• Cars

    How It Works: Tomorrow's Hybrid

    By Posted on 5.15.2009 25 Comments

    The ReCharge, Volvo’s concept plug-in hybrid, could squeeze 160 miles from a gallon of gas by tossing out the power-wasting transmission. It packs a small electric motor inside each wheel, so that no power is lost in the drivetrain. Here’s a look at the next generation of fuel-efficiency

    3.18.2008 at 09:00am - Comment by politas

    Not all batteries are the same. They have different characteristics in regards to the amount of power than can be drawn from them, how fast that power can be drawn out, how long the take to recharge, etc. It could easily make sense to have two or more banks of batteries, with different characteristics, one for powering the motors and another for holding large charges on a long term basis. Myk ----- Part of the inhumanity of the computer is that, once it is competently programmed and working smoothly, it is completely honest. - Isaac Asimov, 1920 - 1992



Download Our iPhone App

Stay up to date on the latest news of the future of science and technology from your iPhone with full articles, images and offline viewing



Follow Us On Twitter

Featuring every article from the magazine and website, plus links from around the Web. Also see our PopSci DIY feed



Become a Fan On Facebook

Share links with friends, comment on stories and more


December 2009: Best of What's New

In our December issue, Popular Science names the 100 best innovations of the year: bombproof wallpaper, self-parking cars, the fastest helicopter, and 97 more. Plus inventor profiles and videos.

Check out the best of what's new here.

Popular Science Photo Pool


Share your photos in the Pop Sci pool at www.flickr.com!
tags_sprite.png
POP_embeddedForm_cover_May09.jpg