My Prius and my Solar Panels

[jamac]

I have been driving my Prius since May. It unlocks when I put my hand on the door handle. The car immediately knows my key and lets me push her buttons. By the time I put my seatbelt on she's ready and we go all electric. This process saves minutes of my day. There's no fumbling with keys or starting the engine or waiting for warmup, she's right there.
47 mi/gal consistantly and the baby is fast. i love chasing BMWs and Mercedes and imagine how much gas they are using to chase me while my engine isn't even running.
I am usually done filling up my 12 gal tank in mere seconds and I pay $ 22 for a full tank. This lasts for about 450 miles.

My 18 BP solar panels are making 134 watts each. My electric bill = $- 27
Let those kwh prices come I'll be making even more.

This is my declarion of war against terrorism.

Information is religion.




:D :D :wow: :D :D

[lolo]

Originally posted by jamac
i love chasing BMWs and Mercedes and imagine how much gas they are using
I drive a german car but I wouldn't mind trading it for a hybrid. Unfortunately, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes don't seem to be interested in hybrids. My wife might replace her car with the Lexus RX 400h in a year or two, assuming that it gets at least 30 mpg.
Information is religion
:???: Religion is the opposite of knowledge.

[Placebo]

Lexus is coming out with a mystery hybrid that no one knows much about yet.

[Anna Mated]

jamac. Photo?

[Carson O'Genic]

A person after my own heart!

[Splinemodel]

The hydrogen RX-8 will dust your Prius. And you can also fill it up (and run it) with gasoline as well, so if you're a long way from Tokyo, it's still not a problem finding a station. (so far, it's only street-legal in Japan, which is just as well because I don't think anywhere else has hydrogen stations.)

Otherwise, no pollution at all. Given that Hydrogen can be made from electricity and water, I can't imagine that fill-up costs will be too bad either.

But moving on, how much did those solar panels cost you, and where did you get them? Share the information. I've been interested in off-grid solar power for a while.

[Existence]

Originally posted by Splinemodel


Otherwise, no pollution at all. Given that Hydrogen can be made from electricity and water

The overwhelming majority of electricity is generated using coal. Most studies have shown hydrogen powered cars are more polluting than hybrids when this is taken into consideration.

[jamac]

Originally posted by Splinemodel
The hydrogen RX-8 will dust your Prius.

I hope so. It's lonely at the top:) For now my Prius is by far the best usable choice though.


[i]
But moving on, how much did those solar panels cost you, and where did you get them? Share the information. I've been interested in off-grid solar power for a while. [/B]

I have on grid solar. This is because California paid me $ 3 per watt I put on the roof = $ 7213.- So it cost 18,159.- incl the converter and all needed hardware and sales tax - 7213 = 10,946.- plus 3500 installation. And I sell my extra juice to Edison at retail price.

Go online and find your nearest solar dealer. The epa web page has a list also. Make sure you'll find out what permits you need from your city. They wanted detailed engineering calculations of my roof here.

[Placebo]

Behold...

http://www.motordeaire.com/ing/index_images/index.jpg

TEH AIR CAR!!!1 (http://www.theaircar.com/)

[THT]

Originally posted by jamac
My 18 BP solar panels are making 134 watts each. My electric bill = $- 27
Let those kwh prices come I'll be making even more.

This is my declarion of war against terrorism.

Information is religion.

Heh, I wouldn't be surprised if you were considered the terrorist in the Bush reality! Either you are contributing revenue to Bush-approved energy corporations or you are against him. Scared yet?

I congratulate you by the way. This is one of my dreams, but the cost of entry is too much. The Dept of Energy should have been subsidizing this sort of stuff ages ago. Heck, the $225G going into Iraq could have been used for this sort of thing, but alas no.

[Splinemodel]

Originally posted by Existence
The overwhelming majority of electricity is generated using coal.

