Hybrid Question

[Thai]

With recent hurricanes, I am interested in a true hybrid. That is, is there a vehicle that runs on electric (plug-in) regularly...BUT has a gas engine to back it up once battery runs out.

I used to have a Prius (2010) but that can only run on electric at slow speed for very limited distance.

I want a hybrid that can run electric most of the time (city & highway) BUT also have a small gasoline engine that can run by itself once the battery runs out.

Is there such a vehicle?

 

[wadle5]

The volt is the answer. As much as I despise them as I have been eyeing used leafs for the steep discount they offer as a full electric vehicle. The volt actually uses a gas generator to charge the batteries. Most drivers get up to 1000 miles per tank.

 

[Thai]

The problem with VOLT is that the rear seat is horrible...i have 3 kids. Is there a bigger vehicle that is similar to VOLT?

 

[cfranck1]

Since you were interested in the recent trucks from Ford..

This might be of some help in your decision on buying a new Hybrid?!

 

[Thai]

Since you were interested in the recent trucks from Ford..

This might be of some help in your decision on buying a new Hybrid?!

Wow!! You need to get commission for these things!

 

[toybox]

Does the BMW i3 meet your requirements? I believe it has a small (optional) engine to recharge the batteries if needed.

 

[Thai]

Does the BMW i3 meet your requirements? I believe it has a small (optional) engine to recharge the batteries if needed.

I don’t know...never looked into it...i will now. Thanks.

EDIT: I3 too small and too expensive IMO.

 

[wadle5]

Since you were interested in the recent trucks from Ford..

This might be of some help in your decision on buying a new Hybrid?!

But what is the range on this one, it seems like there is no information in regards to that?

The problem with VOLT is that the rear seat is horrible...i have 3 kids. Is there a bigger vehicle that is similar to VOLT?

Absolutely agree, I don't know why they did the backseat like that really is a horrible design.

I don’t know...never looked into it...i will now. Thanks.

EDIT: I3 too small and too expensive IMO.

Agreed...I mean it is a BMW so did you expect it to be reasonable? But yes is another option a pricey one as that, but what I am seeing is besides the volt the options really do get limited for the exact power system you are looking for. Good luck and interested in what you decide..........worst case just get the i8..although not a hybrid, it definitely looks like a simpleton DD...:lookout:

 

[Thai]

But what is the range on this one, it seems like there is no information in regards to that?
Absolutely agree, I don't know why they did the backseat like that really is a horrible design.


Agreed...I mean it is a BMW so did you expect it to be reasonable? But yes is another option a pricey one as that, but what I am seeing is besides the volt the options really do get limited for the exact power system you are looking for. Good luck and interested in what you decide..........worst case just get the i8..although not a hybrid, it definitely looks like a simpleton DD...:lookout:

Yeah, there is always Tesla...but i love the backup engine aspect of it...i have “range anxiety” even without owning one!

I like that you can always rely on gas engine at any gas station to keep moving.

Volt and Fusion are my only choices it seems for now. The Fusion is a better choice for my big family...and seeming more practical too.

But i am still afraid of non-truck Ford vehicles in terms of reliability etc..

At times, i just wish Toyota stop being so darn conservative. :cry2: And how it shuns Apple CarPlay (or Android Auto) is just shameful!

 

[wadle5]

Yeah, there is always Tesla...but i love the backup engine aspect of it...i have “range anxiety” even without owning one!

I like that you can always rely on gas engine at any gas station to keep moving.

Volt and Fusion are my only choices it seems for now. The Fusion is a better choice for my big family...and seeming more practical too.

But i am still afraid of non-truck Ford vehicles in terms of reliability etc..

At times, i just wish Toyota stop being so darn conservative. :cry2: And how it shuns Apple CarPlay (or Android Auto) is just shameful!

