The guys over at AutoBlog have an article and link discussing the possability of a Hydraulic Hybrid F150 by 2008. Even they are sceptical. The system would use a hydraulic pump and tank to assist with getting the truck moving, much like an Electric Hybrid does.
Hydraulic pressure can be very powerful and efficient, and there are many examples of hydraulics in use around you every day. Not just LowRiders and construction equipment.
Now AutoBlog doesn't reference this, and I can't find the article now, but I had read last year of a postal worker who in his spare time, had invented just such a system and had been running his Ford Granada as a rolling laboratory.
Hydraulics are nothing new to cars, automatic transmissions are basically hydraulicly controlled, as our our brakes on all modern cars. Most power take off (PTO) accessories on heavy equipment are hydraulic.
And in the 50's Citreon came out with this the DS19, with Hydraulic/Pneumatic suspension, brakes, steering and transmission, allowing the car to have a fully adjustable ride height and comfortable and capable handling .So while I originally thought AutoBlog had been suckered into a hoax, who knows a system like this could be in the works. I do have a doubt about the timeframe, but Ford is commited to alternative technologies and an F150 that could achieve 60 mpg would make them king of the truck world. If I can find the original article on the inventor I mentioned I'll add the link. If I'm no mistaken, AutoBlog reported on him last year, and some government agency was investing in the technology.
Click the link in header to read more.
2 comments:
I just hope that it is true and that I can buy one in 2008.
I've been doing some further reading and it looks like it could be true. AutoBlog says that UPS will start to use the technology next year in their fleet.
The biggest savings are in urban loops, highway milage is not as impressive. But for a delivery service or other fleet operation, it could save bucket fulls of cash.
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