Hybrid Cars Don't Live Up to Mileage Claims

Omega1045 writes "Wired News is running a great little article about how hybrid cars (specifically Honda and Toyota models) do not come anywhere close to living up to their fuel efficiency claims. The article highlights that the EPA tests are more to blame than the car manufactures. Consumer reports has shown that the mileage for these cars can be as low as 60% of the claims. The article also links to a blog authored by hybrid enthusiast Pete Blackshaw detailing his failures getting any real answers on why his Honda Civic Hybrid isn't getting better fuel mileage. It looks like these cars are more hype than help in the battle against pollution and foreign fuel reliance."

Comments

Re:Better than nothing

[Discodance]

What is heavier? A ton of bricks or a ton of feathers? Neither!!! THEY ARE THE SAME. Same goes with your Escort vs. Hybrid comparison... 31MPG on the Escort vs 31 MPG on the Hybrid is THE SAME. You still need one full gallon, burn one full gallon, and depend on OPEC for one full gallon to drive 31 miles in each car. How is the Hybrid any better?

Re:Better than nothing

[Giggles Of Doom]

Yes but you have to remember - your buddy's Escort gets 31MPG and the Hybrid car may get 31.5MPG - but the Hybrid's mileage is 31.5 environmentally friendly miles per gallon of gasoline where your bud's Escort's mileage is 31 environment destroying miles per gallon.

What the hell? Um, a 31.5MPG hyrbid still uses a gallon of gas to go 31.5 miles, same as a 31.5MPG non-hybrid. It doesn't matter if there is a battery pack along for the ride, like in the Hybrid, or not, like in the Escort. They still use the same about of evil gasoline. Plus, the hybrid will have a bank of toxic batteries to dispose of at the end of its useful life.

Now, even with them not getting the huge milage gains the EPA post on the windows (how do they come up with numbers that are so inaccurate of real world conditions? Why bother to post them at all?) the hybrid cars are, I think, a stepping stone for people towards acceptance of alternitives to gas powered cars.