New Commute vehicle
 

ok,
The Armada isn't the most fuel efficient commute vehicle so here is what I hope to pick up in a few years. Anyone else know of cool hybrid/EV's comming out that don't cost $50,000 or more?

http://www.flytheroad.com/
http://www.flytheroad.com/images/venture_one_sm.jpg

Talk to dd74. His ML320 gets 45 mpg.

I am thinking about building a Electric pickup truck, I need it to have a 80-120 mile range in one day and top speed of 60 MPH.

I am seriously thinking about finding a old Toyota or Mazda or Isuzu pickup with a blown engine and using golf cart batteries in the bed and finding a motor suitable to stuff in the engine bay, mated to either an Auto Transmission or a variable gearing belt like a snowmobile.

It would be one of our work trucks and if it works I will build another. Gas costs for my work trucks, 2 of them, runs me over $1100 a month right now. How long before that would pay for itself.

Building an EV sounds great, but probably beyond my skill set. This is cool
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5148280482272042028

There are several electric 914 running (humming) around.

my commuter

http://nostatic.com/photos/shv5-640.jpg

No way in hell a ML is getting even half that.

Even the diesel one (not available here in CA, naturally) gets 27 mpg at best as tested.

http://www.forbesautos.com/reviews/2007/mercedes_benz/m_class/ml_320_cdi/test-drive.html

Yeah saw that when you bought it....totaly kick arse. Unfortunately I could never get that past the wife. :(

Not even sure I can get the idea of the new venture vehicle past her. I might be stuck getting a Prius

Heck, I'm considering a Civic Hybrid right now. Not as a sexy as another bike, but clearly more utilitarian. Cheaper than the Prius, too. I'm driving about 1200 miles/month, right now, for work.

Screw the hybrid, get a little honda that gets about 40 mpg on the road and be done with it

Isn't the hybrid just that? A little Honda that gets 40 mpg?

Or you suggesting something like a Fit?

yup, hybrids are not all that and a bag of chips. Fit, Civic, whatever

Yes, but only the Civic hybrid actually gets around 40 mpg. The rest are in the lower 30s, at best, IIRC.

buy a Geo Metro.

Actually that's not quite right. I have an ML 320 CDI, and like the other poster I am getting better mileage than even the manufacturer claims. On a recent trip to California we averaged 7 liters per 100 km - which is about 35 mpg if my math is correct. Amazing mileage really for a vehicle like this.

I talked to a couple of other owners and they also claim similar highway mileage. It's a remarkable engine that just lopes along with huge amounts of torque, and cruises at only 1,500 rpm.

Here's what I want for a commute vehicle

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1212020474.jpg

Looks goofy, maybe - but given that I usually commute in the rain, you can see the appeal

I've looked into importing and registering a BMW C1, concluded it is feasible but a big hassle. These things have a certain safety advantage over a conventional scooter.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1212020738.jpg

Arguably. In Switzerland there was a big safety debate about these things.

You don't wear a helmet, AND you are not thrown clear in a crash AND there is no protection. There have been some very nasty accidents involving these BMW bikes. My guess is that's exactly why they're not being brought to litigation land USA.

I've seen a couple of these around

http://www.piaggiousa.com/pimages/MP3500_large.jpg

http://www.piaggiousa.com/pScooters/MP3500.cfm

ML320, DD74's gets 45!

01-07 Civic HXs are supposed to get 45mpg, as do the 88-91 CRX HFs. My E30 gets a good 30-32 mpg, but after my $47 fill-up this morning, I'm thinking of going the Honda route.

In some countries you have to wear a helmet with the C1.

"No protection" is not correct. The chassis is a rollcage, you are restrained with four-point belts.

There are crash test films online, showing C1s in various collisions with cars up to 40 mph. The dummies stay restrained and inside the C1, except for the odd arm or leg. The C1's compartment remains intact.

Here are some:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAgE_g29G7w&feature=related

A BMW engineer apparently rode a C1 at 30 mph into a brick wall, to prove a point. He emerged uninjured.

For real-world instances, the C1 forums keep a list of crashes involving their members getting t-boned, sideswiped, rear-ended, etc. Lots of stories of significant crashes resulting in minimal injuries, although admittedly arms and wrists get hurt. Much better than I think it would be on conventional two-wheelers.

Some nasty accidents - well, it is a motor vehicle, so unavoidable.

But for my purposes, the main appeal is the weather protection.

The MP3 is interesting too. A number of the bridges across the river have that scary metal grating. In the wind and wet, its not reassuring. Double front wheels would be nice.

Maybe I could get someone to fab me up a windshield and roof.

What is the bridge across the Columbia River, Bridge of the Gods or something like that? That was a little bit interesting one windy, rainy night.

Haven't ridden that one. I just ride around in town, referring to the bridges across the Willamette. I just have a scooter, so stay w/in city limits.

My buddy has a civic hx and regularly gets better than 40 mpg, claimed 55 when he was doing that hypermiler stuff

The standard econocivic is far cheaper than the hybrid

I'd need to quintuple my insurance before the misses would let me near a bike. :(