From an engineering point of view it makes no sense whatsoever as
additional weight translates to more HP required particularly when
climbing hills. Hybrid cars are also marginally more efficient when
 cruising on the freeway at high speed. That is probably the reason
they don't sell well in Europe. They are primarily effective in
stop and go city traffic but so two would be a car equipped with a
low tech, large  diameter flywheel to store energy. Actually rubber
bands store more energy per pound than just about anything else one can find.

The correct engineering approach is to improve the horribly inefficient
internal combustion engine and reduce the weight and aerodynamic drag of the
vehicle. Putting an electric hybrid system in an SUV is totally INSANE!!!!!
Paul Lamar

Dave wrote:

Paul is totally correct here - I just did the analysis on converting my 14
mpg Jeep Rubicon to diesel hybrid. Come to learn that it required 39 hp to
maintain 65 mph... that would mean a steady state minimum requirement of
45 hp engine, plus a heavy gen/motor... There was simply no room for all
this hardware, forget about the weight !! Look at the DaimlerChrysler Fuel
Cell Sprinter van ( BIG VAN ) they built for UPS - they filled the under
floor space completely with high pressure H2 cylinders. Guess what the max
range of this state of the art van is? 155 miles !!! LOL !!  Turbo
compound is the only game for us. Backup starter/alternator yes, hybrid,
no.
-dave

 
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