On 31 Mar 2013 at 7:58, tomw wrote: > Could you give some examples [of true hybrids]?
A lot of my examples are likely to predate the net, but I'll try. I'm not sure how long it will take to find them; my files are in a pretty chaotic state. Also, most if not all will be one-off prototypes and custom conversions. A few that come to mind immediately : 1. A Dodge Caravan converted to hybrid by Unique Mobility, also in the late 1980s. I think this was in response to an RFP from a Los Angeles initiative, aiming to commission a contractor to build 10000 EVs and/or hybrids for city use. (I remember reading later though that LA backpedaled and said they just wanted to >facilitate< the process, they weren't going to actually buy the conversions themselves.) I personally saw the UM prototype vehicle, though I didn't get to drive it or even see it in motion. Oddly, it used their famous compact BLDC motor as a >generator<, and a conventional GE traction motor for mobility. 2. A mid-size GM car converted in the 1980s or early 1990s as an EAA project. It used a Stirling engine, IIRC. I think this was another response to the above LA RFP, but I may be confusing it with something else. This HEV was described to me on the phone by an EAA official around 1988 or 1989. Alas, I can't find the notes I took, nor can I find any reference to it on the net. Bruce P may recall this one or be able to point us to some sources. 3. The DEVC (Denver EV Council) converted a Honda 600 to a true hybrid, though I don't know when. I saw it gathering dust in George Gless's garage about 15 years ago. 4. Here's one I was able to find on the net. In the early 1990s, Ford sponsored a university challenge to convert Escorts to hybrids. This news release http://www.thefreelibrary.com/30+UNIVERSITIES+TO+COMPETE+IN+FORD+HYBRID+ELECT RIC+VEHICLE+CHALLENGE-a011944615 http://tinyurl.com/cqy4p8b even gives the following definition of a hybrid : "A hybrid electric vehicle is one with a primary energy source from electric battery power and an auxiliary power unit as a backup or supplement to the primary source." Does that help? 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)
