here is alittle bit of insite on the program itself:

The Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Program officially began in 1993. It was developed as a five-year cost-shared partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and "Big Three" American auto manufacturers: General Motors, Ford, and DaimlerChrysler. They committed to produce production-feasible HEV propulsion systems by 1998, first-generation prototypes by 2000, and market-ready HEVs by 2003.
The overall goal of the program was to develop production feasible HEVs that achieved twice the fuel economy of similar gasoline vehicles and had comparable performance, safety, and costs. As the program progressed, its goals began to merge with the goals of the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV). The President's budget proposal for FY 2003 directed that PNGV be refocused and transferred to DOE as the FreedomCAR program. DOE focuses on long-term, high-risk, pre-competitive research and development in fuel cells and hydrogen infrastructures and technologies.
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GM's new up and comming line up:

Plans for New HEV Models
GM plans to roll out several new HEV models between model years 2004 and 2007, including:
2004 The Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. These will be available first to fleets; in fall 2004 they will be available to the public.
2005 The Saturn Vue, which will have twin electric motors. It will carry a Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle rating.
2006 The Chevrolet Equinox SUV. which will provide improved fuel economy in stop-and-go driving.
2007 The Chevrolet Tahoe and the GMC Yukon SUVs. These vehicles will have displacement on demand technology, which will boost fuel economy by 15%-20%. This same year GM will offer the hybrid system used on the Equinox on the Chevrolet Malibu sedan.

Fords up and comming line up:

The hybrid Ford Escape will go on sale in 2004. Ford is also working to develop a hybrid SUV.

Chryslers up and comming line up:

In 2005 DaimlerChrysler plans to release the hybrid Dodge Ram pickup; in 2006 the Mercedes S-class.

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What Are HEVs?

Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) combine the internal combustion engine of a conventional vehicle with the battery and electric motor of an electric vehicle, resulting in twice the fuel economy of conventional vehicles. This combination offers the extended range and rapid refueling that consumers expect from a conventional vehicle, with a significant portion of the energy and environmental benefits of an electric vehicle. The practical benefits of HEVs include improved fuel economy and lower emissions compared to conventional vehicles. The inherent flexibility of HEVs will allow them to be used in a wide range of applications, from personal transportation to commercial hauling.
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HEV Advantages:

HEVs have several advantages over conventional vehicles:

Regenerative braking capability helps minimize energy loss and recover the energy used to slow down or stop a vehicle.
Engines can be sized to accommodate average load, not peak load, which reduces the engine's weight.
Fuel efficiency is greatly increased (hybrids consume significantly less fuel than vehicles powered by gasoline alone).
Emissions are greatly decreased.
HEVs can reduce dependency on fossil fuels because they can run on alternative fuels.
Special lightweight materials are used to reduce the overall vehicle weight of HEVs.



Its pretty exciting and very cool stuff that is up and comming. There is tons of good reading on this site http://www.ott.doe.gov/hev/hev.html


Whats you out look on the whole thing?

 

I think it is a great idea, for the right people. I have driven the Toyota Prius numerous times. They suck as far as get up and go. You try to pull out on the freeway in that thing and you are fucked. But the new one gets about 60 miles or so to the gallon around town. Like I said, dpends on the person

 

good idea as far as environmental concerns and sustainable technology, but I would never in hell own one unless I had to...I'm a horsepower/speed freak and electric automobiles just don't do it for me

 

Electric powered vehicles can be made to go as fast as gasoline powered vehicles.. it's all in the application...
the ones that are being built right now are obviously in their infancy stage..
saw an excerpt on a mini HEV the other night, did 0-60 in less than 6 seconds.. quicker than most vehicles that everyone drives...

 

Electric motors have mad torque, they need to be paired with larger engines capable of taking on more power. If it was the current prius electric motor paired with the corolla motor the range of aftermarket applications would be larger and help marketing to teens.

The current prius electric motors makes 285 ft lbs/tq. Another plus is the addition of a single gear transmission taking away from the slips between gears.

Many mechanics will not work on hybrid cars, and this will also change over time helping the movement.

I read a review in car and driver and they said the prius was a dream to drive through the curves. The lack of power was a large downfall to its performance but I would imagine it would make a nice autox car with that electric motor being the only one to drive it around most of the track.

Another fun fact: most HEV vehicles get better gas mileage on city than highway.

 

ive seem some really nice home built eletric cars. one being a first gen mr2. this car has been to a few autox's http://www.geocities.com/mathenybrian/mr2.htm

the other neat car was a 1st gen RX7 it was set up for drag racing. it carried the wheels till about the 60ft mark and ran single digit numbers. it was a detacated drag car so im assuming his range was about 1500ft.

give it a few years, we will all be driving fuel cell powered eletric sports cars that can make what we think is cool now look silly with a heathy aftermarket too.

 

I think the hybrid cars and pure electric cars are a good idea. Most people don't need power, so getting efficient gas mileage is a bonus.

Myself personally, I don't even like cars with fuel injection. If it has a computer, it's not for me

 

I would prefer a diesel Jetta, 50mpg on the interstate and no wacky electric motor to deal with.

 

When I was in high school, we had an electric vehicle program. We built 3 different cars in 4 years. All of the vehicles we built were older cars that we converted to electric. A 78 chevy monza, 82 s10, and 82 ford exp. All three cars used 16 6volt batteries, and had a single 23hp electric motor. There are better methods for providing the electricity, but we were restricted by the rules used for the competition. All of these cars were capable of speeds over 80 mph and had a range of about 60-80miles per charge. For most people that is enough for daily commuting to work or school. We drove these vehicles in everyday traffic, and on the interstate. the downside was the acceleration, but they were still pretty fun to drive. We were even able to adapt the stock transmissions which were either 4 speed or 5 speed manuals.

 

I don't think we'll see full electric-only cars as very popular here in the USA for a LONG time. Like...nevermind, too far ahead to imagine. We all like power, whether we NEED it or not.

And people have wised up to the electric cars that you plug in- there is still fuel burned to make the electricity, so are you really gaining? With hybrids, I believe you are, because it is all working off of the gas tank, and regenerative braking. Why waste that?

When they can put the hybrid motors in full-size vehicles, not specialized vehicles, then it'll be viable. Put them in police cruisers, or taxis, show me they can last. In 10 years, I might buy one used. I hear they're a great deal though, considering how much they actually cost to produce.