While the initial applications will be for generators and lawn equipment, when built on a larger scale this would be appropriate for hybrid vehicles.
I wondered what they would do about the seal issues. I suppose that LiquidPiston has done long term testing on the new seal method. I guess we will see how it works out in commercial small engines soon.
The article was published in 2014.
Any news?
1 Like
Here is something more… current:
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/09/13/2515072/0/en/LiquidPiston-Awarded-Phase-II-Army-Contract-to-Advance-Hybrid-Electrification-for-Unmanned-Aerial-Vehicles-UAVs.html
I could also post something current regarding their stock offering, but I don’t want to seem like I am advocating an investment in the company.
1 Like
Interesting but I don’t think it is going to be a big sell in the small engine market because Lithium Ion battery powered equipment will be more efficient and easier to use.
I am also having trouble wrapping my head around hybrid drone. Flying a drone is much like highway driving where the extra cost of a hybrid vehicle does not provide a favorable payback. The only advantage I can see for a hybrid drone is the ability to fly on electric only over the battlefield or any unfriendly territory so it becomes more difficult to be detected by IR guided weapon systems.
Mazda was talking about offering a rotary engine as a range extender in the MX-30, Still waiting to hear if they actually put it into production.
I think there are times when batteries can’t efficiently power commercial lawn equipment. A crew out all day would need many batteries for the trimmers and blowers they use.
2 Likes
It is reportedly going on the market in Europe. It is unclear whether it will come to the US market.
Europe and Japan first, but it hasn’t been ruled out for the US market, probably waiting to see how the other markets responds and production capacity.
There are advancements every year. Battery powered tools would be difficult for commercial use now, but in a few years, who knows. But most of this market is for homeowners in subdivisions who mow and trim 1/4 - 1 acre lots. Many of these subdivisions have HOAs that are beginning to pass noise rules that severely restrict gas powered equipment. Plus there is the hassle of getting and storing gas in the garage or shed.
1 Like
There are commercial grade battery powered zero turn riding mowers . Some are rated at 8 hour running time . Not cheap but for those areas having noise restrictions it will allow a firm to keep customers .
4 Likes
I thought about buying a riding mower for my home. I have about 12,500 SF of grass with a steep backyard and the self propelled walk behind mower became too much for me when my health took a precipitous decline (I’m stable and much better now). The cost of even an inexpensive ICE rider was so much that paying $25 a week for a good lawn service meant it would take many years to equal the price of the rider, gas, and maintenance.
25.00 for lawn mowing . In this area even the small yards are 45.00 and mine is 50.00 to 55.00 .
Our costs used it be that high, then new lawn services with immigrant labor showed up and costs plummeted. Since you live in Oklahoma there are probably several similar lawn service companies. There is always at least one person on the two man team that speaks English well enough that I can communicate with him. Hopefully they all learn English well enough to communicate with everyone. My grandfather moved here from Austria Hungary in 1900 and he insisted that his children be integrated into American society as quickly as possible. Speaking the language at every opportunity was a big help. My father in law moved here from Germany in 1950 or so and he had the same experience. Once he learned English well enough to have conversations, his job opportunities opened up. Joining the Army during the Korean War also created opportunities after he returned. He could really speak English well after that.
When I first moved to my current home, 26 years ago, I was determined to do it myself–with a battery-powered push mower, in order to economize. I did the front lawn one day, and did the back lawn area the next day. Even with splitting the task into two days, it was a very sweaty job, and when I learned that I could have it done by a lawn service for $27, I sold my lawn mower.
I currently pay $40 per cut for 27,000 square feet of lawn area, and that includes edging the lawn and blowing the debris away.
1 Like
And being in the army, he likely learned to cuss in English fluently as well! 
Terrific that he served his new country in the army, too!
He was in the German Army at the end of WWII. He had stories about how weird the Hitler Youth was before he turned 16 and was drafted. He wasn’t happy about all that but he really didn’t have a choice.
2 Likes
Most lawn equipment has a caution of 15 degree slopes. I have 3 acres to mow with some of it at 30 degrees. Lawn servicers here that have insurance and proper equipment want $200 to $300 to come out, usually 3 or 4 people with $100,000 equipment investment.
Your lawn service hasn’t been keeping up with inflation:
Value of 1997 US Dollars today
Share this page:
$27 in 1997
$50.32 in 2023
The inflation rate in the United States between 1997 and today has been 86.37%, which translates into a total increase of $23.32. This means that 27 dollars in 1997 are equivalent to 50.32 dollars in 2023. In other words, the purchasing power of $27 in 1997 equals $50.32 today. The average annual inflation rate between these periods has been 2.42%.
Also that’s a ridiculously low price. My mother pays $35 a week for what is probably 800 sq ft of lawn.
Maybe he is giving me a good price because he is a former counselee of mine. 
I haven’t compared prices with my neighbors because if he is giving me a preferential price, I don’t want other people to badger him into reducing their weekly rate.
At this point, my attorney is a former counselee, as is my “lawn guy”, and before my dog succumbed to cancer, our Veterinarian was also a former counselee. Having a personal connection with these folks is nice, on more than one level.