Comments on: Green Fuel http://mkelley.net/2006/06/09/green-fuel/ Mon, 18 May 2009 21:21:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 By: Bart http://mkelley.net/2006/06/09/green-fuel/comment-page-1/#comment-90 Bart Tue, 13 Jun 2006 14:01:32 +0000 http://assets.ourmusicchattanooga.com/testing/2006/06/09/green-fuel/#comment-90 From what I understand, it sounds like car companies are reluctant to allow their cars to be used in full electric mode. For example, the Prius is <em>capable</em> of running in electric-only mode, but that feature is disabled in the US version (see <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/01/toyota-s-prius-in-europe-gets-a-button-we-don-t/)." rel="nofollow">http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/01/toyota-s-prius-in-europe-gets-a-button-we-don-t/).</a> Supposedly, the reason is that, in the US, manufaturers must warrant a hybrid drivetrain (including the batteries) for at least 8 years. Using the car in hybrid mode theoretically reduces wear on the batteries, so that they will have a better chance of making it through the warraty period. From what I understand, it sounds like car companies are reluctant to allow their cars to be used in full electric mode. For example, the Prius is capable of running in electric-only mode, but that feature is disabled in the US version (see http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/01/toyota-s-prius-in-europe-gets-a-button-we-don-t/).

Supposedly, the reason is that, in the US, manufaturers must warrant a hybrid drivetrain (including the batteries) for at least 8 years. Using the car in hybrid mode theoretically reduces wear on the batteries, so that they will have a better chance of making it through the warraty period.

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