Electric Cars: Chev Bolt seems to be the first practical one.

[houstonscott]

I watched Tesla Model S Problems: My Experience! - Tesla Model S Problems: My Experience! - YouTube using Video Tube. The dirty little secret is Tesla is one of the worst cars on the road, reliable they are not. 1960's Fiat's come to mind. In my opinion electric and hybrid are interesting, but for real cash in hand purchase, a Tesla is junk.

I watched My TESLA battery DIED!!! - My TESLA battery DIED!!! - YouTube using Video Tube.

 

[IslandTractor]

Whatever, I would worry about the life of an ice engine that's designed to come on and off so often. My guess the ice engine in a hybrid will be very short lived.

Hey Houston, they think we're a like!!! If only they knew!

 

[houstonscott]

Hey Houston, they think we're a like!!! If only they knew!

Yeah, they don't have a clue. Lol...

 

[houstonscott]

I watched Is a Tesla roadtrip a good idea? - Is a Tesla roadtrip a good idea? - YouTube using Video Tube. No thanks, what a pain the *****. My patience would be gone in a matter of days with all the real world crap you have to tolerate to own one of those. I'm in awe how much hassle they are.... I watched 5 Things We Hate About The Tesla Model S! - 5 Things We Hate About The Tesla Model S! - YouTube using Video Tube. Yeah $100k for car that the seats fall apart, and the interior is junky, you are kidding.

 

[Redneck in training]

I think the real beginning future of hybrids and the real world use can be seen now in the new MB C350e. You greenies who don't follow F1 are probably unaware of where the real development of hybrids has taken place, and Tesla is no where to be found. The system set up to maximize performance and ensure a truly front line sedan in your driveway. The MB350e is already the best hybrid and the guru's don't even know way or what it does. Gearhead.

If I am not mistaken MB uses Tesla motors and inverters and possibly batteries also.

 

[IslandTractor]

If I am not mistaken MB uses Tesla motors and inverters and possibly batteries also.

I thought MB used a unique system with one electric motor in line with the ICE and running through the same drivetrain. Could be wrong.

 

[xring100]

GM chassis controls winter development was done at the bosch facility in baudette, MN pretty darn cold. Same place as the Tesla.

 

[jmc]

I thought MB used a unique system with one electric motor in line with the ICE and running through the same drivetrain. Could be wrong.

I think Egon or someone else previously compared that MB with a locomotive. IIRC, back when the Volt was debuting in the automotive press, it was described as a series hybrid- like a locomotive. The ice solely ran an alternator to feed the electric motor. They contrasted this with a parallel hybrid where the ice drives the wheels directly sometimes and charges the battery as well. (Prius, for example) There might have been some discussion about a series hybrid ice can run at a fixed rpm and therefore tweaked to be efficient at that particular speed, rather than over a range of speeds required in a parallel hybrid. Again, IIRC.

 

[buickanddeere]

Wheel motors tend to be heavy and make for lousy handling.

 

[California]

Can they be mounted inboard similar to a differential with drive axles out to the wheels, to keep down unsprung weight? That much weight, that low, should be good for stability.