The Lightning Hybrids LH4 rolling concept car was unveiled at this years Denver Auto Show back in the first part of April. AllSmallCars.com reported from the floor of the auto show about this companies mission to revolutionize the hybrid automobile market. How are they going to do that? Well, it isn’t by using battery power; no, Lightning Hybrids LH3 and LH4 concept use a proprietary hydraulic system pressurized by a diesel motor to propel their vehicle. Today, I visited Lightning Hybrids to check-in on their progress, especially since these cars will be competing in the Progressive X Prize competition.
As you can see from the pictures they are still busy working on the cars and today they are working particularly hard. Why? Tomorrow is their open house up in Loveland and they are determined to show members of the press, auto enthusiasts and anyone interested in reducing their impact on the environment what this car can do. The working LH4 prototype uses a doner 2008 Mazda Miata for a lot of its interior and engine parts. Those of you who have been following closely are wondering when Mazda has ever sold a diesel Miata in the States or abroad.
Lightning Hybrids LH4 Running Concept
Here is your answer; one of the markets that Lightning Hybrids is going after is vehicle retrofits. This makes a certain amount of sense because their LH3 and LH4 models aren’t scheduled to be for sale to the public for another 2 years. So the founder of Lightning Hybrids has made what I think is a very smart business decision to also offer hydraulic hybrid retrofits to gasoline and diesel powered cars. This is where the Miata motor comes in; the prototype LH4 that will be shown tomorrow in Loveland will use a gasoline motor to pressurize the hydraulic drive system. This is intended to prove the validity of their claims of gaining around a 50% increase in fuel efficiency.
Check out the video below for the maiden voyage of the LH4 around the Lightning headquarters in Loveland, Colorado.
Don’t speed off yet! There are lots more exciting stories in the blog and reviews sections. You can also check out our photo gallery to see all small cars.
Have a comment? Login with FacebookConnect and leave one here on the site or drop me an email to JEMblogger at Gmail dot com.
In this latest turn, as used EV prices drop, models with a longer driving range per charge appear to have better resale value, according to several pricing experts recently cited.
In Europe, Toyota's stronger EV push will be accompanied by a new plug-in hybrid C-HR, to be offered alongside a hybrid version already available in some markets.
Ford delivers E-Transit electric vens and software to DHL. Hyundai hints that it might put hydrogen fuel cell tech in a performance car. And AAA embraces mobile charging. This and more, here at Green Car Reports. AAA has launched a new mobile EV charging pilot program that will cover 14 U.S...
The U.S. motor clubs known for roadside service are planning to scale up mobile charging to meet more widespread EV adoption—and to update trip services with charging stations.
Owners of which two mainstream car brands are shifting to Tesla at a high rate? Which company might build VW’s Scout electric trucks? This is our look back at the Week In Reverse—right here at Green Car Reports—for the week ending December 2, 2022. Honda announced that it will...
The EPA will offer credit for electricity generated with biofuels, but it’s still on the ethanol bandwagon. Megawatt changing hardware is coming to the Cybertruck. And Canoo delivers an electric truck for the Army. This and more, here at Green Car Reports. Tesla confirmed megawatt charging...
A proposal from the EPA for 2023-2025 may result in wider production and use of ethanol, but it also may help utilities produce cleaner energy for EVs.
