Oh no, not into that line of thinking at all. Behemoth show-n-go diesels like Hummers and mega-pickups don't ring my bell. But I feel that gasoline hybrids have been over-hyped and aren't all that they're touted to the general public. Key word here: Gasoline. There are a number of diesel hybrids in the pipeline that are much more promising. But again, this isn't new technology as hybrids were here and in production 100 years ago through the 1940's.Originally Posted by nater
As some have mentioned an ideal would be 100% electric, but our greatest challenge is to change our driving habits and continue to develop improved storage technologies for electricity. My biggest personal interest is for American energy independence, which I believe would then lead to increased competition and research for improved energy technologies. Biofuels is but just one part of the greater equation, but the one I feel with the great immediate impact and viability. This would be a foundation for other technologies to stand on and garner additional support among the greater unthinking American public, who get behind what's put in front of their faces by the media moreso than anything learnable.
Unfortunately all the viable building blocks of our own energy independence have devolved into little greedy special interests that seem to spawn studies and rumors debunking each other trying to grab the spotlight for themselves. This infighting makes for a lot of confusion and uncertainty, keeping that same ignorant public at the gasoline pump.
As an aside, nice score on the RAV4 EV! I got outbid on two on eBay a while back and pretty much gave up on trying to get one, although they're likely the best production EV currently around. Been keeping my eye out for a VW Vanagon to convert to an EV as it could easily support a solar panel "roof" with enough output to significantly enhance the range in a daily-driver application. Then again, I''ve got enough projects.
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