EV/SERIAL HYBRID vs. PARALLEL HYBRID

[Derwin]

A new member, crusade, asked to put up a new poll about which type of powertrain we would prefer Venture Vehicles go with.....EV/Serial or Parallel.

I, for one, would prefer the serial, and I think we all would. But I think the REAL question then becomes.... Are we still interested in the V1 now that they are going with the Parallel Hybrid? My answer is a resounding YES!

I think we can all safely say that MOST of us would PREFER the serial, but would still buy the V1 with a parallel. Let's see if this is really true! Please vote in this poll and give us a REAL feel for what you would really buy.

Thanks!

Derwin

[AZEqualizer]

The biggest problem I see with a parallel hybrid is one of those not very well defined power trains that can be as mild as a turns the engine off when you are at a stop light to a EV with a motor assist and who knows what other kinds there are..... But I have the feeling it is like Baskin Robbins.

With that said it makes it pretty hard to evaluate. A serial Hybrid is pretty cut and dry ( or is it?) dependent on the size of the battery pack and a genset that is of constant speed.

So with out more data it is really hard to say definitively until we know more about it.

[ziggy951]

If the last choice said "possibly" rather than "certainly", it would be my choice. I really am leaning away from a parallel system right now though.




Z

[trice1one]

Because of the high price of battery technology, the EV if released now would be about $40,000 and not the $20 to $25,000 price tag thats been given on that faq sheet. Until they find a way to bring the price down on batteries thats where its going to stay unfortunately. Think about it this way, If the hybrid model gets a combined 350 miles on a 5 gallon tank of gas even if gas was $5.00 thats still only $25 per 350 miles not including the battery charge. Thats a win/win in my book for either model.

[Derwin]

If the last choice said "possibly" rather than "certainly", it would be my choice. I really am leaning away from a parallel system right now though.

Z


Zig.... Thanks for the heads up on that! I just changed "certainly" to "possibly".

Derwin

[ziggy951]

Yay I got to vote! The specs really will matter a whole lot more to me if its a parallel system. It seems, by default, that a parallel will cost more, be less cost effective per mile, weigh more, and require more parts and therefore a bigger size. But I am willing to wait on the estimated specs of a parallel system before making a final judgment, while hoping that they wise up and go serial hybrid. Just like it was written above, as the EV range gets bigger so does the price tag. I also agree that there is no way they can get a reasonable ev range without breaking $30k at the least, because of the current battery tech available. Since they cant go gasoline only I would have figured serial hybrid makes the most sense. That way they could go with any number of fuel based power plants, save a ton on battery costs, get any number of electric drive units/motors, get pretty good performance and fuel economy, and still come close to the original $20k price tag.

I am actually hoping the whole parallel thing was released to throw off the competition :)

So yeah I will still consider the V1 if the performance AND economy are still there in one way or another. But if they dont deliver on both of those fronts I probably wont....unless we can buy the shell separate from their power plant and drive system. Then count me in for sure.

My cutoff specs for this vehicle are around: 8 second 0-60, 65mpg overall average(double my current), 85mph top speed(avg actual highway speed for passing), $28k USD(post rebates etc), fully enclosed.
My preferred specs for the vehicle are: 5 second 0-60, 80mpg overall average, 120mph top speed, $23k USD(post rebates etc), fully enclosed.
There just is no way I would consider this vehicle, or any like it, if: 10 second 0-60, 55mpg, 65mph top speed, $30k+ USD(post rebates etc), open air.



Z

[Mike kZ]

Ziggy, Your specs are in line with mine, except your cutoff spec 0-60. Mine would be 6.5 - 7 sec 0-60 :burning:rubber:

[Derwin]

My "guess" on what the final specs will be is this....

0-60 in 8 seconds.

around 70-75mpg

Top speed of over 100mph

Retail price tag of around $25,000

That would be my best guess as of this time, but we really don't know yet, and I don't even think THEY know yet.

[ziggy951]

I am guessing they will be similar as well. I really am hopefully that I wont have to "settle" for those stats seeing that they are my "very worst case scenario" but hey, it is the very worst case scenario that I would accept and purchase so if they meet or beat any of those they have a buyer right here.=y:
I really do think they will have a larger market if they hit most of those marks, especially with how difficult it "may" become to get credit in the near future.
I dont think the V1 is as much of a niche vehicle as some people think. I see it competing with Honda Civics, Chevy Cavaliers, Scions, Prius and small hybrid commuter vehicles, as well as trikes and motorcycles. I think that because I know of at least 3 people that have never ridden a street bike(2 have driven offroad vehicles to a lesser extent) but are ready to place a down payment on the V1, myself included.

Random thought of the day - I want to be the first person to race one up Pikes Peak. Man that would be sweet. Hard as hell, but SWEET!




Z

[PHEVadvocate]

The hybrid preformace will be a major factor for me. How VV implements the parallel system concerns me.

I would pass on a cheap "token" hybrid using a system like the Saturn VUE Greenline (BAS system). :o

I would much rater have the off the line preformace of a Tesla Roadster and the great efficency of a Plug-in Hybrid. :burning:rubber:

[AZEqualizer]

Here is my guess on the specs for the parallel hybrid V1
Cost $23k
100mph plus
0-60 7.5 sec
75 MPG on 5 gallon tank.
10mile range on battery pack
20mile extra range with larger battery pack and Plug (PEV) in for additional $2.5k w the sport window treatment. (This would be the sport model.)
Air bag optional at $500

[AZEqualizer]

Since the specs have changed since this poll and thread was started -I have closed this thread and will open a new one.