SpeedRacer
New Member
For a mainstream car, this looks sensational. Look at that wedge profile!
A viable alternative to Clarity
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For a mainstream car, this looks sensational. Look at that wedge profile!
Just a guess that the ICE component of the Chinese version may not meet US, aka:CA emissions standards and is isn’t worth the effort to make it compliant. It would seem simple enough to swap the engine for one that meets US standards. Ultimately, there are executives who are running a successful and profitable business, rather than politicians who specialize in the failure to solve problems which are often their own creation, who make the final decision.
On that note, the mandate of a 50 mile minimum EV range for a PHEV, could very well be detrimental to the future of the PHEV. The Clarity does not meet that requirement. The 17kWh battery would need to be bumped up to, say 20kWh’s. Our Jeep has a 25 mile range with a similar size battery and the BMW X5 PHEV has a 31 mile range with a 24kWh battery. The added cost, weight and space required to meet a figure that was created in a vacuum of intelligence, may prove to be impractical.
coutinpe
Active Member
Today I was at the supermarket parking lot about to jump into my Clarity and behold! A Chevy Volt pulls over and this funny black guy comes out smiling and making gestures. He said: "Hey man, is that electric?". I said yes. Then he says "man, that car looks amazing! Good that Honda finally made it!". I didn't want to spoil the lad's good day telling him the sad story of the unadvertised, neglected and unjustly terminated car he so aptly called amazing.I also omitted the information that it was a 2018 car... BTW, I was toying with the idea of replacing my Clarity with one of those Lexus PHEV SUV, but now I guess I will keep him while it (or me) lasts.
Jim Matthews
Active Member
See: Aptera
I placed a $500 deposit on Aptera’s first attempt at a vehicle. A year or so later I requested a refund. To my knowledge, that vehicle was never produced and that must have been 12-15 years ago.
Lightyear has a more intriguing option. In my opinion, they are making exaggerated claims like most other manufacturers.
For now, I’ll go with solar panels on the house and 2 PHEV’s and call it good.
Jim Matthews
Active Member
Totally reasonable. I love EVs.
I can't tolerate owning things that can't be repaired.
PHEV Newbie
Well-Known Member
Mazda just introduced their first PHEV called the CX-90 (also available in 6 cyl. ICE). It's a huge AWD vehicle that's a bit longer than a BMW X5 PHEV. It's got 323 HP and 369 lb. ft of torque. No info on MPG or EV range but I suspect it'll be about 32 MPG and 30 miles (traction battery 17.9 kWh). Details at https://www.mazdausa.com/vehicles/cx-90-phev/compare-vehicle-specs-and-trims . Not nearly as economical to run as the Clarity but a good value if you need a giant SUV with moderate electric range and relatively good fuel economy.
PHEV Newbie
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the more accurate range estimate. That's the reason the typical PHEV available today gets such a bum rap, dismal range compared to the discontinued Clarity and Volt.
That was a quick shift from announcing the Mazda as a viable alternative to the Clarity to bashing it for having dismal range. What is it baby, Spitz or Swallows?
Dismal is in a rather inane choice of a word when describing the EV range of a PHEV. Even the 25 mile range of our Jeep GC 4xe allows 90% or more of our typical driving to be accomplished in EV. When we take a drive that exceeds the EV range of the Jeep, that same drive would almost always exceed the superior range of the Clarity. Neither car is suitable to make the trip as an EV. Does that make the EV range dismal? Not to us.
May you continue to seek pleasure in bashing PHEV’s.
PHEV Newbie
Well-Known Member
Just an update on the Prius Prime EV range:
If you want to skip the Tesla talk and GM talk, the Prius talk begins a the 7-minute mark. The 65 miles is not EPA range so we'll have to wait and see what that number turns out to be.
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Probably 50-52 miles. Fifty miles is becoming the new requirement for a PHEV to qualify for Saintly status in the western states. Easy enough for a sedan. The SUV’s are going to need at least a 40kWh battery to achieve that goal.
The WLTP cycle for PHEV’s uses the City Cycle, which consists of only the Low and Middle Speed tests. The entire test is conducted at speeds up to 80kph, or 50mph.
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David Towle
Well-Known Member
Its a bit more convenient to have the panels on your home roof.
True. But it is more challenging to tow a house behind a car.
Maybe he should try towing a small camper with solar panels on the roof. That way he could sleep in the camper during daylight hours, while the car is charging, then drive a few miles and wait for another charging opportunity.
MrFixit
Well-Known Member
He probably failed to consider that he will gobble up any extra range that he gleans from this contraption just to overcome the losses of towing it.
Net zero-sum game !
A discussion about installing a solar roof may be slightly off topic on a thread about a suitable replacement for a Clarity. Since we’re generally off any given topic within the first dozen posts, why not?
The 30% Federal Tax Credit requires that solar panels meet a minimum about of exposure to sunlight in order to qualify. Typically this limits suitable installation areas to south facing roofs, although some east or west facing roofs may qualify. North facing roofs will not likely qualify. Covering an entire roof with solar panels could result in a very inefficient system, most of which would not qualify for a tax credit.
When sizing a system, installers generally recommend a system that will produce an amount of electricity each year that equals the amount of electricity consumed each year. Few, if any, utility companies give credit for excess electricity produced on an annual basis. Many have also moved away from net metering, and/or credit the lowest rate for solar energy produced while charging a higher rate for energy consumed. Some utilities give a credit that is equal to 50% of the prevailing rate.
There is an abundance of solar electricity being produced at a time when it isn’t needed. So it is of little value to the utility companies.
It is an intriguing concept that needs to be evaluated on an individual basis before moving forward.
This has never been more true than Southern California Edison since they completely revamped their Time-of-Use rates. The lowest rates are now during the day from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. That, of course, is when solar generation is at its highest. We pay the freight, they get the benefit.