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There are several larger, and therefore safer, vehicles appearing using electric drive assist and capable of higher efficiency.
Some SUV video review's:
Toyota Highlander Hybrid . . . .
Chevy Tahoe Hybrid
Pick-up Crew Cab Road Test:
Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid
I think they're hard to get, and overly pricy,
unlike the smaller Ford Escape, Prius and Honda insight. But it's a start. Articles and factory promotions still tend to "darn them with faint praise", like GM did to downplay the early electrics. They tend to work better for consumers than literature lets on. A little foot-dragging, I suppose, to save brand V8's and brand hydraulic trannies, the only mainstay propriety products of current manfacturers over and above every car's majority generic vendor parts.
The Silverado/Tahoe hybrid units use a combo hydraulic/electric transmission system
co-developed by Chrysler/Daimler and BMW. The Toyota uses straight electric coupling, their late generation Hybrid Synergy Drive, which is the looming more efficient future. Over 250HP and
31mpg city.
I imagine it is going to get better. Much better. Imagine the fuel efficient VW Jetta TDi diesel driving a more efficient full electric tranny with full braking recovery via battery.
In other words, the diesel hybrid.
Wes
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