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Comment by supportengineer | Hacker News Reader

Not just a hybrid but a series-type hybrid. Electric motors drive the wheels and the gas engine is just there to generate electricity.

At every level of society I see products being designed for the "best case" only. For example, unlocking your car with electronic keys.

I am afraid a generation will have to live through "hard times" in order to get us thinking about resilience again and planning for the "worst case".

When looking at vehicles, it's a fun thought experiment to ask yourself if you would want this vehicle during a "zombie apocalypse"

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> When looking at vehicles, it's a fun thought experiment to ask yourself if you would want this vehicle during a "zombie apocalypse"

It's fun, but not useful. I want a solar powered Humvee in a zombie apocalypse.

I think GP was referring more to aspects of a zombie apocalypse like servers being shutdown or power grid not working. Things that can happen for relatively short periods today.

I can't see a situation in an apocalypse where gasoline isn't consumed immediately, and then rationed to only government authorities. My bet would be 100% EV, and if you want redundancy, buy a generator capable of outputting to an inverter that charges the EV (then stockpile a reasonable amount of fuel for the generator).

Or just get an ICE car and stockpile the fuel.. Way fewer steps required.

gasoline has a shelf life of 3 to 6 months. and diesel 12 months in low temps.

might want a battery EV with ability to plug deployable solar module amd/or hydropower module and/or wood burning stove thermoelectric generator.

If you have a truly off-grid capable EV with solar, that would be superior to an ICE (assuming rule-of-law still held).

I don't know why these aren't the default.

It electrifies the 99% use case of commuting, driving around cities etc. and allows for road trips without range anxiety.

And expands the operating temperature significantly over electric.

> At every level of society I see products being designed for the "best case" only.

Indeed. And then being sold with caveats concealed.

why series-type? (from a bit of research, seems these are also called EREV (extended-range electric vehicles, in the context of autos)

simpler engine since you can have an electric engine only and not have an ICE engine with more points of failure/maintenance?

Strap a generator to the roof?

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