Agreed..when I worked at ford we were just getting the beta models of these hybrid models, and I definitely wouldn't trust them. While I do have range anxiety as well I think of two things:
A)my average daily driving is well within the estimated range on all vehicles offered today. If not or we road trip we can always take the wifes ICE car OR rent a car
B) I have AAA roadside, my concern and I wonder if this is something they are now working on is as people purchase electric vehicles and run them out will they have the infrastructure to help these motorist(random thoughts I have on a monday afternoon)

 

[Thai]

Agreed..when I worked at ford we were just getting the beta models of these hybrid models, and I definitely wouldn't trust them. While I do have range anxiety as well I think of two things:
A)my average daily driving is well within the estimated range on all vehicles offered today. If not or we road trip we can always take the wifes ICE car OR rent a car
B) I have AAA roadside, my concern and I wonder if this is something they are now working on is as people purchase electric vehicles and run them out will they have the infrastructure to help these motorist(random thoughts I have on a monday afternoon)

No renting! Last time i rented a minivan (Sienna) for our trip, there were ants all over the place inside! (We could not return it right away bc we did not see the ants until already on our way on the trip.)

As for AAA support...do all electric vehicles have the same charging dock? In other words, can the Tesla charging hose (whatever its called) fit into a Fusion or Prius plug-in and vice versa?? If there is no standardization, then AAA cannot help much.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

No renting! Last time i rented a minivan (Sienna) for our trip, there were ants all over the place inside! (We could not return it right away bc we did not see the ants until already on our way on the trip.)

As for AAA support...do all electric vehicles have the same charging dock? In other words, can the Tesla charging hose (whatever its called) fit into a Fusion or Prius plug-in and vice versa?? If there is no standardization, then AAA cannot help much.

Yeesh! I hope you got compensated for the ants, that'd drive me nuts...

Those EV plugs are all standardized SAE J1772 socket & plug for charging the vehicles, though I believe there are different grades of cable/converter boxes (i.e. the cable most come with is the "slow" charging cable for a 120v outlet while you depending on your power company/city's permission get up to a 3 or 4 phase 330/440v charger in your house, most people get a 220v unit). The only issue is that unless you have essentially a giant 440v battery truck to sit there for at least a half hour or more, I don't see AAA being much help beyond getting a flat bed out there to tow it somewhere where you can charge it. You can't "top off" an EV as quickly as say someone can just dump 5 gallons in the gas tank and take off, the vehicle will limit voltage and current and so to even get like 10~20mi range on a 220v charger I think is about 20~30minutes charge time (it's been a bit since I looked at the charge times these days). Battery tech and infrastructure are the biggest reasons why EV is stagnating so far, Toyota will probably have most of the market by the balls once they get their solid state lithium tech to market since they'll probably hold the patents/licenses for them. I hear you on range anxiety man, it's one of the main reasons I haven't bothered looking at an EV yet to use as a DD.

Yeah the only one that came to mind is the Volt, the Prius Plug-In Hybrid is a joke those BARELY got 12mi EV, realistically it was closer to about 8~10mi and that didn't sit well with many customers (god the whiny complaints I got from those Prius hippies). The Prime is better at 25mi full EV range, but again it's not primarily an EV like you want, it's an extended EV capability hybrid.

I didn't realize they mad the Fusion like that either, so those sound like two good options. Most of the hybrids on the market are primarily ICE powerplants supplemented with a hybrid drivetrain rather than an EV veicle supplemented with an ICE back-up

 

[cfranck1]

But what is the range on this one, it seems like there is no information in regards to that?

Ask you shall receive..

Both 2017 and 2018 numbers are the same.

 

[wadle5]

Another new option

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[BlackWorksInc]

Another new option [/IMG]

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I got the impression Thai was looking for something that had significantly more Electric range?
[MENTION=2]Thai[/MENTION] am I wrong on that? 29mpg-E seems a bit low given what you were saying you were looking for earlier?

 

[Thai]

I got the impression Thai was looking for something that had significantly more Electric range?

[MENTION=2]Thai[/MENTION] am I wrong on that? 29mpg-E seems a bit low given what you were saying you were looking for earlier?

Correct. I am going down to a Ford...now, Wadle wants me to go even further to a Kia?!!! :bluejump: :bigok:

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Correct. I am going down to a Ford...now, Wadle wants me to go even further to a Kia?!!! :bluejump: :bigok:

Oh come on now, those Kias don't look nearly as bad as they used to!

But yeah I was going to say, if you're okay with 29mpg-e just get a Prius Prime as that's only 4mpg-e away and it's got some interesting stuff you'd probably like.