Or just read right from AFS’s own website…. http://www.afstrinity.com/faq.htm#mileage

As that link says… mpg reverts to the host vehicles mpg when it’s not running on the battery

http://www.afstrinity.com/index.htm

In no particular order, my priorities are saving money, saving the environment, and helping to make America stronger.

So how do I accomplish that personally? With increasing oil prices, I have burned more and more wood (my house has oil heat). I am currently installing a state-of-the-art wood gasification boiler in my home, that should displace 90% of my heating oil usage (over 1000 gallons). This reduces criteria pollutants (CO, NOx, VOC’s), and uses renewable fuel instead of oil (carbon neutral). Also, when I buy wood, I support my local economy instead of sending dollars out of the country.

Although I view hybrids as a step in the right direction, they still rely on oil products for 100% of their energy. I see the Volt as a leap in the right direction, as most people will likely see their gasoline consumption drop by a factor of 5 or more. Again, like using wood, with the Volt we are reverting to domestic sources of energy for our transportation needs. And the Volt will be produced in America, so I will again support the American economy with the purchase of an American vehicle.

Beyond my personal efforts, my professional work also lies in the field of energy. See one of my following posts in the forum section on US CO2 emissions:

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=143&page=2

So while vehicles like the Volt will shift our transportation energy needs from oil to electricity, the electric grid will also need to become cleaner and more efficient. I am actively working on advanced technologies that will significantly reduce carbon emissions from the power generation sector.

I have followed john1701a’s comments over the months. I have found them to be useful, thought provoking, and literate, as I have found yours.

I recall that Tagamet said something very wise just today or yesterday about devoting our energy to trying to help to get the Volt on the road, and not diffusing it into political and other fringe arguments. I agreed then, and I agree now.

Let’s lay off of each other as much as possible and work together to push GM into changing its ways before it’s too late.

PS: Saturn’s Flextreme will have virtually the same drivetrain as a Volt

With all the incorrect information being posted routinely about the various hybrid systems, especially the configuration in Prius, wouldn’t you participate too? After all, that isn’t the only thing I do anyway.

$4 gas is here now.

The time available for development has already expired. Volt is fantastic for meeting the 2020 efficiency mandate. But what will people buy in the meantime? 60 million new vehicles each year worldwide have to use something more advanced than only an engine.

Smog & Carbon emission improvements cannot wait any longer either.

What are your priorities?

It seems that some believe that just because the Tahoe/Yukon hybrids go up to 30 mph in electric-only mode, that the same will be true for the much smaller Vue. Obviously, they are trying to apply the principles of another hybrid system to the GM hybrids. My understanding is that the Tahoe/Yukon could go more than 30 mph in electric-only mode, but as you have mentioned, this puts a large demand on the battery.

With a larger battery pack (like the Volt’s) and the 2-mode system, I see a great deal of potential. It only takes 30 hp to move the Tahoe down the road at 60 mph, so it is even less for the Vue. With the proper gearing, etc. the plug-in Vue could easily cover the speed ranges most of us travel at, however, for towing and hill climbing, the engine would probably have to kick-in to provide supplemental power.

Here is an interesting website from one of our posters:

http://john1701a.com/

Where he states:

“I bought a Classic Prius (hybrid-electric, fuel-efficient, super-ultra-low-emission vehicle) back on 9/9/2000 and drove it in Minnesota until I replaced it on 10/23/2003 with a HSD Prius (which is even cleaner and more efficient). And after all that time of Prius ownership (7 years, 9 months, and 18 days), I’m still loving every minute of it!”

Interesting, but instead of being out driving “and loving every minute of it”, he prefers to come to this website and post negative comments. Makes you wonder why he is so concerned, doesn’t it?