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.

 
Go Hypermiling Podcast

Type: Audio
Hosts: Wayne Gerdes, Kacey Green and Manuel Santos
Recorded: April 27, 2010
Music: The Mating Game & Dirty Laundry by Bitter:Sweet
Runtime: 48 min : 03 sec
Moderating: Kacey Green
Main Topics: Second Generation Volt?, Think! busts BEV Myths and Oklahoma becomes the fourth retail market for the Civic GX NGV.
Sponsors: CleanMPG, Hybrid Canada, & Midlands Hybrid | Enginer PHEV kits, Midlands Honda, & CleanMPG Scangauges

Our Technique: “Lawncare with the lowest carbon footprint”

Manuel, Wayne and Kacey each have their own methods of reducing their carbon output while cutting the grass including battery electric mowers charged by PV, human powered reel mowers and how to save fuel with gasoline based units…

 Second Generation Volt! 

A little bit of Spark, a pinch of Vibe and a touch of Equinox on top of the Volt platform.

 

Meet the Volt MPV5 – 32 miles AER  with the standard 300 miles on gasoline…

 Think busts BEV Myths 

On the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, Richard Canny, CEO of pioneering electric car company THINK, is setting the record straight on electric vehicles. Here are Canny’s top 10 EV  myths, busted!

Oklahoma becomes fourth retail market for Honda’s Civic GX NGV

Honda announced that dealers in Oklahoma will now have the option of selling the compressed natural gas (CNG) powered Honda Civic GX to customers on a retail basis. There are 13 Honda dealers in Oklahoma, three of which are already selling the Civic GX as a fleet vehicle…