MarkTime wrote:The one thing that I think hybrids do particularly well is to promote interest in electric vehicles, that's why I'm here!
I think that this is one of the main reasons that the likes of Toyota took the decision to invest so heavily in hybrid technology.
EVs have always been in a difficult situation. The public won't readily accept a completely new propulsion system without any real experience of it. The cost of components, like reliable, high capacity batteries and efficient brushless motor technology, won't come down without volume sales and the infrastructure needed to service and maintain EVs won't come about until there is a demand from the market.
Hybrids are a very useful stepping stone, as they are:
1) Raising public awareness of the benefits of electric power (I can't imagine anyone who has ever driven/ridden in a Prius failing to be impressed by "stealth mode"!).
2) Creating a high volume market demand for new battery, motor and controller technology.
3) Allowing garages to get up to speed with the nuances of working on high voltage, high current, electrical systems.
I think it will be much easier, in terms of public acceptability, to transition from a hybrid to a pure EV, than it would to make the leap from a pure ICE powered car to an EV. The majority of cars sold in the personal (not fleet) car market are very boring boxes that look pretty much the same. This is no accident, as lots of people hate to be seen to be different.
Jeremy