"Demand for hybrids leads to waiting lists" - article

[local_host]

Demand for hybrids leads to waiting lists

Car makers sometimes cannot keep up with demand

By Simmi Aujla
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
It was over in four minutes. By 9:04 a.m. Saturday, seven people at Charles Maund Toyota in Austin had seen their names drawn from a paper bag and knew that they had won the chance to buy a Prius.
The customers won't have their hands on the cars for another three weeks, when the Priuses roll into the dealership from a distributor in Houston. But at least they had won certainty; that is more than the 30 other hybrid-seekers who left Charles Maund that morning could say.

[pdhenry]

Originally Posted by local_host

The most fuel-efficient cars
Model City mpg Highway mpg
Toyota Prius Base 35 50

35??
Where did they get those numbers? It's not EPA, nor is it "real world" unless you're drag racing or something.

[lenjack]

Should be city 55, highway 51.

[onlynark]

Originally Posted by lenjack

Should be city 55, highway 51.

new epa is 48/45

[ForTheGlory]

Maybe I'm just a bad driver, but has anyone here ever gotten better city mileage than highway? Unless "city" means driving at 47 miles per hour with no traffic lights, I always do better on the highway.

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by ForTheGlory

Maybe I'm just a bad driver, but has anyone here ever gotten better city mileage than highway? Unless "city" means driving at 47 miles per hour with no traffic lights, I always do better on the highway.

City driving means 40 to 45 and only a few stops. I always get better city mileage than highway.

Edit: Here is a quote that describes the EPA process:

The "city" program is designed to replicate an urban rush-hour driving experience in which the vehicle is started with the engine cold and is driven in stop-and-go traffic with frequent idling. The car or truck is driven for 11 miles and makes 23 stops over the course of 31 minutes, with an average speed of 20 mph and a top speed of 56 mph. The "highway" program, on the other hand, is created to emulate rural and interstate freeway driving with a warmed-up engine, making no stops (both of which ensure maximum fuel economy). The vehicle is driven for 10 miles over a period of 12.5 minutes with an average speed of 48 mph and a top speed of 60 mph. Both fuel economy tests are performed with the vehicle's air conditioning and other accessories turned off.

and here is the link to the full article:
HowStuffWorks "How the EPA Tests and Rates Fuel Economy"

Tom

[local_host]

Originally Posted by ForTheGlory

Maybe I'm just a bad driver, but has anyone here ever gotten better city mileage than highway? Unless "city" means driving at 47 miles per hour with no traffic lights, I always do better on the highway.

Same here, I always get better MPGs on the highway, but then again I do alot of long distance driving on the expressways (between 30 minutes to 1, 2, 3 hours etc.)

I guess the main reason is that I drive "slow", between 61 and 67 (slower at night if possible) and keep it on cruise control. In the city where I live, the arterial road network is pathetically lacking and what little there is, is filled with traffic lights (plus they're unsynchronized!!) and the terrain is hilly.....

Every acceleration after a stop light kills the MPGs, especially with the A/C on full blast under the 100 degree weather- which I guess taxes the electric motor so it can't perform optimally, leaving the ICE to bear more of the load.. ?

Ex. Recently finished a long distance round trip, 1 hr both ways: MPG @ 53. After a couple of city driving days, MPGs down to 48 and quickly falling (as always). It'll probably hover around 45.

[Ichiro]

I've noticed a lot more brand new Honda Civic Hybrids on the road lately, too ... I think they are not as difficult to find as the Prius now (?)

[dwdean]

I don't know how I missed this thread a couple of weeks back....but honestly I'm a little shocked. As someone who lived in Austin for 10 years, they usually did better: 35/50? Where'd they get those numbers from, or should I ask?

Does the title of this thread come directly from The Book of Duh! (I'm guessing chapter 1, verse 1)? Sorry, it had to be said.

The bit with the contracter who "expects to pay about $40" to fill his Prius really gave me a chuckle. Either gas in Travis county has gotten (or rather was) really expensive, or he hasn't met Mr. Fuel Bladder yet. I'd love to be there when those two meet.

OK, ok, I've never driven the car to the last PIP flashing, but I've never come close to a $40 fill-up, and hopefully won't until one or more of the following occur:

a) I take a long trip;
b) Gas prices go to something on the order of $5.30/gallon.