Is a hybrid SUV even serious?

Question

In the full size version of these vehicles, they say they get about 25% better miliage. On one of these that only gets 14mpg for example (which is about on the high average), thats an additional 3.5 mpg.

So you get 17.5 mpg. Is that worth it? When you compare the additional cost of a hybrid engine vs. a regular gas one, is it just a bit laughable (which I am sure many will use that excuse to not buy the hybrid version)? We probably could get that savings in just slowing down & maintaining our cars properly.

Dont get me wrong, I am not a SUV hater. I like them! But it just seems like they could try harder than that. One article I read says it could make those on the fence about SUVs, come on over b/c they are making them better with less guilt.

Yes, 25% is still 25%, but if it didnt come with the much higher cost (probably about 25%), it could be reasonable that something is being done for the environment. It almost seems like a deterent.

Answer 1

If that is what you want, then you should buy one.  If not then buy something else.  But, it's non of your business what someone else chooses to drive.

Answer 2

You make a valid point that hybrid SUVs still aren't very environmentally friendly (they get about the same mileage as a normal sedan).  However, for people who need an SUV (like if they need to tow stuff), a hybrid SUV can be a decent option.

Compare the Ford Escape to its hybrid version (comparison linked below).  The hybrid version gets about 30 mpg while the regular version only gets 22 mpg.  That's about a 36% improvement, which isn't too shabby.  The additional cost is about $6000.

The Civic hybrid only improves mileage to 50 mpg (EPA estimated) from 35 mpg of the normal version, which is a 43% improvement, so that's not too much more than the Escape.

Answer 3

No plant a tree

Answer 4

there is little point adding an infernal combustion engine to an SUV http://www.phoenixmotorcars.com/

Electric has far better torque characteristics (pulling power). It is even possible to put motors in each wheel, avoiding low ground clearance diffs, low efficiency, high maintenance 4x4 transmissions. Li-ion batteries will probably last the lifetime of teh car, >12 years, are fully recyclable (and avoid the current costly patent restrictions on NiMH imposed by the owning oil co) http://www.altairnano.com/markets.html

Hybrids are just a palliative to the old auto industry that can't understand "new" ideas, (electric cars have been around outperforming fossil fuel for >100 years http://www.speedace.info )

The old horse & cart industry had a similar attitude to horseless caridges when they appeared, very few carrige or horse breeders converted sucessfully to the new industry

Answer 5

Of course it's serious.

It's a serious advertising ploy.

But let's be honest about battery recycling. ALL batteries SHOULD be recycled. And as the technology improves, the cost WILL go down. So let's stop pretending that they are a bad idea. We've been recycling batteries for over 5 decades. These WILL get handled.

Answer 6

Larger vehicles are harder to make efficient. Could you imagine a jumbo jet improving efficiency by 25%? Boeing has poured their heart and soul into the redesigned 747, and it's only about 13% more efficient than the models designed 20 years ago.

Also a 25% gain in fuel economy is far more significant in an SUV than a car. Say one car uses 10 gallons a month, and another uses 100. If you improved the fuel economy by 50% on both, you would only save 5 gallons in car one, while in car 2 you would save 50 gallons.

By the way the GM full size hybrids get better than 17 MPG. The Tahoe / Yukon get about 17 with the stand alone gas engine (which is best in class). So these Hybrids should get around 22 MPG. And I believe edmunds had a chance to test one, and that's about what they got. That's significant. The much smaller Toyota Camry only does about 2 MPG better.

Answer 7

I agree. Why would I get a hybrid that gets less MPG than many standard gas or diesel models and costs more? How does that help anything?

Answer 8

Hybrids are still cost prohibitive and have not been around long enough to say whether there will be any savings due to the reduced maintenance costs but with the growing gas prices any mpg increase may end up being helpful in the long run.

Answer 9

every mpg saved is every mpg counted.

Answer 10

It makes a bigger difference in smaller SUVs. You're forgetting that not all SUVs are large gas guzzlers. I drive a Jeep Compass, which already gets 28mpg; a hybrid engine could up that to 35-40mpg.

I think that the new hybrid engines for the larger SUVs are a good thing though, because it's developing the technology. Maybe it doesn't make much of a difference now, but perhaps later on it will.

Answer 11

All you have to do is choose a Honda Pilot (about 21 mpg highway) or a Honda CRV (mine averages about 26mpg).

Answer 12

I am still unsure why 'we' even bother to look at/ develop  Hybrid vehicles as a form of transportation.  It is a great publicity stunt!  These were developed to make petrol go further but, why not look at the entire carbon footprint and other alternatives?

The batteries last about 7 years and then you need a whole new set!.  Batteries in Hybrids are often Nickel Metal Hydride although I have seen lead acid batteries installed.  Lead acid weigh much more than NiMh so the drive needs to be larger to drag along more weight.  The energy to make these batteries, then dispose of them far outweighs any advantage of installing the batteries in the first place.  Replacement batteries cost between NZ$8,000 and NZ$14,500 to replace.  

At this point in the Universe, a well tuned diesel is much better on the environment and the fuel economy is also there.  The modern 'common rail' diesel engines are a very great motor and when you learn to drive them, they are fantastic.  So as far as hybrids go, a re-education program on the benefits needs to be really looked at.