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Originally Posted by CaptainDan
The PARTIAL hybrid system (parallel) used in the Prius is certainly better than nothing. But it doesn't compare to a full hybrid system (series) which the Volt would employ. The Volt's gas engine (or Diesel or ethanol, or hydrogen or whatever) NEVER directly powers the car. This allows the maximum economy due to the gas engine running at only one speed (the most economical) when (if) it is needed. The prius' engine wil still rev up and down (wasteful) as it's load dictates. Plus the Volt lacks the entire second drivetrain (transmission, differential, driveshafts, etc. required for the second engine to drive the car independantly)
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This is why I think GM is wasting too much energy (no pun intended) on getting to Volt to go 40 miles on just electricity. Even if it goes only 20 miles before the motor has to kick in, it still will get much better milage than anything else. I say: get the 20 miler out there, and then spend time improving it. Heck, that will give people reason to trade in on the new model.