Best driving conditions for a hybrid
Jan 24th 2010, 8:49 am
#46
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Re: Best driving conditions for a hybrid
1) a plug-in car, and
2) a regular gasoline car OR hybrid,
I would have to believe that using power generated by a power station has GOT to be less impacting on the environment than using an individual gasoline engine per car. Even if the power station is 'dirty', I would think the 'pollution per kilowatt of energy' would be less than a car engine. It's not 'free' of pollution, as some may naively think, but still 'better'.
Jan 24th 2010, 10:47 am
#47
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Re: Best driving conditions for a hybrid
It may not be 'as healthy' as one might think, but - my point is this - if the choice is between
1) a plug-in car, and
2) a regular gasoline car OR hybrid,
I would have to believe that using power generated by a power station has GOT to be less impacting on the environment than using an individual gasoline engine per car. Even if the power station is 'dirty', I would think the 'pollution per kilowatt of energy' would be less than a car engine. It's not 'free' of pollution, as some may naively think, but still 'better'.
1) a plug-in car, and
2) a regular gasoline car OR hybrid,
I would have to believe that using power generated by a power station has GOT to be less impacting on the environment than using an individual gasoline engine per car. Even if the power station is 'dirty', I would think the 'pollution per kilowatt of energy' would be less than a car engine. It's not 'free' of pollution, as some may naively think, but still 'better'.
Premium on the cost of the car and maintainence also means it probably isn't much cheaper or cheap at all either unless you do run it into the ground, but once out of warrantey and lack of local mechanics after the 6 year point, it might even be more expensive.
I still think they are a good idea though because they need the momentum to reach that economy of scale some how and they are a good option for those who can afford them
Jan 24th 2010, 11:18 am
#48
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Re: Best driving conditions for a hybrid
There is an enormous amount of wastage in the distribution system, from generation through distribution.
As far as Green is concerned I remember seeing a Prius compared with a Hummer, it was a close call.
As far as Green is concerned I remember seeing a Prius compared with a Hummer, it was a close call.
Jan 24th 2010, 2:07 pm
#49
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Re: Best driving conditions for a hybrid
If over-analysis were bricks, this thread would be the Great Wall of China.
SP, your GF should buy the car she wants to drive now, not the one that might be easier to fix/justify/rationalize ten years from now.
SP, your GF should buy the car she wants to drive now, not the one that might be easier to fix/justify/rationalize ten years from now.
Jan 24th 2010, 7:34 pm
#50
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Re: Best driving conditions for a hybrid
However, a car is a very expensive purchase and, unlike housing which (used to!) appreciate, is likely to lose a lot of value and cost a lot along the way. You may be happy to buy the impulse car of your dreams, but I've always avoided sinking money into cars. I've got two homes to maintain, I eat out every night, and I'm seriously planning on retiring soon ... so I don't want to spend a penny more on cars than I have to. Future maintenance is a huge potential cost in a vehicle.
Jan 25th 2010, 3:05 am
#51
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Re: Best driving conditions for a hybrid
You may be happy to buy the impulse car of your dreams, but I've always avoided sinking money into cars. I've got two homes to maintain, I eat out every night, and I'm seriously planning on retiring soon ... so I don't want to spend a penny more on cars than I have to. Future maintenance is a huge potential cost in a vehicle.
FWIW I just got rid of a 12 year old Taurus (that I bought new) for a 2008 4Runner. My wife drives a 1992 Camry... so we know all about not sinking a lot of money into cars.
Jan 25th 2010, 3:32 am
#52
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Re: Best driving conditions for a hybrid
I've had a Camry Hybrid for a couple of years...average just under 40mpg, doing a mixture of highway and downtown driving on my commute.
Best traffic conditions for fuel economy are when you're at a steady 40mph, as someone else said for regular highway driving it's not that much different to a regular petrol engine. The battery is recharged by braking.
Best traffic conditions for fuel economy are when you're at a steady 40mph, as someone else said for regular highway driving it's not that much different to a regular petrol engine. The battery is recharged by braking.
Jan 25th 2010, 3:34 am
#53
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Re: Best driving conditions for a hybrid
I'm not sure I'd want the whole stigma that goes along with owning a hybrid. Although, I guess if it worked in my situation I'd consider it, and damn what anyone thinks.
Jan 25th 2010, 3:50 am
#55
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Re: Best driving conditions for a hybrid
I live in South Park, all I have seen have been passing through.
Jan 25th 2010, 4:01 am
#56
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Jan 25th 2010, 5:41 am
#57
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Re: Best driving conditions for a hybrid
My g/f wants to buy a hybrid. She hates driving in general, and only drives about 4 miles a day in the local area - no freeway driving. I'm concerned that this type of driving is not going to be all that good for the car - the battery won't get a good charge from 'coasting', and so the engine will be on all the time - defeating the purpose of the hybrid.
