road-runner wrote:
Intuitively, I think the overall best compromise is a plug-in hybrid with a small internal combustion engine. When the electricity is available it could be run totally on electric for short trips. For a long and/or cold climate trip the IC engine would be the primary power source, with the electric motor(s) giving the wimpy IC engine an assist for acceleration and hill climbing. The IC engine would have to be large enough to push the vehicle at highway speeds on level ground, with some reserve to charge the battery at least a little bit.
Your observation on a best overall compromise is spot-on!
I've thought along the same line for years. This would provide a good-enough best of both worlds solution if, and until, a final ultmate solution is made viable for all drivers and the environment.
Didn't VW some time back have a hybrid electric/diesel-IC powered vehicle in the works for someplace -> I don't remember if it was comtemplated for their U.S. market or their Rest of World market.
I was really interested when I read about this ... but have read nothing about it since. I would rather have had it be an electric/gas-IC hybrid combination, though.
