The Boston Globe - Readers take the wheel

Readers take the wheel

Q. I have heard that hybrid gasoline/electric cars can suffer greatly in cold weather and when air conditioning is used. Given the substantial extra cost and probable extra maintenance expenses, do hybrids really save on price and operation?

A. "Some say the world will end in fire.

"Some say in ice."

Robert Frost, sometimes of New Hampshire, wrote those lines.

He posed a great metaphysical issue, but did not answer your question: How does temperature affect a hybrid gasoline/electric vehicle? Did you ever pick up a flashlight on a freezing winter day only to find that its batteries are hobbled by the chill? That happens in hybrid battery packs, as well, with a 10-20 percent reduction in their capabilities. Also, starting a hybrid in cold weather means that the gasoline portion of the engine will work ever harder to warm itself - and thus burn more fuel.

And as to fire, on a hot day, you likely will be running your air conditioner or have your windows open. That, too, takes away from fuel economy and is one reason that new Environmental Protection Agency figures on the vaunted hybrid Toyota Prius have dropped from 55 miles per gallon to 46. The old tests did not account for extremely cold or hot weather. Your tax dollars at work.

But do keep in mind, regular gasoline engines are affected as well by temperature changes. And I have seen no signs that hybrids require extra maintenance at high prices. Their prices are dropping, so the cost-effective question is still in play.

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The Boston Globe - Readers take the wheel

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