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Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

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Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#151

Post by seszett »

globular-toast wrote: post #65

I understood after I watched the brilliant Weber Auto video on it, published 5 years ago[0]. I liked it so much I "gently" encouraged my partner to get a Yaris hybrid, which gets about 69mpg average. It's not unusual to see 80+ on individual trips. She was a little sceptical about having an auto at first, because us Europeans still think it's 1980 and that manuals are superior, but she came around after a few minutes…

> It's hilarious to me that 34mpg is considered remarkably good, though

I was curious too, I have a manual, petrol engine, Citroën C4 Picasso (called a minivan in English I think? but then I didn't think a Golf GTI was called a minivan so I'm not sure) from 2011 that's not hybrid at all and that's about what I get (7 L/100 km). It's comfortable to be in but not interesting to drive at all though.

I get a very consistent 4,3 L/100 km (54 mpg) on my diesel C4 (basically the same size as a Golf GTI) from 2013 and I like driving this one.

edit now that I've read the sibling comment, Google uses US gallons for its conversions and that's what I've used here.

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#153

Post by TulliusCicero »

darknavi wrote: post #118
TulliusCicero wrote: post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We have a couple EVs. Great, except for road trips, where range is more limited at freeway speeds, and charging is slow and obnoxious.

Definitely different than raod tripping in an ICE. We road trip in our Model Y and end up stopping often regardless of charging for snacking, stretching, walking the dogs, etc. I remember talking to a coworker would couldn't accept taking 10 hours to drive somewhere instead of the 8.5 hours you can make it in an ICE. But then again we are definitely people who puts on road trips.

The ratio has been way worse than that in my experience, especially in cold weather. Could easily turn a 3 hour trip from Seattle to Portland to 5-6 hours during winter, when mileage plummets on the freeway.

Obviously part of that is that the EV wasn't fully charged when we started, but that's the thing -- being low on gas for an ICE car barely affects travel at all.

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#154

Post by globular-toast »

schnitzelstoat wrote: post #9

I have a conventional (not plug-in) hybrid Toyota Corolla as otherwise I'd have to pay loads to drive it in the city. It does get crazy mileage and drives well so I can't complain. They are more expensive than standard cars though and you can't leave it in neutral which is a problem in some car washes.

Why do you need to put it in neutral in a car wash? Does it push the car forwards?

You can put the Toyotas in neutral, but you need to lift a special hatch and manually unlock the shifter. You need to do that if you're being towed. It's all in the manual, of course. I saw the hatch immediately. It's crazy to me that other geeks haven't checked every knob and hatch in their car or at least skimmed the manual.

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#155

Post by redwall_hp »

em500 wrote: post #11

So this is specifically about Toyota's hybrid engines (which is very different from e.g. Honda's engine, not to mention plug-in hybrids or "mild hybrids"). The explanation of the mechanics starts around the 36 minute mark. I always found most explanations of Toyota's Power Split Device too abstract, until I found this page where you can play with the sliders to see how the power is actually split between the ICE and…

The Prius model is basically how the new Honda hybrid power train works. (I'm gearing up to buy a new Civic once my insurance gets me my payout.) It has a two motor system (traction and generator) coupled to an Atkinson cycle engine with a planetary gearbox.

However, it's a 2L engine and the whole thing puts down 200hp, netting acceleration that beats a Civic SI and ~50 miles per gallon.

They first trialed it in Japan and Europe as the Civic EHEV a few years ago, and as of 2025 it has replaced the Sport and Sport Touring trims' former turbocharged 1.5L power train.

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#156

Post by pjmlp »

jghn wrote: post #137
harrouet wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a plug-in hybrid and, although it was not my initial opinion, I came to think that it is the most adapted tech to my usage: - I do 90% of my kilometers to commute to work: 2x40km / day - I need my car to drive 7 hours roughly 4x or 5x per year In my case, I can drive electric to commute to work, as I can charge sporadically (can't do it at home). When driving long distance, I get to use the ICE while charging…

Why not rent a car for those 4-5x/year?

I used to do that, however depends on where you live.

In Germany the amount you have to pay not to worry about every little scratch from a few mm, means I rather have my own scratches.

Then on the Mediterranean islands usually rental is the only option, unless one likes to pay taxis all the time, and most rentals take advantage of non locals as much as they can get away with. Yes some do have buses, if you want to be stuck in the main cities.

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#157

Post by baq »

avgDev wrote: post #146
globular-toast wrote: post #145

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You don't need any of that, obviously. It really is best to save that word and you'll better appreciate that you can have things way, way beyond what you need rather than living in this eternal state of "barely getting by". It's all in your head. It's completely up to you if you want to be rich today.

You also don't need a computer, and here you are? It is completely up to you if you want to be rich today? What kind of comment is this?

Technically not needing a car or a computer can mean you’re very very rich indeed.

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#158

Post by baq »

oogali wrote: post #100
KPGv2 wrote: post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm willing to bet they didn't mean to carry kids that don't fit in two SUVs. Probably meant that logistically, they need two SUVs available. If you aren't American—or are, but don't have kids—you might not be aware that even two kids past 10yo and a sedan is a pretty bad experience. And I'm saying this as someone who loves his sedan, hates large cars, passionately hates SUVs, and definitely never wanted one. I have…

This. All of this. I strongly dislike SUVs but due to transporting the kids around and their friends, my wife and I have switched vehicles during the week: she drives my sedan, I drive her SUV. Being able to transport my oldest's friends around has resulted in improved relationships for both the kids, and the parents. "Last minute sleepover after the game? No problem, I'll take your son and his gear in my car. We'll…

A Sienna does everything any SUV does the same or better, as confirmed in the video itself, change my mind?

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#159

Post by Ferret7446 »

tedggh wrote: post #50

I have all three ICE, EV and hybrid at home. I was hesitant at first when getting the EV because we already had the hybrid, but we needed a second SUV to carry kids. After two years with the EV it became evident to me the hybrid doesn’t make sense. It has some of the gas savings of an EV but you still deal with the inconvenience of maintaining a ICE. My EV has received zero maintenance other than cleaning the cameras…

1. Are you able to charge at home?

2. Are you aware that many people cannot charge at home?

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#160

Post by nradov »

jghn wrote: post #137
harrouet wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a plug-in hybrid and, although it was not my initial opinion, I came to think that it is the most adapted tech to my usage: - I do 90% of my kilometers to commute to work: 2x40km / day - I need my car to drive 7 hours roughly 4x or 5x per year In my case, I can drive electric to commute to work, as I can charge sporadically (can't do it at home). When driving long distance, I get to use the ICE while charging…

Why not rent a car for those 4-5x/year?

Most of the available rental cars are crap. Even if you make an advance reservation there's no guarantee that they'll have what you want in stock when you show up. For solo business travelers that doesn't matter as much but I wouldn't want to take the risk when planning a family road trip.
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