Comments on: All-electric Mini Vs. Ford Fusion Hybrid

CNET's Martin LaMonica Test Drives Two "Green" Cars

[incog-nito]

Posted by nycsense at 1:59 PM : May 2, 2009

The Prius may be the only hybrid that makes some sense. But for most people the real incentive must be economic. As I mentioned, if people really want to do something right now they can trade in their SUVs for a regular gas car that gets 30/40 mpg. It would take at least 7 years of ownership of a hybrid to recoup the initial expense. And no need to wait for expensive, "exciting" newfangled technology either.

[nycsense]

I have a Ford Escape Hybrid and I am certainly not rich! The car did cost more than the regular version, but only by about $4000. If anyone thinks that you need to be rich to afford one is seriously misinformed. I get 28 MPG at most because I had to buy the 4 wheel drive version due to availability (it's heavier). I wanted to get the front wheel drive version because you can get 34 mpg. I need a bigger car because I have a family, and buying a gas-only car that gets 40 mpg was not an option because they are too small. it cost me $32K but I traded my Audi in which cost about the same when I bought it. So, it was an even trade for a bigger car with better gas mileage.

To correct incog-nito, the Prius costs only $22K and gets 50-60 mpg, so it does not have a limited range. As people buy more of the electric cars, the price will come down. Look at the HD Televisions for example. Ten years ago a 40" cost about $15,000 and it was a regular tube TV at that. I recently bought a 40" LCD HDTV at Target for $800. So in ten years the cost of these TVs have been reduced from $15,000 to less than $1000.

[incog-nito]

What's the better alternative for most people who want to save money AND reduce oil consumption:

1) Spend $30-40K on a hybrid, or electric car that has limited range.

2) Go out right now and buy a $10-15K on a regular gasoline car that gets 30-40 mpg.

But I guess some people would rather LOOK eco-conscious than actually doing something realistic and practical about it.

[D1234567890123456789]

Yes_ABWH_Fan, spot on, braking unnecessarily to accelerate later will cost energy (braking never recovers 100% of the energy used to accelerate), and coasting for an electric is quite safe (one can also argue that it is safe for an ICE), the power is available instantaneously. Coasting for an ICE downhill through a woodland can also be a very pleasant trip where the engine quietens and one hears the whistling of the wind.

[D1234567890123456789]

Yes_ABWH_Fan, spot on, braking unnecessarily to accelerate later will cost energy (braking never recovers 100% of the energy used to accelerate), and coasting for an electric is quite safe (one can also argue that it is safe for an ICE), the power is available instantaneously. Coasting for an ICE downhill through a woodland can also be a very pleasant trip where the engine quietens and one hears the whistling of the wind.

[Yes_ABWH_Fan]

The Mini defaulting to regen-braking when letting off the gas, as opposed to simply coasting, is actually energy-WASTEFUL. Due to inertial loss, their method requires you to be "on the grid", albeit indirectly, the entire time you drive! You actually expend energy to go down small hills, which is totally unnecessary. Inertia lost must be made up eventually, with power from the batteries. Regen Braking should only happen when actually pressing the brake pedal, NOT simply letting off the "go" pedal.

[budmag06]

The solution to our auto industry's woes is very simple and that is to produce inexpensive, small and dependable electric cars.