Originally posted by: SearchMaster
My brother-in-law has a Prius and almost always gets 55+ MPG. We got ~50 MPG at a constant 85MPH+ road trip recently. I am NOT a big believer in hybrids but I can't argue with his results. As always, YMMV .
Originally posted by: SLEEPER5555
I posted this in another unrelated forum but i wanted to see what the opinion was over here with my fellow techies!
(START RANT) Don't beleive hybrids are a scam? looking for "50 miles per gallon" KEEP LOOKING! Read these links, they note the revised gov testing procedures that fit todays driving habbits. They also show that no one gets 50MPG in a toyota prius. The prius has been given a 30% reduction in its MPG by the gov, this will be reflected on next years window stickers. Now factor in the added cost of a hybrid and you will see your better off with any "normal vehicle" there is no benefit to a prius except to pretend your doing the right thing and make toyota and all these other scammers huge piles of cash.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061211/UPDATE/612110431
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061211/NEWS99/61211032
So the other arguement is that your "doing it for the environment and for the future of your children and the planet earth" thats great but as you know these cars have more batteries than standard cars (needed to hold the hybrids charge). These batteries need to be replaced every so many years depending on miles driven (at a cost of last time i looked $4000 dollars by the way, further setting you in the hole tword any artificial hybrid savings) so what happens to the old batteries? old batteries in a junkyard are far worse for the environment than a little filtered out carbon gas, the long term effect is polluting the ground for hundreds or even thousands of years. Cars of today put out nearly zip compared to even the cars of the 90's let alone those of the 70's. And i have said it before here but i will say it again the methane levels in cows farts deplete the ozone layer at a faster rate than current carbon levels of auto's do, so untill cows stop farting stop complaining about cars killing your environment. Also remember the ozone layer is in better shape than it was a few years ago and it continues to rebuild itself.
One more point i would like to make in this rant, a few years ago people were worried about "Global freezing" then suddenly that was aborted for "Global Warming", (big shot out to Al Gore, we wouldn't be talking right now if it wasn't for him because remember according to his ramblings he invented the internet ) The point is we are making this stuff up as we go along without enough research. For every scientist who says wine is bad there is one who says its great for you! Untill we have enough facts to really make a valid point why must we be so against those who choose to buy hummers, suburbans and tahoes? One day we will do something that pisses off mother earth and we will get shaken off like a bunch of fleas on a dog, or like the dinosaurs that as powerful and strong as they were got wipped out one day to put it into more realistic terms. Life is about survival of the fittest and this earth is much more fit than we are, when our times up trust me we will know it! (END RANT)
Interested in your thoughts and replies! (even if you own a hybrid)
Originally posted by: rivan
I'm 6'5" and about 280 lbs. I drive a V8 SUV. Why? Because it's the only size class that I can sit in, with good posture, and not rub my head on the roof and/or crane my neck to see stoplights. I also need to get a 2-year old and (soon) an infant into and out of the back seats. I tried it with a Taurus (wife's old company car) - horrid experience that was. Her new minivan is much better for the kid, but still terrible for me and my posture.
I'll be quite happy to look at hybrids when one's built for someone my size - something I don't expect for some years to come. Currently the Highlander is the only vehicle that comes close. I'd switch right now if there was a hybrid version of my Sequoia.
Originally posted by: Acanthus
Its going to be a lot better.
Battery energy density technologies are just around the corner that will triple the energy density of batteries.
This will make hybrid and full electric vehicles much more viable for the average consumer in 5-10 years.
The energy density (and as a result weight and size) of batteries is whats holding hybrid and full electric technology back.
The real question is, when we go full electric, will we be able to produce clean enough energy at the power plant level to actually be of benefit. We need more wind / hydro / solar / geothermal / nuclear power to compensate for the enormous energy demand via electricity that is ahead.
Originally posted by: Random Variable
I've driven a Prius for the past 15 months. Generally I average 55 MPG in the summer and 45-50 MPG in the winter. (My personal best is 59.7 MPG over 540 miles.) If the outside temperature drops below 0F, however, the average drops to about 40 MPG.
Originally posted by: Colt45
if you want 50 MPG buy a small diesel.
Originally posted by: rivan
I'm 6'5" and about 280 lbs. I drive a V8 SUV. Why? Because it's the only size class that I can sit in, with good posture, and not rub my head on the roof and/or crane my neck to see stoplights. I also need to get a 2-year old and (soon) an infant into and out of the back seats. I tried it with a Taurus (wife's old company car) - horrid experience that was. Her new minivan is much better for the kid, but still terrible for me and my posture.
