What kind of MPG can be expected from hybrid vehicles?

Question

I am passively shopping for a hybrid SUV. I drive a ton, so net effective miles per gallon is an important factor in my decision making process.

I am assuming, based on stickers, that MPG is close to the same for hybrid vs. standard vehicles because MPG refers to miles per gallon of gasoline.

What I am most curious about is, what impact does the electric power have on net effective MPG? Flipping between gas and electric, how many miles could I expect to travel on a full (24 gallon?) tank of fuel and a full battery charge?

Let's say I have a 24 gallon tank, full of fuel and I take it out on the highway. At 22 mpg, I can get about 528 miles. How many more miles could I expect to travel in a hybrid?

If the new Chevy Tahoe Hybrid (due out in late 2007) gets 15 city and 22 hwy [pretty much (if not) the same as a regular Tahoe], what is the added benefit of the Tahoe Hybrid?

Answer 1

Well, it depends on what type of hybrid system is in the vehicle.

If it's like the current GMC Sierra/Chevy Silverado pickups, it's nothing more than a label. They're not really a hybrid, as the electric motors do not propel the truck at all. All of the fuel savings come from idle-stop and cylinder deactivation, and the tiny 42v battery is just used for restarting the engine and to power external work equipment through power outlets in the cab and bed. A 10% improvement in MPG sounds good, until you realize that that's only 1-2MPG more than the current vehicle. But as I recall the emissions are lower on the hybrid versions compared to their gasoline-only counterparts.

The Belt-Alternator system that GM is introducting on the new Saturn Vue Green Line is a step up, in that the electrics help out in acceleration a little.

Next up are the the "power" or "performance" hybrids, the Lexus models and the Honda Accord hybrid. Their hybrid systems have been tuned to deliver more HP and more acceleration than their gas-only counterparts, and only deliver a tiny bit better fuel economy at the same time.

Next up are the assist hybrids (electric motor used for acceleration), like the Honda Insight and Civic Hybrid, followed by the full hybrids (can run on the electric motor alone) like the Toyota Prius, Ford Escape Hybrid, which are more tuned for fuel efficiency (and have lowered emissions too).

(I've left out the Toyota Camry, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, and the Mercury Mariner Hybrid, all full hybrids, because I don't recall if they're tuned for more power or more fuel efficiency...)

Since none of the current hybrids are grid-chargeable/PHEVs, the question about leaving with a full charge is really not applicable. You'll only be flipping between gas and electric with a full hybrid (and you cannot manually choose), and seeing where GM has been going on their (lack of) hybrid development, you'll probably not be seeing a full hybrid GM vehicle, but barely an assist hybrid...

Currently, hybrid vehicles are tested the same as any other vehicle on governmental (such as the EPA) fuel economy tests, so you can easily compare fuel efficiency between models. (Typically, whatever % difference in MPG you get on your current vehicle compared to that vehicle's EPA rating, you'll see the same % difference on a hybrid or any other vehicle compared to its EPA rating...)

I suppose a good question to ask yourself is whether you need to have a large SUV for your long highway commute. Would it be possible to use a smaller, more efficient vehicle for commuting, and buy a cheap older used large SUV for your weekend hauling (with a low mileage insurance policy)? or rent one as needed?

Whatever type of vehicle you need, try and buy the greenest one available. This site organizes vehicles by their class (pickup, SUV, station wagon, small car, minivan, etc.), and sorts them by lowest emissions and best fuel economy. http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicle/

Answer 2

The Tahoe Hybrid will be getting more than 22 MPG. The current 2007 Tahoe with DOD technology gives it 21 MPG right now. When the 2008 Tahoe comes out next year it could possibly be the first ever full-size vehicle to get 30 MPG. However, when you buy a hybrid vehicle you are going to be looking at paying $10,000 more dollars than you would if the vehicle had just a regular gas engine. Therefore, the money that you are saving on gas with a hybrid is going to be going towards your hybrid payment. In your situation of wanting a SUV, and driving a lot you should either go ahead and buy a 2007 Tahoe 21 MPG or wait another month or two when the 2007 Trailblazer comes out (which is suppose to be completely re-designed) and with it having the DOD technology you could get around 26-27 MPG in it. I don't trust the hybrid vehicles, because there is too much of a fire risk.

Answer 3

OK here is the thing...take a Toyota Prius for example (yes i know it is a big difference in MPG compared to an SUV, but the same consept applies) the highway MPG are actually less then the city MPG. THis is because where the hybrid motor gives u the benifit is stop and go, because when u slow down, the hybrid motor is powereing the vehical and when u are stopped at a intersection the hybrid motor is powering the vehical. In the situation u described (depending on the hybrid system) the hybrid motor is rarely in use. this is why u get better city MPG then Highway MPG. Another option available on the new tahoe will be cylinder deactivation...this will make your V8 into a 4 banger at highway/cruising speeds. Less gas=better MPG.

Answer 4

well as far as I see hybred vehicles are a waste of money right now, they tend to give about the same MPG , or lower , as a regular fuel burning vehicle and you will PAY more at the pump for the fuel due otthe fact NOT all Stations will carry that fuel and not all the Fuel will be made cheaply either.So why pay a higher Price for the hybred then pay Higher Fuel Prices at the pump? makes no sence to me why the Governemnet is TRYING to pawn this crap off on the citizens of this country . Take a look at all the Area that RECYCLE cans ,paper and plastic .... has the price gone down on those items .... NO - it raised due to the fact it cost companies MORE money to keep those item in spereate containers and to have Different Waste Collectors stop and pick those items up. SO it will be the same for the Hybred vehilce MORE money and the same out come.just a play on words like SAVER CLEANER enviroment Yeah right.Mother Nature can take care of herself , she has been for well over 40 Billion years,

Answer 5

The prius is rated at around 50 mpg's and i've heard there are websites of owners claiming to be in the 100 mpg club! It's funny because i recently heard that prius drivers are not very well liked. they are allowed in the carpool lanes near me but are hated by other carpoolers for their refusal to drive much above 55 mph. It says in the prius owners manual warns that mileage steadily declines above 55 mph. Whatever happened to that full electric saturn?

Answer 6

The Smart Car is not a Hybrid but has a 3 cylinder diesel motor(Mercedes Benz) seats 2 persons that gets a reported 75 miles per gallon.

Driver's have traveled from Victoria, BC to Halifax,Nova Scotia(3856 miles) spending under $ 300.00 Canadian for the trip.

Answer 7

You don't seem very understanding of hybrids, I would recommend you educate yourself before buying one. Why don't you go to a book store and pick up a few magazines pertaining to hybrids. All hybrids are not designed the same,major differences.

Answer 8

alot more than regualr gas guzzler and diesel vehicles do, if you use it properly, you will be able to get a lot out of it

Answer 9

way more than 33mpg