Not where I live. ;)

I don't think Japan uses much coal either. I might be wrong, though. Beyond that, refining and shipping gasoline takes a lot of power and make a lot of pollution, but I'm not the expert here, so I can't say which one is better in the end. I would guess the hydrogen, but regardless, the Prius still does a lot better than most cars out there.

[Splinemodel]

Originally posted by jamac
I hope so. It's lonely at the top:) For now my Prius is by far the best usable choice though.




I have on grid solar. This is because California paid me $ 3 per watt I put on the roof = $ 7213.- So it cost 18,159.- incl the converter and all needed hardware and sales tax - 7213 = 10,946.- plus 3500 installation. And I sell my extra juice to Edison at retail price.

Go online and find your nearest solar dealer. The epa web page has a list also. Make sure you'll find out what permits you need from your city. They wanted detailed engineering calculations of my roof here.

That's not bad. . . I have a flat roof, no tree coverage, and I live in the "Sunshine State" ;) Sounds like it's worth an investigation.

[jamac]

Originally posted by THT


I congratulate you by the way. This is one of my dreams, but the cost of entry is too much. The Dept of Energy should have been subsidizing this sort of stuff ages ago. Heck, the $225G going into Iraq could have been used for this sort of thing, but alas no.

Thank you! I went into debt for this but I figured its more expemsive than not doing it. The Prius basically pays for itself in time and $ savings. Starting Jan 1 I can drive in the carpool lanes by myself. It never needs a smog check, it doesn't idle so how would you do one anyways.
The solar panels were a long time dream of mine and I just went for it. What the heck I only live once and every $ I pay less in taxes (You also save the tax on the electricity you no longer get from the grid, plus the decreased tax on gas at the pump) I buy less ammunition. They pay me about $ 80.- every month at the current energy costs. This is a good return on my money. After this is paid off they will maybe pay even more. The warranty is 25 years and there is no data on how long the panels last. The ones installed in the 60s are still making juice. This is my way of stickin' it to them...
And Mr. Bush likes big debts. I might aswell get something out of it.

[MarcUK]

Do oil companies pay the motor manufacturers to make hybrid cars so Fugly so people don't buy them?

[THT]

Originally posted by MarcUK
Do oil companies pay the motor manufacturers to make hybrid cars so Fugly so people don't buy them?

Heh. The Honda Civic Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, and GM trucks look very much like their non-hybrid counterparts. Hybrids will just be an additional feature in cars coming in the next few years like fuel injection was.

[IonYz]

Originally posted by MarcUK
Do oil companies pay the motor manufacturers to make hybrid cars so Fugly so people don't buy them?

No, they pay motor manufacturers to make cars look exactly like one another. Because we all know if you stand out from the crowd your automatically fugly right? Hey but what do I know I drive this (http://ionyz.net/sharing/boxy/) ;)

Really wanted a Prius but there is currently a 2-year wait for them in our area! :no:

[MarcUK]

Originally posted by IonYz
No, they pay motor manufacturers to make cars look exactly like one another. Because we all know if you stand out from the crowd your automatically fugly right? Hey but what do I know I drive this (http://ionyz.net/sharing/boxy/) ;)

Really wanted a Prius but there is currently a 2-year wait for them in our area! :no:

That looks pretty cool IMO. But that blue thing placebo posted, no no no.

The technology is cool, but why don't they make them look like standard cars, or kinda sporty. It looks like a UK Ford Transit married to a Ford Ka rear end.

And have you reversed those photo's? Whats with having a steering wheel on the left hand side of the car?

[Yevgeny]

Awesome.

How is your fuel economy for freeway travel? I have heard that hybrids don't get the posted fuel economy in real world freeway driving. All I do is freeway driving. My dream car is an Acura RSX hybrid.

As for the whole solar panel thing, that too is cool. If I could buy a house, I would want to do that. One of my good friends (a good conservative heterosexual gun bearing civil engineering Lutheran Christian) installs those in peoples houses as a side job. I have to say that I wish that we could do more of that in America but that the buy in cost is just too expensive right now. My hope is that the current nanotechnology polymer based solar cells bring home the promise to reduce solar cell prices by a factor of ten. I kid you not, the engineers will save us.

