wheels.

Strider590

sebastianj wrote: »

strider590, thanks, what costs are we talking about here, do hybrid cars cost more to repair or run?
sebastian

To buy in the first place....

Maintenance wise I don't know, they're specialist, you can't do anything yourself and your fairly limited to dealership prices. Don't forget you have a petrol and electric motor to go wrong.

You can't even excuse hybrids on Eco grounds, as research has shown they have a very substantial impact on emissions and resources (during the manufacturing process), far more so than the worst petrol guzzlers.

One day, we'll see technology that will give us "green" low cost motoring. I personally believe this will come from the "safe" isotopes found in nuclear waste, providing us with cars that NEVER need to be refuelled.
But as this would kill profit for the oil companies and cripple governments reliant of fuel tax (like ours) I don't see this technology being available for hundreds of years, EVEN THOUGH it's been possible for decades.

grizzly1911

Strider590 wrote: »

.

One day, we'll see technology that will give us "green" low cost motoring. I personally believe this will come from the "safe" isotopes found in nuclear waste, providing us with cars that NEVER need to be refuelled.
But as this would kill profit for the oil companies and cripple governments reliant of fuel tax (like ours) I don't see this technology being available for hundreds of years, EVEN THOUGH it's been possible for decades.

Not sure where it will come from but totally agree that like camera film/types and Iphones/Ipads/PS1/2/3 we will not be able to get the ultimate until all the interim versions have been milked first.

If they released the technology what would happen to the price of all that oil.

Not convinced it is going to run out any time soon when you see the massive increase in consumption (far east) and the proposed new building of airports to increase flight capacity.

Governements will never lose the tax they will just collect it in different ways, road pricing, satellite tracking etc.

Interesting that when people rant on about electric cars they conveniently ignore the immense cost and impact of CO2 from generation.

If we ever do go down a pure electric route how many more power stations (nuclear) and infrastructure upgrades would be required:eek:

sebastianj

I am aware of the environmental effects of manufacturing and running a car etc. I just want to get through my few days on this earth, going to work and earning a living without causing any major impacts. I don't think my little 1.5l car is going to cause any major disasters.
In hybrid cars, there are two engines and you can turn one of them off and run the other, so in my opinion it is twice as reliable than a conventional car, am i wrong?
sebastian