THSCC Forums

I keep reading how some hybrids and electric cars are getting 40 to 160 MPG ratings, but only for the first 10 to 60 miles. I also have ready that some want the cars rated on the other extreme of NO charge in the system.

I think a rating of Full charge + 10 gallons of fuel...how far can the car go. City and Highway cycles.

Other ideas?

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Marty Howard
2011 NASA SE Factory Five Challenge Champion
Track Events Logistics Coordinator - TZC/THSCC
2007 Factory Five Challenge Car.
http://www.mh-motorsports.com

That is kind of like the auto companies using the highway mileage figures to publicize how good a mileage their vehicles get vs the city cycle which is at least a more representative figure. My concern would be is that there is no easily identifiable way for the consumer to know what the real mileage is. Is there a window sticker on them that says 150 mile equivilents for 60 miles then 15 mes after that. Or is there a "tank" average.

I think folks use MPG to calculate the expense of operating the vehicle rather than the range.

So have the EPA create a few test loops and measure the "cost" to drive those loops at a stated fuel/power price. They could have a highway loop of say 150 miles, a mixed loop of highway/city of 75 miles and an urban loop of 40 miles in the city.

This would enable folks to "pick" the loop that most resembles what they drive everyday. The real wildcard, of course, is energy pricing. When gasoline was $4/gallon and electricity was $ 0.08/KWH you might pick a different car than with gasoline at $2.40/gallon and electricity at $ 0.13/KWH.

Sure it would be cool to build a matrix for various loops and energy prices, but probably way too complicated for you average car buyer ...

Frank