Re:UK: Two millionth electric car registered as market rebou...
by ChrisMarshallNY on Tuesday May 05, 2026 @12:54PM
(#48025136)
"Mild Hybrid". Slight boost. I don't know of any on the market, but I'm sure they're there.
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Re:UK: Two millionth electric car registered as market rebou...
by alexfoo on Tuesday May 05, 2026 @01:16PM
(#48025513)
I've driven one. Zipcar UK (RIP!) had a few Fiat 500 Hybrids and I ended up with one once when every other nearby Zipcar was booked and I had a last minute need for a car.
Given they are a relatively gutless car to begin with (1 litre 3 cylinder 70hp tinpot engine) I did wonder what the zigzag/lightning icon was on the dash so I googled it.
Turns out the system uses a 11Ah lithium battery that lives under the driver/passenger seat that charges through regenerative braking. It gives a small boost during acceleration (mostly at low speeds so it's more for stop-start urban driving), I think it's not much more than a glorified belt around the crankshaft giving a few extra hp.
No appreciable benefit to it that I could feel, but if it's helping us burn fewer dinosaurs then that's all good. (It's still a car but much better than a massive wankpanzer.)
Re:UK: Two millionth electric car registered as market rebou...
by twic on Tuesday May 05, 2026 @01:06PM
(#48025344)
There's a mild hybrid Qashqai. A friend of mine hired one and drove it into a bus.
Re:UK: Two millionth electric car registered as market rebou...
by lostlogin on Tuesday May 05, 2026 @02:59PM
(#48026931)
This thread is some deadpan comedy gold.