How much energy do electric hybrids use?

Question

Saw the article here on the Aptera coming out, and a video a few days ago about another car(much more expensive) that would be able to get in excess of 200 miles per gallon. Then I say that they would need to be plugged in at night to achieve this. My question is, exactly how much energy will these new cars use? If I were to buy one of these and plug it in every night, I'd be saving on gas, but what would my electric bill look like at the end of the month?

Answer 1

In general, fully electric cars cost 2 cents per mile to recharge.  Since you're talking about the hybrid Aptera (typ-1h) and not the electric version (typ-1e), it would cost less than that, since some of the energy would be coming from the gasoline.

It would be pretty close to 2 cents per mile of electricity to recharge though.  In comparison, at $3/gallon a 30 mpg car costs 10 cents per mile to refuel, and a Prius costs 6 cents per mile.  So it's much cheaper than anything currently available.

Regarding the Air Car mentioned by another answerer, it's basically just an inefficient electric car.  The air compressor is run by electricity, and the energy is stored in the compressed air.  It's then used to mechanically push a piston up and down to move the car, and that process is much less efficient than an electric motor (which is 90% efficient).  That's why they have to make the Air Car so small and lightweight.

Answer 2

Not sure but it still can't beat the "World's Cleanest Car" when it comes to economy and being pollution free.

"BBC News is reporting that a French company has developed a pollution-free car which runs on compressed air. India's Tata Motors has the car under production and it may be on sale in Europe and India by the end of the year.

The air car, also known as the Mini-CAT or City Cat, can be refueled in minutes from an air compressor at specially equipped gas stations and can go 200 km on a 1.5 euro fill-up -- roughly 125 miles for $3. The top speed will be almost 70 mph and the cost of the vehicle as low as $7000.

The car features a fibreglass body and a revolutionary electrical system and is completely computer-controlled. It is powered by the expansion of compressed air, using no combustion at all, and the exhaust is entirely clean and cool enough for use in the internal air conditioning system. "