Note about myself: I may want the right to own an assault rifle and to wear it on my back, but I also want America to be energy independent and to use green energy sources. I think that we'll get green energy in bulk in about 10-20 years and the right to strap an assault rifle w/ integrated grenade launcher on your back sometime after that ;)

[Yevgeny]

Oh and Jamac, proving that the Democratic controlled state Legislature in CA cares more about taking your money than the environment, you should be aware that <sarcasm>in their desire to promote fuel efficeincy</sarcasm>, that they want to tax people by the mile, not by the gallon. The specific reason why is because people like you who buy hybrids aren't paying enough in gas tax.

link to proposed gas tax based on milage (http://216.239.57.104/search?q=cache:ArrtOa3jLrkJ:www.sacbee.com/content/politics/story/10301191p-11221326c.html+California+gas+tax+per+mile&hl=en)

Damn democratic idiots. As someone I know once said on a gun forum, "It is time to vote from the rooftops" ;)

[MarcUK]

Originally posted by Yevgeny
Awesome.

How is your fuel economy for freeway travel? I have heard that hybrids don't get the posted fuel economy in real world freeway driving. All I do is freeway driving. My dream car is an Acura RSX hybrid.

As for the whole solar panel thing, that too is cool. If I could buy a house, I would want to do that. One of my good friends (a good conservative heterosexual gun bearing civil engineering Lutheran Christian) installs those in peoples houses as a side job. I have to say that I wish that we could do more of that in America but that the buy in cost is just too expensive right now. My hope is that the current nanotechnology polymer based solar cells bring home the promise to reduce solar cell prices by a factor of ten. I kid you not, the engineers will save us.

Note about myself: I may want the right to own an assault rifle and to wear it on my back, but I also want America to be energy independent and to use green energy sources. I think that we'll get green energy in bulk in about 10-20 years and the right to strap an assault rifle w/ integrated grenade launcher on your back sometime after that ;)

$200 billion could have developed a whole load of next generation solar panels AND put several on every house in America AND negated the need for a suicidal dependance on Middle Eastern countries oil.

[jamac]

Originally posted by Yevgeny
Awesome.

How is your fuel economy for freeway travel? I have heard that hybrids don't get the posted fuel economy in real world freeway driving. All I do is freeway driving. My dream car is an Acura RSX hybrid.



If there is traffic I get about 52 mi/gal on the freeway. If there is no traffic and I go about 85 it goes down to about 49. My overall average has consistantly been 47mi/gal. I live at 2600 feet so I drive up and down the hill a lot. Leaving my house to go to work the gasoline engine doesn't even kick in until I am on the flat part of the freeway.
I have a gun rack in my Prius which I ordered from Texas. It matches the enterior and can hold 3 rifles and 6 hand guns, Unfortumately the granade launcher roof attachment is backordered but I'll report when I get it.

[IonYz]

Originally posted by MarcUK
That looks pretty cool IMO. But that blue thing placebo posted, no no no.

The technology is cool, but why don't they make them look like standard cars, or kinda sporty. It looks like a UK Ford Transit married to a Ford Ka rear end.

Early hybrids had to look funky because the technology called for it. The cars had to be lightweight and very aerodynamic. Toyota's new Synergy Drive (IIRC) has given a great deal more power to the current year Prius but the odd shapes remain to increase miles per gallon further.

They can place hybrids in normal looking cars, but they would be much less energy efficient in the process. The technology is always advancing though. We will see hybrids in your average looking cars down the road.

And have you reversed those photo's? Whats with having a steering wheel on the left hand side of the car?

I'm from the States, we drive on the right ;)

The Scion xB is the North American version of the Japanese Toyota bB. The native version of course is right-hand drive.

