actual fuel economy peak hr drive

I can easily get 70 MPG in highway traffic congestions. There is not really a complete stop because I plan and leave some extra room infront of me.

I took a video in such condition so I can just link like this.

 

Even if you do come to a complete stop the ICE turns off and doesn't use any fuel. Miami traffic SUX. In heavy traffic the ICE will not come on much since light acceleration is done with the electric motor and when stopped the ICE is off. Mostly the ICE will come on when the BAtt gets low on charge esp. if you are using the A/C.

 

Conventional cars are extremely inefficient under creep-and-go conditions because their engines are always operating so far outside their optimal power output. The Prius, on the other hand, runs its engine always much closer to optimal power output. The excess power is used to charge the battery, and when the battery is sufficiently charged, then the car shuts the engine off and meets low-speed low-power-demand driving, such as creep-and-go from the battery and electric motors.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(clayton4115 @ Nov 21 2007, 05:11 PM) [snapback]542617[/snapback]</div>

Then, this video may help.
http://video.google.ca/videosearch?q=prius+hv+battery

When the traffic get slower with complete stops, one can rely on HV battery power alone.

Note that, the slope of that section of the highway is mostly downhill. I was able to go 1.5 miles with one bar. Depending on the gradient of the hill, AC usage, and acceleration speed, you may get less mile out of the battery. For me, 95% of the time, traffic jam is over before the battery runs low enough for the engine to kick solely to recharge it. ideally, you want to recharge the battery when the car is moving.