Why do cars suck?

[kirinn]

Just saw an article in Wired about a new batch of hybrid versions of older car models. They rated them, all have their pluses and minuses, but what amazed me was the measured real-world mileage: it ranged from 25-35MPG

Comments

[akiko]

It's my understanding that where hybrids outperform gas-powered cars is in city driving, because it switches to the electric motor when you're, say, at a traffic light. Or parked on the LA freeway. But at highway conditions, it gets about the same as a moderately fuel-efficient car.

[kirinn]

Yeah, but I seem to get better than 25MPG in city too, I think. Still lame.

[upsilon]

Actually, I get better mileage in our Prius on the highway than in stop-and-go traffic. I'll get 50 MPG on the highway, but our six-month average is around 43.

Stop-and-go traffic is the worst because although the gas engine may not be running while the vehicle is stopped, you're still using power (for the radio, headlights, windshield wipers, etc), which has to come from somewhere (usually gasoline unless you're stuck in stop-and-go traffic on top of a hill)...

[kirinn]

Well, it's good to hear the Prius still does better than my Golf. (Just measured almost exactly 33MPG on my most recent tank; admittedly mostly highway though not entirely, also with A/C for a few days in there.) But these new hybrids don't seem to be. Weird and lame.

[marphod]

I'll point out the model T got 21 MPG, and other early cars were in the 25-30MPG. Not only has technology not significantly improved with fuel consumption, it has actively regressed in cases. (Yeah, cars weigh more now and use power for other things than just motivation. Still.)

[kirinn]

And we also go for much higher top speeds now, etc, yes. But the freeway speed limit hasn't changed in the last 8 years, and though there may be a few more gadgets, I'd be amazed if they couldn't be powered with less juice than my A/C, which only seems to eat up a few MPG. Lame, lame, lame.

[tsubasa]

I don't know if this really has much to do with what you're saying or not, but I thought I'd throw this in - MPG estimates are not very accurate at all. In fact, they are so inaccurate that next year the EPA will be implementing new standards for how they measure MPG. So a lot of cars that supposedly have great mileage will suddenly seem to get less on a newer model.

For details, go here.

[kirinn]

That's all true, but the numbers I was quoting were from Wired's own tests (which I presume they got from real-world driving around, and they said were often like 5MPG lower than the EPA estimates), and I was comparing them to my own driving-around experience with my car, so yeah. Still lame, whether you're measuring in imaginary statistics land or the real world. ^_^

[protension]

FWIW, my 95 volkswagen gets 23-30+ mph also. check out teslamotors.com for actually good technology (and SUPER sexy cars).

[kirinn]

Oh man. I really want one of those. Can I put it on my Amazon wishlist?

...
*persuses more of their page*... No, I *really* want one. Do you think if they do well the price will come down at all in, oh a decade or so? Man....