[bjordan]

Here is an article on hybrids by Wired. Not eactly the article I wanted to see but an article none the less.

http://www.wired.com/news/autotech/0,25 ... _tophead_1

 

[Hambone]

Wow, they make some fairly sweeping claims about the underperformance of Hybrid vehicles based on a few isolated examples without giving any proof about how the fleet of hybrid cars in general is doing compared to the mileage estimates. I wouldn't know why, but it sounds like the article is trying to discredit the efficiency of hybrids based on one guy in Cinncinnati who can't reach the mileage estimates for his Civic Hybrid. Did they ask the guy how he drives the car (I mean, the guy may race from stoplight to stoplight like he's John Force, but they don't mention anything about how driving style can effect gas mileage)? Did they have a sample size of hybrid owners that could be shown as being statistically significant? No.

I can't stand it when I read things that make claims of fact based on incomplete evidence. I wrote an email to the editor letting him know my displeasure at the inaccuracies included in the portrayals of Hybrid vehicles. I know it won't make any difference, but I felt better venting about it a little.

 

[Corey872]

It would be neat to read the guy's blog and see if he mentions any attempt to learn how to drive a hybrid. I can see (and have been) on both sides of the coin. I have taken a couple of trips "babying" the insight along at 55-60 MPH and been rewarded with 70MPG I have also had trips "just keeping up" with interstate traffic at 70-75 MPH, AC on, and the eternal 30 MPH head wind. All together, this dropped the MPG to around 50.

All my friends ask about the mileage and I basically re-tell the above story, but then have to add:

It all comes down to percentages...if you drive a truck/SUV that can get 13 MPG , but you drive fast, have the air on, etc...it may pull your MPH down by 10%...but big deal, you hardly notice a 1 MPG drop. In the Insight which is capable of 70+ MPG you do something that hurts the MPG by 10% and now we are talking 7+ MPG which is percieved as a pretty big drop.

 

[Holicow]

Already being covered in this thread:

http://www.insightcentral.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1437

 

[dmaurer]

I can't stand it when I read things that make claims of fact based on incomplete evidence. I wrote an email to the editor letting him know my displeasure at the inaccuracies included in the portrayals of Hybrid vehicles. I know it won't make any difference, but I felt better venting about it a little.

Well this time it might make a difference ! I actually work here at Wired, not in the news department, but in operations. I saw the reporter this morning. He said he got a ton of negative feedback on this story. I told him I was mainly disappointed at the original blogger he cited who seemed only interested in complaining about his Hybrid's performance, and not actually doing anything about it. I pointed out insightcentral.net to him for future reference, noting especially how we all give each other tips on how to get better mpg, something the blogger doesn't even mention in his blog http://hybridbuzz.blogspot.com/

I know for a fact my reporter friend has no agenda or bias with regard to hybrids. His article really was about how the EPA mpg testing is outdated. Since Hybrids are high profile right now, especially with regard to people lining up in droves to buy the Prius as a reaction to recent gas prices, I think he decided to focus on a hybrid owner who claimed he wasn't getting the advertised milage.

Anyway, I don't know if it will prove to be that big of a blow to interest in Hybrids what with gas averaging $2.22 per gallon here in California !

 

[Rick Reece]

I believe you in regards to the reporter not having an agenda but the issue is factual reporting. The EPA doesn't guarantee you will get their mpg but since they test all vehicles with the same method it can be used as a comparison value. I have two Prius and a Insight and I can exceed the EPA values in each vehicle. I can also drive them such that the mpg is much lower. I sent the guy a e-mail telling him how happy I was with my mileage. The point is guy that gets poor mileage in a hybrid probably also gets close to the same percentage below the EPA numbers for any other vehicle. Have fun, Rick

 

[Tim Maddux]

already covered in another thread in a more appropriate forum location. locking