[SGVLUG] [OT]Hybrids and trains (was fuel prices and the dollar)

[Dan Borne]

Well quite soon oil production levels will fall; it is reaching its peak.

2008/5/14 Christopher Smith <x at xman.org>:

> I blogged about this phenomena a fair while back:
>
> http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-NGG_XKMyebVXpbF6EpCU?p=193
>
> That said, oil production levels aren't growing too quickly these days, so
> energy conservation measures (particularly significant ones, like driving
> less and/or driving more fuel efficient vehicles) really are the most
> effective way for us to alter the supply/demand situation in the short term.
> In the long term, you need some other source of energy (see:
> http://google.org/rec.html) to become more cost effective than
> petrochemicals to really have a lasting impact.
>
> --Chris
>
> Dan Borne wrote:
>
>> I would be willing to bet that that is so (especially in Los Angeles) but
>> I mean does converting ever car into a hybrid really do much in terms of
>> energy savings? I would be willing to bet that in a sort time the energy
>> consumption of the world would soon reach pre-hybrid levels.
>>
>>
>>
>> 2008/5/14 Rae Yip <rae.yip at gmail.com <mailto:rae.yip at gmail.com>>:
>>
>>    Don't forget regenerative braking; this is a big win for hybrid and
>>    electric vehicles because it saves wear and tear on the brake pads as
>>    well as improving mileage.
>>
>>    So even if the Prius loses 1/3 of the energy it stores in the
>>    batteries, much of that energy would simply have been discarded in a
>>    regular car - 100% loss!
>>
>>    Naturally, you don't something for nothing. As people have said,
>>    there's added weight. But I doubt the auto makers would add a
>>    component that wasn't a net gain, and the real world data bears it
>>    out.
>>
>>    In stop-and-go traffic (is there any other sort in LA?), I'm fairly
>>    certain hybrid vehicles are more efficient, no matter how well you
>>    follow your car's fuel consumption map.
>>
>>    -Rae.
>>
>>
>>
>
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