EV world article

[electricity_guzzler]

"The car that started the hybrid craze, the Toyota Prius, is lauded for squeezing 40 or more miles out of a gallon of gas, and it really can. But only when it's being driven around town, where its electric motor does its best and most active work. On a cross-country excursion in a Prius, the staff of Automobile Magazine discovered mileage plummeted on the Interstate. In fact, the car's computer, which controls the engine and the motor, allowing them to run together or separately, was programmed to direct the Prius to spend most of its highway time running on gasoline because at higher speeds the batteries quickly get exhausted. Indeed, the gasoline engine worked so hard that we calculated we might have used less fuel on our journey if we had been driving Toyota's conventionally powered, similarly sized Corolla — which costs thousands less. For the owner who does the majority of her driving on the highway, the Prius's potential for fuel economy will never be realized and its price premium never recovered."

http://www.evworld.com/view.cfm?section=co...ue&newsid=11636

[Rancid13]

The article is a bit misleading in the synopsis where it mentions that the Prius' fuel economy will never be realized through mainly highway driving. In my experiences where I've driven long distances on the highway/freeway, I achieved 45-46 miles per gallon at speeds of 75-85mph. IMO, that's not too bad of FE, especially for a midsized vehicle.

[rustyj]

312 mile trip yesterday 1-way, numerous elevation changes, winding roads, etc, speeds up to 70+, but most of trip at speed limit(s). Trip took 6.5 hours, 53.0 MPG

[kfarad]

" Source: New York Times "

???

I thought this was a reliable news source...

[benighted]

Does anyone do actual research before they write articles? No, renting a Prius and driving it like its a racecar is NOT good method of research.

[finally_got_one]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(electricity_guzzler @ May 30 2006, 12:34 PM) [snapback]262903[/snapback]</div>

"The car that started the hybrid craze, the Toyota Prius, is lauded for squeezing 40 or more miles out of a gallon of gas, and it really can. But only when it's being driven around town, where its electric motor does its best and most active work. On a cross-country excursion in a Prius, the staff of Automobile Magazine discovered mileage plummeted on the Interstate. In fact, the car's computer, which controls the engine and the motor, allowing them to run together or separately, was programmed to direct the Prius to spend most of its highway time running on gasoline because at higher speeds the batteries quickly get exhausted. Indeed, the gasoline engine worked so hard that we calculated we might have used less fuel on our journey if we had been driving Toyota's conventionally powered, similarly sized Corolla — which costs thousands less. For the owner who does the majority of her driving on the highway, the Prius's potential for fuel economy will never be realized and its price premium never recovered."

http://www.evworld.com/view.cfm?section=co...ue&newsid=11636
[/b]

Odd...I get my best fuel economy on the freeway! Before making a trip to LAX, I refilled the tank. At the end of the trip (home to LAX and back), the MFD read 58 mpg...I suppose it depends on how you drive the car. Then again, I didn't go 70 mph...traffic wasn't that fast. Started with a near full SOC, too...

[PriusDad]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(electricity_guzzler @ May 30 2006, 12:34 PM) [snapback]262903[/snapback]</div>

For the owner who does the majority of her driving on the highway, the Prius's potential for fuel economy will never be realized and its price premium never recovered."

http://www.evworld.com/view.cfm?section=co...ue&newsid=11636
[/b]

I don't think that BMW, Porche, or Mercedes owners ever recover their (brand) price premium either. And yet no articles ever seem to mention that. For whatever 'premium' you pay for the hybrid technology in a Prius, you do get exceptional all-around mileage, and stunningly low emissions. A good deal in my estimation.

And it's a hell of a lot better looking car than a Corolla too.

Peter.

P.S.: And speaking of good looking cars, my picture up and to the left there is actually a Toyota hybrid. From Toyota's site:

In 1800, Alessandro Volta arranged zinc and copper discs in a column and invented the battery. 204 years later, Toyota has electrified automotive history with the first high-performance hybrid, named in his honor. The Giugiaro-designed carbon-fiber body seats three people abreast and features "drive-by-wire" controls, allowing you to position the steering wheel and pedals in front of any one of them. And the Volta's 408-hp Hybrid Synergy Drive® (a 3.3-liter V6 with an electric motor for each axle) not only delivers 435 miles on a 13.7-gallon tank, but 0-60 acceleration in a mere four seconds. Somewhere, Count Volta is smiling.[/b]

Wow... 31mpg from a 408-hp drive train... now that's cool.

[hdrygas]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(benighted @ May 30 2006, 01:01 PM) [snapback]262924[/snapback]</div>

Does anyone do actual research before they write articles? No, renting a Prius and driving it like its a racecar is NOT good method of research.
[/b]

What I an guessing is that they take their "research" from the highest bidder for their services. God help the third estate.

[galaxee]

75-80 mph for about 1200 miles (straight) through the eastern half of the country. mountains, hills, flat land, a little of everything.

42 mpg, a consequence of driving up north in january.

[Catskillguy]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(electricity_guzzler @ May 30 2006, 03:34 PM) [snapback]262903[/snapback]</div>

"The car that started the hybrid craze, the Toyota Prius, is lauded for squeezing 40 or more miles out of a gallon of gas, and it really can. But only when it's being driven around town, where its electric motor does its best and most active work. On a cross-country excursion in a Prius, the staff of Automobile Magazine discovered mileage plummeted on the Interstate. In fact, the car's computer, which controls the engine and the motor, allowing them to run together or separately, was programmed to direct the Prius to spend most of its highway time running on gasoline because at higher speeds the batteries quickly get exhausted. Indeed, the gasoline engine worked so hard that we calculated we might have used less fuel on our journey if we had been driving Toyota's conventionally powered, similarly sized Corolla — which costs thousands less. For the owner who does the majority of her driving on the highway, the Prius's potential for fuel economy will never be realized and its price premium never recovered."

http://www.evworld.com/view.cfm?section=co...ue&newsid=11636
[/b]

Hmmm.. I do maybe 75% in interstate... Guess my warm weather 55mpg must be a mistake.... Maybe if I did 75mph I would only avg 50mpg