Automotive X Prize competitor to come from Hybrid Technologies
Click above more another shot of the Hybrid Technologies supercar
The electric sportscar world, with Tesla as the only major player at the moment, may be getting a little more crowded as Hybrid Technologies is planning to produce a new vehicle with which to attack the Automotive X Prize. Known specifications are very limited so far, but engineers from the project are talking about Corvette ZR1-style performance numbers. According to Popular Mechanics, there are two versions of the electric supercar currently in development, both an extended-range electric-vehicle and a fully electric version.
Fuel mileage numbers from the hybrid are expected to crest 220 miles per gallon, which would be very impressive indeed, although that figure probably doesn't include the cost to charge the batteries. As of right now, we can't confirm any sort of sale date, but the company would be happy to sell you an all electric MINI Cooper for a cool 60 grand or so. With pricing like that, we're not counting on getting a cut-rate electric car from Hybrid Technologies, but sales of a super car like this could help bring more affordable electric vehicles to market, which would be more than welcome.
[Source: Popular Mechanics]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
la 3:24PM (5/29/2008)
What does the cost to charge the batteries have to do with MPG? Miles traveled per gallon of gas has nothing to do with the cost of the fuel (whatever the fuel may be) -- I do not understand that statement. It seems as if it is an attempt to point out that there are more costs than the petroleum based fuel, which is, er obvious anyway. If you want to go that route, calculate cost of fuel per mile traveled, not MPG ----
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navin 4:27PM (5/29/2008)
good point, that was confusing.
jeremy.korzeniewsk 5:08PM (5/29/2008)
Not trying to be confusing. Just pointing out, as we always try to do, that there is more than just miles per gallon when calculating the overall cost and efficiency of a vehicle. For instance, we have no indication on how much capacity the on board batteries have, so... how much electricity is needed to sustain that 220 mile per gallon figure? And yes, there will be a cost associated with charging the batteries, though that's not entirely what the statement was referring to.
Anyway, I'm very excited at the prospect of this car being a working prototype by September.
la 5:54PM (5/29/2008)
Again, I think everyone understands, after a little thought, what you are attempting to say. My comment is not related to your point, or idea, but only to your use of MPG and that they stated MPG does not include the cost of the power to charge the batteries. Perhaps there could be a measure of miles per amp/hour used, or a simple miles per unit of energy on board --- but MPG does not measure or account for a monetary cost. If a vehicle runs on a fuel that is measured in Gallons, and is critiqued on Miles traveled Per Gallon, then the cost of a gallon has no bearing on the outcome. If a gallon of fuel allows the car to travel say, 20 miles, it does not matter if the fuel has a cost of $1.00 or $100.00 per gallon. It is not part of the measurement.
Calculate the number of watts used to charge the batteries, and that cost, figure out how much battery power is then used and add that cost to the cost of a gallon of fuel, divide it by 220 miles and you might get somewhere close to a Fuel Cost Per mile, or FCPM---
Toodles.
patrickwvu 4:29PM (5/29/2008)
Sweet, I pass Hybrid Technologies every day in Mooresville, NC. I always wondered what they were building.
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patrickwvu 4:30PM (5/29/2008)
600HP Hybrid sounds good to me
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Ed 6:15PM (5/29/2008)
I don't get how the MPG can be so high. I see how regenerative braking makes the MPG for stop-start driving a lot higher than it otherwise would be. I guess that's what they're talking about- low speed driving.
On the motorway/highway, it's probably no more efficient than an ordinary car.
Still it's pretty cool though. So long as Porsche don't sue them.
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