Hybrid Cars

I've been giving some thought to hybrid cars recently. They are an excellent product, but I have my doubts about the real societal benefits of these vehicles. Here is my argument:
Building a hybrid car requires building a car with two drivelines. Now, I recognize that there is a symbiosis between the two drivelines (i.e. regenerative braking), but the net benefit is small, the greater saving comes from not running the gasoline engine when relatively little power is required (low speed cruising, etc.)
The car requires a generator to recharge the batteries, and both a mechanical and electric drive system. My point, in a nutshell, the car would be relatively more efficient if it were a single system. Yes, the choice would make it a compromise - an electric isn't good for long trips (battery life), but is far more efficient for short trips (and it doesn't lose out by hauling a gasoline engine and all its ancillaries around when driving at low speed in and around the city or suburbs).
Check out Zenn Motor Company or Global Electric Motors or at the other end of the spectrum, Tesla Motors. As you will see, some look a bit more car-like than others.

Lots of Things to Post (and Too Little Time)

I've been haunted by something I saw twoo weeks ago. I was at an intersection, about the third car back. There is a left turn arrow in the opposing direction. When that arrow turns off, cars often try to slide through before the traffic in the direction I was travelling gets moving. That day, they just didn't stop. One guy made the turn partway, then a shouting match got underway. His vehicle was an SUV, his wife? was in the passenger seat. She's cursing up a storm at the guy who had to stop for them not yielding. This was bad enough, but the license plate seemed to indicate that he was a firefighter. It seems to me that someone who is involved in rescues from the carnage of car wrecks would be a careful driver. I'm puzzled - does he think his status as a firefighter protects him from harm? From tickets? From his "Bitch-on-wheels" of a wife? I just don't get it.

Smart

On Thursday, I was driving south on the Garden State Parkway when I saw an odd-looking yellow car zipping along nearby. I had the chance to take a good look at it, and it was a Smart Car. It was doing 65 mph, so top end doesn't seem to be a problem.
A quick look at the website shows a 90 mph top end, and EPA estimates of 40 city and 45 highway (The 2008 numbers were noticeably worse, and I don't understand why, but think the testing may have changed.)

Gettin' a break...or did I?

On Thursday, I made a right turn on red. There was a cop behind me. Immediately after my turn, the cop turned out, pulled up beside me, and rolled down his window. I rolled mine down. He told me that right on red was prohibited there. I told him, "I must have missed the sign." He told me to be careful, and headed on his way. I said, "thank you."
On Friday, as I passed the same spot, I looked for a "no turn on red" sign, and seeing none, turned again on red.
Was I cut a break? Harassed by the cop? The victim of an honest mistake? I don't really know.

Driving On Ice

Driving on ice is dangerous. I try to minimize it. Regardless, this video is remarkable because it shows just how tough it can be to control a car sliding on an icy road. Trust me, this video is remarkable. Watch it, then drive scared. (And if you're out running, recognize that this is what you can expect from drivers.)