Skip to Content

  • Chris M
  • Member Since May 12th, 2006

Are you Chris M? If So, Login Here.

BlogComments
Autoblog3 Comments
Engadget1 Comment
Autoblog Green4016 Comments

Recent Comments:

Five EVs, one hydrogen car, one PHEV named as finalists for 2010 Green Car Vision Award {Autoblog Green}

Dec 6th 2009 3:45AM "Maintaining the current driver paradigm"? Do you mean having to go out of your way to buy expensive fuel from Exxon, Mobil, Shell. BP, Conoco, Chevron, etc.? That's a pradigm I would rather drop, as it is so much better to "refill" with cheap electricity right at home.

Et tu, Clarkson? Top Gear names Toyota Prius its "City Car of the Year" {Autoblog Green}

Dec 6th 2009 3:26AM Bob, the EV range of a Prius might only be a few miles, but it is far greater than the "EV range" of trying to move a car using only the starter motor! The "EV speed limit" is due to the design of the hybrid transmission, not the limitation on battery output.

the NiMH battery in the Prius weighs about 100 lbs., but it can pump out about 35 Kw when needed. A standard lead acid automotive battery weighs about 25 to 40 lbs but can only put out about 2 Kw for starting.

The only reason why lead acid batteries are still used in non-nybrid automobiles is their lower cost, but with improvements in manufacturing that lower the costs, that could change someday soon.

Et tu, Clarkson? Top Gear names Toyota Prius its "City Car of the Year" {Autoblog Green}

Dec 6th 2009 3:10AM Yes. There was a recent article in ABG about Porsche offering an optional LiIon starter battery for their cars to reduce weight. Mercedes is also planning a LiIon battery the same size as a standard car battery for use on certain "stop/start" mild hybrid models.

The only real advantage that lead acid holds is a low price, and with the prices dropping for advanced batteries, it may soon loose even that advantage.

Et tu, Clarkson? Top Gear names Toyota Prius its "City Car of the Year" {Autoblog Green}

Dec 6th 2009 3:04AM Actually, I have driven a diesel, owned one for a few years, and greatly prefer the Prius.

Spy Shots: BMW testing hydrogen hybrid 1 Series? {Autoblog Green}

Dec 6th 2009 2:53AM "Hybrid" doesn't necessarily mean it plugs in, or that the ICE is used as a range extender. It might be a "start/stop" type of hybrid, as BMW already markets some, or it could be a "dual mode" type of full hybrid, as BMW has developed those as well. In those cases, it might be working as a "dual fuel" hybrid, using petrol and H2 fuels interchangeably, as BMW did that with the "hydrogen 7".

But there is another possibility. It could be using a very small fuel cell as an auxiliary electrical power supply, taking some load off of the IC engine. BMW has been working on that idea, though I really don't consider the modest fuel economy boost to be worth the bother.

Spy Shots: BMW testing hydrogen hybrid 1 Series? {Autoblog Green}

Dec 6th 2009 2:38AM Syngas is quite a bit more complex than just H2 and CO2, it also contains methane and CO and various volatile organics. With the right catalysts, it is relatively easy to produce ethanol and other alcohols from syngas, and those liquid fuels are much easier to store and transport, compared to H2.

LA 2009: Audi e-tron, orange you terribly sad it was repainted {Autoblog Green}

Dec 3rd 2009 7:34PM The thought occurred to me that maybe it wasn't the red one repainted, this might actually be another concept prototype! If so, it is good news and an indication that Audi is serious enough about this project to make more than one prototype.

LA 2009: Audi A3 TDI named 2010 Green Car of the Year in diesel repeat {Autoblog Green}

Dec 3rd 2009 6:45PM And once again, true to form, the badly mis-named "green car journal" has made a mockery of the "Green Car of the Year" award. It makes me wonder just how much the Audi division of VW paid for the honor. Of course, after GM won in 2007 with the Tahoe Hybrid, they sank into bankruptcy and couldn't "pay for play".

My prediction: Next year, and the year after that, the "green car of the year" award will go to yet another gasser or diesel guzzler, and the EVs and PHEVs coming on the market will continue to be ignored, as usual.

There's no way Cleantech Group's 2010 prediction about plug-ins comes true {Autoblog Green}

Dec 3rd 2009 6:30PM Talk about a post just chock full of meaningless buzz words and marketing hype! What do they mean by "smart mobility"? Are they planning for a boom in gas powered Smart cars?

I suspect those statements are more a reflection on what the "Cleantech Group" has invested in, than a realistic prediction. In short, they are just trying to manipulate the market to their advantage.

LA 2009: Honda's P-NUT cracked open for all to see {Autoblog Green}

Dec 3rd 2009 1:29AM interesting, but you're right, this concept will never go into production. However, a 2 or 3 seat variation of it just might, if the rival Toyota IQ is successful.


Featured Galleries

  • LA 2009: CMT-380
  • LA 2009: Mitsubishi i-MiEV
  • LA 2009: Faurecia Booth
  • LA 2009: Fisker Karma
  • Audi A3 TDI - 2010 Green Car of the Year
  • World's Most Expensive Tesla Roadster
  • LA 2009: Mitsubishi PX-MiEV
  • LA 2009: Mitsubishi i-MiEV for Geek Squad
  • Honda P-NUT
  • LA 2009: Honda P-NUT
  • Ford Focus Econetic
  • Capstone Turbine CMT-380

Autoblog

Daily Finance

Download Squad

Engadget

Joystiq

Autoblog Spanish

Switched.com

FanHouse

Asylum