[MarcUK]

Originally posted by IonYz

I'm from the States, we drive on the right ;)


Oh c'mon please bite, I wanted to use my sarcasm is priceless joke:D

[Yevgeny]

Originally posted by MarcUK
$200 billion could have developed a whole load of next generation solar panels AND put several on every house in America AND negated the need for a suicidal dependance on Middle Eastern countries oil.

I guess we can build utopia over here and just leave other nations in the dust. If they wanted freedom, then they would march for it because the pen really is mightier than the sword... yeah right.

Me however, I am in favor of bombing dictatorships while raising taxes and pushing to alternative energy sources. You can bomb the bad people while making solar cells.

Also, solar cells use semiconductors and so you have to play in the marketplace. If you went on a 200 billion solar cell buying binge, you would find out that there isn't enough semiconductor grade silicon to make them all, and you would probably triple the cost of... computer chips which use the same silicon.

SO the more reasonable thing to do is to develop better technology for solar energy (nanotech polymer seems to be a good candidate) while bombing the bad people and lining up the local dissenters for the firing line. Oh, that last part was a joke, that kind of stuff only happens in North Korea, and the old Iraq. :)

[Yevgeny]

Originally posted by jamac
If there is traffic I get about 52 mi/gal on the freeway. If there is no traffic and I go about 85 it goes down to about 49. My overall average has consistantly been 47mi/gal. I live at 2600 feet so I drive up and down the hill a lot. Leaving my house to go to work the gasoline engine doesn't even kick in until I am on the flat part of the freeway.
I have a gun rack in my Prius which I ordered from Texas. It matches the enterior and can hold 3 rifles and 6 hand guns, Unfortumately the granade launcher roof attachment is backordered but I'll report when I get it.

Excellent. Nice to hear that the listed milage corresponds well to what you get in the real world. My 2000 altima has a few more years left in it. After that, my dream car is an Acura rsx hybrid (hopefully they will make one).

I am glad to see toyota take the innovation lead with hybrids and I am glad to see that the marketplace has responded by rewarding them.

Does your gun rack come with a speed loader? ;)

<rant>
TO be honest, the high oil prices we currently face are GOOD. They are good for two reasons:

They make alternative energy cheaper and so we will invest in alternative energy sources because they are more than cost competetive with oil.

They remind us that it isn't good to be dependent on alternative energy.

So I think that we will see rather quick adoption of hybrid technology by consumers because the current oil shock (moderately bad by infaltion adjusted standards) makes people think about lowering their fuel consumption.

Why oh why are so many environmentalists luddites?
</rant>

[trick fall]

Jamac, I'm really interested in getting solar panels for my weekend house. It gets plenty of sunshine and with the amount of electricity I use up there I'm thinking I could completely obliterate my electric bill. Can you point me to some good resources for looking into this? I'd be mighty obliged.

[Yevgeny]

Originally posted by trick fall
Jamac, I'm really interested in getting solar panels for my weekend house. It gets plenty of sunshine and with the amount of electricity I use up there I'm thinking I could completely obliterate my electric bill. Can you point me to some good resources for looking into this? I'd be mighty obliged.

Or you might actually be able to make a profit with it since you only use the house on weekends. You can sell back the electricity that you do not use. Of course the buy in cost is rather high, but over the duration of a decade or two, you could pay it off. If you can do this, then more power to you!

[trick fall]

Or you might actually be able to make a profit with it


That's what I'm thinking. There should be tax incentives for this kind of stuff as well.........

[Yevgeny]

Originally posted by trick fall
That's what I'm thinking. There should be tax incentives for this kind of stuff as well.........

I seem to recall that there were tax incentives in CA for this, but that they expired this last year due to CA's budget shortfall.

I agree that there should be tax incentives for this kind of stuff. Sadly, the current buy in cost is rather expensive. Hopefully, the cost for solar cells can be brought down.

hybird nanorod solar cells (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,441826,00.asp)

Don't worry folks, the engineers will save the day.

[Frank777]

Does anyone have any info on how solar cells perform in the cold?

