Community Forums

Forest Grump · 09-04-2011, 10:29 AM

I recently readable a technical article on hybrids and full electrics. It turnout a full electric only saves about $19. I don't know if this is annual or during it's lifetime. The m in LiMH is the rarest metal on earth, about 5 grams per individual. Adding the cost of powering these cars, the cost of the electrical generation and losses through efficiencies they just are not cost or environmentally effective at this time. On the other hand the hybrids they said were more cost and environmentally effective. It was interesting.

It would seem to me that a diesel hybrid electric for a motorhome would make sense.

jspande · 09-04-2011, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forest Grump

It would seem to me that a diesel hybrid electric for a motorhome would make sense.

Hybids have a great advantage in city (stop & go) driving, but not long distance highway driving, where the weight of the elctric motor and battery can actually hurt. Plug-in hybrids, like the Volt have their advantage on short trips (whether city or highway), but they would have an even greater weight problem for long distance.

Diesel hybrid city buses are potentialy a big advantage, but the technology is not likely to fit Motorhome use (I doubt anyone commutes in one).

vegascouple · 09-04-2011, 04:09 PM

My 06 Escape Hybrid averages 30 MPG. That's stop and go driving and hitting the open road at 80 MPH. Name another SUV that gets even close to that number. I have seen and driven the Volt and I was very impressed. I've never seen anything negative about the car from anyone who actually has some experience with it. What kind of mileage you'll get with Volt depends on where and how you drive. However, under any circumstances it will be far better than a car of comparable size. Comparing the Volt to a car half it's price is like the proverbially apples and oranges.

Large yachts are now using hybrids with electric motors and generators. I'm guessing the only problem with putting them in motor homes is getting the cost down and retooling with limited production. I can't imagine we won't see hybrid motor homes that will get close to 20 MPG sometime next year.

I know some of you are in love with dirty stinky air. Then again some of you love sending all your money to the middle east. I'm sure others want to make sure your beloved oil companies keep making Billions. I'm also quite sure that some love the warm dry weather and fires we are having in Texas! However, the world is changing, and it's changing very quickly. If you don't open your mind, you'll be left even further behind. If that is where you want to be so be it!

mahon1993 · 09-04-2011, 07:35 PM

vegascouple sounds like you drank the cool-aide.

jodann · 09-05-2011, 04:40 AM

[/QUOTE]I know some of you are in love with dirty stinky air. Then again some of you love sending all your money to the middle east. I'm sure others want to make sure your beloved oil companies keep making Billions. I'm also quite sure that some love the warm dry weather and fires we are having in Texas! However, the world is changing, and it's changing very quickly. If you don't open your mind, you'll be left even further behind. If that is where you want to be so be it![/QUOTE]

I find the discussion of fuel conservation, the environment, and RV'ing laughable, at best. At 7.5 mpg while towing I am "Guilty as Charged".
Jodann

Cat320 · 09-05-2011, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegascouple

I know some of you are in love with dirty stinky air. Then again some of you love sending all your money to the middle east. I'm sure others want to make sure your beloved oil companies keep making Billions. I'm also quite sure that some love the warm dry weather and fires we are having in Texas! However, the world is changing, and it's changing very quickly. If you don't open your mind, you'll be left even further behind. If that is where you want to be so be it!

At one point this WAS a serious discussion...it is clearly not any more.

RJay · 09-05-2011, 08:53 AM

Folks,

This discussion has gone on for 200+ posts and it has been a good one. Please don't be the one to take it in a direction where we have to enforce the rules. Thank you.

jspande · 09-05-2011, 10:50 AM

Has anyone else wondered why GM didn't Brand the Volt as a Cadillac rather than Chevy?

Those who have driven an electric (like Tesla) understand that they are a really "high end" driving experience - smooth, quiet...

Everyone understands that the early production of such innovative technology has a high cost, and that would seem more compatible with a high end brand. Obviously a $40,000+ Chevy is raising eyebrows.

Calling it a Cadillac would perhaps avoid the false assumption by many that the only justification for this technology is lower cost per mile.

two-niner · 09-05-2011, 11:28 AM

Actually Cadillac has a hybrid on the assembly line. Be here soon. (Soon is a GM term) But it is coming. Back to the Volt.

