Outrageously cheap and fuel efficient
In the very near future Fiat might offer a two-cylinder car for the American market. Obviously, such a vehicle – one would think – would be called a joke by most Americans. Yet, what if Fiat offered an agile, fun-to-drive 100 mpg, 2-cylinder hybrid for just $12,000?
Could such a hybrid outsell [...]
toyota prius repair manual
Volkswagen joined the race of manufacturing eco-friendly cars or green cars as a response to the growing environmental concerns. Just recently, VW introduced to the public its magnificent 1 litre car which will hit the market this 2010. The car’s production went 2 years ahead of schedule due to the dramatic decrease [...]
Can automakers afford lithium?
Today, lithium is already available on the high end of the luxury hybrid market. Soon, however, lithium battery packs will be available in many other hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles.
Still, can automakers derive a profit from lithium-powered vehicles?
Certainly on the high end, automakers are very capable of deriving profits from battery-powered [...]
Alex Severinsky is a Soviet engineer and emigrant to the United States who once developed antitank-warfare instrumentation. In 1994, he patented a system for powering gas-electric hybrid automobiles. Toyota has been using his system since 1997 without permission or payment.
Until now.
Toyota Motor Corp. has settled a patent-infringement case that has dragged on for six years. [...]
Prius’ biggest attraction is the drivetrain, because let’s face it, everything else you can get in a Corolla for less money. For those concerned about dwindling fossil fuels, Toyota Prius is the lean, green statement to make. And now the car comes with even less real world compromises; it drives, rides and performs just like [...]
Just a glorified start/stop system?
While Honda was the early bird in the hybrid game, Honda’s hybrids have never been able to compete with Toyota Prius sales, and Honda’s less electric hybrid powertrain is one big reason for this difference.
Likewise, GM’s mild hybrid powertrain was even significantly less successful than Honda’s.
Of course, today, Honda is still [...]
Hybrid sales down more than 17 percent in June
Compared to last June auto sales were up 14 percent, however, hybrid sales dropped 17.5 percent due to a poor economy and cheaper gas prices according to Hybridcars.com
That means in June, hybrid sales slumped to just 2.2 percent of total auto sales.
The king of hybrid cars, the [...]
Lightening the plug-in load
Despite massive obstacles against plugging in the future of the auto industry, the electrification of a significant chunk of the automotive future seems inevitable. Yet, the success of the plug might be dependent upon more than just cheaper, smaller and more powerful batteries.
Instead, a significant reduction in vehicle weight might be the [...]