I'd be interested in finding out if it's feasible for my house, but the "Canadian Factor" come into play. That is, there will be plenty of times when the roof is covered in snow.

[Wrong Robot]

I want to get a hybrid, I wish there were a few more options though, and they were a bit cheaper. But I live in Southern California, the highest gas prices in the nation, so it'd definitely be a worthy investment.

As far as solar panels and stuff. well, one day me and a couple friends hope to build an earthship that will be 100% self sustaining. So, hopefully by the time we get started(should be in a couple years) alternative fuel sources will be a little further along.

[Carson O'Genic]

Originally posted by Yevgeny
E<rant>
TO be honest, the high oil prices we currently face are GOOD. They are good for two reasons:

They make alternative energy cheaper and so we will invest in alternative energy sources because they are more than cost competetive with oil.

They remind us that it isn't good to be dependent on alternative energy.

So I think that we will see rather quick adoption of hybrid technology by consumers because the current oil shock (moderately bad by infaltion adjusted standards) makes people think about lowering their fuel consumption.

Why oh why are so many environmentalists luddites?
</rant>

Let me take this somewhat rare opportunity to agree with Yevgeny. ;)

The problem is the prices never stay high long enough to result in a lasting shift in energy use or production.

As far as I'm concerned gas prices are just fine as long as the roads are full of SUV with brand new plates.

[jamac]

Originally posted by trick fall
Jamac, I'm really interested in getting solar panels for my weekend house. It gets plenty of sunshine and with the amount of electricity I use up there I'm thinking I could completely obliterate my electric bill. Can you point me to some good resources for looking into this? I'd be mighty obliged.

The company I contacted checked the electricity bill of my house for the last 3 years. The have somekind of access to the electric company's records. (I only own the house for 1 year). They send me a pdf with the usage stats and how my panels will cover me. They use a 6 avg hour sun exposure for the calculation. Depending on your area this will differ of course.

As for cold: the outside temperature has no affect on the output of the panels. In Canada you might do well in summer when the days are long. In the rain the output goes down to about 30%., but it washes the dust of the panels which they recommend every 3 month if it doesn't rain.

As far as I know Great Britain is doing a bit push towards solar energy and it rains a lot there. They still seem to think it's worth it.

[Frank777]

Thanks for the info.

Solar looks to be the great hope. Even Wind power looks to have a set of environmental issues. (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20041109.wwind1109/BNStory/specialScienceandHealth/)

[MarcUK]

Originally posted by Frank777
Thanks for the info.

Solar looks to be the great hope. Even Wind power looks to have a set of environmental issues. (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20041109.wwind1109/BNStory/specialScienceandHealth/)

Well it solves a problem as well, keeps the ice frozen.

[Wrong Robot]

I'm particularly interested about Solar arrays in space. I remember reading not too long ago that it would be feasible to construct enormous array(s) in space and beam the power harvested from them back to earth via lasers or something.

Pretty interesting concept, the benefits obviously would be that the solar arrays would get 24/7 exposure to sun and would be unaffected by atmosphere changes so they'd be far more efficient.

Another form of energy that interests me is Tidal energy which in theory could deliver far more energy than conventional wind turbines, but it's also been speculated that widespread use of tidal would disrupt ecosystems something mean.

Of course, The kicker is that there is no magic bean to replace oil, oil *is* the magic bean, the only real way to ease oil consumption is with widespread adoption of as many different alternative sources as possible. put your eggs in many baskets and all that.

