How much does a hybrid save on gas?

Question

How much does a hybrid save on gas?

Answer 1

A lot to a huge amount, depending on what you are comparing and how you drive, both your current car and a hybrid.

I do not get why people say it is not worth getting a Prius.  Many worry about the reliability of the car.  Car has been built since 1997 and first offered in the US in 2001.  These cars have collectively been driven millions of miles.  I would think my now Toyota has identified and corrected any "bugs" in the car.  Battery has an eight year, 100,000 mile warranty.

Second URL below is an article of a taxi driver with 240,000 miles (400,000 kilometers) on a Prius.  Original battery pack.  I had to read that article twice.  

Plus with a little change in driving habits (hypermiling), one can see huge increases in gas mileage with the Prius.  I for one will be looking at a new or slightly used Prius.  Gas will continue to rise until we drastically reduce gas consumption.

Answer 2

compared to what?

When you factor in the higher purchase price and higher maintenance cost, it won't be worth it.

Answer 3

one  billion dollars

Answer 4

Hi,

it depends on which hybrid you purchase, what you need it to do, and how far and what type of commute you have.

With a Prius, I get 51.7 mpg as a year long average with the A/C and stereo on. I check my tires at least once a week with a digital tire gauge, avoid ethanol blends (ethanol is grain alcohol and lowers mpg), avoid fast starts, and maximize nice, long, coasting stops.

However, in my FWD Sienna, I average 27 mpg with the A/C on and 29 with it off by doing the same things. I play either system like a game and try to get the best mpg with no modifications either way.

With a commute of at least 20-30 minutes you should expect a minimum of 10-15 mpg more over a similar standard vehicle. But with careful maintenance and driving habits, that should be closer to 15-20 mpg more.

Stay with me and I'll give you a full answer, but it will take some info.

There are multiple levels of hybrid:

1. A full hybrid is able to move and power the A/C using electricity only, the internal combustion engine (ICE) does not have to start. Think of the Prius.

2. A partial hybrid must have the ICE running to move or power the A/C, but the ICE is shut off at stops (if the A/C is not on). Think of the Civic Hybrid (with it's Integrated Motor Assist system, which boosts the performance of the ICE).

3. A mild hybrid must have the ICE running to move or power the A/C, just like any standard vehicle, but the ICE can be shut off at a stop. Think of the Malibu Hybrid.

The difference between a partial and a mild hybrid is the mild has no additional storage capacity for electrical energy, everything is powered by the ICE. A partial will have some electrical storage capacity in a seperate NiMH battery.

A full will have a much stronger NiMH battery and much stronger electrical motors/generators.

So you can get a small increase in mpg or a major one, depending on the type purchased.

The other thing to consider is what you need this vehicle to do. You will obviously get much higher mpg savings in a four door hatchback like the Prius than you will in a Highlander Hybrid SUV, but the HighHy will tow your 3500 lb. boat and seat eight pasengers.

The last point is what type of commute you have. Driving only 5-10 minutes each way is extremely wasteful - hybrid or standard vehicle - it doesn't matter.

Remember, an internal combustion engine (ICE) works best after it has warmed up to it's optimum operating temperature.

Ironically, cold ICE is inefficient ICE.

The major idea behind a electric/gas hybrid is the electric motor and NiMH storage provides power at low speeds or short distances where the ICE is not very efficient.

Once the vehicle gets up to speed, or runs long enough, the ICE provides more of the propulsion power.

The combination of the two allows one to provide more power when the other is not at it's operational best.

One of the best clues (besides the manufacturer saying if their hybrid is a full or not) is if the city mpg is higher or very close to the highway mpg. That tells you that vehicle is a full hybrid and will give you the most mpg possible.

One last point, a ful hybrid like the Prius is actually easier and costs less to maintain than a standard vehicle because there are less parts in general and less parts to maintain.

The Prius (and all Toyota hybrids) have no starters, no alternators, no mechanical steering pumps or steering belts, no timing belts, no mechanical throttles or throttle linkages, and the brake pads should last the life of the vehicle because of the regenerative braking system.

The actual per mile cost of maintenance of a Prius, for example, is .11 cents per mile for each 100,000 miles of operation. That includes gas at $3.75 per gallon, tires, oil changes and all regular maintenance at a Toyota dealership, not a corner cheapy lube.

I have posted the point by point details of this many times here in Answers. Do a search for it or just let me know.

If that doesn't cover it for you, let me know any specifics.

Answer 5

Well, I turned my existing fuel guzzler into a hybrid.

This will show you how http://www.waterpetrolcar.com

It workz!