The Top Ten Hybrid Myths

jkash · 02-01-2006, 09:22 AM

The Top Ten Hybrid Myths

If you are having a tough time separating hybrid truth from reality, you're not alone. The warp-speed adoption of hybrids into popular culture -- and into hundreds of thousands of American driveways -- has produced more than a little confusion and misinformation. Most industry analysts predict the continued growth of gas-electric vehicles, with estimates ranging from 600,000 to 1,000,000 hybrid sales in the U.S. by 2010, so this is a good time to debunk the 10 most prevalent myths about hybrid cars.

1. You need to plug in a hybrid car.
As soon as the word "electricity" is spoken, you think of plugs, cords, and wall sockets. But today's hybrid cars don't need to be plugged in. Auto engineers have developed an ingenious system known as regenerative braking. Energy usually lost when a vehicle is slowing down or stopping is reclaimed and routed to the hybrid's rechargeable batteries. The process is automatic, so no special requirements are placed on the driver.

Read more.

JMcPhee · 02-01-2006, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jkash@Feb 1 2006, 07:22 AM
The Top Ten Hybrid Myths

If you are having a tough time separating hybrid truth from reality, you're not alone. The warp-speed adoption of hybrids into popular culture -- and into hundreds of thousands of American driveways -- has produced more than a little confusion and misinformation. Most industry analysts predict the continued growth of gas-electric vehicles, with estimates ranging from 600,000 to 1,000,000 hybrid sales in the U.S. by 2010, so this is a good time to debunk the 10 most prevalent myths about hybrid cars.

1. You need to plug in a hybrid car.
As soon as the word "electricity" is spoken, you think of plugs, cords, and wall sockets. But today's hybrid cars don't need to be plugged in. Auto engineers have developed an ingenious system known as regenerative braking. Energy usually lost when a vehicle is slowing down or stopping is reclaimed and routed to the hybrid's rechargeable batteries. The process is automatic, so no special requirements are placed on the driver.

Read more.

[snapback]201792[/snapback]

Great article for the hybrid newbie. had to laugh reading the "readers comment" made by "Artie"... there's one jack@$$ in every bunch, isn't there? I was disappointed I couldn't respond to him in order to talk about what HE failed to mention, that ALL cars get lower mileage than the sticker projects.... oh well...

priusblue · 02-01-2006, 10:49 AM

It was nice to read an article about hybrids that really sums it up well. I have a few friends who seem all upset that I bought a prius - not sure if they think I spent way too much money, or if they're jealous of my mileage

, I may send them this! Thanks.

darelldd · 02-01-2006, 12:23 PM

Well, the only part I have a problem with is the first one that you quoted here.

It isn't that I don't *have to* plug it in... it is that I do not *get to* plug it in!

The implication here, is that nobody in their right mind would ever want to plug in their car. Well, it sure beats going to the gas station, and plugging in the fuel nozzel! And the implication in that first myth is that the battery is completely charged by braking... and that all braking energy can be reclaimed. It even seems to imply that plug-in cars would put "special requirements" on the driver. <_< Debunking one myth while supporting others? hmmm.

Oops. Sorry. Off my box... Umph.

TimBikes · 02-01-2006, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JMcPhee@Feb 1 2006, 08:43 AM
Great article for the hybrid newbie. had to laugh reading the "readers comment" made by "Artie"... there's one jack@$$ in every bunch, isn't there? I was disappointed I couldn't respond to him in order to talk about what HE failed to mention, that ALL cars get lower mileage than the sticker projects.... oh well...

[snapback]201827[/snapback]

My thoughts too.

SAPrius · 02-01-2006, 12:38 PM

Nice article...
I sent them this email to add to their reader comments. I'm paraphrasing just a bit.

"How about some real world numbers. Since purchasing our 2005 Toyota Prius ten months ago and 15k trouble-free miles, we've logged 300 gallons of gas and averaged 52mpg per tank since day one. Assuming an average price of $2.30 per gallon, our gas bill for the Prius has been about $690. If we had driven those same miles in our small truck that averages 22mpg, that figure would be about $1560. Had we driven those same miles in our now sold 13mpg conversion van, that figure would be about $2600.

For us, the Prius has been the perfect car. The best built, the best mileage, the lowest polluting, and the money we've saved at the gas pump, we've applied to our retirement. Seems smart to us!

As for insurance, we pay less than $800 per year for the Prius. Simply put, this is the best vehicle we've owned".

Yeah, the comments by "Artie" were pretty naive.

djasonw · 02-01-2006, 01:38 PM

Artie sounds like a real schmuck!! Prius envy always seems to rear its ugly head.

LaughingMan · 02-01-2006, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SAPrius@Feb 1 2006, 01:38 PM
Nice article...
I sent them this email to add to their reader comments. I'm paraphrasing just a bit.

"How about some real world numbers. Since purchasing our 2005 Toyota Prius ten months ago and 15k trouble-free miles, we've logged 300 gallons of gas and averaged 52mpg per tank since day one. Assuming an average price of $2.30 per gallon, our gas bill for the Prius has been about $690. If we had driven those same miles in our small truck that averages 22mpg, that figure would be about $1560. Had we driven those same miles in our now sold 13mpg conversion van, that figure would be about $2600.

