Hybrid car

[Buckman]

How can you measure that actually true mpg on a hybrid car i.e. if the car stayed in petrol or diesel mode without switching to EV mode? Most hybrids kick into EV mode when the the load is low thus distorting the actual mpg figure.

 

[otherclive]

It’s not something that really bothers me, although a 2.5 litre naturally aspirated engine isn’t going to be very good. So I just let the powertrain get on and do its thing and generally I get diesels like economy, or better just driving normally. Although on motorway runs it does reduce as the engine is running much more of the time. Be interesting to see what I get driving to Cumbria soon.

 

[Beachball]

It’s not something that really bothers me, although a 2.5 litre naturally aspirated engine isn’t going to be very good. So I just let the powertrain get on and do its thing and generally I get diesels like economy, or better just driving normally. Although on motorway runs it does reduce as the engine isn’t running much more of the time. Be interesting to see what I get driving to Cumbria soon.

I for one will be very interested what you get because my new car is 2.5 litre so keep us updated on here, but have a nice time in the lakes 🙏

 

[Dustydog]

This from AI may answer your question. 🤔

1. WLTP Test Cycle:

• The Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) is the official standard for measuring fuel economy.
  
  
• It simulates various driving conditions, including urban and extra-urban driving.
  
  
• The test is repeated multiple times with a full battery for plug-in hybrids, averaging the data to determine overall fuel economy.
  
  
• The WLTP test measures emissions, fuel economy, electrical range, and total range.
  
  
• For plug-in hybrids, the CO2 value is calculated based on the ratio of the electric range to the total range.

 

[otherclive]

I for one will be very interested what you get because my new car is 2.5 litre so keep us updated on here, but have a nice time in the lakes 🙏

Thanks, will do.

 

[otherclive]

This from AI may answer your question. 🤔

1. WLTP Test Cycle:

• The Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) is the official standard for measuring fuel economy.
  
  
• It simulates various driving conditions, including urban and extra-urban driving.
  
  
• The test is repeated multiple times with a full battery for plug-in hybrids, averaging the data to determine overall fuel economy.
  
  
• The WLTP test measures emissions, fuel economy, electrical range, and total range.
  
  
• For plug-in hybrids, the CO2 value is calculated based on the ratio of the electric range to the total range.

Buckman and I have hybrids not PHEV, so our electrical energy is “ free”.

 

[Buckman]

It’s not something that really bothers me, although a 2.5 litre naturally aspirated engine isn’t going to be very good. So I just let the powertrain get on and do its thing and generally I get diesels like economy, or better just driving normally. Although on motorway runs it does reduce as the engine is running much more of the time. Be interesting to see what I get driving to Cumbria soon.

We done just over 1300 miles in the car and average consumption is about 38mpg. Not bad for a heavy car with a 2.5ltr engine, but that is because it often kicks into the EV mode. At the moment most of our driving has been within 20 miles of home, but that will change in the next two weeks when we go down to Somerset.

 

[RogerL]

How can you measure that actually true mpg on a hybrid car i.e. if the car stayed in petrol or diesel mode without switching to EV mode? Most hybrids kick into EV mode when the the load is low thus distorting the actual mpg figure.

It's frustrating that all car makers are keen to publicise how far a hybrid can go on battery alone but they never publish the fuel consumption once the battery is depleted - the mandatory test only covers the specific test conditions.

I'd be interested in hearing over brim-to-brim figures for a 12 month period - NOT using the car's computer - but even that would have a variation depending on the driver's usage pattern.

 

[otherclive]

Here are yesterday’s figures for when I had to take my 9 year old Alko mower in for repair (warranty has expired). If it’s too expensive then I’m going to buy a EV mower. A mix of A and B roads plus some urban. I wasn’t trying for economy as can be seen from the “eco” score of 78. Just going with the flow in late morning.

