#44 Is that an EV or a Harley?

 
Go Hypermiling Podcast

Type: Audio
Hosts: Wayne Gerdes, Kacey Green and Manuel Santos
Recorded: May 24, 2010
Music: This Is Fiction. This song is “The REMIX Scene” and we will close today with “The Reality Scene” 
Runtime: 49 min : 11 sec
Moderating: Kacey Green
Main Topics: The 10 Least Expensive Cars to Own, According to GE, Honda ’Lacks Confidence’ in Electric-Car Demand and Carmakers agree to make electric cars noisier.
Sponsors: CleanMPG, Hybrid Canada, & Midlands Hybrid | Enginer PHEV kits, Midlands Honda, & CleanMPG Scangauges

Our Technique: Hypermiling Clinic Improvements

Can a Student go from a frustratingly low 38 mpg to 81 mpg in one clinic?

With an Experienced Hypermiler she can ;-)

 Cheap Dates: The 10 Least Expensive Cars to Own 

When it’s time to buy a new car and desperation comes calling, all other priorities peel away, leaving price alone to govern the decision. But simply buying the cheapest car isn’t necessarily the cheapest route. Cars—even the affordable ones—are expensive to own and operate…

Honda ’Lacks Confidence’ in Electric-Car Demand

Honda remains skeptical about demand for electric cars 10 years after it stopped selling its EV Plus battery-powered model — “We lack confidence” in the electric-vehicle business, Tomohiko Kawanabe, president of Honda’s research and development unit, said in an interview in Wako City, northwest of Tokyo…

Carmakers agree to make electric cars noisier

Automakers and advocates for the blind have agreed on a plan to address an unintended problem caused by electric and hybrid cars: They endanger sight-impaired and distracted pedestrians because they make no noise when running on electric power.

The groups joined together to present Congress with a proposal for minimum noise levels that future electric cars would have to make.

Please feel free to post a comment or to leave an audio comment using the button on the sidebar of this site.

Wayne Gerdes
Go Hypermiling! 
“Hypermiling in today’s world”

#44 Is that an EV or a Haley? - Go Hypermiling!

#42 Silent electric cars? EU says NO.

 
Go Hypermiling Podcast

Type: Audio
Hosts: Wayne Gerdes, Kacey Green and Manuel Santos
Recorded: May 10, 2010
Music: Gasoline by Justin Gordon & Ozean by STEREOMOVERS 
Runtime: 59 min : 45 sec
Moderating: Kacey Green
Main Topics: Modes of the Volt revealed, Toyota Prius and Lexus hybrid surprising buyers after recall and EU rules may mean silent electric cars must make Star Wars noises.
Sponsors: CleanMPG, Hybrid Canada, & Midlands Hybrid | Enginer PHEV kits, Midlands Honda, & CleanMPG Scangauges

Our Technique: Hypermiling your Honda Hybrid

Setup first… Pressures and an SG-II.
Steady state and low speed (20 - 45 MPH)
Steady state and higher speeds (43 - 65 MPH)
Glide, baby glide
High FE accelerations and Avoiding electric assist (keep RPMS below 1300)
Smarter A/C use for higher FE
Get the software updates ASAP
Tires, CVT maintenance and engine oil 

 Modes of the Volt Revealed

Larry Nitz, General Motors electric and hybrid powertrain engineering executive director, provided an update on the Chevrolet Volt, during a development drive on the West Coast. 

During the update, Nitz discussed the Volt’s three driving modes - Normal, Sport and Mountain - as well as its two climatic modes - Eco and Comfort. He also addressed the teams’ assessment of the three T’s that most impact range and fuel efficiency - technique, terrain and temperature.

Toyota Prius and Lexus hybrid surprising buyers after recall

Toyota’s dominance with the Prius transcends more than just it’s competition. Toyota’s Lexus division expected to sell 20,000 - 22,000 Lexus HS 250h’s, but has only been able to sell 11,228 of the luxury hybrid sedan, putting the vehicle well below expectations.  Toyota had high hopes for the upscale car, but with just about 1,000-1,500 units sold per month, Toyota will end up about a few thousand under the mark.

 

The Prius on the other hand continues to dominate and grow, despite the highly publicized recalls. In April of 2010, Toyota sold 12,555 Prius hybrids which is a growth of 49.7% from last year’s April figures and the year-to-date total sales figures are collectively up 26.1%.

EU rules may mean silent electric cars must make Star Wars noises

Testing of various sounds begins this month at Warwick University, which is working with several electric-vehicle manufacturers in the West Midlands.  

A test vehicle will project a different sound each week and assess the response of pedestrians.  

Paul Jennings said: “We will have a week with music and weeks with natural sounds, engine noise and also with science-fiction sounds.

Please feel free to post a comment or to leave an audio comment using the button on the sidebar of this site.

Wayne Gerdes
Go Hypermiling! 
“Hypermiling in today’s world”

#42 Silent electric cars? EU says NO. - Go Hypermiling!