That's a Hummer I would be interested in, but Mattracks are just neat on anything. Making them a plugin for their mission was a waste though.
Reportedly, a Mattrack 1995 Hummer H1 diesel gets 13 mpg city/ 14 mpg highway. The extra weight from the Plug in conversion will likely lower the diesel efficiency to about 10 mpg but it will gain about 1 mile/ kwh charge ( I think the 32 mile estimated range would shorten the li-ion battery lifespan significantly in cold weather, an max 18-20 mile electric range would extend the lifespan- without an advance battery management system like the Prius - it will be up to the driver to avoid draining the battery pack completely and shortening the battery pack's lifespan).. If this plugin Hummer carries its own 3 kwh PV array to recharge the Li-ion battery packs AND if the South Pole expedition is timed correctly there will be sunlight 24 hours/day (this double the effective output of electricity of the PV panels) - this should raised their vehicle's eMPG much higher. Mattrack Hummer Video 1995 Hummer H1 with Mattrack 1995 Hummer H1 Wagon 4x4 with Mattracks (2015-04-21-15DK412)
Source: Exhuming the Glacier Girl • Damn Interesting I just hope the 'powers that be' require a 'vehicle recovery' deposit. Bob Wilson
From what I have been reading a snow tundra Mattrack modification can be done on any car - including a Prius. .I'm not sure what the Prius' mpg would be with a Mattrack mod - but my guess is that a Mattrack would lower the Prius' sustainable top speed. A Mattrack modification is listed as costing almost $80,000 - so it is a very expensive after market mod - not to mention - it is likely to void your warranty. Watching the Mattrack Hummer reminds me of those videos of "Big Foot" (giant tire) funny cars.
It might need to be full time or symmetrical. Either way, Toyota says they aren't intended for off road use.
We've got a bunch of these mattrack kitted vehicles around here. They are the "repair vehicles" of the ski resorts. Funny to see a truck climb the side of the mountain to get to a repair. I worked on a Plug-In Hummer almost 4 years ago now. It was meant as an everyday hybrid conversion. Pretty cool. I am not sure if that company still exists. But we did go to SEMA for it.
