At the most recent Alternative Energy Conference at University of Michigan, a panel of 3 experts talked about they’re doing to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon footprint, and eliminate dependance on foreign oil. Facinating! But the word, no the new word, electrification was the buzzword of the day. Clearly, the electrics are currently the most visible alternative for better energy usage. But are they the best way forward? Consider these facts.
- Cost.
Soon, Prius owners will face the reality of replacing their battery packs. Ho Much? Not sure but a similar battery pask for the Chevy Volt is 16,000. - Charge time.
Toyota boasts of energy savings through braking regenration, which is simply capturing braking energy for release to launch the car from the stop. But they also quote 30% efficiency vs. 90% efficiency in a full series hybrid. - Weight.
Weight is important to any discussion about vehicle transportm expecially in applications that value payload such as taxi cabs. Toyota adds 350 lbs to the vehicle in batteries alone. The NRG Dynamix Drop N Hybrid is approaching weight neutrality when one considers swapping out the standard vehicle transmission with the NRG Drop N System. - Hazardous and Complex. Our design shop is located next to the Deerfield Volunteer Fire Department. Once, while our machinist had oour prototype on the dyno, a fireman moseied over for a chat. He mentioned that firemen are afraid to hose down an electric hybrid for fear of electrocution.
What are your comments about this???
