Hybrid Cars

[sean]

Anybody out there making or talking about making hybrid big rig trucks? Hybrid passenger vehicles are a small, positive step... but you can't stock the shelves of grocers with a fleet of Insights.

[JerseyBoy]

I believe Chevrolet has a hybrid Silverado out right now, but I haven't heard anything about manufacturers making "big-rig hybrids." Personally, I think that defeats the purpose of what a hybrid stands for.

[runawayjim]

I believe Chevrolet has a hybrid Silverado out right now, but I haven't heard anything about manufacturers making "big-rig hybrids." Personally, I think that defeats the purpose of what a hybrid stands for.

[suburban george3]

I believe Chevrolet has a hybrid Silverado out right now, but I haven't heard anything about manufacturers making "big-rig hybrids." Personally, I think that defeats the purpose of what a hybrid stands for.

[JDC]

On runawayjim's last post... I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure most conventional rail (passenger and freight) tops out around 65 MPH. But I'm glad someone brought up rail. Hybrid cars (and any cars that boast superior fuel economy) are better than gas guzzlers, clearly, but rail, IMO, is the best way to transport passengers in metro areas and freight over long distances. I really like that commercial (I think it's CSX) where the tree lifts the trailer off the truck and drops it on the train.

JerseyBoy's comment brings another commercial to mind: that new one with the guy and his daughter getting into a massive hybrid SUV (I think it's Ford). She asks Dad to drop her off a few blocks away from the theatre so no one sees her riding in an SUV. See, the theatre is in a part of town, she says, where people

[runawayjim]

On runawayjim's last post... I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure most conventional rail (passenger and freight) tops out around 65 MPH. But I'm glad someone brought up rail. Hybrid cars (and any cars that boast superior fuel economy) are better than gas guzzlers, clearly, but rail, IMO, is the best way to transport passengers in metro areas and freight over long distances. I really like that commercial (I think it's CSX) where the tree lifts the trailer off the truck and drops it on the train.

JerseyBoy's comment brings another commercial to mind: that new one with the guy and his daughter getting into a massive hybrid SUV (I think it's Ford). She asks Dad to drop her off a few blocks away from the theatre so no one sees her riding in an SUV. See, the theatre is in a part of town, she says, where people

[Neo]

Did anyone read the recent story about the guy who converted a Hummer H3 (he does this to vehicles for $25k on the side if I remember correctly from reading about him) to have 600hp and get 60mpg? It is an amazing feat and a very interesting read:

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/120/mo...ad-messiah.html

I'm not quite sure why automobiles haven't really boosted their efficiency much in decades, especially since technology has blossomed and lent itself to countless other miracle inventions that would leave generations past in awe. I will note that this guy has no degree and dropped out of school in the 7th grade yet the best minds in auto manufacturing can't rival what he's creating.