[Ichiban_jay]

hydrogen car = no go

At least for now, haha, I've been doing a research paper on alternative fuels. Hydrogen, while producing no emissions besides water and heat has to be made from either separating water into its elemental states by deriving coal and natural gas into hydrogen. Separating water uses electrolysis, which requires electricity. At this point most electricity comes from crude fuel sources like coal and oil, and since you have to put more energy into separating water then the energy you get from oxygen and hydrogen reacting... You end up with: more pollution (caused by crude oil and coal) and less efficiency then just burning gasoline in a car. Now, you can argue that you can use solar or wind power, but these power sources only account for a small percentile of the what the US uses for electricity... Also, "It is the lightest element, about eight times lighter than methane. Compacting it for storage or transport is expensive and energy intensive. A recent study by two Swiss engineers concludes, "We have to accept that [hydrogen's] ... physical properties are incompatible with the requirements of the energy market. Production, packaging, storage, transfer and delivery of the gas ... are so energy consuming that alternatives should be considered."

More here: http://www.alternet.org/story/15239


As for the next step of the automobile market, I would say mild hybrid cars. Basically it's a complete gas powered vehicle 'cept a small difference, there is a batter in the trunk. As the car runs it charges up the battery, everything electrical in the car uses this battery for energy (a/c, lights, starter, etc). So when you stop at a stop light the engine can completely be turned off and instantly start up when you press the gas pedal. Gets more mpg and is more economical on a mass scale for now at least.

Done ranting :wow:

[jamac]

I read an article in sciam which states that we could reduce our oil consumption by 70% if all cars and trucks would be hybrids. This would stretch our reseves for many years.

Other benefits of full hybrids:

Life of brakepads is increased by about 250%. The car uses the generator to brake and load the battery. The pads are only needed to stop and for the parking brake.

Easy conversion to plug in battery loading. With an easy mod I will be able to load my battery with my solar juice when the car is parked in my garage. this will allow me to save even more gas and go shopping without the gasoline engine.

Drive by wire. The UI can be redesigned to fit any person easily.

Toyota is already making a chip that turns my Prius into a Porsche. A Hybrid racing class has been announced.

It's impossible to commit suicide by CO poisoning, the car doesn't idle. It therefore doesn't need smogchecks.

Theft: much luck hotwiring this thing...It doesn't have a starter key. The entry system is entirely RF signature based. There is no battery in the key. The car activates the transmitter.

[burningwheel]

Originally posted by jamac
I have been driving my Prius since May. It unlocks when I put my hand on the door handle. The car immediately knows my key and lets me push her buttons. By the time I put my seatbelt on she's ready and we go all electric. This process saves minutes of my day. There's no fumbling with keys or starting the engine or waiting for warmup, she's right there.
47 mi/gal consistantly and the baby is fast. i love chasing BMWs and Mercedes and imagine how much gas they are using to chase me while my engine isn't even running.
I am usually done filling up my 12 gal tank in mere seconds and I pay $ 22 for a full tank. This lasts for about 450 miles.

My 18 BP solar panels are making 134 watts each. My electric bill = $- 27
Let those kwh prices come I'll be making even more.

This is my declarion of war against terrorism.

Information is religion.




:D :D :wow: :D :D
my Cougar costs about $25-27 for a fill up (13 or 14 gal tank) and i get 350 miles with that

[Anders]

My bikes engine cost 3 dollars to fill up and it runs 400 miles.

Anders Holier-than-Thau

[Ichiban_jay]

umm the chevy metro requires 12 dollars to fill up weekly for 230 miles. :D with air conditioning. lol 6 gallon refill, the tank is 10 gallons but we refill it weekly

[Yevgeny]

Originally posted by Wrong Robot
I'm particularly interested about Solar arrays in space. I remember reading not too long ago that it would be feasible to construct enormous array(s) in space and beam the power harvested from them back to earth via lasers or something.

Pretty interesting concept, the benefits obviously would be that the solar arrays would get 24/7 exposure to sun and would be unaffected by atmosphere changes so they'd be far more efficient.

Yes, you can use microwaves to beam the energy down to earth. You would place a microwave reveiver in the desert where there isn't much of an impact.

Space based solar power currelntly does not work for several reasons:
1. Lifting solar cells into orbit is extremely expensive. On the order of $1000 per pound.
2. People get scared when they hear about microwave beams because they think that you will accidentally vaporize small cities.
3. Environmentalists are concerned with the impact of long term low level microwave radiation on lizards in the desert.