 

[ProfJohnL]

It's frustrating that all car makers are keen to publicise how far a hybrid can go on battery alone but they never publish the fuel consumption once the battery is depleted - the mandatory test only covers the specific test conditions.

I'd be interested in hearing over brim-to-brim figures for a 12 month period - NOT using the car's computer - but even that would have a variation depending on the driver's usage pattern.

I have an app on my phone called "Fuelio" it does require the user to be diligent to add information when you fill up etc. It keeps track of fuel usage (unfortunately it doesn't track electric home charging) but it summarises, and for my 2017 Passat GTE (PHEV) its telling me my Petrol mileage is averaging 69.2 mpg over the last 12months. This does not take into account the effect of home charging. But on longer journeys when the primary charge has been depleted and the car reverts to hybrid (using regenerative charging) I see an indicated 50 to 55 mpg.

My model

• Engine: 1.4-liter turbocharged petrol engine (154bhp)
• Electric Motor: 114bhp
• Combined Output: 215bhp
• Transmission: 6-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
• Battery: 9.9kWh

You cannot stop the hybrid function cutting in, so I have not found any way of recording petrol only efficiency, but who cares when its manages as well as it does.

I should also make it clear my vehicle usage is principally short local journeys not exceeding 50mph and most of it at just 30mph, annual milage approx. 3000 miles This car replaced Passat SEL Diesel 170BHP, which was continually needing to regenerate its DPF and was only managing about 40mpg.

 

[Buckman]

It's frustrating that all car makers are keen to publicise how far a hybrid can go on battery alone but they never publish the fuel consumption once the battery is depleted - the mandatory test only covers the specific test conditions.

I'd be interested in hearing over brim-to-brim figures for a 12 month period - NOT using the car's computer - but even that would have a variation depending on the driver's usage pattern.

Our car is supposed to be able to do about 35 miles in EV only. All my fills are brim to brim and I keep a log which is why I now know that premium fuel gives you between 1-2 miles extra per gallon.

You are correct about a variation as on one day the car will use the EV mode a lot more than the previous day even if you are doing exactly the same journey.

 

[otherclive]

Neither my RAV4 hybrid, nor my daughters last Corolla hybrid get anywhere near to 35 miles in EV drive. Your Lexus must have a far larger battery than mine/daughters. From my post above the times EV mode cuts in can be seen on both journeys.

 

[RogerL]

I use a spreadsheet to record/analyse my fuel consumption - I'm even anorak enough to include an adjustment factor as I'm using non-standard size tyres.

Even annual figures show a small variation, due to slightly different usage pattern and different weather.

When towing I've recently taken to cruising slightly faster when the prevailing wind is behind us and slightly slower when it's against us - both give more or less the same figure - which is logical.

 

[otherclive]

I use a spreadsheet to record/analyse my fuel consumption - I'm even anorak enough to include an adjustment factor as I'm using non-standard size tyres.

Even annual figures show a small variation, due to slightly different usage pattern and different weather.

When towing I've recently taken to cruising slightly faster when the prevailing wind is behind us and slightly slower when it's against us - both give more or less the same figure - which is logical.

Clearly a fully paid up member of the Mountain Equipment clothing club 😂😂😂.

 

[Oscarmax]

Neither my RAV4 hybrid, nor my daughters last Corolla hybrid get anywhere near to 35 miles in EV drive. Your Lexus must have a far larger battery than mine/daughters. From my post above the times EV mode cuts in can be seen on both journeys.

36 miles is the lowest we have recorded in EV mode in the depth of winter pre heating and heating, aircon, and heated front seat and steering wheel, the best we has seen in the summer is just over 61 miles local road everything off

 

[Oscarmax]

How can you measure that actually true mpg on a hybrid car i.e. if the car stayed in petrol or diesel mode without switching to EV mode? Most hybrids kick into EV mode when the the load is low thus distorting the actual mpg figure.

Yes you can but it involves a little maths, on holiday our battery is depleted in pure HEV mode we achieve 50 + mpg, we only use motorway to tow on holidays.