Is this a fair analysis of the situation? I'm a techie-geek but have not really researched hybrids; my assumptions above are based on a limited understanding.
My guess is a hybrid will function best when you do plenty of freeway driving, where the coasting will charge the battery.
I suppose I have two issues - 1) will the type of driving she does be harmful to the car (specifically, the battery - an expensive component to replace) and 2) will she see any benefit from the hybrid in terms of gas mileage (makes little sense to pay a premium for a hybrid if you don't get any payback whatsoever in gas consumption).
I'd love to find a website that explains the trade-offs, optimal usage patterns, etc ...
Is this a fair analysis of the situation? I'm a techie-geek but have not really researched hybrids; my assumptions above are based on a limited understanding.
My guess is a hybrid will function best when you do plenty of freeway driving, where the coasting will charge the battery.
I suppose I have two issues - 1) will the type of driving she does be harmful to the car (specifically, the battery - an expensive component to replace) and 2) will she see any benefit from the hybrid in terms of gas mileage (makes little sense to pay a premium for a hybrid if you don't get any payback whatsoever in gas consumption).
I'd love to find a website that explains the trade-offs, optimal usage patterns, etc ...
I have a Prius, love the gas mileage, love the size of the car too for the small town driving I do. We have driven it across the States to CA and had no problems...little slow at climbing though.
I only use it about 3 times a week and don't drive it more than maybe 20 miles at a time, I think it does harm the battery, the battery in mine has had to be jumped a couple of times, and when we took it in for a service, they said it needed a new one.
We are going to trade it in later this year and I am wanting to get something bigger, maybe a small SUV, I would be happy to get another hybrid though and at least the next one will get driven more
Jan 25th 2010, 8:59 am
#58
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Re: Best driving conditions for a hybrid
I wouldn't call a Camry hybrid the impulse car of my dreams... she wasn't looking for a Ferrari or Lamborghini.
FWIW I just got rid of a 12 year old Taurus (that I bought new) for a 2008 4Runner. My wife drives a 1992 Camry... so we know all about not sinking a lot of money into cars.
FWIW I just got rid of a 12 year old Taurus (that I bought new) for a 2008 4Runner. My wife drives a 1992 Camry... so we know all about not sinking a lot of money into cars.
A car is the second biggest purchase for most people after a home. Spending $4k extra for a hybrid (or whatever it is), and signing up for the likely extra maintenance down the road is a big financial concern for me. Before I knew better, I bought cars based on 'other factors' and ended up fixing blown head gaskets, being stuck by the side of the road, and being hit by big maintenance bills. I've heard that Hybrids have very expensive batteries and that's the one thing you don't want to 'abuse', so my original question was based on whether or not her driving pattern would adversely affect the battery.
Haven't (yet) read the full thread, so forgive me if I am repeating someone else here.
I have a Prius, love the gas mileage, love the size of the car too for the small town driving I do. We have driven it across the States to CA and had no problems...little slow at climbing though.
I only use it about 3 times a week and don't drive it more than maybe 20 miles at a time, I think it does harm the battery, the battery in mine has had to be jumped a couple of times, and when we took it in for a service, they said it needed a new one.
We are going to trade it in later this year and I am wanting to get something bigger, maybe a small SUV, I would be happy to get another hybrid though and at least the next one will get driven more
I have a Prius, love the gas mileage, love the size of the car too for the small town driving I do. We have driven it across the States to CA and had no problems...little slow at climbing though.
I only use it about 3 times a week and don't drive it more than maybe 20 miles at a time, I think it does harm the battery, the battery in mine has had to be jumped a couple of times, and when we took it in for a service, they said it needed a new one.
We are going to trade it in later this year and I am wanting to get something bigger, maybe a small SUV, I would be happy to get another hybrid though and at least the next one will get driven more
Jan 25th 2010, 9:19 am
#59
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Re: Best driving conditions for a hybrid
A car is the second biggest purchase for most people after a home. Spending $4k extra for a hybrid (or whatever it is), and signing up for the likely extra maintenance down the road is a big financial concern for me. Before I knew better, I bought cars based on 'other factors' and ended up fixing blown head gaskets, being stuck by the side of the road, and being hit by big maintenance bills. I've heard that Hybrids have very expensive batteries and that's the one thing you don't want to 'abuse', so my original question was based on whether or not her driving pattern would adversely affect the battery.
How much are they telling you the new battery is going to cost? This is exactly my concern, that 'some' driving patterns are going to damage the battery!
How much are they telling you the new battery is going to cost? This is exactly my concern, that 'some' driving patterns are going to damage the battery!
Jan 25th 2010, 9:38 am
#60
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Re: Best driving conditions for a hybrid
Not sure about that and the warranty Boiler, will ask hubby tonight when we talk on skype.
