Regular cars can beat hybrids

A recent study has found that “intelligent” cars could be just as efficient when it comes to saving fuel as regular electric-hybrid vehicles. An “intelligent” car is basically an ordinary vehicle fitted with an array of sensors known as telematics, which monitor and predict traffic flows by communicating with other sensors within a network. Information about traffic conditions further ahead can then be relayed to the car in advance in order to speed up or slow it down to avoid as much congestion as possible.
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Agent009 - 5/10/2007 10:18:54 AM

-1 Boost

In general all things given as equal. The less fuel you consume the less emissions you produce. So a lead footed Prius owner pollutes far more than a light footed owner, because the gasoline engine is engaged more and you burn more fuel.

1970toyotamarc - 5/10/2007 11:59:47 AM

+2 Boost

First of all, that statement is just flat out wrong. Hybrids produce far fewer emissions than the average car, no matter what combo of engine/motor is being used, and they produce ZERO emissions when just running on the battery.

Second, the headline is misleading....from the article... "According to the results, both cars managed an improvement in mileage rates of roughly 15-25%" BOTH cars. So with good driving, the hybrid still comes out on top.

When will hybrid bashing stop on Autospies?

EnnNorak - 5/10/2007 2:26:46 PM

0 Boost

We are never going to resolve the debate between greenies and the rest of us as to the merits of hybrids. I look at the financial aspects of car ownership strictly on the basis of life cycle cost and the high cost of replacing the hybrid's battery pack scares me. Even with plug-in hybrids one has to consider the cost of electricity and the environmental impact if the power company has to burn fossil fuels to generate that extra electricity.

Will_ - 5/10/2007 4:55:02 PM

+2 Boost

Hybrid arguments are always interesting here on this site. Hybrid despisers keep mentioning long-term ownership costs and battery production as reasons as to why we should continue to drive gas-guzzling, fuel-inefficient vehicles. What's up with that reasoning?

bagwell - 5/11/2007 8:26:22 AM

+2 Boost

2000 Honda Insight driver here. ho hum, avg 71mpg and I AM NOT A SLO-POKE! 702 on my first tank of gas. READ IT AND WEEP. I have no interest in paying the oil companies massive amounts of $$$$$ for gas....I have a 55 miles RT commute --- filled up over 2 weeks ago and still have almost 1/2 a tank of gas left. Screw you Exxon!! hahaha!