Toyota Prius in the US goes 106 kmpl

sandeepmdas · 16th August 2005, 18:12

Politicians and automakers say a car that can both reduce greenhouse gases and free America from its reliance on foreign oil is years or even decades away. Ron Gremban says such a car is parked in his garage.

It looks like a typical Toyota Prius hybrid, but in the trunk sits an 80-miles-per-gallon secret -- a stack of 18 brick-sized batteries that boosts the car's high mileage with an extra electrical charge so it can burn even less fuel.

Gremban, an electrical engineer and committed environmentalist, spent several months and $3,000 tinkering with his car.

Like all hybrids, his Prius increases fuel efficiency by harnessing small amounts of electricity generated during braking and coasting. The extra batteries let him store extra power by plugging the car into a wall outlet at his home in this San Francisco suburb -- all for about a quarter.

He's part of a small but growing movement. "Plug-in" hybrids aren't yet cost-efficient, but some of the dozen known experimental models have gotten up to 250 miles per gallon (about 402 km per gallon, or 106 km per litre).

read full story here...

http://in.rediff.com/money/2005/aug/16car1.htm

ananthkamath · 16th August 2005, 21:37

I get this funny feeling that the future is going to be VERY, VERY boring...

raihan · 17th August 2005, 00:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by ananthkamath

I get this funny feeling that the future is going to be VERY, VERY boring...

yeah saw that on TV it is not looking good with the increasing gas prices.

RJK · 17th August 2005, 00:13

Damn, thats some mileage figure!

vinod · 17th August 2005, 01:10

Impressive Mileage .... But the funny thing is that even though gas prices are sky rocketing not many of the auto giants are moving into Hybrids !!

Gurkha · 17th August 2005, 08:08

Honda has also shown a prototype Accord Diesel with 2.4l engine delivering 34KMPL with a steady speed of 60kmph, it also gave good 0-60 figures as well with good low end torque.

aseem · 21st August 2005, 13:26

Why are car manufacturers not introducing hybrids in India? The feul prices are higher here and people have to fit lpg, cng etc or are forced to buy diesels. Wont it make sense for auto makers to introduce a hybrid car in India. I am sure the janta would buy it in huge numbers.

Ramu · 29th October 2005, 16:28

India really needs Hybrid Cars. But, as worlds all garbage are pushed to India. All scraps, cheaper materials, so also the cars. They Best quality are exported from India. It may take some years wait.

But some scientists are working on AIR CAR in India running on natural air(compressed), based on the technology of Mr.aaaaaaa of Bolangir, Orissa, who demonstrated a Rail Engine running with Natural Air.

Ramu

GTO · 29th October 2005, 18:30

Quote:

India really needs Hybrid Cars. But, as worlds all garbage are pushed to India. All scraps, cheaper materials, so also the cars.

What nonsense are you talking about? Indians are now considered extremely discerning buyers, and many cars offered in India are on par with their counterparts around the world.

Remember that Indians are "value driven" and not price driven anymore. If junk is offered, it wont be bought.

GTO

anthiltg · 29th October 2005, 19:20

Since there will be a considerably high amount of sourcing/importing in terms of technology, the price factor will definitely hit us hard. Unless there is some kind of indigenisation, it is not going to thrive in our markets.

abhinav.gupta88 · 6th June 2008, 17:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

What nonsense are you talking about? Indians are now considered extremely discerning buyers, and many cars offered in India are on par with their counterparts around the world.

Remember that Indians are "value driven" and not price driven anymore. If junk is offered, it wont be bought.

GTO

True. Skoda Fabia sales proves the point. People here prefer products which are more VFM and products which are hassle free

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthiltg

Since there will be a considerably high amount of sourcing/importing in terms of technology, the price factor will definitely hit us hard. Unless there is some kind of indigenisation, it is not going to thrive in our markets.

Perfect example CIVIC Hybrid. Its expected 17 lakh while the normal civic is 12-13.5 lakh

iceman91 · 6th June 2008, 17:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

What nonsense are you talking about? Indians are now considered extremely discerning buyers, and many cars offered in India are on par with their counterparts around the world.

Remember that Indians are "value driven" and not price driven anymore. If junk is offered, it wont be bought.

GTO

I agree only to an extent to this gto,
A lot of indian car manufacturers, manufacture two grades of cars..one for the indian market one for the export market. no guesses to who gets the superior quality

Back to the topic: mileage in a hybrid is very much in relation to driving conditions. I have tested the Lexus hybrid 260kw sedan, giving 18kmpl as opposed to the petrol version of 8kmpl, while the company that i worked for had only Prius as the company car right from the CEO to the executives to promote the " Go Green" and they would get an avearge of 1500-1700 kms from a tankful

phamilyman · 6th June 2008, 20:04

Committed environmentalist?

What does he think of those 18 non recyclable batteries in the boot? Co2 is the world's most easily recyclable product. Who are these guys fooling?