 

[Oscarmax]

I use a spreadsheet to record/analyse my fuel consumption - I'm even anorak enough to include an adjustment factor as I'm using non-standard size tyres.

Even annual figures show a small variation, due to slightly different usage pattern and different weather.

When towing I've recently taken to cruising slightly faster when the prevailing wind is behind us and slightly slower when it's against us - both give more or less the same figure - which is logical.

Towing going on holiday we set the cruise control at 50 mph, we are in no hurry and the HGV can pass with ease, on the way back 55 mph over 180 miles that extra 5 mph use an additional 5 litres, at 60 another 5 litres.

And yes I got some serious Excel spreadsheets, I am very sad.

 

[otherclive]

36 miles is the lowest we have recorded in EV mode in the depth of winter pre heating and heating, aircon, and heated front seat and steering wheel, the best we has seen in the summer is just over 61 miles local road everything off

Yours is PHEV whilst mine and Buckmans are hybrids. So it’s not really a valid comparison. My post related to Buckmans 35 mikes on battery, which is substantially more than I would expect to attain in a hybrid.

 

[Oscarmax]

Yours is PHEV whilst mine and Buckmans are hybrids. So it’s not really a valid comparison. My post related to Buckmans 35 mikes on battery, which is substantially more than I would expect to attain in a hybrid.

Were does he get his 35 mile EV range from, should it not be 1 or 2 miles for a hybrid.

 

[otherclive]

Were does he get his 35 mile EV range from, should it not be 1 or 2 miles for a hybrid.

I’ve no idea how far mine goes on electric. It has an EV mode along with Eco, Normal and Sport. But the range on EV is dependent on the state of battery charge and that’s something I cannot really control as in Normal back to home, or a destination the car does its own thing. Flipping between electric and engine. So when I get home the battery charge is what it is. So if I wanted to pop to the local Tesco Express half a mile away even if I selected EV it may or may not drive in EV mode given it’s state of charge and weather conditions affecting heating or aircon.

I didn’t buy a hybrid to be able to do short journeys in electric mode more for the overall good mpg that a hybrid gives, without having to charge it anywhere. But when we change our petrol Rio runabout it’s likely to be a pre owned EV.

 

[Dustydog]

It strikes me the Prof’s PHEV route has a lot of advantages over the others discussed? 😎

 

[otherclive]

It strikes me the Prof’s PHEV route has a lot of advantages over the others discussed? 😎

I might have gone RAV4 PHEV but the difference in price compared to simple hybrid didn’t make sense, particularly as most of our journeys are in the runabout.

 

[Buckman]

Were does he get his 35 mile EV range from, should it not be 1 or 2 miles for a hybrid.

Why not read the spiel on the website? The range is a supposed range probably under ideal conditions. Obviously I have never had the chance to test it as the car needs to be travelling at under 40mph for the EV to stay engaged.

 

[otherclive]

Why not read the spiel on the website? The range is a supposed range probably under ideal conditions. Obviously I have never had the chance to test it as the car needs to be travelling at under 40mph for the EV to stay engaged.

I’m having difficulty relating a hybrid to 35 miles electric range. Could the website information relate to a PHEV? In your owners manual it should give details wrt its battery type and size. Mine is a Nickel metal hydride 6.5 amp hours capacity. 88 kw max output. Not much bigger than my Lenser torch 😂😂😂

 

[Buckman]

I’m having difficulty relating a hybrid to 35 miles electric range. Could the website information relate to a PHEV? In your owners manual it should give details wrt its battery type and size. Mine is a Nickel metal hydride 6.5 amp hours capacity. 88 kw max output. Not much bigger than my Lenser torch 😂😂😂

Not my words. However here are the tech specs for the battery.

Hybrid battery
Type Nickel metal-hydride
Nominal voltage 244.8
Number of cells 204
System voltage 650