Notmuchlonger
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2007
- Messages
- 4,764
Next vehicle is coming in 3 to 5 years. Ill look closely at them then. I will need something suv/crossover like. Hopefully they start spitting them out.
The Honda turns off the gasoline engine at stops and quickly and automatically restarts it when you lift your foot off the brake pedal.
Have always owned smallish cars, bought a hybrid last year and the mileage is stunning. Like most if not all hybrid owners, we understood the payback would be long (although getting shorter every day). But there are other reasons to own a hybrid, significantly lower emissions is but one. Everyone understands that hybrids are not ideal and an interim approach until all-electric, fuel cells or some other technology comes along. You can either do something to reduce consumpton and emissions (10% of the oldest cars on the road are putting out 50% of the emissions) in the meantime, or wait on electric, fuel cells or whatever you think is the answer. But those technologies have a long way to go, and the day they are the 'economic' best choice are likely decades away.
It can be done and in some places it is.Anyone know why this can't be done with a regular car?
I bought a Honda Civic hybrid in December and really enjoy it.
The Honda technology is fundamentally different from the Prius. The primary motive force for the Prius is the electric motor, with a boost from the gasoline engine when necessary. By contrast, the Honda uses an ultra efficient gasoline engine as the prime motive force and uses an electric motor for boost when accelerating. As a consequence, the Honda battery is much smaller.
Recently, subsidies have made it more attractive to purchase hybrids. Taxi companies in my area are buying scores of Toyota Priuses. All the taxi drivers tell me they love them and are saving a bundle on gas.
Interesting on the sales tax break...So with the smaller battery, is the replacement battery estimated as much cheaper to replace than the Toyota and last longer?
BTW, I voted never would buy without significant payback/tax breaks...I think the "next great thing" will come along before mass acceptance...