Comments on: Toyota To Show CNG-Powered Hybrid Concept

By: leo123

leo123 — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 23:29:34 +0000

By: John K.

John K. — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:38:32 +0000

Clean, “green” CNG!
http://automobiles.honda.com/civic-gx/reviews.aspx

IMO, Honda is in the best position to quickly execute a hybrid CGN vehicle. They already offer a CNG Civic sedan and a hybrid Civic sedan. Their IMA easily fits between the engine and transmission. The only problem may be finding a new location for the battery pack. But if they use Li ion, the pack may be smaller & lighter than the current NiMH pack, so it may not be as big a problem as some assume.

The more I think about this, the more I like it, esp if it were a PHEV. You would NEVER have to go to a gas station again. When you got home, you’d simply hook up to fill up from your home gas line and plug in to the grid (or to the batteries (EEStor?) your rooftop photovoltaics charged during the day).

To paraphrase Jackie Gleason, “How green it is!”

By: Bryce

Bryce — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:01:50 +0000

dual fuel would be interesting. You would need two separate fuel tanks though, cuz those both definetly are not compatible.

By: William

William — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 19:06:32 +0000

So is this going to be CNG only, or bi-fuel?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 03:28:32 +0000

I’m really not getting the natural gas *cough* methane craze. They are already going to borderline unreasonable efforts to increase natural gas production in this country. I fail to see how drilling all over the country side, endangering long-term water quality, and releasing methane into the atmosphere is worth the “5-10 year benefit”. Sacrificing moderate long-term success for a quick buck, the American way.

By: Max Reid

Max Reid — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 01:00:49 +0000

CNG Cylinder takes half the space in the trunk and many people may not opt for CNG Sedan. Best thing is the wagon, which will still leave lot of space. Thats why Europeans / Asians were able to popularize it a lot.

Americans can try that in their CUV's rather.
There are 8.5 million NGV's worldwide and its good reason to move.

By: Shines

Shines — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:48:47 +0000

Just a thought – CNG with stop start technology would fit the “hybrid” label. This would not require the additional space need of the full Hybrid battery. That would increase the city range for this vehicle. I’m back to the fun concept of filling my car from home. Unfortunately there are only a few CNG fuel stations in the Pacific NW. Still if the fuel tank technology has changed enough to allow more fuel storage – to get the range over say 300 miles – it might be worth it for say the next 5 – 10 years. Gives time for the EV technology to mature and the electric grid to improve.

By: Bryce

Bryce — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:41:18 +0000

Whatever consumers are willing to buy, more power to Toyota I suppose. I don’t see this being necesarily widespread. Commercial fleets may snap this thing up though.

By: Samie

Samie — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 18:14:33 +0000

Right on ex-EV1 driver
“The problem I see with CNG is that it is just another fossil fuel that will run out eventually, especially if we start using it for mass market transportation.” People hate hearing that but it is true. Also as I’ve said a few days ago look at how markets work and why mass CNG would bring more imported natural gas to the U.S. You don’t even need limited U.S. supply for this to happen. Those who love CNG for everything should ask themselves how many times have we been able to switch to something other then gasoline. We get all crazy about CNG and it will take years to move beyond that fuel. Lets be careful with ideas of replacing one fuel with another. By the way ex-EV1 driver couldn’t agree more on how you would use more natural gas for energy generation. In some cases natural gas is used as backup for peak power uses for coal and nuclear generation.

By: Dom

Dom — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:44:57 +0000

ex-EV1 driver - maybe I am "jumping to conclusions" but at least in the Camry's case, it makes sense to me. One of the main complains I've read on the hybrid Camry is the battery significantly reduces the amount of available trunk space. Then in quoting the above article:

"Toyota introduced a CNG vehicle in the form of a conventional four-cylinder Camry in the late 1990s, but discovered that consumers disliked its shorter driving range and limited cargo capacity due to the large fuel tanks taking up trunk space..."

I just put two and two together - large CNG tank in trunk + hybrid battery in trunk = not much trunk left. Could they design it better?? Probably. But the Camry hasn't changed all that much since the late 1990s. If it could fit in the gas tank space, I wonder why didn't they do that before??

Excellent point on CNG home refueling. And I'm not against CNG or alternative fuels. Heck, I drive a diesel car, and have used B20 biodiesel a few times. I just expect the same crowd that points out diesel flaws to jump all over CNG flaws as well....