On 4/11/2012 2:01 AM, Jim Brown wrote:
> On 4/10/2012 9:26 PM, Roger (K8RI) wrote:
>> Monday night I saw a segment of a program that told how many miles or
>> typically how long you'd have to keep a hybrid to break even for the
>> extra cost.
> There was an excellent piece of analysis on NPR tonight noting that,
> with many of Detroit's newest gasoline models now in the 30-40 mpg
> range, many current owners say they would be unlikely to choose a hybrid
> the second time around. The primary reason cited was the break-even
> point no longer makes sense when mainline vehicles are more efficient
Typically the small Hybrids are much more efficient in stop and go
traffic, or very hilly terrain. and get their poorest mileage out on the
highway at a high and steady speed.
Taking US 10 from Midland to Farwell at 70 mph I managed about 42 or 43
MPG. Coming back I took Old US-10 which is just rolling terrain. with
about 5 stops in 60 miles. I averaged in the high 50 MPG range...bout
57 or 58 and this is an old Prius.
> and lower cost.
And that battery costs between $4,000 and $7,000 so when you go to trade
it in it's likely to be close to needing a new battery and if you keep
it your main expense will likely be the battery. So you can take that
much off the top of your trade-in, or just add it to the price of the
new car. That expensive battery may save you 10 mpg if you are lucky.
OTOH if you want one of the new cars that gets good mileage, expect to
get a car built like a beer can. You can put a crease in a metal door
with your bare hand. We had them ruin a door just by sticking a rust
proofing wand in there. I think I'd rather use a *little* more gas for
less money and have more metal around me. I've only totaled one car
when an SUV shot out onto the highway in front of me. I took him
broadside in the drivers door. (Immortal teenager in his invincible
SUV) That massive door post in the GMC Jimmie saved his life but with a
broken collar bone. Other than being unconscious for a second or two
from the G-forces I was unhurt. It put the right front tire back to the
seat and the firewall against the bottom of the dash all the way
across. I wrapped the steering wheel right around the column. Had I
been driving the Prius I'd never have survived. BTW all the antennas
pointed straight forward. Now that looked strange. The one ounce
control head for the duobander smashed the metal mount flat, like it'd
been through a press.
73
Roger (K8RI)
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