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Detroit, 8:55 AM
Tue Nov 10
27 posts in the last 24 hours
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10/09/09
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10/09/09
i'm more partial to a Toyota Matrix-ishy styling thanks.
10/09/09
10/09/09
We'll I say keep it the way it is. Let the Europeans drive it. I'm tired of being jealous of the offerings they have over there. Their super diesels, their multiple turbo offerings.
Now I won't be as jealous. When I talk to relatives and they tell me how wonderful a certain new car is, I'll just say: Yes, but what about the new Mercedes B-Class?
They will have no choice but to shut-up.
Thank you Mercedes, unless you plan on shipping it here- don't, please.
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08/28/09
Or are they using the Li-ion battery to power the hot plate?
08/28/09
If you want to spend the money, buy a diesel car, with a manual. Heck, VW sells a wagon like that stateside.
This globar warming crap is ticking me off. To 99% of Americans, what is going to make them buy a car is how much it will cost now and in the future. Hybrids have little resale value after 150,000 miles because the battery needs to be replaced. Now, go check Craigslist and type in TDI. See how much some of those cars are going for and you'll see what I mean.
Fuel cells work due to a very expesnive catalyst: platinum (okay, you can also use paladium, but the fuel cell needs to be bigger). While your car also uses this same material for the catalytic converter, the amount needed for a fuel cell is much higher.
Now, let's talk about infrastructure. How much CO2 emmissions will be required to dig holes for new holding tanks? How much for refridgeration? How much to MAKE hyrdrogen?
Let me remind everyone that, at best, generators are about 30% efficient once you count in transmission losses over the lines (the generator can be upto 50% is somecases, but losses in the transmission lines are almost 50%, especially in the west). Sure, localized pwoer generation is easier to clean and regulate, but is it worth the hassel to completely revamp 100 years of infrasturcture?
I vote no.
/end typing, rant still continuing in my end. Must restrain self...
08/28/09
You're right to hate hydrogen for the complex expensive non-existent inefficient infrastructure, but relax. For years most car makers will make hybrids that have less emissions overall than the hydrogen pipe dream. As battery technology improves you'll have more reason to plug your hybrid in as the cheapest and most efficient way to go the first 5-10-30-... miles before using fossil fuel. (Hydrogen is the wet dream of fossil fuel companies facing that future.)
You're wrong about transmission and distribution losses, DoE says they were 7% in 1995. Power plant generator efficiency is about 35% (more with cogeneration that uses the waste heat), still better than car engines. And people who bring this up never factor in all the inefficiencies and losses of refining gasoline and the gasoline distribution system. You can drive a car further using the electricity it takes to make a gallon of gasoline than you'd travel on the gasoline itself.
08/28/09
No, that's the warranted life for California, most are lasting much longer. When it does need replacement it's a $2300 cost for a Prius (down $700 in 5 years). Meanwhile you've saved about $5000 in gasoline costs (45 vs 30 mpg at $3/gal).
FWIW, KBB prices a 2004 150,000 mile Prius at $8705 in good condition and a Jetta TDi wagon at $8205 in fart-sniffing California.
08/28/09
08/28/09
The Civic Kid demands justice!
08/28/09
Fixed.