One of my coworkers just bought a toyota prius. After talking with him about it I started wondering if I could get within 10% of the gas mileage for 10% of the cost.
So last week I bought a 1992 geo metro for $950, and just finished the first tank of gas (50 mpg). Now I am thinking that I may be able to do better with a sort of homebrew hybid.
I remember someone who owned a homebuilt electric vehicle stating that $/mile it was equivilant to 70 mpg. An electric vehicle wont work for me because I live too far away from work. Then today I was reading the article below and came up with an idea.
http://www.sigmaautomotive.com/electroc ... harger.php
Why not replace my AC compressor with a small electric motor, that does nothing but assist the engine there by improving my MPG. Only instead of using gas to charge the batteries I would use electricity to charge it at night.
So last week I bought a 1992 geo metro for $950, and just finished the first tank of gas (50 mpg). Now I am thinking that I may be able to do better with a sort of homebrew hybid.
I remember someone who owned a homebuilt electric vehicle stating that $/mile it was equivilant to 70 mpg. An electric vehicle wont work for me because I live too far away from work. Then today I was reading the article below and came up with an idea.
http://www.sigmaautomotive.com/electroc ... harger.php
Why not replace my AC compressor with a small electric motor, that does nothing but assist the engine there by improving my MPG. Only instead of using gas to charge the batteries I would use electricity to charge it at night.