Chevy Volt and plug-in hybrid fuel economy
Why not take a few years?
Not 230 mpg?
The EPA has still not decided upon a methodology to determine the fuel economy of the Chevy Volt and plug-in hybrid vehicles. So what?
Not that many plug-in hybrids are even going to be sold in the next few years. Moreover, the government is already giving out free charger stations for early adopters to monitor such kinds of data. Why not use that information?
According to MotorTrend, GM is in constant contact and “collaborating” with the EPA to help determine a number that GM customers “can feel comfortable with.”
Is such collaboration really needed? Why not just let the facts speak for themselves?
Inevitably, fuel economy for the Volt and plug-in hybrids is going to vary wildly dependent upon charge, driving conditions, etc. Since automakers and the government are going to have real world data from thousands of vehicles over the next few years, why shouldn’t the EPA take its time and get it right?
Ultimately, the early adopters that are going to buy up the first few years of plug-in hybrid supply – a very limited supply – are going to buy these vehicles regardless of any EPA fuel economy sticker. So, what’s the rush? CAFE credits? Marketing?
For decades EPA fuel economy stickers have provided a very unrealistic picture of real world fuel economy, helping to increase our dependence upon oil, especially foreign oil. With plug-ins, the EPA has more real world data than ever to provide consumers with realistic fuel economy estimates. So, use it.
“We need to simply move to a miles per cost of energy metric as that is what really matters to consumers.”
couldnt’ agree more EI.
With the government providing free chargers to thousands of early adopters, why not just use that data before making any final decisions? In the next few years we’re only talking about 10’s of thousands of buyers – buyers that are ready to buy regardless of EPA numbers.
I just don’t see the need for any rush.
I understand the trouble. It will all depends on the frequency of recharge. Will Volt owners recharge every 50-mile? Every 200-mile?
I guess the EPA shall give 2 numbers. One relative to fuel consumption, and another relative to electrical consumption.
We need to simply move to a miles per cost of energy metric as that is what really matters to consumers. Converting electrical costs to fictitious gallons is subject to all sorts of manipulation.
electrical costs are well know and official national averages or regional averages can be easily released by the government.