Comments on: Hybrids wane, diesels gain as buyers weigh real-world mpg

Hybrids wane, diesels gain as buyers weigh real-world mpg

[Mithrilmist]

Hybrid education woes...

I would imagine that for a significant percentage of those polled, the term "hybrid" is something of a catch-all and doesn't distinguish between the different flavors of hybrid drivetrains. Given that the majority of hybrid vehicles on the roads today and being sold in dealerships are still of the "mild" hybrid variety (which provide incremental mpg gains, at best), can we really be surprised at the consumer response?

Until we see a larger penetration of the style of hybrid brought to market by Toyota (Synergy drive) or of the upcoming types by some of the other automakers (Ford's HySeries or that of the prototype Chevrolet Volt), we likely won't see the kinds of Mpg gains that will really spark the hybrid revolution.

Along these same lines though, perhaps someone could explain why....given that hybrids (even the "mild" type) increase mileage a bit, and given that diesel has a higher mpg rating on average compared to a similar gasoline engine...why no automaker (to my knowledge) has to date brought to market a Diesel or turbodiesel hybrid? These would seem to me to be a perfect blend of technologies to bring significant gains in mileage ratings while avoiding huge price increases for the vehicles themselves.

[bubbly]

from a hybrid driver

i have owned my toyota prius almost 2yrs now. i have never been so happy with a vehicle. i average 44mpg. my gasoline bill is usually $55-65/mo. i love that my car has low emissions. would i buy a diesel? never! in the us, diesels tend to cost as much as regular gas. thats not enough for my savings.. besides.. the gas fumes of a diesel are probably not very good for our environment. in traffic, i did get a 52mpg once; i think its how you drive your vehicle. i love my prius & i am happy that i can do my part. it drives well & does what it was built for!

[Emilio2000]

Only 44 mpg on a hybrid?

44 mpg on hybrid engine just doesn't sound so impressive any more. What happened to the promised 50 or 60 mpg?

By contrast, I am on the waiting list for one of the new 2008 Smart Cars that will be slightly larger than the current Smart cars and will have a gas mileage of probably between 45-50 pmg, if not better, and that's for a regular gas engine.

If a regular gas engine can be improved that much, then why waste the extra money on buying a hybrid?

[NuShrike]

obvious answers

Promised MPG exists when you drive under the same conditions as the old EPA tests which is no A/C, no stop-n-go, etc. Basic physics. It also means it still exists for the taking.

So while you're waiting for a smaller vehicle, how much time and money are you wasting on it while others are already experiencing MPG savings.

Hybrids are still gas engines, so every improvement made in your gas engine can be applied right back into a hybrid. In fact, hybrids are improved gas engines. Did you know that?

[mapsonburt]

Hybrids don't provide the gains on the Highway

The real problem with Hybrids and the reason I'll go Diesel on my next vehicle is that Hybrid's only deliver their mileage potential in city driving - the hybrid drive (even Toyota's) only kicks in below 40mph. I live 15 miles from the nearest city and don't do much 40mph driving so other than idling back out my driveway and the last 1/2 mile on my residential street, we drive at 60mph or more most of the time. With clean diesels providing excellent mileage and now emissions, they are FAR less complex, you don't need to lug around 500-1000 lbs of batteries, and more of a real world driving experience, I don't see why anybody but the treehuggers or urban types would even think about a Hybrid.

Having said that, a diesel with a hybrid would be a great alternative as diesels are built to run at a lower speed and do very well at a single speed all day long and could provide better hwy mileage while still delivering the gains in the city.

[NuShrike]

mapsonburt is an idiot and troll

Where do you crawl out from?

"hybrid drive only kicks in below 40mph" not true, it's running 100% time to smooth power demands from ICE esp during low HP demands on highway driving; I regularly get 50+mpg driving 65mph. I got 65+mpg driving 65mph on the road between Fort Sumner to Roswell and pictures to prove it.

How does it smooth it? It keeps the ICE running at optimal RPM to HP, and uses electricity to boost when needed. Otherwise, the slop goes straight into the battery for later.

MAPSONBURT is already a self-proclaimed leadfoot driving more than 60mph over 15 miles of distance.

"lug around 500-1000 lbs of batteries" Prius batteries are 75lbs total. Weighs less than your single American body.

Hybrid are just that, hybrids, meaning why not a diesel hybrid?

Go back to hole you crawled out from with your trolling.

[kmcnicol]

Honda diesels in Europe

The Executive model Honda Accord diesel sold in Europe got 90 miles to the Imperial gallon (72 miles to the US gallon) and would travel at over 120 mph on the autobahns. Also, using urea injection, it produced a carbon particulate-free exhaust with essentially zero NOx and sulphur emissions. Yes, it produced CO2, but with 3 times the fuel economy of the petrol-engined model, it only produced 1/3 as much for a given distance travelled. It was also quiet and powerful, with much more torque than the anaemic tuned-for-economy engines sold here.
Last I heard, Honda had no plans to sell cars with this engine in the US, although they conceded that they might try it in the mini-van market in a few years time. I'd buy one right now, and I don't think I'd be alone; and if Honda has done this, Toyota and Nissan will also be a long way to having the same success (although Toyota had some really nasty experience with diesel cars in the 80s and may not want to get back into that game willingly).
So why aren't the Japanese selling green technology in the US? I don't know; not everybody here wants to drive a Hummer.

[RichardB97]

Why Sue Honda?

So why is this guy suing Honda? It was EPA that came up with the numbers, not the manufacturer.
I own 2 hybrids - a Prius and a Camry. We average 50mpg with the Prius and about 41mpg with the Camry (45mpg back and forth to work). With the Camry, I actually exceed the current EPA ratings and will totally blow away the new EPA numbers that begin for the 2008 model year.
We recently took a 4200 mile road trip in the Camry Hybrid and experienced one of the most comfortable road trips ever! The car is quiet, has plenty of power, and was getting about 600 miles per tank. We didn't have to go searching for any special fuel to use, we simply filled with regular wherever we went.
It's interesting to note how respondants to these boards that are hybrid owners are generally pleased with their vehicle while non-owners tend to give a negative perspective.