Pay Less at the Pump: The Hybrid Revolution
(Page 5 of 8)
October/November 2005
By John Rockhold
Lovins recommends “pulse” driving: “When you see that you’ll need to slow or stop, start braking gently and as early as possible so you can recover the most braking energy for later use. If you brake too late — hence too hard — the mechanical brakes will override, and they simply turn motion into useless heat.”
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Hybrids also are a justified excuse to accelerate with vigor. “Contrary to what we were taught in high-school driver’s education, when you’re accelerating up to cruising speed, do so briskly,” says Lovins, who owns a Honda Insight that gets 63 mpg. “The engine is most efficient at high speed and torque, so you’ll use less fuel accelerating aggressively for a short time than accelerating slowly for a long time.”
Also, take advantage of hybrids’ computerized monitors that show which components are delivering power and report your fuel economy. “Consistent with attentive driving, keep an eye on the real-time mpg display and use the feedback to improve your driving habits,” Lovins says.
Exactly how much your fuel economy will improve by driving a hybrid depends on numerous personal factors, but compared to gasoline vehicles, today’s hybrids generally get 20 percent to 25 percent better fuel economy in highway driving, and 40 percent to 100 percent better mileage in city driving. Gas mileage in high-speed driving can improve if you avoid short trips and take a road with at least some hilly sections — the electric motor will kick in with steep inclines, aiding the gas engine’s efficiency. For example, Penney — who drives a Prius — gets better results when he’s on highways in Colorado’s mountains than when driving through the city of Golden to reach the NREL office.
But stop-and-go driving does have the statistical edge. “It’s generally true that stop-and-go driving is better [for hybrids’ fuel economy] because you get regenerative braking, and that’s always better than no regenerative braking,” Penney says. “So if a hybrid is better for someone, it’s for someone who does a lot of starting and stopping.”
Translation: everyone. The bottom line is that driving a hybrid can be empowering — a personal, patriotic and environmental rush. The next time you spend $20 to $30 at the gas station, imagine not returning for another 500 miles.
HYBRID INVASION!
Available Now:
Chevrolet Silverado (truck)
GMC Sierra (truck)
Honda Accord (midsize)
Honda Civic (compact)
Honda Insight (two-seater)
Ford Escape (SUV)
Lexus RX 400h (SUV)
Lexus GS 450h (midsize)
Mazda Tribute (SUV)
Mercury Mariner (SUV)
Nissan Altima (midsize)
Saturn VUE (SUV)
Toyota Camry (midsize)
Toyota Prius (midsize)
Toyota Highlander (SUV)
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