So, I saw a Nissan Leaf....

[KnightRiderSS]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Just like the retail side of things, though...that's going to be expensive...way expensive.

Our city has a hard-on about hybrid busses. IIRC, GM helped design the powertrain systems for them. Anyways...they're all over...they're clean, quiet and no doubt more fuel efficient than the 20 year old heaps I've seen around....But guess who picks up the bill for these things...



YOUCH!!!! Glad to see you can laugh about it so, soon! :laug

yeah...I'm pretty easy going...my wife wasn't laughing though when I called and told her...

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Our city has a hard-on about hybrid busses. IIRC, GM helped design the powertrain systems for them. Anyways...they're all over...they're clean, quiet and no doubt more fuel efficient than the 20 year old heaps I've seen around....But guess who picks up the bill for these things...

Hybrid buses are nothing more than PR stunts.

We have orders in for two brand-new Gillig Low-Floor Hybrids. We're thinking they'll do about 5 MPG.

Our fleet of 2005 Gillig Phantoms do 3 MPG. Whoo hoo. 2 more MPGs.

Perhaps the funniest part? COTA (Central Ohio Transit Authority) operates a much larger fleet than we do at Ohio State, and they say that their older buses actually achieve better fuel economy than the hybrids simply because their emissions standards aren't as stringent.

Furthermore, it takes a TON of money to maintain a hybrid bus over a diesel.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Hybrid buses are nothing more than PR stunts.

We have orders in for two brand-new Gillig Low-Floor Hybrids. We're thinking they'll do about 5 MPG.

Our fleet of 2005 Gillig Phantoms do 3 MPG. Whoo hoo. 2 more MPGs.

Well...at face-value that's nothing, Fen...but look at the numbers. That's a 66% improvement. A HUGE impact if they run the buses full-tilt...but I don't know that that's enough to offset the initial investment and maintenance.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Well...at face-value that's nothing, Fen...but look at the numbers. That's a 66% improvement. A HUGE impact if they run the buses full-tilt...but I don't know that that's enough to offset the initial investment and maintenance.

It simply isn't. The two hybrids we ordered cost half a million apiece. A regular Low-Floor costs around a quarter of a million.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Hybrid buses are nothing more than PR stunts.

We have orders in for two brand-new Gillig Low-Floor Hybrids. We're thinking they'll do about 5 MPG.

Our fleet of 2005 Gillig Phantoms do 3 MPG. Whoo hoo. 2 more MPGs.

Perhaps the funniest part? COTA (Central Ohio Transit Authority) operates a much larger fleet than we do at Ohio State, and they say that their older buses actually achieve better fuel economy than the hybrids simply because their emissions standards aren't as stringent.

Furthermore, it takes a TON of money to maintain a hybrid bus over a diesel.

I bet hybrid busses have saved more fuel than the entire Prius fleet

[Amenti]

I can see the need for a vehicle that uses very little energy for short trips; but, in Southern California, where I saw that particular Leaf, it's incredibly easy to hop down the freeway, drive around in stop-and-go traffic for a bit, and find yourself traveling 50 miles in a day. I can also tell you with absolute certainty that no one around here drives in the disciplined, constant manner that is required to achieve maximum range.

It's a recipe for disaster.

I think the Volt is just a much more sensible solution. If you stray outside of your maximum electrical range, it's alright! You're not going to end up stuck in traffic, blocking an intersection, or in a horrible accident because your vehicle went into turtle-mode on the freeway and you got rear-ended by someone who wasn't paying attention.

[Silverado]

Originally Posted by Amenti

I can see the need for a vehicle that uses very little energy for short trips; but, in Southern California, where I saw that particular Leaf, it's incredibly easy to hop down the freeway, drive around in stop-and-go traffic for a bit, and find yourself traveling 50 miles in a day. I can also tell you with absolute certainty that no one around here drives in the disciplined, constant manner that is required to achieve maximum range.

It's a recipe for disaster.

I think the Volt is just a much more sensible solution. If you stray outside of your maximum electrical range, it's alright! You're not going to end up stuck in traffic, blocking an intersection, or in a horrible accident because your vehicle went into turtle-mode on the freeway and you got rear-ended by someone who wasn't paying attention.

Completely agree. I also should have posted in my first response that you won't see me getting a Leaf or any other pure electric any time soon. Not because of my lengthy commutes....they aren't, but because you can't get them to "pay off" soon enough to make it worth it. Even the hybrids are taking 10-12 years to "pay off" and I just don't keep cars that long.

The other problem is I like my vehicles to look good. The only electrics that actually are appealing to me are way out of my price range. Most of the affordable hybrids are ugly too.



Dragon, you're right, it might be expensive at first and yes, we the taxpayers pick up the tab.....we do anyway.....whether it be through bailouts or tax breaks or as the consumer.

[Kianne Radcliff]

I have seen this news that talks about Nissan Leaf. In the news they have mentioned that Electric cars are one of the several sacred cows that television show “Top Gear” isn't afraid of lambasting. A recent review of the Nissan Leaf by the wildly popular BBC show has started an argument amongst the show and Nissan Motors. Top Gear starts new electric car quarrel over Nissan Leaf. Some of the shows that we are watching are said to be scripted. Before it is aired on Television, the presenter is given a script. But, regarding this issue, the presenter of the show talks about negative things about Nissan that's why he needs to be sued of defamation.

[fielderLS3]

Originally Posted by Amenti

At the outlet mall the other day, I saw a Nissan Leaf pull into a parking spot as my wife and I were walking by.

A young woman stepped out and rushed off to one of the trendy little stores in front of her, and all I could think was, "I wonder how long it will be before that car leaves her stranded on the side of the road?"

About 60 miles.

If I'd seen it, I would have walked up to her and said, "you're welcome."