Hybrid car owners wonder: Where's the mileage?

USA Today | 2/3/2004 | David Kiley

[traumer]

Some owners of gas-electric hybrid vehicles complain that they aren't getting the sky-high mileage promised on the window sticker.

To blame are a mix of factors, from unrealistic expectations to poor driving to bad weather.

In November, Andrew Bartell, a San Anselmo, Calif., information technology project manager, bought a 2004 Honda Civic hybrid with an Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy rating of 47 mpg in city driving, 48 on the highway. But Bartell says he actually is getting between 34 and 36 mpg.

He says Honda told him the EPA rating is based on a test of "ideal" driving conditions. "The stated mileage is a complete lie. ... I do not know of a single road in the U.S. that would qualify as ideal," Bartell says.

Honda spokesman Andy Boyd says Bartell isn't the only Civic hybrid buyer complaining. In fact, Boyd says he gets between 39 mpg and 41 mpg in his Civic hybrid. "The EPA test is an ideal for any vehicle, but it especially favors hybrids and probably sets up too high an expectation," Boyd says.

The EPA test is about 40 years old, and automakers say it is out of date with today's driving habits. The city-driving test simulates an 11-mile, stop-and-go trip with an average speed of 20 miles an hour and a maximum speed of 56 mph. The test has 23 stops and includes time for the vehicle to idle at a standstill.

The highway test simulates a 10-mile trip and averages 48 mph with a maximum of 60 mph. Testers subtract 10% in the city test and 22% in the highway test to account for real-world driving.

Toyota has been racking up complaints from owners beefing about not hitting the 51 mph highway/60 mpg city mileage advertised for its Prius hybrid. Low- to mid-40s is closer to reality.

Prius uses the electric battery more than the gasoline engine in city driving. That's why, "The best place to maximize the gas mileage of the Prius is in stop-and-go city driving and California commuting where cars rock back and forth between 25 mph and 45 mph," Toyota spokesman John Hanson says.

Drivers who lead-foot the accelerator or brake hurt mileage in any vehicle but are apt to regularly undershoot the optimal fuel economy of hybrids by as much as 10 to 15 miles per gallon.

Hybrids draw some power for the electric battery from braking. But if a driver punches the gas pedal between lights and weaves in and out of traffic, necessitating hard braking, energy that would go to the battery is wasted on the brakes. That means more gas is needed to recharge the battery.

"Traditional driving tips for better fuel economy help maximize hybrid fuel economy even more," says Tom Watson, head of hybrid and electric-vehicle powertrains for Ford, which plans to sell a hybrid Escape sport-utility vehicle this summer. "That means mild acceleration and mild braking."

Beyond drivers' control, extreme weather can play havoc with hybrid gas mileage. Batteries work less efficiently in temperatures below 32 degrees, and if a driver takes a lot of short trips during a cold week, mileage will suffer. In hot weather, running the air conditioning in a car costs 10% to 20% of fuel economy.

Exacerbating the complaints: Hybrids show running gas mileage results on the dashboard, so drivers are constantly reminded of fuel efficiency.

"Prius owners who don't know each other pull up beside one another, roll down our windows and shout out what mileage we are getting," says Prius owner John Fragnant of Apple Valley, Minn., who has a Web site for Prius buyers. "That happens all the time."

[alnitak]

Crikey. I used to get a steady 40mpg in my Nissan Primera (4 door sedan). No swanky technology, sweet engine though. Driving style matters a lot...

[cinFLA]

I am a cynical Rebel - I have believed that the Japanese carmakers have been tinkering with their vehicles to optimize the tested fuel economy for a long time now. I have not seen any study comparing reported actual fuel economy versus EPA tested mileage, but I know I never got anywhere near the number printed on the window sticker.

My mother's I35 exceeds the published numbers (even when I drive it).

[jtminton]

No doubt! I lived in the U Dist and worked in Bellevue and it would take me 45 min+ to make the 8 mile commute on 520. That's why I got a motorcycle. HOV lanes rock!

Too bad here in Texas I-35 is too d@mn straight to be any fun on a bike. Oh well.

[BrooklynGOP]

I get 21-22 mpg in my maxima se.

[38special]

I don't keep track of gas mileage because I don't really care. Comfort, safety and performance matter more to me than gas mileage. I'd estimate 15mpg in my truck and 20 in my cars. Good enough for me.

[KOZ.]

dont like the subaru? i've heard good things about em.

[Squantos]

TDI BTTT !

[Bryan24]

I have a '93 Civic. I STILL get 38 mpg driving back and forth to work (17 mile trip one way) in Huntsville, Alabama.

I get upwards of 40 mpg on the highway. And it will still run over 110 MPH....

[camle]

to hell with it all, i'm buying a jag.

[pt17]

But Bartell says he actually is getting between 34 and 36 mpg.

Hmmm. My wife's (older) BMW gets between 30 and 40 mpg, depending.

[AppyPappy]

It's great but it can't hold a candle to a big heavy SUV. The best thing is that I can climb any hill in snow and ice. But it will get out from under you in a heartbeat if you use the gas too much.

[dts32041]

My non-hybrid diesel beetle gets 40 mph for city driving and as high as 50 mph on the interstate.

Probably cost 10 15 thousand less than a hybrid.

[Constitution Day]

The cars "intend" to get higher gas mileage that's what is important!!!

The path to more 'green' legislation is paved with such intentions.

[Constitution Day]

Was that the one you posted the pic of a while back? Sweet!

[DeFault User]

Our '03 Civic (automatic) gets low 30's in town and about 36-37 on highway trips. No complaints here especially since they improved the interior room compared to previous models. For comparison, the '03 Accord gets 24-25 city and low 30's on the highway.

[brianl703]

I've gotten 27-28 MPG highway in my 1988 Mustang 5.0 before. City driving usually around 20 MPG.

[Darksheare]

Well, I did drive a Geo Metro for a bit.
Even with an automatic transmission it got something approaching 43 MPG.
My VW Jetta is currently getting somewhere near 32 MPG.

The Hybrid cars should get best mileage when normal cars would get their worst.
The hybrid owners would get best mileage in stop and go traffic where normal cars get 17 MPG or less.
*snicker*
The hybrid car owners buy these cars and expect their highway mileage to be sky high as well.
Not gonna happen.
Hybrid cars also aren't getting the good performance promised.
They can barely get out of their own way.

Thanks for posting the article.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Have they fixed the electrical problems that have plagued it for +40 years?

[traumer]

Sorry only in Europe.... :o(
Honda Accord DIESEL !!!

http://www.channel4.com/apps26/4car/jsp/main.jsp?lnk=220&pageid=5776