SirAlec · 6th June 2008, 20:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

What nonsense are you talking about? Indians are now considered extremely discerning buyers, and many cars offered in India are on par with their counterparts around the world.

Remember that Indians are "value driven" and not price driven anymore. If junk is offered, it wont be bought.

GTO

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman91

I agree only to an extent to this gto,
A lot of indian car manufacturers, manufacture two grades of cars..one for the indian market one for the export market. no guesses to who gets the superior quality

Back to the topic: mileage in a hybrid is very much in relation to driving conditions. I have tested the Lexus hybrid 260kw sedan, giving 18kmpl as opposed to the petrol version of 8kmpl, while the company that i worked for had only Prius as the company car right from the CEO to the executives to promote the " Go Green" and they would get an avearge of 1500-1700 kms from a tankful

To some extent it is correct. For Eg: I heard maruti makes super 1600/two door version, but all are exported, none are sold even as an option.

Take a case of brand new V series top of the line scorpio a fellow BHPian owns, its wheel nuts came off. Luckily he and his family were safe.

aaggoswami · 6th June 2008, 21:11

India needs hybrids, for sure we do. Its upto GOI now.

16th August 2005, 18:12	#1
sandeepmdas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Varkala Posts: 1,536 Thanked: 2,489 Times	Toyota Prius in the US goes 106 kmpl Politicians and automakers say a car that can both reduce greenhouse gases and free America from its reliance on foreign oil is years or even decades away. Ron Gremban says such a car is parked in his garage. It looks like a typical Toyota Prius hybrid, but in the trunk sits an 80-miles-per-gallon secret -- a stack of 18 brick-sized batteries that boosts the car's high mileage with an extra electrical charge so it can burn even less fuel. Gremban, an electrical engineer and committed environmentalist, spent several months and $3,000 tinkering with his car. Like all hybrids, his Prius increases fuel efficiency by harnessing small amounts of electricity generated during braking and coasting. The extra batteries let him store extra power by plugging the car into a wall outlet at his home in this San Francisco suburb -- all for about a quarter. He's part of a small but growing movement. "Plug-in" hybrids aren't yet cost-efficient, but some of the dozen known experimental models have gotten up to 250 miles per gallon (about 402 km per gallon, or 106 km per litre). read full story here... http://in.rediff.com/money/2005/aug/16car1.htm
	() Thanks

16th August 2005, 21:37	#2
ananthkamath Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mangalore Posts: 1,209 Thanked: 80 Times View My Garage	I get this funny feeling that the future is going to be VERY, VERY boring...
	() Thanks

17th August 2005, 00:13	#4
RJK Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,139 Thanked: 697 Times	Damn, thats some mileage figure!
	() Thanks

17th August 2005, 01:10	#5
vinod BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Detroit Posts: 131 Thanked: 9 Times	Impressive Mileage .... But the funny thing is that even though gas prices are sky rocketing not many of the auto giants are moving into Hybrids !!
	() Thanks

17th August 2005, 08:08	#6
Gurkha BANNED Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kalyani, West Bengal Posts: 444 Thanked: 10 Times	Honda has also shown a prototype Accord Diesel with 2.4l engine delivering 34KMPL with a steady speed of 60kmph, it also gave good 0-60 figures as well with good low end torque.
	() Thanks

21st August 2005, 13:26	#7
aseem Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Delhi Posts: 1,730 Thanked: 441 Times	Why are car manufacturers not introducing hybrids in India? The feul prices are higher here and people have to fit lpg, cng etc or are forced to buy diesels. Wont it make sense for auto makers to introduce a hybrid car in India. I am sure the janta would buy it in huge numbers.
	() Thanks

29th October 2005, 16:28	#8
Ramu Newbie Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bhubaneswar Posts: 1 Thanked: 0 Times	India really needs Hybrid Cars. But, as worlds all garbage are pushed to India. All scraps, cheaper materials, so also the cars. They Best quality are exported from India. It may take some years wait. But some scientists are working on AIR CAR in India running on natural air(compressed), based on the technology of Mr.aaaaaaa of Bolangir, Orissa, who demonstrated a Rail Engine running with Natural Air. Ramu
	() Thanks

29th October 2005, 19:20	#10
anthiltg BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 65 Thanked: 156 Times	Since there will be a considerably high amount of sourcing/importing in terms of technology, the price factor will definitely hit us hard. Unless there is some kind of indigenisation, it is not going to thrive in our markets.
	() Thanks

6th June 2008, 20:04	#13
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,968 Thanked: 4,641 Times	Committed environmentalist? What does he think of those 18 non recyclable batteries in the boot? Co2 is the world's most easily recyclable product. Who are these guys fooling?
	() Thanks

6th June 2008, 21:11	#15
aaggoswami Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vadodara Posts: 4,982 Thanked: 2,930 Times	India needs hybrids, for sure we do. Its upto GOI now.
	() Thanks

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