Topic: Hybrid Electric

A satirical business idea involves converting discarded electric vehicles back into internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. The plan suggests mounting a small gasoline generator in the front trunk of a Tesla to provide a trickle charge to the battery, effectively creating a DIY hybrid.

The "Wenatchee," Washington State's first hybrid electric ferry, was pulled from service just two months after a two-year renovation. The vessel experienced mechanical issues while docking in Seattle. Critics point to the dangers of using large battery systems in a saltwater environment as a fundamental flaw in the conversion project.

The 2019 Geneva Motor Show is dominated by electric and hybrid vehicles as manufacturers race to meet tough new EU emission standards. Highlights include the 2,000-horsepower Pininfarina Battista and the Citroën Ami One, a "slow" urban object that does not require a driver's license. The marketing of hybrids is noted for emphasizing "clean" city driving while maintaining petrol power for long distances.

A review of the Mini Cooper hybrid highlights how small three-cylinder engines are paired with electric motors to provide acceleration boosts. While the electric range is limited, the combination offers a practical application of hybrid technology for city driving. This shift in preference from full electric vehicles like Tesla to hybrids suggests a re-evaluation of battery limitations and vehicle utility.

Manoj Bhargava, the billionaire creator of 5-Hour Energy, develops a "Free Electric" hybrid bike designed to provide 24 hours of electricity from one hour of pedaling. Bhargava pitches the bike as a solution for the 1.3 billion people living without power. The hosts mock the concept as a form of "slave labor" where the poor must pedal to power their homes.