Chevy Volt is a Hybrid?

[Yourdogsdead]

Having an argument with a friend about whether or not the Chevy Volt is a hybrid vehicle. Care to help one of us out?

 

[Genetic_Bloom]

I guess it's technically a hybrid since it runs off electricity and then gas, but I don't think it's a hybrid in the sense of the word we use it for for other hybrid cars out now.

 

[Mange]

Whoa! I thought the Volt was going to be Electric only....Hmmm better do some readin...

 

[Yourdogsdead]

I am getting into one hell of an argument with two pretty close friends of mine. The definition of a Hybrid is anything that uses a traditional gasoline engine with an electric one. The volt uses the electricity to drive the wheels but the engine to charge the batteries.

The Prius is similar but it also uses the engine to power the drive train as well.

They are both the same with with slightly different implementations.

 

[GenericMessage]

It is NOT a hybrid.



The Chevy Volt uses an electric motor ONLY. Hybrids have TWO motors (one electric, one something else).


Now the Volt can do about 40 miles to a charge using the battery. When that battery dies, it has a backup power source via a generator powered by something (gas, hydrogen, diesel, LNG, the list goes on).


Since the Volt can rely totally off its batteries, and has only ONE engine (and a electric generator), it is NOT a hybrid, never has, never will.


Hopefully that can clear some things up!

 

[Yourdogsdead]

The Prius uses the same thing. When the battery gets low, it uses the motor to charge the batteries. It still has 2 power sources on it.

 

[GenericMessage]

The Prius uses the same thing. When the battery gets low, it uses the motor to charge the batteries. It still has 2 power sources on it.

Er, no.


The prius uses its electric motor until a predetermined speed is achieved, then uses both.


It charges the batteries via a generator hooked up to the wheels. When you brake, you charge the batteries.

 

[Yourdogsdead]

Regardless it's still using two power sources to move the vehicle. The actual gas motor just does it indirectly. The definition of a Hybrid is somewhat vague.

 

[GenericMessage]

hy?brid
Noun

the offspring of two animals or plants of different breeds, varieties, species, or genera, esp. as produced through human manipulation for specific genetic characteristics.


so technically we're all wrong

 

[Genetic_Bloom]

hy?brid
Noun

the offspring of two animals or plants of different breeds, varieties, species, or genera, esp. as produced through human manipulation for specific genetic characteristics.


so technically we're all wrong

Argument over, this wins.

 

[Yourdogsdead]

Argument over, I can't imagine cars making babies.

 

[GenericMessage]

Argument over, I can't imagine cars making babies.

Parked cars=babies

 

[Yourdogsdead]

Parked cars=babies

Nice, I think I will drop it. As long as the definition is Vague neither one of us will win.

 

[Phil Nickinson]

 

[Yourdogsdead]

Is that from Battlestar Galactica?