Thread: Hybrid Toyota

Originally Posted by BigJon

Saw this today

First Aussie hybrid car to roll off line

and I thought to myself after reading it "that fuel consumption figure isn't anything special. A decent Euro turbo diesel would do that easily".

Any comments?

I think that hybrids are a nightmare, they need a replacement battery pack about every 4 to 6 years at a cost of several thousand dollars a pack, with all the carbon and heavy metal environmental costs that incurs . The minerals are mined in Canada, often processed in the U.K shipped to Japan and made into battery packs then shipped to Aus or where ever. Any decent petrol/diesel car doesn't need this sort of major maintenance replacement for better than 10 years.

Electric and hybrid electric cars may make sense when used in high density inner-urban environments but do not make sense in outer urban or rural environments.

The health service in Dubbo had three cars available for a mate and former work colleague, he regularly has to travel out to Broken Hill or up to Bourke etc. The three cars are a Corrolla, a Ford Focus and the Prius. The worst for petrol economy is the Prius because, on the runs at 100KPH the engine is working at maximum output to keep the batteries charged, the best was the Corolla.

Many urban Councils have tried the hybrids and have returned to small fuel efficient cars like Corolla etc.

I agree, a diesel would probably do that.

What surprises me is that they don't do hybrids using diesel engines.

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

I think that hybrids are a nightmare, they need a replacement battery pack about every 4 to 6 years at a cost of several thousand dollars a pack, with all the carbon and heavy metal environmental costs that incurs . The minerals are mined in Canada, often processed in the U.K shipped to Japan and made into battery packs then shipped to Aus or where ever. Any decent petrol/diesel car doesn't need this sort of major maintenance replacement for better than 10 years.

Electric and hybrid electric cars may make sense when used in high density inner-urban environments but do not make sense in outer urban or rural environments.

The health service in Dubbo had three cars available for a mate and former work colleague, he regularly has to travel out to Broken Hill or up to Bourke etc. The three cars are a Corrolla, a Ford Focus and the Prius. The worst for petrol economy is the Prius because, on the runs at 100KPH the engine is working at maximum output to keep the batteries charged, the best was the Corolla.

Many urban Councils have tried the hybrids and have returned to small fuel efficient cars like Corolla etc.

Very interesting points Lotz-a-landies. From what I've read, the cradle to the grave analysis on the hybrid vehicles is appalling and not environmentally friendly in the slightest. Much like zero emissions cars (ie shift the pollution point), the hybrids are not what they may seem.

Originally Posted by BigJon

Saw this today

First Aussie hybrid car to roll off line

and I thought to myself after reading it "that fuel consumption figure isn't anything special. A decent Euro turbo diesel would do that easily".

Any comments?

Agree.

Funny, I thought a standard Camry was close to that consumption anyway. Obviously I have ben mistaken.

I would have thought the Hydrogen fuelled Hondas in use in California, would have been released here by now, but I suppose the servos dont want to carry the fuel.

30 second google search gave me this list

Fuel Consumption Guide 1986 to 2003 - Advanced Search Results

Plenty there that do well.

And here

http://www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au/...a-2bfd45672cdb

Originally Posted by Slunnie

I agree, a diesel would probably do that.

What surprises me is that they don't do hybrids using diesel engines.

The reason diesels are difficult to use in hybrid situations is that, due to the high compression, it is a problem for the vehicle to seamlessly change from battery running at start off to engine running at speed. It is hard to avoid jerking as the diesel engine starts.

There is still work being done in that regard.

In any case I think hybrids are not good in overall energy use. I remember reading that Prius battery packs have to be returned to Japan for recycling, which is hardly encouraging, to say the least!

Cheers,

Lionel

Pretty poor fuel efficiency really at 8.8L/100km combined.

The new Sidi Commodore V6 is meant to do 9.3L combined.

Thats not really economical at all...

My XR6 ran at 8.9l/100 at 110km/h