I'll be quite happy to look at hybrids when one's built for someone my size - something I don't expect for some years to come. Currently the Highlander is the only vehicle that comes close. I'd switch right now if there was a hybrid version of my Sequoia.
I think it's harder for the batteries to hold a charge when they're cold. But the main reason for the decrease in fuel economy is that the gas engine has to keep running to remain hot enough for the heat to work. The only experience I've had with really cold weather was last winter when during several morning commutes the temperature was like -10F.Originally posted by: EarthwormJim
Originally posted by: Random Variable
I've driven a Prius for the past 15 months. Generally I average 55 MPG in the summer and 45-50 MPG in the winter. (My personal best is 59.7 MPG over 540 miles.) If the outside temperature drops below 0F, however, the average drops to about 40 MPG.
Why is that? Does the electric motor become that less efficient when cold, or the batteries?
Originally posted by: touchmyichi
I'm not going to go into the science of hybrids (which people here will prove you wrong on) but I will say this-
Buying a hybrid sends a message that people are interested in alternative forms of vehicles and fuels. That's something we desperately need to do with global warming becoming an issue (and it IS real, if you don't believe anyone here consult a local professor and they will be happy to prove it to you). At the very least, buying a hybrid is a statement that you care about these issues and wish that manufacturers pay more attention to these issues. Everyone needs to do their part in this huge global issue.
Originally posted by: canadageek
we can, but no one wants it. also, if you took out the batteries and electric motor and other hybrid gubbins, you'd end up with higher mileage.
VW's answer to Hybrids
thats what Germany can do....lets see how america measures up. this baby might only have about 80hp, but it has wads of torque, nice for highway cruising. sure, its small, but with a mileage of 78MPG, who cares?
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
Originally posted by: canadageek
we can, but no one wants it. also, if you took out the batteries and electric motor and other hybrid gubbins, you'd end up with higher mileage.
VW's answer to Hybrids
thats what Germany can do....lets see how america measures up. this baby might only have about 80hp, but it has wads of torque, nice for highway cruising. sure, its small, but with a mileage of 78MPG, who cares?
thats not an answer, its like a geo metro, the prius has the interior space of a camry. people like it because its size is practical.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/consumer/autos/mareview/mauto497.htm
a few quotes, theres plenty more bad but i'd have to copy the whole article btw the geo metro had very mileage too its not magic, make it tiny and lose weight.
"One way to cut fuel consumption is to eliminate the weight and power drain of accessories. So the 3L Lupo had no air conditioning, no power steering, no anything. You can add such options, but there'd go your three-liter claim.
And the car seemed low-quality for the $3,000 premium price its fuel-sipping hardware commands.
Not only did the seats turn torturous after about 90 minutes, a cup holder came apart in the first 10 miles. The economy-enhancing, easy-rolling tires and lightweight suspension transmitted not just noise but a roar to the passenger compartment on cobblestones, bricks and rough asphalt. "
"What's hard to overlook is the transmission. It's the key hardware that makes Lupo go so far on so little fuel. But even a fuel-economy zealot would have trouble being charitable.
To work its magic, the transmission seeks the highest gear ratio that the engine can handle without stalling, resulting in acceleration so sluggish it almost can't claim to be acceleration at all. It'll cruise 80 miles an hour all day. But ask it to change speeds and oh, woe. "
Originally posted by: desy
Best of both worlds, diesel hybrid, and it kills the Lupo in performance
This is an old car developed over 5 yrs ago!
Sickens me they hold on to this stuff
Originally posted by: Random Variable
I think it's harder for the batteries to hold a charge when they're cold. But the main reason for the decrease in fuel economy is that the gas engine has to keep running to remain hot enough for the heat to work. The only experience I've had with really cold weather was last winter when during several morning commutes the temperature was like -10F.Originally posted by: EarthwormJim
Originally posted by: Random Variable
I've driven a Prius for the past 15 months. Generally I average 55 MPG in the summer and 45-50 MPG in the winter. (My personal best is 59.7 MPG over 540 miles.) If the outside temperature drops below 0F, however, the average drops to about 40 MPG.
Why is that? Does the electric motor become that less efficient when cold, or the batteries?