Asking Slashdot: Converting an SUV Into an Hybrid Diesel-Electric?

joaommp writes "So, my team has started a project to convert an SUV into an hybrid diesel-electric vehicle — basically, an electric vehicle with a diesel engine working as a range extender. We've now setup a campaign on Indiegogo to help with the project costs (we are a non-profit team) and later we'd like to, if the project is successful, be able to provide conversion kits and additional kits for elements of the transformation, like the HUD, for example. Why an SUV conversion? Because a lot of people like SUVs (sense of safety, overcompensation, etc) but they're un-economic and environment unfriendly. I'd like to ask all slashdotters if they have any advice or tips for this project. We already have the project well defined but more input is greatly appreciated before we begin tearing apart the beast. So, if you could help providing additional advice and information, it would be awesome."

Comments

Simple Solution

[Anonymous Coward]

Just duct tape a Prius to each wheel.

Overweight Weight Loss Drug Analogy

[Anonymous Coward]

Doctor, I don't like to exercise and I know eating 5,000 calories a day is bad for me.
Can you give me a pill to so I can continue eating bad but will have a thin body of a super model?

Re:Overweight Weight Loss Drug Analogy

[Antipater]

Of course, miss! I have the perfect pill for your situation. It helps your body run more efficiently, burning off all the energy you'll take in and more! Now, you may experience some side effects, such as hyperactivity, nervous twitching, loss of teeth, desire to steal copper tubing, and being murdered. I assure you, these are all normal parts of the weight-loss process.

Re:Greenie perspective

[girlintraining]

In other news, the International Criminal Court has a warrant out for your arrest. Something about war crimes against the nation of straw men.

They never signed the Geneva convention. They have terrorized our forums, used caps lock on innocents... we will give them no quarter. The bombings will continue until the point is made.

Re:Use a Lupo engine

[Jeng]

- The towing capacity of the average modern car is about 1000 lbs (many actually explicitly state NO towing WHATSOEVER). This means that families owning a house, where every couple of months you want to haul a large item home will need to oftentimes rent another vehicle for that purpose.

It is cheaper to have it delivered than drive around with an extra ton or two of vehicle everyday.

- They stopped making the Crown Vic, that means 3 child families must use SUVs and Vans

Minivans are a better option than a full size van or an SUV. Better seating, more flexible, easier to drive and better mileage.

- Modern cars have small engines. This is great around the town, but on the highway, mileage suffers horribly. SUVs get much better highway mileage (not better than cars, but not all that far away) because they often put an appropriately sized engine in them.

Yes, I had an underpowered car once and yes it got horrible mileage, but is not the norm for a car to have an underpowered engine in it.

- It sucks ass getting a flat in a car on a long trip, since most modern cars have a toy tire, or worse, tire goop and an inflator ("clown shoes" as I like to call it). Many SUVs offer a full size spare--extremely handy!

One can purchase a full size spare and doing so is cheaper than buying an SUV for the option of a full size spare.

-

Now there is a good argument to make regarding SUV's and that is at full capacity it gets pretty good mileage per passenger.