Will (can) Hybrids have a future in the LOS auto market?

[thailoht]

All of these potential 'Hybrid' options have to be filtered through the Thai government's perspective - so it's anybody's game.

Looking at the broader view, can I step out on the proverbial limb and state that Hydrogen cells are the best and sought after 'ultimate transportation solution' to replace the current depleting and environment destroying fossil fuel based transportation that we have today and that Hybrids or whatever 'comes next' only serves as a stepping stone to that end?

Most Hydrogen powered systems that have been tried so far are range extender hybrids - the hydrogen is used to generate electricity which it then used to power the car. There have been a few hydrogen powered straight combustion engine powered concepts in the past, but AFAIK these have all been dropped in favor of the hybrid range extender style system.

As for Thai taxation system, the definition of Hybrid is a car powered by both combustion and electricity. Taxes for hybrids are the same a straight EV's, so there's no gray area to fight over - so long as the car has an electric motor that does propulsion, it will fit the definition for reduced taxes.

What about all the engines that burn water? Sooner or later one of the patents the oil companies hold will expire, and fuel will be virtually free!

What about all the engines that burn water? Sooner or later one of the patents the oil companies hold will expire, and fuel will be virtually free!

Got a link to one of those patents?

OK, guys. Admittedly this technology's time is in the future - there is a lot of development that has to occur.

With the double-whammy (generally accepted) facts that fossil fuels are not endless and that our environment is being damaged by their use.

Isn't a non-fossil based source of transportation the ultimate goal, here?

[muratremix]

The World Elite would not allow free flow of electricity / power among subjects (us). Don't get your hopes up. Whoever controls energy resources flow (USA), controls the world. Why do you think they give such importance to the world's most backwards place called Middle-East?

[thailoht]

The World Elite would not allow free flow of electricity / power among subjects (us). Don't get your hopes up. Whoever controls energy resources flow (USA), controls the world. Why do you think they give such importance to the world's most backwards place called Middle-East?

That's probably true today but just as though we are all on this boat riding down the river (which represents fossil fuels), knowing all along that the 'mother of water fall' drops - (representing depleted fossil fuels and global environmental catastrophes), is up ahead, my point is that there will come a turning point of acknowledged understanding that a solution must be found to avoid going over that proverbial 'cliff'.

Speaking of that point and time, do you know of or think there's an alternative fuel source in the pipeline (pun intended!) that will replace fossil-fuel power? Hydrogen cells, maybe something synthetic? Maybe it's too early 'up the road(river) for us to speculate?

[mogandave]

We'll new run out of oil, it will just become more and more expensive, until other energy sources are more viable.

[BSJ]

I doubt if there are any 'Water powered propulsion Devices' being bottled up by the oil companies. Water is already being used to strip Hydrogen atoms but it is an expensive exercise consuming energy from another source. I would put money on Hydrogen NOT being an important fuel source in the future.

My guess is the next big fuel source will come from the depths of the ocean, something yet to be discovered.

On the other hand it could be an unknown (or known by NASA) mineral that is on the moon. Something so powerful a cigarette packet full would power Bangkok for a year.

Wait for a minute while I polish my crystal ball.............

[mogandave]

I think the next big breakthrough will be in "super conductor" technology.

[i claudius]

I personally find it sometimes a bit daunting to plug anything into the electrical system here in Thailand ,God forbid that i ever had to plug a car in.

[teebe]

Hydrogen is energy-media, like copper for electricity, it has the native issue to be volatile, explosive and difficult to produce. The osmose process to create h2 has a spoil of co to be disposed like nuclear waste. I think is a proof of oil industry, an attempt to drive the top market, propaganda. Electric power is absolutely no option. The problems of storing efficient quantities of electric energy is the main issue now. Chemistry is not a simple solution, add to this that all EV have their custom battery pack and no one is proposing a battery swap system that could simplify the petrol station stop. But battery have a competitor, the flywheel: a 50k rpm cylinder spinning on magnetic floating bearing that can drive a locomotive or a car. The recharging of such device is measured in minutes, not hours, there is no poison component, no maintenance, no thermal effects. The second issue is from where the energy is taken. If is the grid I would be rather skeptical of any improvement, will revert to nuclear plants, no good. The PV solar is a good point to escalate, but actual developments are not yet affordable: 85% lost at capture, 12% lost for thermal, 5% lost for electronics. Very low figures for users, but it is the available and growing solution. Do not desperate, a car will be with you for ever! A bicycle is not a bad solution, either.

[mortenaa]

Hydrogen is energy-media, like copper for electricity, it has the native issue to be volatile, explosive and difficult to produce. The osmose process to create h2 has a spoil of co to be disposed like nuclear waste. I think is a proof of oil industry, an attempt to drive the top market, propaganda. Electric power is absolutely no option. The problems of storing efficient quantities of electric energy is the main issue now. Chemistry is not a simple solution, add to this that all EV have their custom battery pack and no one is proposing a battery swap system that could simplify the petrol station stop. But battery have a competitor, the flywheel: a 50k rpm cylinder spinning on magnetic floating bearing that can drive a locomotive or a car. The recharging of such device is measured in minutes, not hours, there is no poison component, no maintenance, no thermal effects. The second issue is from where the energy is taken. If is the grid I would be rather skeptical of any improvement, will revert to nuclear plants, no good. The PV solar is a good point to escalate, but actual developments are not yet affordable: 85% lost at capture, 12% lost for thermal, 5% lost for electronics. Very low figures for users, but it is the available and growing solution. Do not desperate, a car will be with you for ever! A bicycle is not a bad solution, either.

Electrical cars now have 700hp, four wheel drive, 450km range, and charge in 20 minutes, swap batteries in 2,5 minutes.. No option you say? Lol..

[Ace of Pop]

Or perhaps a normal Car, 800 km Range, fill anywhere in 2Mins and costs 500K Bht...When they.beat that folks may buy one.

[teebe]

yes, 700hp to aim next 7/11 park second line buy some carabao and carryon the 500km track roaring until gf pants goes down :)

[mortenaa]

Or perhaps a normal Car, 800 km Range, fill anywhere in 2Mins and costs 500K Bht...When they.beat that folks may buy one.

Well, they already are:

http://www.teslamotors.com/it_CH/forum/forums/tesla-model-s-bestselling-car-norway

http://insideevs.com/tesla-model-s-sales-norway/

http://insideevs.com/tesla-model-s-again-1-in-overall-sales-in-norway-in-december/

http://online.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303987004579477353051440782

http://green.autoblog.com/2014/04/07/tesla-breaks-28-year-old-monthly-sales-record-in-norway/

Oh, and I never managed to get 500 km out of a 60 liter tank on my car ...