53 mpg city: Think about it when you’re stuck in congestion
It's pretty, but how does it compare to the Prius C in urban living?
And those 40 mpg compacts turn into 20-something mpg cars
I know, everyone wants to talk about the prototype lithium-ion battery explosion that rocked GM this morning. Why? It was a prototype battery being tested for such outcomes. So, they’ll have to tweak the chemistry. That’s the nature of prototypes. The explosion means nothing in terms of the Chevy Volt.
Anyway, had to run an errand this morning in rainy LA — two things that don’t mix. Thus, I got stuck on the 110, and since I wasn’t going anywhere I had a lot of time to observe the scene around me, and all the pretty little compact cars, pretending to be fuel efficient.
That’s right. Pretending to be fuel efficient, because in urban traffic even tiny cars like the Fiat can’t even achieve 30 mpg. Yet, the Toyota Prius C is pumping out 50+ mpg.
Yes, I know the Prius costs more up front, but when you add the interior and cargo volume, amenities, etc in an as close to an apples-to-apples comparison as possible, the C really does offer long term cost-effective value compared to the competition. See Toyota Prius C Versus non-hybrid compacts and subcompacts, for more on this angle.
Even though not apples to apples, let’s compare a base Prius C to a base Fiat 500 in the urban jungle anyway.
If you’re a pure city driver the Toyota Prius C, at $4.20 per gallon, would save C hybrid drivers $1150 per year compared to that Fiat based on EPA numbers. Thus the C’s hybrid premium is returned in about 3.5 years. After 5 years, the C driver is way ahead. After 10 years, the comparison is a joke. Sure, those numbers don’t add up for highway drivers, or those that rarely drive in urban conditions, but for city drivers that Prius C hybrid’s 53 mpg is a pretty serious number.
Despite its larger MSRP, the Prius C is a great, cheap city car.
yeah but “green” whether it be start-stop or EV or whatever won’t really matter if a city is growing and there is no road expansion.
There is simply a finite limit to how many cars can fit – no matter what kind they are.
that’s part of the reason why you see scooters and bike in some European and Asian cities.. there’s just no more room for cars.
And most cities are now deploying draconian policies with tolls and parking to discourage car use and encourage mass transit use.
I think the whole thing about ‘green’ cars in cities overlooks this aspect.
In the DC area – the Toyota Prius is very popular – as a commuter car from the exurbs to DC and environs, in part, because the Feds provide free parking for their employees – but the roads in DC are maxed.
there is no more room for more cars if the city continues to grow.
That’s why they have put in HOT lanes which essentially divided up the roads into 1/2 “free” and 1/2 congestion tolled – but no more road expansions.
you literally will pays your money and make your choice.
If you want to use mass transit, you get free use of the toll lanes. If you’re solo or 2, you can pay but the tolls float according to congestion levels. If you don’t want to use mass transit or pay – you’re consigned to the depths of highway hell where everyone and the dog for all future growth will have to squeeze into two never-to-be-expanded travel lanes.
I think this is going to be the reality no matter the kind of car.
Start/Stop saves gas on the operation of an ICE. If you are idling at a stoplight Start/Stop is a benefit. Problem is when it comes to motivating the vehicle, an ICE-Only vehicle, will have only one option. Where as a Hybrid(HSD), can use electricity, proportionate amount of ICE and Electricity, or ICE. That’s why the ICE only vehicles are advertising 40 MPG HWY and hiding the sub <30(in some case <20) MPG City numbers. Truth be known, there are several lawsuits against the Manufacturers, for using this deceptive form of advertising. You deserve what you get if you buy a car based on HWY MPG only!
I thought that start/stop was going (already?) be in many non-hybrid cars soon.
if you compare a non-hybrid start/stop with a similar sized hybrid – what is the advantage of the hybrid over the conventional ICE equipped with start/stop?
[...] And those 40 mpg compacts turn into 20-something mpg cars in urban traffic! 53 mpg city: Think about it when you’re stuck in congestion! I know, everyone wants to talk about the prototype lithium-ion battery explosion that rocked GM this morning. Why? It was a prototype battery being tested for such outcomes. So, they’ll have to tweak the chemistry. That’s the nature of prototypes. The explosion means nothing in terms of the Chevy Volt. Anyway, had to run an errand this morning in rainy LA — two things that don’t mix. Thus, I got stuck on the 110, and since I wasn’t going anywhere I had a lot of time to observe the scene around me, and all the pretty little compact cars, pretending to be fuel efficient. That’s right. Pretending to be fuel efficient, because in urban traffic even tiny cars like the Fiat can’t even achieve 30 mpg. Yet, the Toyota Prius C is pumping out 50+ mpg. Yes, I know the Prius costs more up front, but when you add the interior and cargo volume, amenities, etc in an as close to an apples-to-apples comparison as possible, the C really does offer long term cost-effective value compared to the competition. See Toyota Prius C Versus non-hybrid compacts and subcompacts, for more on this angle. Even though not apples to apples, let’s compare a base Prius C to a base Fiat 500 in the urban jungle anyway. If you’re a pure city driver the Toyota Prius C, at $4.20 per gallon, would save C hybrid drivers $1150 per year compared to that Fiat based on EPA numbers. Thus the C’s hybrid premium is returned in about 3.5 years. After 5 years, the C driver is way ahead. After 10 years, the comparison is a joke. Sure, those numbers don’t add up for highway drivers, or those that rarely drive in urban conditions, but for city drivers that Prius C hybrid’s 53 mpg is a pretty serious number. Despite its larger MSRP, the Prius C is a great, cheap city car. 53 mpg city: Think about it when you're stuck in congestion | Hybridcarblog [...]