AFS Trinity - Extreme hybrid car has super capacitors and batteries..

[kristopher]

I hadn't heard of this combination and I thought others might be interested:

Delaware business: Markell takes hybrid for a spin
State courts car developer during tour across country

By JEFF MONTGOMERY • The News Journal • January 27, 2010
DOVER -- Developers of an "extreme" hybrid electric car system took Gov. Jack Markell for a spin around Dover on Tuesday, part of a cross-country tour aimed at winning Washington state-based AFS Trinity a place at the heart of an electric car revolution.

Company Chairman Edward W. Furia -- who once led the Environmental Protection Agency region that includes Delaware -- said plug-in hybrid electric cars with AFS technologies will perform better, consume fewer batteries, use less gasoline and have a lower lifetime operating cost.

The company's two prototype cars tap a bank of "super capacitor" electric storage devices when drivers need quick power surges, easing strain on conventional batteries that are more suited to steady, moderate energy demand.

"The problem with the batteries that they intend to use in electric vehicles is that they like to be sipped, they don't like to be gulped," Furia said.

Tests have shown that the resulting lighter demands on regular hybrid batteries could extend their useful life six-fold, Furia said, by reducing excessive heating caused by quick, large power pulls.

Markell said there...
http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100127/BUSINESS/1270331/Markell-takes-hybrid-for-a-spin

[Deep13]

1. That British show Top Gear tested one.

They found that it's acceleration from a stop was amazing. They also found that the 200-mile range was substantially overestimated. Since it has no hybrid back up, it takes something like two days to recharge.

They also noted that a new Honda has made all battery powered cars, including gas-electric hybrids, obsolete.

http://automobiles.honda.com/fcx-clarity/

[kristopher]

2. Yeah, that's why they are rushing them to market...

"Top Gear" huh? Well, if you get all your information regarding the viability of competing technologies from a TV show I guess that is as good a choice as any.

I'd suggest you buy one.

[Deep13]

3. WTF dude?

Who said I get all my information regarding **blah, blah, blah** from a TV show? I made one comment about two cars and one TV show and from that you assume that I am some kind of ignoramus.

Why are you suggesting I buy one? I already have a car.

[Nihil]

5. Top Gear tested a Trinity?

When did they do that please as I'd like to check it but the
search facility of the Top Gear website didn't recognise "Trinity".

I know they "tested" (*) a Tesla a while back - with similar
comments about acceleration & range - but wasn't aware they'd
done the AFS Trinity.

Thanks.

(*) "Tested" = "Driven flat out around a track until the battery ran down"
as opposed to "driven in real life to evaluate the advertised range
after a quick acceleration, handling and top speed track check".
Clarkson may be entertaining but he is still a wanker.

[Deep13]

6. My mistake, it was a Tesla. nt

[Dogmudgeon]

4. K&R

Energy storage is, IMO, is one of our era's true make-or-break technology, and it gets much less attention than it merits.

--d!