On 29 Mar 2013 at 17:45, Dennis Miles wrote: > So why can't I refer to a Volt as the hybrid it is ...
I don't know. Did anyone say you can't? The Volt *is* indeed a true hybrid, unlike the various non-pluggable quasi- hybrids, which derive all their motive energy from liquid fuel. The lattter are really just ICEVs with electric superchargers, IMO. I don't consider them genuine hybrids, though I know mine isn't a majority opinion. I find in my conversations with non-ev-hobbyists that the idea of a true hybrid like the Volt has a fair bit of traction (no pun intended). For years I've argued that 50 or 75 miles of range is plenty for most people. However, almost all the "civilians" I talk with don't think it is, even after I have them total up all the driving they really do. In their views, it doesn't matter that EVs can get them to and from work and on all their routine errands. Someday they *might* have to drive further than that, and what then? This is especially tough to challenge here in the midwest where charging stations mostly don't exist (at least not yet). As they see it, their vehicles have to be capable of handling virtually any possible mission. When you think about how much they're spending on a vehicle, you can understand why they might feel that way. Maybe I just have unusually well informed friends, but most of them seem surprisingly knowledgable about this. They realize almost intuitively that in a true hybrid, they can burn gasoline if and when the charge runs out. That's a powerful tool in gaining EV acceptance for these folks. It effectively nullifies the "not enough range" argument. I suspect that people who buy the Volt will realize after owning it for 5 or 8 years that they've seldom had to run the engine, and will be more ready to move to full BEVs for their next vehicles. Let's just hope that the automakers don't bail on BEVs before that happens. David Roden - Akron, Ohio, USA EVDL Administrator = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = EVDL Information: http://www.evdl.org/help/ = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Note: mail sent to "evpost" and "etpost" addresses will not reach me. To send a private message, please obtain my email address from the webpage http://www.evdl.org/help/ . = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
