Technology ConnectionsJan 14, 2023

This is what a single trip to the hardware store looks like out where my parents live.

Notice the miles driven, time it took, and remaining battery status (started this at 100%).

But by all means, please keep telling us electric cars only work in cities.

Show threadJessicaJan 14, 2023
@TechConnectify was true back when car batteries and low mile cars were the norm but now they're more or less feature paroty with regular cars.
Still though plug in hybrids are my personal favorite since they're both a decent electric car and very fuel efficient gas car
Show threadTechnology ConnectionsJan 14, 2023

@Jessica I have mixed feelings about plug-in hybrids. I suppose that's appropriate ;)

If they all worked like the OG Volt, where the car could offer 100% power at any time without using the engine, I'd be more receptive to them. But way too many will start the engines up for more power, and are compromised as EVs.

They're also just... really hard to get people to use correctly, unfortunately. A lot of the Gen 1 Volts just don't get charged at all by their second and third owners.

Show threadJessicaJan 14, 2023
@TechConnectify at the very least they're using the battery to get a more efficient car so they're at the very least using less gas than normal.
Wasted opportunity though
Show threadTechnology ConnectionsJan 14, 2023

@Jessica That's the trouble, though, a plug-in hybrid that never gets charged is worse than a conventional hybrid. They're almost always less-efficient on gas because of the added weight.

So unless you can *and will* charge them, you're better off with an ordinary hybrid.

This isn't to say there aren't plenty of folks charging theirs as often as they can, but it's a complication to consider on a lifecycle basis.

Show threadkitten/bridgett/rosalina    Jan 14, 2023
@TechConnectify @Jessica am not too familiar with electric vehicles (other than the misinformation my far-right dad tells me about them :/). what’s the difference between a conventional hybrid and a plug-in hybrid?
Show threadJessicaJan 14, 2023
@catgirl @TechConnectify plug in hybrids will let you directly charge the battery, normal hybrids charge via gas
Show threadkitten/bridgett/rosalina    
@Jessica @TechConnectify a conventional hybrid kinda just sounds like a gas car with an extra step though? feel like im missing something here
Jan 14, 2023 at 11:46pmWeb
Show threadTechnology ConnectionsJan 14, 2023

@catgirl @Jessica It's a little too complex for a toot, but basically most cars use engines that are really big and inefficient because accelerating a big hunk of metal is hard. They lug that engine around all the time and even use it for cruising.

A hybrid, though, will use a small engine running on the more-efficient Atkinson cycle which basically only has a bit more power than you need for high-speed cruising. An electric motor supplants it when accelerating.

Show threadTechnology ConnectionsJan 14, 2023
@catgirl @Jessica The battery's primary purpose in a conventional hybrid is to collect energy when braking (which would otherwise be lost as heat) and release it when you need to accelerate, thus letting the engine run at a fairly constant output which always stays in the most efficient parts of its powerband.
Show threadkitten/bridgett/rosalina    Jan 15, 2023
@TechConnectify @Jessica ah, thats neat! thanks for explaining it!!
Show threadVulJan 16, 2023
@TechConnectify @catgirl @Jessica video idea: explain the differences between and the advantages/disadvantages of Plug-in/normal Hybrids and petrol cars. Would educate more people on the topic, especially with how you present information.
I know I'd benefit from it.