wrote in message
...
On Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:56:23 -0700, "nom=de=plume"
wrote:

A lot of that depends on your driving patterns If you are in stop and
go traffic, the hybrid will save fuel. On the interstate I don't see
it saving much over any car with a small engine. As soon as you
deplete the battery, it is just running on the engine. I was always
curious how a Prius performs on the highway after 50 miles (or however
long the battery can help it).
I know Bill Maher changed his opinion of his Prius after he owned it a
while. He ended up saying it was just a car with a small motor that
gets pretty good mileage. I assume he based that on freeway driving.
When I saw some independent tests comparing the Civic with a
comparable Civic hybrid the highway ratings were virtually the same,
actually giving the edge to the regular Civic at higher speeds.


I have a friend who claims over 40 mpg on the highway. I believe the Civic
does do almost as well on the highway. Most of our driving though is under
40 miles I believe... it should be all electric and rechargeable
overnight.
The diesel should only be used if absolutely necessary. I heard the new
Prius comes with a solar panel roof. That sounds good.

I think the regular Civic is closer to 50MPG highway.

If you look at the thread we had about solar battery chargers a week
or so ago you see it takes a lot of collector to do much good. They
want more collector than will fit on a Prius roof, just to run a 1/2hp
pool pump. (my next solar project)


I haven't really looked at what is on the Prius. It must do something
useful.

--
Nom=de=Plume