How much less fuel do hybrid electric cars use?

Question

-as opposed to a conventional gas car

-preferably a percentage

-source required

Answer 1

It depends on why the manufacturer made the hybrid - some are oriented more towards performance, some towards gas mileage.  If you compare apples to apples (same car, just a different power train) hybrids tend to be about 15 - 25% more efficient.

The Honda Civic hybrid gets 40 city, 45 highway

The Honda Civic 'normal' gets 25 city, 36 highway.

The 4WD Chevy Tahoe hybrid gets 20 city, 20 highway

The 4WD Chevy Tahoe 'normal' gets 12 city, 16 highway.

Answer 2

Although hyrbids will save you at the pump (about 43 mpgs combined city and hgiway) compared to the average car (22mpgs combined), they are overall more expensive and worse for the environment. The Prius uses a nickle battery. That nickle is mined and refined in northern Ontario where it causes major environmental impact (Sudbury, Ontario), shipped to Europe, China, Japan, then the US. Along with the short life span of the batter (100k miles) and the fact that you can't recycle is, the Prius shapes up to be pretty detrimental to our world. Even still, much of the Prius is made of non-recyclable plastics and polymers derived from oil (compared to the 100% recyclable aluminum and steel of regular cars). Assuming you drive the Prius for its max lifespan, it will cost you about $3.25 per mile to own, compared to the $1.95 of your average full sized, American SUV. If you are really concerned about fuel, finance, and the environment, try something like a Scion Xb, Chevy Cobalt XFE or Ford Focus.

Answer 3

A couple of Hybrids can get up to 45-50 MPG. In Europe, they have over a hundred models of conventional gas and diesels that cost less and get over 40MPG. They have many Turbo diesels that get over 60MPG.

Who needs Hybrids!

Answer 4

In stop and go traffic hybrids are very good as the gas engine shuts down and the car runs off of batteries.

However on an open highway hybrids use as much gas as any other car in the same class as the car is always running off the gas engine.

Answer 5

The next generation Prius gets 100 mpg at 30 mph.  Not realistic in the US, but they may offer a plug in Hybrid.  I am guessing that there will be 80 mpg cars within 2 to 3 years.