Hybrid cars VS. Non Hybrid cars?

Question

Hybrid cars VS. Non Hybrid cars?

Answer 1

For (a) you're on the right track. You might also point out the conflict between point A and point C: the most thermally efficient alternative to the hybrid is an all-electric car, which will have the same battery issues as hybrids, but on a larger scale.



For B, this is a totally faulty argument. First, who says hybrids have to be heavier? Let's compare apples to apples. A Prius has a curb weight of 2765 lbs. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prius And it's in the same size class, see http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/byclass.htm as the Chevy Malibu (3463 lbs), Chrysler Sebring (3310), Honda Accord (3230), and Toyota Camry (2227). Sure it's heavier than a Camry, but if you look at mid-size cars, the Prius--a hybrid--is among the lightest.



Secondly, the fuel used in transporting the cars to the dealership is a drop in the bucket of what the car will use over its service life. Most of that transport is by train anyway, and a train will move a ton of freight 400 miles on a gallon of diesel. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_efficiency_in_transportation#cite_note-23

So let's compare, for the sake of argument, shipping a Prius vs. shipping a car that weighs 500 lbs less (about the size of a Camry). . Even with a 2,000 mile shipment (from the port at LA to Nashville, TN, say), shipping the Prius will use one gallon of diesel more. But look at MPG--45 hwy miles vs. Camry's 32 hwy miles. The Camry will need 3.5 gallons to 112 miles, the Prius will need 2.48 gallons. You make up the difference during the first week.



Part C--yes, there are other alternatives to hybrids. But again, compare apples to apples It's not fair to compare a midsize car with heat, air conditioning, radio, seating for 5 and a trunk, against a one-seat motorcycle (although you'll find Harley Davidson hard pressed to make 45 mpg). If you want to take two people across town on a Kawasaki Ninja (up to 90 mpg, depending on the weight of the rider) you'll need two motorcycles. Vs. 45 mpg for a five-seat Prius.



Maintenance is still an open question, since many gasoline cars now last over 200,000 miles over a 20+ year service life. The Prius came out in 2000 (the 01 model) and we don't have much experience with hybrids going that long. Although Toyota claims they haven't had to replace batteries except for wrecks, and there are Canadian Prius taxis with over 200k now with apparently no battery issues. The battery is $3,000 to replace. http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/hybrid-batteries-none-the-worse-for-wear-cga.htm

Answer 2

The concept of a hybrid has the combustion energy providing the baseline power requirements so the batteries only have to provide for variations from the average hence are quite minimal compared to EV's. The weight penalty that hybrids have is due to the having basically two motors, one a combustion engine the other being electric. The Prius has two electric motors due to the counter torque requirements of the CV transmission.



World lithium supplies are quite limited and are mostly in unstable south american countries.



Nobody actually said hybrids needed batteries. Capacitors would actually make more sense to account for short bursts of power, of course the energy density of current capacitors are quite minimal but carbon nanotube technologies promises to change that.



The hybrid concept is merely an optimization of the combustion engine thereby allowing a vehicle to operate on a smaller combustion engine.

Answer 3

regarding the nickle mining question, regulations are in place to reduce the environmental impact of mining nickle. second the batteries used in hybrids are nearly 100% recyclable, and all the metal used is 100% recyclable.



regrading the cost issue, yes production costs are higher, and those costs will come down as technology is applied, and production rates increase, there is no difference in transportation costs.



there are alternatives to hybird cars, similar sized cars using small turbo diesel engines for instance, but in the long run hybrids are going to be the way to go as they get the car buying public used to cars with greater reliance on using electricity only to power their cars down the road.

Answer 4

Hybrid means two different technologies merged together. Usual current hybrid has large electric storage batteries and an electric motor to drive the car. So it can move with only electric power, which can get you around town with -0- air pollution. Also has a gasoline or diesel engine that powers an electric generator, so when the storage batteries get low, you can drive on the gas/diesel generator when you're driving longer then the batteries can take you.

Answer 5

Non hybrid cars can go farther than hybrids. Hybrids are more efficient and cost less to run.

Answer 6

Check some facts from the manufacturers:



The prius has a curb weight of 2932. the corola is 3 inches longer and has a curb weight of 2832 - 100 lbs less, which is the equivalent of 1 tank of gas. The Camry has a curb weight of 3483 lbs while the Yukon has a curb weight of 5527 lbs. As far as weight goes the Prius is a lightweight car.

