#42 Silent electric cars? EU says NO.
May 9, 2010 at 21:34 | Wayne Gerdes 
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
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.
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Wayne Gerdes
Go Hypermiling!
“Hypermiling in today’s world”
Bell the Hybrids, Chevrolet Volt, HCHII, Honda Insight, Toyota in Podcasts 
Kacey Green