For us, the Prius has been the perfect car. The best built, the best mileage, the lowest polluting, and the money we've saved at the gas pump, we've applied to our retirement. Seems smart to us!

As for insurance, we pay less than $800 per year for the Prius. Simply put, this is the best vehicle we've owned".

Yeah, the comments by "Artie" were pretty naive.

[snapback]201938[/snapback]

that's about the same as I pay for insurance on my Prius. A very reasonable cost if you ask me. Rock on!

JackDodge · 02-01-2006, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JMcPhee@Feb 1 2006, 10:43 AM
Great article for the hybrid newbie. had to laugh reading the "readers comment" made by "Artie"... there's one jack@$$ in every bunch, isn't there? I was disappointed I couldn't respond to him in order to talk about what HE failed to mention, that ALL cars get lower mileage than the sticker projects.... oh well...

[snapback]201827[/snapback]

I have to wonder if Artie is a Prius owner himself or if he's just parroting the common complaint from people who don't know how to drive to get good mileage anyway. One of those guys who's always demanding that the writer get all the facts when he himself has none of the facts himself.

VaPrius · 02-02-2006, 05:53 AM

Real-world-numbers: 48mpg, saving me $335 since Oct. 22. And I almost always drive over the speed limit.

02-01-2006, 09:22 AM	#1
jkash Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: West Hills, CA Posts: 861 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	The Top Ten Hybrid Myths If you are having a tough time separating hybrid truth from reality, you're not alone. The warp-speed adoption of hybrids into popular culture -- and into hundreds of thousands of American driveways -- has produced more than a little confusion and misinformation. Most industry analysts predict the continued growth of gas-electric vehicles, with estimates ranging from 600,000 to 1,000,000 hybrid sales in the U.S. by 2010, so this is a good time to debunk the 10 most prevalent myths about hybrid cars. 1. You need to plug in a hybrid car. As soon as the word "electricity" is spoken, you think of plugs, cords, and wall sockets. But today's hybrid cars don't need to be plugged in. Auto engineers have developed an ingenious system known as regenerative braking. Energy usually lost when a vehicle is slowing down or stopping is reclaimed and routed to the hybrid's rechargeable batteries. The process is automatic, so no special requirements are placed on the driver. Read more. __________________ Jeff Mr. Kash's Prius Page

02-01-2006, 12:23 PM	#4
darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northern CA Posts: 5,336 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 18 Thanked 44 Times in 32 Posts Friends: 12	Well, the only part I have a problem with is the first one that you quoted here. It isn't that I don't have to plug it in... it is that I do not get to plug it in! The implication here, is that nobody in their right mind would ever want to plug in their car. Well, it sure beats going to the gas station, and plugging in the fuel nozzel! And the implication in that first myth is that the battery is completely charged by braking... and that all braking energy can be reclaimed. It even seems to imply that plug-in cars would put "special requirements" on the driver. <_< Debunking one myth while supporting others? hmmm. Oops. Sorry. Off my box... Umph. __________________ -= Darell the EV Nut =- * EV Pages * Prius pages * PLEASE avoid sending me PMs!

02-01-2006, 12:38 PM	#6
SAPrius Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 138 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Nice article... I sent them this email to add to their reader comments. I'm paraphrasing just a bit. "How about some real world numbers. Since purchasing our 2005 Toyota Prius ten months ago and 15k trouble-free miles, we've logged 300 gallons of gas and averaged 52mpg per tank since day one. Assuming an average price of $2.30 per gallon, our gas bill for the Prius has been about $690. If we had driven those same miles in our small truck that averages 22mpg, that figure would be about $1560. Had we driven those same miles in our now sold 13mpg conversion van, that figure would be about $2600. For us, the Prius has been the perfect car. The best built, the best mileage, the lowest polluting, and the money we've saved at the gas pump, we've applied to our retirement. Seems smart to us! As for insurance, we pay less than $800 per year for the Prius. Simply put, this is the best vehicle we've owned". Yeah, the comments by "Artie" were pretty naive. __________________ Super White, 05. At 70k miles, lifetime average remains at 52.8 mpg. Best wishes from sunny San Antonio!

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02-01-2006, 10:49 AM	#3
priusblue Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 152 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	It was nice to read an article about hybrids that really sums it up well. I have a few friends who seem all upset that I bought a prius - not sure if they think I spent way too much money, or if they're jealous of my mileage , I may send them this! Thanks.

02-01-2006, 01:38 PM	#7
djasonw Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Belle Harbor, NY Posts: 645 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 26 Thanked 20 Times in 19 Posts Friends: 1	Artie sounds like a real schmuck!! Prius envy always seems to rear its ugly head.

02-02-2006, 05:53 AM	#10
VaPrius Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 150 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Real-world-numbers: 48mpg, saving me $335 since Oct. 22. And I almost always drive over the speed limit.