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A comment on Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video].

Re:Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video] by caminanteblanco on Wednesday May 20, 2026 @09:42AM (#48207643)
For anyone who is concerned that this only applies to Toyota drivetrains (which was true for quite some time), Toyota made nearly all of their HEV patents (24,000 of them) completely royalty-free in 2019 [0].

At this point, I assume the only thing stopping manufacturers is their pre-existing investment in other technology.

[0] https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/corporate/27512455.html

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Re:Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video] by gregolo on Wednesday May 20, 2026 @09:52AM (#48207819)
Ford Kuga (EU) / Escape (US) is built from those patents. It’s basically a copy of Toyota’s hybrid system. And it’s actually quite great, until it catches on fire.
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Re:Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video] by toast0 on Wednesday May 20, 2026 @10:48AM (#48208790)
Similarly the cmax transmission is great unless you got an early one and it bores a second output shaft from the inside (bad bearing)
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Re:Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video] by rootusrootus on Wednesday May 20, 2026 @10:05AM (#48208019)
> It’s basically a copy of Toyota’s hybrid system

That is a myth which refuses to die. Ford developed their own system, and cross-licensed with Toyota over 20 years ago due to commonality of design.

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Re:Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video] by steveBK123 on Wednesday May 20, 2026 @10:03AM (#48207996)
> until it catches on fire

minor details

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Re:Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video] by CalRobert on Wednesday May 20, 2026 @10:15AM (#48208221)
but does it catch fire and halt?
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Re:Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video] by qsxfthnkp2322 on Wednesday May 20, 2026 @09:45AM (#48207693)
From what I know (granted I’d rather have a bev, but alas) this also applies to the Honda hybrid system, I’m sure there are others.
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