Kerry

Francesca · 09-05-2011, 12:00 PM

You beat me to it, Kerry!

I've been following the Cadillac Hybrid with interest...
Here's a link for anybody else that would like to take a look
Hybrid Technology - Fuel Efficiency | Cadillac

And now (like you said):

Back to the Volt!

Francesca

Paul R. Haller · 09-27-2011, 04:11 PM

I drive a hybrid to work. So does my wife. We have 2 hybrid Toyota Priuses (Priui?).Were they more $ then a comparably equipped Toyota? Yes, initially. Now the cars are both paid for and we both get 50 MPG. Imagine if you can going 500 miles on 10 gallons of gas. We both enjoy doing it + I got hov stickers and a 4000$ tax credit! add in the added hybrid cost - the tax credit at your tax rate of about 33% and you are at about 1200$ off the cost of the car. Did I save any money?!? Probably not, but it sure felt good trying and when you pull up next to an Escalade and he is putting in 120$ to fill the tank and go 350 miles and I put in 35$ and go 500....well, I smile all the way home.
I have 2 other cars. One, a fully restored 71 455 GTO Judge, and the other a 2007.5 Dodge 3500 4wd dually used only to pull my 5er. So, I have burned my share of fossile fuels. The cost of owning a hybrid vs judgement day and a comeback on are you saving resources question = priceless.
I like my choices on all kinds of levels. If the Volt was as efficiant as my Prius, went at least 50 miles on a charge, and as little spent in maintanance, I'd have one in a heartbeat.
-Paul R. Haller-

Francesca · 09-27-2011, 04:30 PM

Hi, Paul

I've got a question that I've been wanting to ask an actual Prius owner- and you've got two!

Seems like I can only find miles per gallon of gas-
how many miles to you get per kilowatt hour of electricity?

Thanks!

Francesca

Lindsay Richards · 09-27-2011, 04:59 PM

All of os taxpayers out here in threadland contributed to the $8,000 rebate you got. How often do you think our we taxpayers and thank us?

chasfm11 · 09-27-2011, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul R. Haller

I drive a hybrid to work. So does my wife. We have 2 hybrid Toyota Priuses (Priui?).Were they more $ then a comparably equipped Toyota? Yes, initially. Now the cars are both paid for and we both get 50 MPG. Imagine if you can going 500 miles on 10 gallons of gas. We both enjoy doing it + I got hov stickers and a 4000$ tax credit! add in the added hybrid cost - the tax credit at your tax rate of about 33% and you are at about 1200$ off the cost of the car. Did I save any money?!? Probably not, but it sure felt good trying and when you pull up next to an Escalade and he is putting in 120$ to fill the tank and go 350 miles and I put in 35$ and go 500....well, I smile all the way home.
I have 2 other cars. One, a fully restored 71 455 GTO Judge, and the other a 2007.5 Dodge 3500 4wd dually used only to pull my 5er. So, I have burned my share of fossile fuels. The cost of owning a hybrid vs judgement day and a comeback on are you saving resources question = priceless.
I like my choices on all kinds of levels. If the Volt was as efficiant as my Prius, went at least 50 miles on a charge, and as little spent in maintanance, I'd have one in a heartbeat.
-Paul R. Haller-

Good for your, Paul. I'm glad that you are happy with your choice. I hope others who wish to will make the same choice. The key word is choice.

One of the bad discussions that I've had was with a lady Prius owner who went out of her way to tell me what a wretched human being I am for owning a MH. She did everything but call me the devil incarnate. When I attempted to have a rational discussion with her by asking her how many miles she drove a year, her response was "it doesn't matter - my vehicle gets 50mpg, yours doesn't - that is all that matters." I tried to explain to her that the average RV user drives around 3,500 miles per year. At 10mpg, that is 350 gallons. People who drive 25-35,000 miles per year even getting 50mpg actually can use more fuel than I do.

For those who choose it, the Prius or the Volt is a great solution. When I'm forced to buy one, especially if the government is subsidizing the purchases, that is a problem.