Fuel-saving gasoline-electric hybrid cars don't save as much fuel as thought, according to new government fuel-economy ratings available to the public for the first time.So how will the 08 Prius, rumored to get upward of 80 mpg achieve it? Can it be done without making the high-mileage leader a plug-in hybrid?
The new ratings go into effect beginning with 2008 models, a few of which will soon be on sale. But now it's possible to tell what rating 2007 and older models would get using the 2008 standards.
Toyota's Prius, the best-known and best-selling gas-electric car in the United States, drops from a 60 mpg rating under the current system to 48 miles per gallon in the city under the 2008 testing procedure -- a 20 percent decline
Its highway mileage rating falls about 12 percent, to 45 mpg.
The Ford Escape hybrid, which uses a gasoline-electric drive system similar to Toyota's, goes down about 12 percent.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Prius drops to 48mpg; How will 2008 Prius get 80mpg? Plug-in hybrid?
The National Center for Policy Analysis reports: CAR M.P.G. RATINGS GOING DOWN. The cars aren't actually getting worse mileage, but the government's new tests going into effect next year more accurately reflect real-world driving.
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4 comments:
All Prius owners allready know the actual MPG they get: the Energy Monitor displays it in realtime! So it's no surprise for us, yet we still get better milage than with any other car. My actual average MPG is about 48, and I use the AC all the time (avg. temp in Puerto Rico is in the high 90s).
However, when I drive on long trips on the highway I easily get 60 MPG, and in some ocassions 80 MPG with hypermiling techniques.
What a crock of c$#^. 60 MPG?
This car is an expensive to operate fibber producer. One could purchase a much cheaper car and save the money for the small increase in fuel costs. And not have to tell lies all day.
i hate when people compare prius to "much cheaper cars" i am sorry i don't want a 2 door P.O.S.(probably american car) that i have to role down the window by hand and still get less mpg then the prius. articles have already been done stating you probably paying 3-4 premium for the hybrid part and you cover that distance in about 4 years.
I think that what matters is that your are still saving some money on gas, plus you are helping the environment, if that is the case of people who bought the car with that in mind.
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