Answer 7

A) they Are destructive by when your done with the whole and collapse in. it will have to harden and the only way it can do that is by rain and water. though rain helps the earth pact down you could have sink holes/cavities produced when layers form. and knowing how over tight politics can be you ll just be in the losing zone in the long run with government issues or environmental. though the metal and alkaline can be recycled it will slowly leak away by accidents, waist, and even through recycling itself. you'll end up going down into the mine to fetch up some more alkaline regardless of how good your recycling is.



B and C it depends and also varies of the variety of hybrid cars you choose.

ill go in order of most expensive in the long run from most expensive to least expensive variety's and their reasons: Flexifuel: not advanced enouph engine to have a decent Mpg when/if using bio's or Gas,

Biofuels: Tax's for the fuel itself and to keep the air clean with the cars still using gas, and oh yea more expensive for you will have to travel far and pay more at camping place because there will become fewer and fewer since the trees are being cut down for the feul.

alchohol and chemicals: Biiig taxes and that for foreign shipping, and the eninges to be made. plus the breaking down of the vehicle could be costly. hydrogen: mechanicle reasons for like to keep the hydrogen in a safer state.

electric Battery: leaks, replacements after accidents when its your fault.

magnetic Perpetual Motion(in austrailia): good luck on getting that Piece of eden Past the piggy government. for this one its just basic maintnence.

At last compressed Airpulsion: as of right now its just shipping your luggage around for they havent made truck versions yet. but i believe the long run costs are ohhohoh Modifications and ding repairs. they are made by the french so here try this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjSOvbsE460&feature=PlayList&p=5AF3C380EAE8BF62&index=6

Other:::: you check::http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adqtuj_kGC8



the best methods i currently know are powered Magnetic propulsion frictionless. and Air propulsion heres my "card"

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=5AF3C380EAE8BF62

Answer 8

Sorry i can't really answer most of your question, but i wanted to point one thing out.



Motorcycles are much more polluting than cars.They may get 70mpg, but their emissions are much worse than cars.

Answer 9

a) As you noted, battery technology is moving toward lithium ion, so this isn't a very strong point to begin with. But it's also wrong.



The nickel argument is based on one nickel plant in Sudbury, Canada. The environmental damage from the plant was done 30 years ago, long before the Prius was even invented, and the plant has long since cleaned up its act.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-417227/Toyota-factory.html



There is nothing about nickel mining that's any more environmentally destructive than any other metal mining.



b) It's a really weak argument that hybrids are more expensive than non-hybrids. They're also a newer technology. Gas cars are more expensive than bicycles. So what?



Besides, studies have shown that hybrids save money in the long run.

http://articles.latimes.com/2007/jan/08/business/fi-hybrid8



c) "There are much better alternatives to a hybrid car that offer remarkable fuel efficiency and clean emissions."



Easy rebuttal - make him name one. There aren't any.



Hybrids are also better for the environment.

http://greenhome.huddler.com/wiki/introduction-to-electric-cars-and-electric-scooters

Answer 10

a) the nickle mining was a story that was withdrawn by the Daily Mail because it was about 30 years out of date and inaccurate too http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-417227/Toyota-factory.html - Nickle mines are now well regulated, some even getting environmental awards. More Nickle is probably used in stainless steel cutlery than a car battery. Toyota have a buy-back programme on their batteries so the nickle is recovered. Remember much of the paper's income comes from advertising big 4x4s and other luxury gas guzzlers



b) again this is a piece of bad reporting that won't die http://www.slate.com/id/2186786

like for like there is more production cost in a hybrid, but that is quite quickly recovered Maintenance cost of my Prius hybrid is lower than other cars, and toyota reliabliity, the hybrid system is garunteed for longer than the rest of the car.



c) there are better alternatives to the hybrid, they are electric vehicles. There are diesels that may give better mpg on long runs, but they take a long time to warm up to running temperature, and create more particulates, especially in towns.



A hybrid basically uses the electric motor to try and compensate for the poor characterisics of infernal combustion (>60% of the energy will be lost in heat) - electric gives max torque (pulling power) from 0, regenerative braking, easy to start and stop, and a smoother reduced stress driving experience.