Author:
mn
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kml
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Date:
4/8/2009 2:59:38 PM
Subject:
RE: Madcows (and other motor heads)
The prius can get 60-70 with all-city driving easy. I have seen the computer log 80-100 MPG for a 30 minute period during commutes. Expect 42-44 overall average and a drop of about 3mpg in the winter when they switch over to 10% ethanol. If you are in the mountains, then I have no idea about milage. Expect the batteries to last 100k miles: comparable to some car transmissions.
I think a diesel hybrid would be the best of both worlds. The electric engine would really help the torque problem I mentioned in my father's turbo diesel.
The big problem with diesel is state laws such as NY which won't allow sale of *new* diesel cars (according to my father). So they resort to selling used, but almost new diesel cars. I don't think NY is the only one and with a problem like that car manufacturers are going to stick with gas.
And yeah, plug-ins only move the issue up the chain to coal and nuclear, neither of which is particularly popular on its own. Gas is portable, so when I get halfway to arizona, I don't need to hole up for a few hours to recharge the batteries.
