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March 17, 2006
Two New Autonomous Diesel Series-Hybrid Vehicles Begin Field Testing
This is really great news. I know a lot of people have issues with the military, but if you've ever looked at the military's budget it's a hell of a lot bigger than the R&D we do on civilian research. So when you see that the military is testing Series Hybrid that's really good news. They have our money to burn on getting these kinds of technologies worked out to the point that they are well beyond what we need to be on the road. Just an update for those of you that might not be aware, these Series hybrids move the energy producing unit out of the propulsion business completely. The vehicle is actually an all electric motor powered activity. The Diesel engine in this case just generates the electricity to run the motor. So there is no complicated thing called a transmission needed at all. This vehicle goes a step further and actually has an electric motor for every wheel. Which is the dream scenario. Some of the Japanese automakers are prototyping these kinds of systems right now. This is great because regenerative braking can be done at the wheel rather than wasting a lot of the energy running it through the transmission. Fewer moving parts is always better. This also is the system that sets the foundation for the future. Using this kind of system we can change from a combustion engine to a fuel cell in the same car without any major upgrades. That's the goal...Series-hybrids are the next step on the road to that goal. And with the Ethanol and Bio-Diesel fuel cells on the way, the future with fuel cells is going to be completely renewable. Now we've got to get it on the streets in the next 5 years. :)
Read more over at Green Car Congress.
Posted by ManDrake at March 17, 2006 6:52 AM
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