Scientific Question : In the overall scheme of things -- DOES THE HYBRID CAR REALLY SAVE ENERGY ANYWAY ?
Anyone ??
Don't really think so and especially in light of recent articles disclosing the 'Real World' gas mileage of some hybrids - Much lower than what the EPA stats on the sticker showed.
If you could get a hydrogen fuel cell/solar panel car to work - then you would have something. :-)
I got flamed for pointing it out once but I know what I'm talking about. Hybrids only recover energy during deceleration and braking. They generally run on electric power only during acceleration from a near or dead stop.
Ar cruising speed, they run on gas.
So, say your in a little Honda Civic with a conventional power plant. That Hybrid Civic that passes you in the carpool lane is:
(a) Getting less gas mileage than you (Due to the heavy battery it's hauling)
(b)Polluting more that you (See above)
(c) Costing more to own than your car (Due to inflated purchase price)
(d) Now possibly qualifying for a huge tax break.
In stop and go traffic there is an increase in fuel economy and a decrease in emissions but, what the real numbers are, will never be widely published.
Hybrids are a gimmick. But the sheeple will follow.
There's alot of posters here that like to think themselves experts and who will say hybrids are a scam or words to that effect.
But if you really want to find out about hybrids, go talk to a hybrid owner or better to go to a car rental and rent one for a month or so. And keep in mind not all hybrids are the same. To be sure, make sure you talk to a Prius owner or rent one.
I know for a fact that the Toyota Prius gets greater than 50 mpg. I will repeat "it is a fact that the Prius gets greater than 50 mpg".
You and others can call me a liar but it will not change the fact that the Prius gets greater than 50 mpg.
But energy or greater mpg is not the real issue here. Everyone so far on this thread has missed the bigger issue.