Re: Hybrids and definitions

["David Roden (Akron OH USA)" <roden@ald.net>]

On 26 Jan 2002 at 17:15, Martin Jackson wrote:

>  The whole 'hybrid' idea was created to provide an improved thermal
>   efficiency from the existing ICE technology and it works providing
>   roughly a 50% improvement in fuel use.

I may be mistaken, but as a relative "old timer" in the EV arena (but not 
as much as some on this list <g>), I don't think that the hybrid idea was 
quite envisioned that way.

Toyota and Honda didn't invent hybrid drive, not by a long shot.  It 
dates to early in the 20th century.

Thirty-five years ago (about the time I started paying attention to EVs), 
hybrid design was envisioned as a way to build an electric vehicle which 
could be operated on a higher-energy fuel, mainly gasoline and diesel 
fuel, when additional range was required.  

That's exactly 180 degrees round from the concept expressed above.

In the late 1990s, the "mild hybrid" or "mybrid" idea (the term was 
invented by one of the US automakers) emerged.  This concept closely 
matches the one quoted above:  not to extend the range of an EV, but to 
obtain greater efficiency from a heat-engine vehicle.

I think the difference is significant.  The hybrid of 30-35 years ago was 
first and fundamentally an EV.  The so-called hybrids now on offer and 
planned for the future -- Prius, Insight, and perhaps Durango and Escape 
SUVs -- are first and fundamentally heat engine vehicles.  In attitude, 
intent, and implementation, they are a markedly more conservative 
technology.

This is not to impugn their effectiveness (at least that of the Toyota 
and Honda offerings).  They accomplish their goals reasonably well -- 
although it's important to note that there are other ways to accomplish 
the same fuel efficiency goals with less complexity.  For example:

1. The US-spec VW Golf TDI beats the Prius's highway fuel efficiency by a 
significant margin (the Prius wins on city efficiency, however).  

2. The European-spec VW Lupo TDI tops the Insight's highway efficiency, 
and it's a four-passenger vehicle.  

3. Honda has in the past produced gasoline-powered Civics (VX model, 56 
mpg hwy) and CRXs (HF model, 61 mpg hwy) that approached the efficiency 
of the current Insight and exceed that of next year's hybrid Civic, which 
Honda says will return 50 mpg.

In my opinion, the Honda and Toyota are not true hybrids.  And while they 
certainly mark significant innovation (and it's about time), I don't 
believe that they're as radical a departure as their marketers would have 
us believe.


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David Roden - Akron, Ohio, USA
1991 Solectria Force 144vac
1991 Ford Escort Green/EV 128vdc
1979 General Engines ElectroPed 24vdc
1970 GE Elec-trak E15 36vdc
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