[Vwdiesel] Gas vs diesel hybrid

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/12/2006 6:04:05 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
vwdieselbunny at yahoo.com writes:

> PM advocated the use of a diesel-hybrid auto as one of
> the keys to a very high mileage vehicle.  


  I find it interesting that I thought of one of these things, to a couple of 

designs, way back in about '84 or '85 and was told by a guy that'd done 
a few retail Renault 'Lectric Car conversions that it wouldn't work!  
Not like I'd have done it even if I hadn't listened.  
  My two thoughts were to have a small diesel generator to extend 
the range of an electric car or if there was some way (didn't think 
too hard on it) to link that gen engine to the drive train and use its 
power as well as generating capacity and then if you could generate 
power on braking...  You get the idea...
  I guess that's basically how the Civic hybrid does it only in reverse 
(electric is the supplemental rather than primary power.  Generates 
for braking up to a point of pedal travel then the brakes are applied.  
It's otherwise used to aid acceleration and then sits there until you 
brake or speed up again I guess.  Battery pack is in the $3K range 
and is good for maybe 100K miles.  
    Loren