) Regen sales has gone up pretty steadily, and the technology is getting more prevalent and cheaper as a result. (Economies of scale.)
They are?
Given all the buzz about hybrids, not to mention the greening of the citizenry, you'd think they would be easy to sell. They're not. After growing nicely through much of 2006, hybrid sales began to slow early this year. The gasoline-electric vehicles now make up 1.8% of all vehicle sales, says Edmunds.com, down from a peak of 2.1% in October.
You just can't get enough hydrogen in a typical vehicle and get 300 mile range -
True today. But I believe in the future of technology as much as you do. It is coming.
That isn't a hybrid vehicle, but even they are using regen.
Yes, but the added complexity is there. Somewhere in the system there is an electromechanical rotating machine gathering up those KWs and a power semiconductor converter putting the KWs to work.
Basically all the technology now demanded by consumer and safety concerns have upped the electrical requirements in vehicles steadily over the last few decades.
I do not know who demanded all of this. Are we so lazy that we need power windows? Power door locks? Do we all need a BOSE (TM) 300 watt stereo system in our cars? Talk about wasting energy and creating distractions. A 300 watt audio amp requires close to a gross HP. A 30 amp circuit.
Why do we need electric seat warmers? Another 30 amp circuit. The auto electrical system is being built so that it can handle the worst case of everything on at once! That 150 amp alternator, the switches, circuit breakers, multiple #10 copper wiring harnesses all add weight that must be hauled around.
Somewhere, somehow, you need the power plants to produce the H2 stored energy.
This is true. But as Ian has stated the electricity required by the electrolosis process can come from new, zero emission nuclear plants (I am betting on this option), hydro, wind etc. Or clean technology coal fired plants... they are coming, and the US has a lot of coal.
I spent decades helping to design, build, start-up, troubleshoot, repair massive (and I mean massive) industrial facilities where my job/butt was on the line when the switch was turned on (some plants actually made me pull that big lever in the powerhouse) so I know of what I speak.
The number one enemy of cost, reliability and efficiency was complexity. I spent countless hours fighting with highly intelligent and educated consultants that never actually worked in a manufacturing facility, or had to maintain and operate what they designed. The fascination with bells and whistles was the downfall of most of them and I had the great pleasure of seeing their firms being fired on the site and walked off by security. A few were sued for consequential damages. Out would come all of my documentation showing my recommendations and that pretty much closed the door on them.
And it's likely the only way you'll get high amperage electricy on demand (needed for torque and fast starts) and range.
No. Electric machines can be built for very short term, high output duty cycles. It is quite common to build an electrical drive with a 300% short term rating. The starter motor on your current car has a 600%, 10 second duty cycle. Batteries too. Also fuel cells. And, unlike the internal combustion engine, electric motors can produce full torque at ZERO speed. No, it does not take an elecrical drive much to blow away an internal combustion engine when it comes to accelleration. Why do you think railroad locomotives use electric drive trains instead of just connecting the 4,000hp diesel to the axles?
They're talking about a really nice engine coming in the Cherokee. That just might make me buy an SUV.
Now you are talking.
And don't be surprised to find a little regen in these new diesels to support the electronics. It's only a matter of time.
I hope not. that feature alone would take it off of my 'buy' list.
Rich
