Comments on: Hybrid vehicle update

By: Maria Howard

Maria Howard — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 05:07:08 +0000

hybrid cars are energy efficient compared to diesel or gas powered cars.`,.

By: Jens

Jens — Wed, 06 May 2009 05:29:47 +0000

The future isn’t a petrol hybrid powered car it’s diesel. Studies have shown that small engined diesels put out a lot less emissions than petrol hybrid vehicles and once you start getting into plant based diesel fuel or similar then emissions would be even lower. Plus the extra energy used to make batteries and then the disposal of them [ then buying new ones} and the associated chemicals the hybrid starts to sound like an environmental disaster and money pit. It’s pointless.
What’s the VW Lupo TDI consumption down to now? Last I heard it was about 2.9l/100km average.

By: ted

ted — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 21:22:48 +0000

Rod…june 18th. You are a brainless ill informed twit that probably shouldnt be driving. Stop making up rubbish.

By: Graham

Graham — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 02:32:10 +0000

We are hearing a lot about the reduction of unleaded fuel pricing. How many of you out there have noticed the continuing rise in the added margins for high octane fuel??
About 12 months ago we were paying a 6cpl litre for high octane, caltex retained the 6 cent whilst Shell(Coles) went to 8 cpl. Looking At our Local Moss Vale Coles outlet today, they are posting 111.9cpl for unleaded and 124.9cpl for high octane.
The Govt are trying to tell us that we are doing better!! I don’t think so!

By: Hybrid Vehicles

Hybrid Vehicles — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 07:27:38 +0000

They aren’t predicting a massive amount of electric cars, so I think they’ll offer them.

Getting EVs on the road, in small numbers isn’t a problem for any major automaker. It’s getting cost-effective, profitable mass produced EVs on the road that isn’t so easy.

Regards,

Rose.

By: Johnny

Johnny — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:23:20 +0000

it is very good how it runs on LPG and it is good how it runs on batterys

By: Al

Al — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:34:54 +0000

Why have LPG prices also remained high when the wholesale price (Saudi) has recently halved over the past 4 months. Even if you take into account the US-AU$, the buy price has still gone down 30% and I haven’t seen this drop reflected at the pump.?!? More pressure please.

By: P.Radhakrishnan.

P.Radhakrishnan. — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 10:24:50 +0000

Dear sir, My comments may not be welcome by the manufacturers of Hybrid Engines. On my last visit recently to U.S.A ,I visited car dealers in California for purchasing a Hybrid Vehicle . The vehicle was test driven by my son-in-Law. My observations are:-

1. These vehicles are smaller compared to general American standards. Hence room is also less, engine as well as pay load. No wonder additional mileage .

2. The batteries alone weigh more than 1,000 lbs. In Standard vehicles they generally carry 2 Nos 12 Volts batteries which may not weigh more than 50 lbs. This additional 950 lbs of 6 passengers is being carried(invisible for human eye)for the whole life of the vehicle. The life of the vehicle as per the manufacturers is 1,00,000 miles; in some cases it is 1,50,000 miles.

Suppose the vehicle carries about 15 gallons of petrol, which may weigh about 100 to 105 lbs at the start and keep diminishing as the journey progresses and become more or less few pounds only (Reserve)in standard vehicles. I feel the engine is not unnecessarily burdened.

Regarding maintenance of the engine it can be attended by the mechanics in the dealers workshops only. Who will maintain the vehicles in remote places or in countries like India etc.

I consider these few points are more than enough for a prospective buyer of new vehicle to ponder over for the time being.
,
Thanking You, Youirs sincerely,
P.Radhakrishnan.
15th September 2008.

By: Ray G

Ray G — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 23:03:25 +0000

You’re right Sharon. Toyota Japan were very perturbed receiving money from a government who has not got a clue of the customs of their country. Our leader speaks Chinese but forgot the customs of others. Toyota is one of (if not the) richest companies in the world and do not need handouts. They are a very proud race.

Why did Rudd not give the money to Ford and Holden to perhaps prepare an Australian hybrid.

I know that Ford USA is currently developing hybrids and they are amazed at the concepts Australians bring to the motor industry. Put that together and develop one here.

As my mother used to tell me “charity begins at home”.

I hope you all win lotto !!!

By: Morgasshk

Morgasshk — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 01:31:43 +0000

I have to laugh at the pure media driven dribble that some of you quote as gospel

Hybrid technology is still beginning, Toyota may have sold a million Prius, but it doesn’t mean they are sitting back and waiting for more. No, they are doing further research and development on better, more efficient models…

And to those people quoting the cost of replacing Batteries, Inverters and initial cost to environment of producing the batteries… Please, do yourself a favour and speak to the Cab drivers in Cairns and Townsville…

Two batteries have been replaced in Australia… one with 650,000klms on the clock, and the other with close to 400,000, and they were both under $3500 to replace…

The Nickel Metal Hydride battery in Prius is designed to last at least 10 years… In 10 years, most conventional vehicle would have gone through 5 Lead-acid batteries, weighing approx 12-15 kilo’s each = 60 – 75kg of weight – whereas one Prius High Voltage battery is 45kg… go figure…

The fluids and materials inside the Prius battery are also less caustic, and less environmentally harming than any Lead-acid battery – gees, just think of the name, Lead-acid, sounds appealing doesn’t it!

Please don’t pass along hear-say and supposition. Make your comments on YOUR driving experiences, YOUR opinion on looks, and YOUR preferences.

I agree Prius costs way too much for many people to buy, I personally Love them, and part of that is loving all the technology, smart entry and start for all cars I say!

Have a good day y’all!