How it Works

From the title, I thought this would be about how the forums for the monthly issues work. I was wrong.

I think the in wheel motors might be a mistake. The added unsprung weight would be the problem. How about 1 motor per wheel as proposed, but inboard with half-shafts like the front brakes on the 1971 Subaru FF1 and many racing cars? No problem with needing special tires/wheels either.

Ron

As for the future of hybrid batteries, I think Ultra Capacitors will eventually supplant batteries altogether. The storage density is as good now, the price isn't as low as it needs to be, but I expect the prices will go down. Energy can be absorbed and returned at a much higher rate. I suspect they will last a lot longer as well. I believe Ford is already using a combo of batteries and ultra capacitors in their hybrids. I suspect the UCs are for rapid response and the batteries for longer term. A larger (albeit more expensive (for now)) UCs could do both.

Since UCs are made using carbon nanotubes, it might even be a good way of sequestering carbon from the carbon dioxide and monoxide that burning fuels put into the atmosphere. Perhaps the genitic manipulators in the same issue can make some bugs to eat the CO and CO2 and have pure carbon as their waste product. :)

Ron