Ford working on F150 hybrid

Also, the myth that Hybrids are underpowered is just that, a myth.

They can be more powerful that a conventional drivetrain without adding any under-hood packaging. The batteries can be mounted at the bottom of the chassis for a lower cG, and they can recapture some of the energy lost through braking. As ultra-capacitors come down in price, we'll see even better regenerative braking.

As mentioned, they may not be the best choice for highway driving, but they have place.

Fast Volvo Hybrid Ttruck

brulaz wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

...
(there is also the ego factor...a hybrid might have a 120hp engine and that doesn't sooth the ego of someone expecting 200-300hp even though it may have similar unloaded performance)

Some of these new hybrids and full electrics (ferrari, bmw, tesla) are awesome cars. When you add the electic HP (and awesome torque) to the gas engine's HP, they compare well to high end gassers.

There's an all electric racing circuit now, and I believe some hybrid tech incorporated in other racing circuits. These electric enhanced performance cars will gradually show that not
all hybrids need be as wimpy as a Prius.

But agree with others, for long distance towing, I don't really see their advantage.

As I said, it may give similar performance but it's kind of like a joke (if you have to explain it, it isn't funny). By the same token, if you have to explain "equivilent to" and "torque effects"...it just doesn't work so well for bragging.

This is very similar to the pushback Ford has gotten on their turbo V6. It outperforms the base V8's (at least in grocery getter mode) but people have a tough time with losing the extra cyclinders. They seem to be slowly getting over it but a lot of folks just can't accept that fewer cyclinders can put out more power.

valhalla360 wrote:

...
(there is also the ego factor...a hybrid might have a 120hp engine and that doesn't sooth the ego of someone expecting 200-300hp even though it may have similar unloaded performance)

Some of these new hybrids and full electrics (ferrari, bmw, tesla) are awesome cars. When you add the electic HP (and awesome torque) to the gas engine's HP, they compare well to high end gassers.

There's an all electric racing circuit now, and I believe some hybrid tech incorporated in other racing circuits. These electric enhanced performance cars will gradually show that not
all hybrids need be as wimpy as a Prius.

But agree with others, for long distance towing, I don't really see their advantage.

Hybrids make a lot of sense for stop and go driving. For a tow vehicle, not so much.

It's about keeping the gas/diesel engine operating at peak efficiency.
- Running at 65mph down the freeway, a standard engine is pretty much at peak efficiency.
- Under hard acceleration or during deceleration, the engine is far from it's peak efficiency.
- On top of that a gas/diesel engine is typically sized based on acceleration needs. Power needs to hold speed at freeway speeds is typically much lower.

Hybrids help by allowing the engine to stay at peak efficiency all the time absorbing extra power during deceleration and allowing for decent acceleration without pushing the gas/diesel engine into an inefficient range. It also allows for a smaller engine as it can be sized for steady freeway speeds.

For towing purposes, most are driving at steady speeds and may need more peak power than the batteries can provide during a long grade climb.

The real question is since most trucks are used as grocery getters, does a hybrid make sense. (there is also the ego factor...a hybrid might have a 120hp engine and that doesn't sooth the ego of someone expecting 200-300hp even though it may have similar unloaded performance)

CAFE
it is all about fleet mileage.
Bryan hit the nail I think.

The State of Oregon has a long term fleet of Hybrids. One of their Ford Escape hybrids is going strong at nearly 400,000 miles. They have found NO relation to mileage and battery pack life. They have found age does matter. They routinely replace them after 10 years.

I have been certified through NAPA for hybrid battery replacements. It's not that big of a deal. Sometimes just the faulty cells can be replaced. It's easy to monitor the health of individual cells with the right software. Dorman sells new Prius batteries for about $2400 retail (shop cost is about 20% off that) and flat rate is about 4 hours labor. 2 good techs can do it in 30 minutes.

Hybrids don't make financial sense for most drivers, but for some it does. And of course some people want better fuel economy whether it makes financial sense or not. I see no reason why these alternative fuel options should not be offered. Besides, the more high-effeciancy trucks they sell, the more gas guzzling Raptors they can sell :)

goducks10 wrote:
I thought they lasted longer than 50-70,000 miles.

The Design of Hybrid Car Batteries
Most hybrid car batteries are designed to last for a significant number of miles. Toyota provides a guarantee of 100,000 miles with its Prius model. Its lab testing indicates that its battery pack lasts up to 180,000, which is longer than most people will own a car. Honda and Ford provide 8-year/80,000 mile warranties associated with the hybrid car battery packs.

Maybe the original owner will not have the car for 180,000 miles, but second, third , etc., owners will have the car.

Or will they ? If a battery replacement costs more than the used car is worth...not many used car owners will touch it.

Then the car may be of not much value...or any value if you can't find a buyer for a used car with dead batteries.

DD has a 4 year old Honda hybrid. 55K miles and the battery was toast. Lucky for her it was on a recall, otherwise it would have cost her three grand. The few dollars a year she saves in gas is eaten up in battery replacement cost. Dirty little secret the enviro crowd dont want you to know.

I thought they lasted longer than 50-70,000 miles.

The Design of Hybrid Car Batteries
Most hybrid car batteries are designed to last for a significant number of miles. Toyota provides a guarantee of 100,000 miles with its Prius model. Its lab testing indicates that its battery pack lasts up to 180,000, which is longer than most people will own a car. Honda and Ford provide 8-year/80,000 mile warranties associated with the hybrid car battery packs.

I cannot understand peoples obsession with hybrid vehicles? They simply do not pen out economically or enviromentally. Especially when you consider the cost to replace the battery pack every 50 to 70K miles, disposal cost of the hazardous materials in the battery pack and the harm to the enviroment of disposing of those dangerous materials.