Windows 7: electric, hybrid, and solar powered cars

Got all the info i need now Now it would be good to hear some of your opinions concerning future cars/fuel.

Thank you again

Why not include Deisel? it's just as good as a hybrid car. Why people ignore this important engine is beyond me...

Well Diesel aint really that friendly to the environment as electric powered cars and solar powered cars. But it is more friendly than gasolin/Benzin...

or am i wrong?

My main opinion on electric cars is that the while the move towards them may be good overall, the companies involved in them are just completely lying through their teeth about the cost of electricity to power them at the moment.

They ALL seem to think that electricity is free, by quoting rediculous MPG ratings (One claims 240MPG!) then not figuring in the cost to plug it in every night. Saying we'll be able to plug in at work for free. (yeah...)

And at a time when coal fired electric plants are EXPLODING to feed our already out of control draw on the power grid, how are plug-in electrics going to tie in with that?

Also the common lies about the cost of power, when it is even mentioned, such as quoting rediculously low 3 or 5 cent per kw/hr rates.

There may be SOME places with nearly free electricity, but I know that if I started plugging in a car at night where I live, I'd be paying 32 cents per kw/hr to charge it which ends up being almost the same cost as a $3.50 gallon of gass for the milage it'll get me. If your on a tiered power system, adding an electric car will put the cost at the top of the tier, not at the bottom. So quoting the bottom tier price is compeltely bogus. (course that'll seem cheap when Gas it $10 a gallon in another 5-10 years)

I'm not against electric cars at all, but just for once i'd like to see an honest and complete investigation into the TRUE cost to power them and the efect of the manufacturing and disposal of the battery systems.

If we ever get commercial fusion going, or $1 a watt 75% solar panels, then we can power the entire transportation system on electricity. But till then, we still have a /serious/ lack of power to drive them.

Electricity doesn't come in gallons last time I checked...

I am shocked at your reply.

LOL! Sorry Antman, maybe I should elaborate on my point for the benefit of others!..

Yes, these new 'lets save the planet' cars need plugging in to a mains supply, but there are many more ways to generate electricity. Saying that 'these cars will save planet earth as we now know it', is just some single beings mad pipe-dream at the end of the day and as such needs the worlds occupants to follow suite in order for it to work.

It shouldn't be left to the people to decide but the so-called world leaders (to whom I think very little of!) and governments to place laws in order etc...

I don't drive myself, but I admire the typical 'boys dream cars' in full glory. Some of them are beautiful pieces of art/workmanship in my eyes..

I guess my main point is electricity has many sources if you know where to look and the govs/leaders of the world need to forget the smell of money, but hey, we can all dream.

I could go on and on regarding this but this would fall into politics wouldn't it? which breaks the forums rules on such a subject. (but everyone catches my drift..(no pun intended to the boy racers!))

Hmm, this is an interesting subject indeed and I am sure we are going to have a lively discussion. Here are my 5 cents worth on the different options:

1. Diesel - for the time being this is the most economical option. The modern turbo diesel coupled with a filter system is the cleanest and most economical propulsion system at this moment. Many cars being offered in Europe can do 60 to 80 MpG and even big cars like some Mercedes are in the 40MpG range. It would also be ideal for pick-ups because of the enormous torque it can produce.
2. Hybrid - the hybrids have some success in the US. It responds to the particular US environment. The US has too few refineries that are able to produce diesel fuel that meet the requirements for the modern turbo diesel (low sulfur and water content). Only the most rugged engines like the very basic VW turbo diesel can deal with the US fuel.
The main disadvantage of the hybrid is the very complex technology and the extra weight (weight being detrimental for good gas milage). And despite all the technical efforts, it can hardly match the turbo diesel's performance.
3. Hydrogen fuel cells - this technology is in the making. There are a few test vehicles that are available from various companies, but mass production is probably still 10 years away. The problem with hydrogen is that you need a lot of energy to produce it and a completely new infrastructure.
4. Electric only - the problem here are the batteries. A range of 50 to 100 miles will not be accepted by the market, neither will be the price of a battery set for $20.000. This technology also only makes sense once we are able to produce a sufficient amount of electricity from natural resources such as solar, thermal, etc.

My favorite for the time being is the Chevy Volt - an electric car with an on-board power plant. This power plant can be gas, diesel or hydrogen. The batteries need not be too big (and heavy) because they can be recharged at any time during the driving or at rest.
This approach provides range and flexibility as to the fuel and the source for the power production. Unfortunately I understand that it will be quite pricey when it comes out next year (more than 40 K$). That may kill a good idea.

I am a deisel fanboy since I like to HEAR my engine roar and vibrate than drive a enviroweenie slickdeck autoBORE car.

I had a 2000 Volkswagen Golf GLS TDI 5 door hatchback with front heated seats, 8 speaker Monsoon stereo system with 6 disc changer and Turbodeisel engine that never let me down, I even drove from Illinois to Delaware on 1 stinking tank of fuel with some left over upon completion and that's more than 800+ miles. Have a Hybrid try that...

While Diesel appears to be an option, some facts about it need to be brought to light...
1. Diesel is still a byproduct of Oil .. to produce more diesel engines does nothing to relieve our dependence on foreign oil...it furthers it.
2. Saying that diesel is economical in the same sentence, is like saying military intelligence.. It just aint so. Regardless of the MPG ratings that you cite, you still have to put it in the tank, and diesel costs the consumer more than gasoline at the present time...and will continue to rise in the foreseeable future.
3. Diesel has a notorious reputation to wax up (gel) in cold weather.. While there are additives (kerosene) that can help, but all it takes is one time and you end up wishing that you had a gasoline engine.