Ford is developing a new form of automotive propulsion, and the implications for the American Auto Industry are huge. The Hydraulic Hybrid could be the greatest innovation since the internal combustion engine itself, and Ford is on the inside track with its F-150 Hybrid. Details about the system have been learned that are simply amazing and could put Ford in a commanding position in the fiercely competitive full size pickup market.
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The Idea behind the current crop of Hybrid cars is well known; the cars main energy comes from gasoline which recharges batteries that move the car at low speeds. Hydraulic Hybrids work in the same manner, only instead of batteries, excess energy is stored in hydraulic cylinders.That in itself is not revolutionary, except for the fact that Nickel Metal Hydride batteries used today are not an efficient way to store energy, and hydraulic storage blows them away with 3X the efficiency. Even next generation Lithium Ion batteries do not come close to Hydraulic Energy Storage.
<imgsrc="http://as.casalemedia.com/s?s=70138&u=http%3A%2F%2F2loop.com&f=4&id=0&if=0" width="300" height="250" border="0" alt="">-The standard F-150 has a curb weight of about 4800 lbs., which is 65% greater than theToyota Prius, yet incredibly the Hydraulic F-150 with a continuously variable transmission matches the Prius with 60mpg city rating, that’s an amazing 400% increase over its gasoline version.

The F-150 makes for a perfect host for Hydraulic Hybrid technology because of its height and
body on frame construction, adding this system to smaller vehicles will be challenging, but with those kind of numbers small vehicles as we know them may become obsolete...The Hydraulic F-150 is currently scheduled for launch in August of 2008, can Ford work out all the bugs by then? The people are waiting for Ford to come through in the clutch.

cool! Hopefully we can start to move away from such dependance upon fossil fuels.

That's neat...we've already decided that our next vehicle is going to be a Hybrid SUV...the technology that they are coming out with for cars is just great.

omg thats so cool. I wonder if theyll get the system working well enough for it to be in full production when its expected to be

Thats probably the first tree hugging vehicle I have seen yet that actually looks like it will be alright. I dont think I could own one, mostly cause I am a huge fan of speed, and I like having HP under the hood.

The Earth has been around longer than we have, we havent even put a dent into what it's been through, so our gasoline vehicles and pollution may end it for HUMANS, but the Earth will keep on laughing it off, and just starting new again.. and again... and again...

I'm waiting for the next-gen vehicle used that will no longer need fuel. Kinda like how they had in the flintstones.

There are some considerations to getting a Hybrid. I've weighed them out, and they are a no go for me, too much highway driving.

With that being said, you have to look at your driving habits. If its primarily Surban or City driving then its a bonus. If you're highway or above 40mph, then its a waste. If you get stuck in traffic too much, too often its a waste.

Hybrids, the current ones, will die in stopped traffic. F-Secure (the virus company) ran one to death rolls, trying to test its computer system for exploits. Batteries died after an hour or so of testing, they had to manually start the gas engine. Co-worker, has Prius. It died in traffic. Was summer, AC, Radio ect all running. Car shut down and rebooted. Had to manually engage gas engine.

Hybrid or more effecient vechiles are a must. But must pay attention to driving habits to see if its worth the effort.

It'll be interesting to watch how things pan out for this Ford.

We already have 3 cars. One, which is officially 'mine' is for highway driving since the gas milage is awesome - a toyota. Another is the cadillac, which we use mainly is town and short road trips. Crappy milage but comfy to ride in. The third is the one my grandfather left to me when he died, and I rarely take it out. My daughter, who just turned 15, is begging me for it to be her car.... it's a restored classic porche. I tell her she can drive it when Satan needs to borrow my sweater. :-P

I wonder if the hybrids are going to have the comfort of the big cars, or ability to go in the rough spots like trucks even tho they have light bodies or what. No one around here has a demo or anything yet that I know of. I would definately be interested in looking at one for my next car.

Those a pretty cool. With all the running around I do I could use one of those.

"I'm waiting for the next-gen vehicle used that will no longer need fuel. Kinda like how they had in the flintstones. ~ Dip"

Oh we have one of those and really I do like being free from the hassle of the typical vehicle dependence. Wouldn't trade my bicycle for anything but a new bicycle. :cheesy:

Now if only I could get hubby to ride a bike instead of SUV'ing ...
but it really is good news to see them moving away from vehicles being dependent on "fuel".

Ill probably go for a hybrid when go to get a new car...course, by the time my Volkswagen finally bites the dust, we'll probably all be driving them

I tried the bicycle commuting a couple times when I was living close to work and the weater was nice. The biggest problem is staying clean enuogh to not need to take a shower when you get to where youre going...