The primary reason they are bringing these hybrids out into the market is to
appease the EPA...
Later!
Tom "Slick" North
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
[mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of Jason Bleazard
Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2004 9:11 AM
To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
Subject: DML: Hybrids (was: Hybrid Escape)
Jeff Durling wrote:
> I am saying I don't think hybrids have a future, i actually do, but
> only when they get smart.
Just for the sake of discussion, I would respectfully disagree. I've
always thought of hybrids as R&D platforms, mainly useful for working
the bugs out of the batteries, motors etc. for fuel cell powered
vehicles. As a solution to the problem, I think hybrids are temporary
at best.
As much as it pains me to say so, I agree with Dieter Zetsche that fuel
cells are the way things are headed, and diesel makes a better temporary
solution. By the time Honda, Toyota, Ford and GM have worked all the
bugs out of their hybrid vehicles, fuel cells will be here. Then we'll
see them pulling the gasoline engines out of their hybrids and replacing
them with fuel cells as a power source. That, in my opinion, is the
main purpose of hybrids, to develop a platform ready to run with a fuel
cell once those are ready.
Chrysler seems to prefer to put their research directly in to the fuel
cells rather than fool around with hybrids. I'm not sure which strategy
is better. I know they were talking about a hybrid Durango, and I've
heard talk about a hybrid Ram, but so far it's just been prototypes. I
haven't seen them bringing anything to market in any big hurry. They
ARE trying to bring more diesels to market, though.
-- Jason Bleazard http://www.bleazard.net Burlington, Ontario his: '95 Dakota Sport 4x4, 3.9 V6, 5spd, Reg. Cab, white hers: '01 Dakota Sport 4x4, 4.7 V8, Auto, Quad Cab, black
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