hybrid car?

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l e o - 30 Sep 2005 11:01 GMT

Is it a hype or real? They advertise over 44MPG but my impression is the
those cars use gasoline engine on the highway anyway. Or do they have 3
cylinders engines vs, the normal 4? I can see it save gas in city
because the wasted energy while idling would be stored in the battery
and it uses battery power to start the car from stopping. And how about
maintenance? I am not impressive with the lifespan of the current
rechargeable batteries.

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N8N - 30 Sep 2005 14:16 GMT

> Is it a hype or real? They advertise over 44MPG but my impression is the
> those cars use gasoline engine on the highway anyway. Or do they have 3
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> maintenance? I am not impressive with the lifespan of the current
> rechargeale batteries.

Where hybrids really "work" is in stop and go driving. The hybrid can
use regenerative braking to recharge the batteries rather than just
creating waste heat like the regular brakes do. On the highway they
are comparable to a similar conventional car, theoretically a tad worse
due to the extra weight.

As for battery life... we'll see in a few years. I haven't heard any
horror stories yet, but then again they've only been common for a
couple years now.

nate

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