http://www.physorg.com/news66039875.html
I recently returned home from a 3500 mile trip at 50 mpg 80 mph in a 3 y.o. $17K wagen filled with camping and bicycle stuff.
I have a Toyota that gets 38-43 on the freeway now.. my Land Cruiser.. well its not that great.. but I dont mind for that one! lol..
I wouldn't want a car that I have to PLUG IN AT NIGHT.. I am forced to wonder how much it would add to a electric bill.. if my choice is replacing fuel costs with electrical costs.. I would rather pay for the fuel and have the power, and freedom that goes with it.
Not to mention.. how often do the cells in those need to be replaced?, I KNOW there is no way they are anything close to affordable for the average consumer, and what do we do with them when we have millions of old used cells laying around? want to talk about toxic.. generally a bad idea to replace one problem with another.
I wouldn't want a car that I have to PLUG IN AT NIGHT.. I am forced to wonder how much it would add to a electric bill.. if my choice is replacing fuel costs with electrical costs.. I would rather pay for the fuel and have the power, and freedom that goes with it.
Not to mention.. how often do the cells in those need to be replaced?, I KNOW there is no way they are anything close to affordable for the average consumer, and what do we do with them when we have millions of old used cells laying around? want to talk about toxic.. generally a bad idea to replace one problem with another.
I have a lot of cars, but the energy efficient one is also my VW beatle, and VW Jetta 
Gets easily 38mpg
Gets easily 38mpg
QUOTE (Doug Huffman+May 6 2006, 12:35 PM)
I recently returned home from a 3500 mile trip at 50 mpg 80 mph in a 3 y.o. K wagen filled with camping and bicycle stuff.
That is outstanding economy. I can probably get >40 mpg in my Citroen diesel saloon but not when I am doing 80 mph.
That is outstanding economy. I can probably get >40 mpg in my Citroen diesel saloon but not when I am doing 80 mph.
Wow! A diesel saloon. Here in the US we're expected to drive, perhaps in a diesel powered auto, to a saloon and then park before partaking. It is genearally illegal to drink and drive. 
QUOTE (Doug Huffman+May 7 2006, 01:31 PM)
Wow! A diesel saloon. Here in the US we're expected to drive, perhaps in a diesel powered auto, to a saloon and then park before partaking. It is genearally illegal to drink and drive.
Don't you start on the transatlantic language barrier. I even heard some government fool here announcing that they were 'making inquiries' - disgraceful.
I wasn't sure what you meant by 'wagen' and was trying to separate my 4-door from an estate, light van.
I didn't think you were allowed to drive at 80 mph in US either.
Don't you start on the transatlantic language barrier. I even heard some government fool here announcing that they were 'making inquiries' - disgraceful.
I wasn't sure what you meant by 'wagen' and was trying to separate my 4-door from an estate, light van.
I didn't think you were allowed to drive at 80 mph in US either.
QUOTE
I didn't think you were allowed to drive at 80 mph in US either.
I guess the top speed limit is at like 60s or so. Anyhow, I was driving at 140 the other day in the highway and I am fierce like a horny teenage boy.
Plug in hybrids just shift the energy production to the power plants. What you get at the end of the plug is somewhere around 17% of the energy input at the plant.
The reciprocating engine in modern vehicles are somewhere around that same figure I believe.
How you produce the power in the automobile, locomotive, or other transportation mode is not as important as how you process it.
Here is a link to an article I authored explaining the base efficiencies of hybrid technology. It will give you a good brief on the future direction automotive technology.
http://www.bestsyndication.com/Articles/20...hybrid_cars.htm
Mark J. Carter
MJCarter01@aol.com
The reciprocating engine in modern vehicles are somewhere around that same figure I believe.
How you produce the power in the automobile, locomotive, or other transportation mode is not as important as how you process it.
Here is a link to an article I authored explaining the base efficiencies of hybrid technology. It will give you a good brief on the future direction automotive technology.
http://www.bestsyndication.com/Articles/20...hybrid_cars.htm
Mark J. Carter
MJCarter01@aol.com
I purchased a new tdi jetta 6 weeks ago and cant fault it, plenty of get up and go and very economical.
I discovered one fault today and am told by VW customer service,"that is the way it is and cant be changed". I am refering to the otherwise very useful power sockets, two in the cab and one in the boot (trunk).
Should one require a light plugged in to one of these sockets at night because of a break down or changing a wheel etc. The engine must be running or at least the ignition on. If this cant be done the usefully sockets are useless.
Is there any way to get back to VW and get them to alter this problem.
The only other way I may be able to get around this is to run cables from the radio circuit.
I discovered one fault today and am told by VW customer service,"that is the way it is and cant be changed". I am refering to the otherwise very useful power sockets, two in the cab and one in the boot (trunk).
Should one require a light plugged in to one of these sockets at night because of a break down or changing a wheel etc. The engine must be running or at least the ignition on. If this cant be done the usefully sockets are useless.
Is there any way to get back to VW and get them to alter this problem.
The only other way I may be able to get around this is to run cables from the radio circuit.
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