So your friend drives a Prius to save mother nature... mmm.

MustangChris · Jul 27, 2013

http://science.howstuffworks.com/sc...r-production-waste-offset-hybrid-benefits.htm

mmm hmmm.

The trouble with plug-in hybrids (and electric cars, too) is that electricity isn't always cleaner than gasoline. More than 45 percent of electricity in the U.S. is generated by coal-powered plants [source: EIA]. According to another Argonne National Laboratory report, if a plug-in hybrid charges from coal-generated electricity, it could be responsible for emitting up to 10 percent more greenhouse gasses than a conventional vehicle and up to 60 percent more than a standard hybrid [source: Elgowainy].

Take THAT Nissan leaf owners.

the5.ohh · Jul 27, 2013

Ive heard that when its time to get rid of those batteries, they're actually worse for the environment than regular gasoline run cars

MustangChris · Jul 27, 2013

There are additional environmental concerns related to those rare earth metals, like those used in the magnets of hybrid batteries. In recent years, rare earth metals like lithium have been imported almost exclusively from China, which was able to lower its prices enough to monopolize the industry [source:Strickland]. One of the reasons China could sell lithium so cheaply was because it widely ignored environmental safeguards during the mining process. In the Bayan Obo region of China, for example, miners removed topsoil and extracted the gold-flecked metals using acids that entered the groundwater, destroying nearby agricultural land. Even the normally tight-lipped Chinese government admitted that rare earth mining has been abused in some places. A regulator at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in China went so far as to tell The New York Times, "This has caused great harm to the ecology and environment" [source: Bradsher].

apparently whether making them or getting rid of them. .. .. . ..

Wichers123 · Jul 27, 2013

Think of it this way, the coal burning plant will be running with a Prius plugged in or not.. Btw the batteries are recyclable to be created into new batteries. The batteries in the Prius I have found only fail because of corrosion.

MustangChris · Jul 27, 2013

Actually Ni batteries do not take kindly to "hard-charging" (IE: You hit the brake pedal and it force-feeds the battery.) This type of charging is hard on the unit and shortens its lifespan.

"Trickle-Charging" is the ideal charging option for these types of batteries. constant, low current, power is the best option for these to ensure a long life-span.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel–metal_hydride_battery#Trickle_charging

I know you said "only reason *you* found." But I have a feeling that's simply because they are such a new product. It would be like talking about the Model T after 10 years and saying "the only time I've seen failure is if you drop it off a bridge" -- being that hydrolock hadn't occurred yet -- ya know?

as for recycling, you're right. The nickel inside is of high value and they will rarely, if ever, (for now) hit the junk yard. It's relatively simple to extract the nickel from these batteries and it would be a massive business mistake to simply toss them.

MustangChris · Jul 27, 2013

as for the coal burning plant, you're right, to a point. The plant will indeed be burning, but they can cycle up for low-demand periods, as well as sell/trade excess energy to starved sections of the country (which is becoming more and more popular as our infrastructure ages and our population/demand grows.)

Will the plant stay burning? Yes, but only at the minimum requirements in the foreseen future (literally hours into the future) and excess is sold to higher demands (IE: people plugging in their damn Priusesses - however you spell that plural LOL.)

MC edit:
if forecasted demand numbers are higher than expected, they simply purchase more energy from those with surplus.

Wichers123 · Jul 27, 2013

Nothing about the charging system force charges, the inverter/converter feeds power as it sees fit. The Prius only really charges in start and stop driving cycles. Highway a Prius is nothing but a yaris.

MustangChris · Jul 27, 2013

Wichers123 said:
The Prius only really charges in start and stop driving cycles.

Please go into more detail on this... It'll be exciting to hear how this stuff actually works -- most of what we hear is just marketing mumbo-jumbo with computer graphics to make us all feel warm and fuzzy. lol. As I'm sure you can assume, very few of us have worked on Priuseses and even fewer have worked on the charging systems.

How is what you said any different than what I said:

"(IE: You hit the brake pedal and it force-feeds the battery.)"

This would not be an example of a trickle-charge as it would be an incredibly short duration of time. Although some kind of "damming unit" may prevent excessive power submissions, it would not be a prolonged, constant, rate as seen with the ideal trickle-charging.

ttocs · Jul 27, 2013

first off - the prius isn't a plug in car. Hybrid gas/electric that charges from the motor and braking but has nothing to do with the us dependency on coal effects that car. It charges both from the motor running and while braking but the majority of the charge is from the motor when it needs it.

MustangChris · Jul 27, 2013

ttocs said:
first off - the prius isn't a plug in car. Hybrid gas/electric that charges from the motor and braking but has nothing to do with the us dependency on coal effects that car. It charges both from the motor running and while braking but the majority of the charge is from the motor when it needs it.

the next generation prius will offer a Plug-in EV option.

Wichers123 · Jul 27, 2013

They do have a plug in Prius it runs 100miles before the engine even cranks.

The inverter/converter is the gateway for the electric motors that allows current to flow properly. I'm not 100% trained in Prius tech but from what I know

MustangChris · Jul 27, 2013

So. I'm still going to stand by my "it gets force-fed juice during braking, which is not trickle-charging, and therefore reduces the life-span of the battery"

lol.

anyone can feel free to correct me.

Wichers123 · Jul 28, 2013

Chris the brakes have nothing to do with the regen feature and also your not understanding what a trickle charging can be, the amount of power that is being fed is not just one battery it's many I would say at least 75 different cells and in those cells are multi pieces inside those pieces.

FrankenStang · Jul 28, 2013

all i have to say about a prius is, does anyone know the process in which it takes to mine the ore to make lithioum ion batteries for that car and when they get thrown away.. MAN O MAN !
what it doesnt pullute in the air it does into the water table and ground of 3rd world countries.

MustangChris · Jul 28, 2013

Wichers123 said:
Chris the brakes have nothing to do with the regen feature and also your not understanding what a trickle charging can be, the amount of power that is being fed is not just one battery it's many I would say at least 75 different cells and in those cells are multi pieces inside those pieces.

so, why does it get better mpg in the city? if Ford would make a hybrid mustang, we'd all be experts. Lol

FrankenStang said:
all i have to say about a prius is, does anyone know the process in which it takes to mine the ore to make lithioum ion batteries for that car and when they get thrown away.. MAN O MAN !
what it doesnt pullute in the air it does into the water table and ground of 3rd world countries.

they aren't lithium batteries.

Wichers123 · Jul 28, 2013

They are ni cad and they are working on better safer technology for batteries.

When you let off the throttle the vehicle switches from battery assist to battery regen. The brakes have nothing to do with regen. The motors in the transmission use energy to help assist the gas engine then with the throttle off the motors create electricity and the inverter/converter sends the power to the inverter/converter capasitors and switch board which evenly and slowly transfers power back to the batteries.

MustangChris · Jul 28, 2013

I'm simply going to have to ask my electrical engineering buddy. Sometimes electricity-lingo makes my face turn inside out. We can have a few drinks and he can spoon-feed me this info and dumb it down for me. lol.