Tech Goes Boom

Your Hybrid Sucks

Wired has an informative article about why Hybrid cars are falling far short of their EPA milage claims. Turns out that many hybrid owners aren't getting better milage than their standard car counterparts. Whoops.

I recently bought a Honda Civic EX, and was considering the Hybid instead. The Hybrid cost around $5000 more. My Civic EX at about 3000 miles is currently beating this poor guys average gas milage by about 1.5 mpg. Had I bought the Hybrid, I would be one pissed off customer.

Honda and Toyota claim that they can only advertise the EPA ratings for the cars. But of course, they aren't telling you on the lot that in actuality, in the city, you're not going to do any better than a normal car. And that depending on your specific driving habits, it may be worse. Because that would cost them sales on a premium car. Both Honda and Toyota claim there's no false advertising here. That's just ridiculous.

There is no other reason to buy a hybrid car other than to save on gas milage. That is the purpose for the hybrid car's existence. Whether it's concern for preserving oil reserves, or just saving money at the pump, it's all about using less gas. It sure seems that on average, these hybrids don't do that. Unless you are principally driving highway miles, you're not going to see the benefit. Honda and Toyota know this, but happily send you off the lot with the mistaken impression that you're driving away with a more fuel efficient car which in reality will only achieve about 60 percent of their advertised ratings.

If you're considering buying a hybrid, I would recommend first reading up about the respective cars on Edmunds and making an informed buying decision from there.