It is more cost effective to put solar cells on the desert floor than in space.

Originally posted by Wrong Robot
Of course, The kicker is that there is no magic bean to replace oil, oil *is* the magic bean, the only real way to ease oil consumption is with widespread adoption of as many different alternative sources as possible. put your eggs in many baskets and all that.

Well, the reason why oil looks like a magic bean is because it is so commonplace and has a large and well developed infrastructure that has been developed around it. This will change if something becomes more economically viable.

Solar cells also have a well developed infrastructure, specifically the power grid. The same power grid that delivers power to your house can also take power from your house and send it to another person's house.

[jamac]

My solar panels and snow.

We had some snow now which is the first since I had my panels installed. I called the solar vendor and they explained to me that the panels get slightly warm and thaw of quickly which was indeed the case. The panels thawed almost immediately while the rest of the roof is still covered with snow.

Thank you sun for making me money every day and you don't even want vacation days like Thanksgiving.

Have a nice tripto sleep everybody!

[Frank777]

Originally posted by Yevgeny
2. People get scared when they hear about microwave beams because they think that you will accidentally vaporize small cities.

Aim it at Washington and Ottawa. Nobody will complain.

[jessearl]

Originally posted by Yevgeny
Awesome.

Note about myself: I may want the right to own an assault rifle and to wear it on my back, but I also want America to be energy independent and to use green energy sources. I think that we'll get green energy in bulk in about 10-20 years and the right to strap an assault rifle w/ integrated grenade launcher on your back sometime after that ;)


Amen, brother!

[NJ Tom]

A guy I worked with said that hybrid/electric cars can cause electrocutions if involved in a bad accident. How true is this?

[Frank777]

Originally posted by NJ Tom
A guy I worked with said that hybrid/electric cars can cause electrocutions if involved in a bad accident. How true is this?

Now that's something I haven't thought of.

Funny, and we frantically search for alternatives to gasoline, we're finding that each choice has it's own set of potential problems.

Although, in this case, I think the odds are in the electric's favor. Possible electrocution would still be preferable to possible explosion.

[jamac]

I think if the accident is so bad that wires are exposed than it doesn't matter what car you are in. But indeed Firemen are being educated as to the location of wires in hybrid cars.

As a plus, no car thief in their right mind will try and hot wire a Prius.:D
zzzzzzapppp.

[Not Unlike Myself]

Originally posted by Placebo
Behold...

http://www.motordeaire.com/ing/index_images/index.jpg

TEH AIR CAR!!!1 (http://www.theaircar.com/) I have been pumped about these for months now and can't wait until a domestic company crops up.

Couple things though.

1) Need larger tanks for greater range x 2 roughly.
2) Need a portable set of solar arrays which can power the on board air compressor.
3) Need to address top speed to allow 80 MPH.
4) Need to slightly redesign with an American slant.
5) Need to have local dealership support for repairs.
6) Need to have warrenty.

For the above I would double their current asking price. Provided I could pick the color of the vehicle. I'd also order two of them today.

[Wrong Robot]

I'm getting a car soon, I really want to get a hybrid, it's unfortunate that I need a car now, because I'm sure that in 2 or 3 years hybrid cars will be a lot better than today's offerings, also they'll probably be more readily available and maybe even cheaper(whether through new models or greater adoption/support of the technology)

I would love a prius, but that's probably too expensive for me, especially since I've heard that they are being priced higher than standard because of high demand. The Honda Civic Hybird would be my next choice but like the civic hybrid isn't even THAT much more fuel efficient than a 2 door manual civic or a toyota corolla.

I wish the tax break incentives were greater for hybrids, that'd really make this easier.

[Fellowship]

For all who may be interested in this technology,,,

CHECK OUT THIS LINK! (http://facultystaff.vwc.edu/~gnoe/avd.htm)

Have fun !!

Fellows ;)