Quote:
Originally Posted by ck90211
Nogorak, agree with you the Plug-in hybrids are the most practical, realistic technology for the immediate 10 years. And Fuel Cell is not feasible because most gas stations can't afford the distribution (they can't even afford a $5K nitrogen generator to fill tires with nitrogen!). I still think every company will have hybrid models in due time, just to be sure they are "with it".
But the reason why I think the hybrid war is over is because a Toyota and Honda already owns the patents to a lot of practical hybrid designs/ideas/concepts. So any new designs/concepts/products will need to play nice with Toyota/Honda's lawyers. I am not saying there is no more hybrids coming, I just believe that Toyota/Honda will probably be the "benevolent" dictators on the future of hybrids. Oh I really hope that does not happen.
Diesel is not a complete solution, because it puts us back to over-relying on fossil fuel again, not to mention potential environmental impacts. But I think non hybrid companies are just so desperate that they will say anything to to diss hybrids for the time being. And press are likely to follow, because they still get plenty of sponsorship money from carmakers.
Maybe diesel/plug-in hybrids will be the answer.
|
Actually I believe that there is a cooperative environment in existance right now in regards to the various hybrid technologies.
1) Toyota is not ( til now ) promoting it's HSD technology in smaller vehicles. It is also not promoting it in heavier vehicles either.
2) Honda tried promoting its IMA in midsized vehicles but withdrew the HAH and is expanding it to a Fit-sized vehicle to be built in Indiana apparently.
3) Ford is expanding its technology, albeit slowly due to outside factors.
4) GM is late to the party but its 2-Mode apparently is just as capable as any of the three above in terms of FE but it is much much more capable in heavy vehicles. None of the other three can say this.
Notice how all 4 are kind of 'keeping off the other's turf'. The market it primed to accept the fact of hybrid technology being reliable and doing what is expected of it. Now there just has to be choices across the whole product spectrum.