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Build Your Own Hybrid-Electric Car?
BlueJay465 writes "On almost every news outlet, everyone is talking about the price of oil, both foreign and domestic. This sent me to do some research on what it would take to keep the investment in my current vehicle, while getting the added benefits of hybrid-electric technology at the lowest price. One company, Sigma Automotive, has already jumped on that bandwagon, and will soon be offering a kit for your car engine that will boost performance and increase fuel-economy by adding all the extra electronics, hardware and capacity (avail. Q3-Q4 2004). My question is, how much would it cost to really 'Do It Yourself' using off-the-shelf parts?"
I'm not sure, but something tells me this will void the warranty.
There were plans for hybrid cars in the 70's. Plans were available in the back of every Popular Science magazine. You started with an old Pinto or Vega, put in a Briggs & Stratton lawnmower engine, and some kind of big electric motor. I was ready to build one till I figured out I'd have to pop the hood every morning and crank up the engine with a pull cord.
Wasn't that the cover story of every issue of Popular Mechanics during the 80's? It's nice to see /. appealing to my aging tastes.
jeff
>the whole point of the HOV lane was to promote conservation.
Close. It was to promote conversation.
If you are not allowed to question your government then the government has answered your question.
It's free and unlimited, but it's going to take a lot to motivate people to start messing around with smelly cooking oil in their garage. It also limits you to trips near your home. Last time I was on Route 80, I didn't see the sign that said "Last Vegetable Oil 20 Miles." It's still a cool idea though. This country needs to put more effort in energy alternatives that can actually be useful. A solar car will never cut it.
Ahhh, I had not considered that. You must be right.
Hey, this is Slashdot! You're not allowed to be civil!
For some reason, the government really came down hard on his ass.
1. Remove the gas cap.
2. Move remainder of car off the driveway.
3. Attach a Toyota Prius or Civic Hybrid to the gas cap.
Seriously, it seems like it would be very difficult and expensive to make this work, and even if you did somehow succeed, most states would require you to get the car smogged or otherwise inspected, which could prove difficult after such extensive modifications. If you want an inexpensive hybrid, I suggest a 2001 or 2002 model Prius. They're cheap because everyone wants the 2004 model.
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What's will all this reasonableness and decency today? Didn't *any* of you people go to MIT?
-I like my women like I like my tea: green-