new plug in hybrid outlander

[marvellous_matt]

I have tried to find it just now, but once a study was done which found that the passengers on a Melbourne Tram which is full would be making less hydrocarbons in the atmosphere if they all drove a V6 commodore each when compared to the coal fired power the tram uses.

It would be great to read that, I'm surprised as I thought trams were a bit more energy efficient, even though coal is pretty polluting. BUT I'm pretty sure its better to have 60 people in a tram in Sydney road Brunswick at 4.30 in the afternoon, rather than 60 commodores stretching back block after block...
Im really excited about how the future of transport will look, I don't think that tying to plonk that technology in our current version of a car is the right way to go. Im pretty sure the first cars were a very poor fit to replace the horse/bullock/people power that people were use to.
I know most of our power still comes from coal, or if you live in some parts of Australia (Alice Springs) Gas. we will get better, we have to get better at creating cleaner power, and when we do it will be great to have some electric vehicle options that are developing. We have a moderate solar system on the roof, and easily are net producers over the 12 mth cycle, and its dead easy. A small upgrade to this and I could easily power an electric vehicle or two.....

[Cruiser 105Tvan]

And there's not supposed to be a problem with that, according to the Greenies.
Just ask 'em down in Moccies On Everyone whether their Kids have got asthma or Bronchitis.
Highest incidence of breathing related disorders in the Country.
And once again when the Fires in the pit were going.
Just smoke and dust, don't worry.
They've really got everybody''s best interest  at heart.
They had to be told by the Chief Medical Officer.
And they took their own sweet  time doing anything.
It's just another way of shifting the source of the  pollution.

[BBwilly]

When I look at something likr this I think fantastic, but I guess it does come down to the sums etc break even point.

Some people it will work for but for a person that drives 10k a day like me you would probably find it cheaper to buy a petrol then diesel.

[DaveR]

It would be great to read that, I'm surprised as I thought trams were a bit more energy efficient,

It is not how efficient the trams are, but rather how P Poor the power generation is. The same tram in Tassie would be much different with its hydrocarbon emissions thanks to the cleaner power being made for the grid.

[dazzler]

When I look at something likr this I think fantastic, but I guess it does come down to the sums etc break even point.

Some people it will work for but for a person that drives 10k a day like me you would probably find it cheaper to buy a petrol then diesel.

I think you are correct.  Though I view these more as automotive pioneers. Hybrids are becoming more prevalent and I imagine in time so will these.

The big mistake IMO is not going with a standardised battery pack that you can replace at a servo.  You could drive up the road and pull into the servo, flip the battery hatch, a laser guiding thing reaches over and grabs your one, fits a new one and you pay for the difference in fuel left - just like fossil fuels.

Simples.  On our CT's you would have jerry battery holders LOL.

Back in the early 90's there was an electric VW Beetle in the states that would do 100mph for an hour and smoke the tyres.  That was 20yrs ago so the technology is way advanced.

[achjimmy]

Back in the early 90's there was an electric VW Beetle in the states that would do 100mph for an hour and smoke the tyres.  That was 20yrs ago so the technology is way advanced.

This is pretty impressive performance wise.
http://www.teslamotors.com/roadster
We have provided some equipment to manufacture it, it's still early days but they seem to be doing alright. Manufactured in California

[achjimmy]

If you watch the Tesla video it's an interesting marketing concept they use, no noise. Sounds strange (lol) at first but if you have ever flown light aircraft and gliders you can relate to it. Of course you not always going to be driving on windswept ocean roads!

[Cruiser 105Tvan]

With Petrol and Diesel you can carry extra.
How do you do it with this sort of vehicle.
You cannot top it up on the side of the road.

[Bird]

With Petrol and Diesel you can carry extra.
How do you do it with this sort of vehicle.
You cannot top it up on the side of the road.

Call Mandrakes Road Service...

[dazzler]

You love spotters fees dont you? By the way, you and I are owed a spotters fee for the second hand Tambo's we have sold lately....


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[shanegtr]

With Petrol and Diesel you can carry extra.
How do you do it with this sort of vehicle.
You cannot top it up on the side of the road.

Hire one of these to tow behind the camper?

[chisel]

The outlander still has a petrol motor (as well as the electrics) so you can fill it up and keep going.

[Cruiser 105Tvan]

That's the current one.

If you have to plug it in to charge up, what sort of vehicle is it?
What sort of range has it got?

[marvellous_matt]

With Petrol and Diesel you can carry extra.
How do you do it with this sort of vehicle.
You cannot top it up on the side of the road.

Most people carry extra fuel when touring, why not extra batteries? Some people fit long range tanks, Im sure similar can occur with battery banks. Perhaps they will never be suitable for crossing the Simpson, but they might be suitable for camping at a powered camp site every night.
Even though you can top up with other fuel by the side of the road, many people will never push the limits or run out of fuel,  and there are plenty of motorbikes with ranges less than most electric vehicles.

[WilSurf]

That's the current one.

If you have to plug it in to charge up, what sort of vehicle is it?
What sort of range has it got?

According the newspaper last Sunday, the new PHEV is the same, it has a normal petrol engine.

[BBwilly]

It was explained to me from a rep that you drive day to day on electric from your home when the batt gets low from driving a long distance the generator kicks in providing the power and this is supposed to be more efficient then a combustion engine as well.

Now this was from a rep who was quite a nerd lol.

Wonder what the tow capacity is lol.

I don't mind change I love it 

[chisel]

That's the current one.

If you have to plug it in to charge up, what sort of vehicle is it?
What sort of range has it got?

The new one is a plugin hybrid.  It has batteries and a petrol motor - like other hybrids (prius etc) - but unlike other hybrids it can be plugged in overnight if you like and you can get a fair distance on 100% electric before needing any petrol.  Probably far enough to do the usual daily commute and run-around.  Buying the electricity to do this should be a lot cheaper than buying the petrol to do the same, but I don't know the exact calculations for the outlander.