EV or hybrid vehicles

[cookiedough]

anyone have one of the 2 or are considering one in the near future?

Just curious.  I for one unable to go EV due to distances driving, but i probably would consider a hybrid vehicle in the future since most get around 50 mpg if gas keeps up at around 3.50 per gallon and more.  Only thing still sets me back is the price of most hybrids are 30-38K vs. a similar non hybrid mostly under 30K in price.   Takes a very long time though in several years to make up that say 5-6K more in price in gas savings.   For example, std. sonata gets 36 avg hwy mpg vs. a hybrid sonata near 50 mpg.  That is a lot, but 14 more mpg will still take several years to make up that say 6K more to get one new.

My ex techy IT neighbor  is picking up a new 2023 KIA NIRO EV cost 42k next week still think overpriced but fairly cheap in terms of all electric EV vehicles out there now.    He drove one of the first 2006 toyota prius for well over 12 years before it was failing in a lot of mechanical/structural areas.

[scooperhsd]

Don't have one, wouldn't consider either of those types.

[f6john]

Toyota Camary hybrid. 2015 XLE model just passed the 80,000 mile mark. Zero mechanical issues. Only issue that has needed to be corrected by the dealer was in the first few thousand miles was a defective clock spring in the steering column that was causing the cruise control to be inoperative.

My running average fuel mileage is 35 mpg which includes all driving situations from stop and go to 80 mph interstate runs. 2.5 liter gas engine combined with the 100hp +/- electric motor makes for plenty of power in all situations. What else can I say, it’s a Toyota?

[hubcapsc]

Toyota Camary hybrid. 2015 XLE model just passed the 80,000 mile mark. Zero mechanical issues. Only issue that has needed to be corrected by the dealer was in the first few thousand miles was a defective clock spring in the steering column that was causing the cruise control to be inoperative.

My running average fuel mileage is 35 mpg which includes all driving situations from stop and go to 80 mph interstate runs. 2.5 liter gas engine combined with the 100hp +/- electric motor makes for plenty of power in all situations. What else can I say, it’s a Toyota?

My friend got a hybrid Camary from that era just this week. My wife has a "plug-in hybrid"
Ford from around 2016 or so. My observations about the plug-in... she runs around
town for next to nothing on pure electric, which is most of the time. Any trip, and it is
like a normal car. Not a slug in either mode.

-Mike

[cookiedough]

am surprised that older model year camry hybrid not get more than avg 35 mpg.  Is it mostly all city driving?   My 2.4L 2014 base gas engine sonata consistently forever has averaged same 35 to 36 mpg, but is mostly hwy. miles.  

One would think a hybrid car like that would get near 50 avg mpg, or not?

I for one cannot see many of us wanting an EV all electric vehicle.  I can see if 95 percent of daily driving is in the city and under say 15 mile commute would be fine daily, but that is about it on all electric with most around 250 mile range tops on a full charge.  Daily driving like me 65 miles total would have to make sure charge the batteries up every 2 days overnight just to make sure not run out of juice.

[..]

IF I were to get one it would be a hybrid.

[f6john]

am surprised that older model year camry hybrid not get more than avg 35 mpg.  Is it mostly all city driving?   My 2.4L 2014 base gas engine sonata consistently forever has averaged same 35 to 36 mpg, but is mostly hwy. miles.  

One would think a hybrid car like that would get near 50 avg mpg, or not?

I for one cannot see many of us wanting an EV all electric vehicle.  I can see if 95 percent of daily driving is in the city and under say 15 mile commute would be fine daily, but that is about it on all electric with most around 250 mile range tops on a full charge.  Daily driving like me 65 miles total would have to make sure charge the batteries up every 2 days overnight just to make sure not run out of juice.

If it was all city driving it might be in the 40-42 mpg. Highway speeds with a 2.5 liter engine is in no way getting 50 mpg unless going down hill. Remember this is a fully loaded hybrid with every option under the sun, full gas drivetrain, and added weight of the hybrid batteries and drive system. My mothers Turbo Regal doesn’t break 30 mph on the Interstate under most conditions. 50 mpg is achievable with certain cars under certain conditions but they won’t meet everyone’s criteria for a all around vehicle.

There is a Toyota owners group and some of those guys report 40+ mpg in their Camrys while hyper-mileing. They live out west in plains areas with flat straight roads and they concentrate on their driving habits and do a lot of coasting for lack of a better term. I have taken local trips to and from town and recorded 40+ mpg on the cars computer which I have found to be extremely accurate but the majority of miles we put on the car are back and forth to Lexington on Interstate 75 @ 80 mph thus the 35 mpg average.

[..]

https://www.thedrive.com/news/hear-me-out-a-toyota-gr-prius-prime-performance-hybrid

[Heathen]

I hear they're coming out with electric motorcycles next.  That the big jap manufacturers are even stopping production on some gassers to convert to electric.  I hope it's a dirty rotten lie, but it seems like everyone's scared of global warming and think digging batteries out of china, and producing electricity in oil and coal generating stations to power the batteries is somehow better for the environment than just burning the fuel in your engine.   I personally don't believe any of it, but the world does, so we're moving in that direction whether I like it or think it's stupid or not.   anywho...  that means one day your motorcycle choices will be which electric bike do you want.

I have nothing but questions.....

will Harley's still sound like the engine is fighting itself when the engine is electric?

Will I still be able to throw a tent on the back and campout overnight at some unknown, un-predetermined place, then get back on the road, or will I have to plan to stop somewhere with a charging station?

will I still get back home smelling like gas and oil, or am I going to have to live without that too?

Am I safe in the rain, or is the dang thing going to catch on fire?

CAn they please design is so that it pretends not to want to start on cold days so I have to pull a fake choke lever for a minute until I force it to start and warm up?   I'm always proud of myself for that, and I don't want to give that up.

If I think I might run out of gas, I carry a 2 liter bottle in my saddle bag and that gives me another 15-20 miles(ish).  Can I instead carry an extra battery?  how does that work if I run out of electricity on the highway.   Call AAA and say "I need a charge." ?

I don't know.  I don't like it. 

I sound like a grumpy old man, even to myself.    ha!

[cookiedough]

am surprised that older model year camry hybrid not get more than avg 35 mpg.  Is it mostly all city driving?   My 2.4L 2014 base gas engine sonata consistently forever has averaged same 35 to 36 mpg, but is mostly hwy. miles.  

One would think a hybrid car like that would get near 50 avg mpg, or not?

I for one cannot see many of us wanting an EV all electric vehicle.  I can see if 95 percent of daily driving is in the city and under say 15 mile commute would be fine daily, but that is about it on all electric with most around 250 mile range tops on a full charge.  Daily driving like me 65 miles total would have to make sure charge the batteries up every 2 days overnight just to make sure not run out of juice.

If it was all city driving it might be in the 40-42 mpg. Highway speeds with a 2.5 liter engine is in no way getting 50 mpg unless going down hill. Remember this is a fully loaded hybrid with every option under the sun, full gas drivetrain, and added weight of the hybrid batteries and drive system. My mothers Turbo Regal doesn’t break 30 mph on the Interstate under most conditions. 50 mpg is achievable with certain cars under certain conditions but they won’t meet everyone’s criteria for a all around vehicle.

There is a Toyota owners group and some of those guys report 40+ mpg in their Camrys while hyper-mileing. They live out west in plains areas with flat straight roads and they concentrate on their driving habits and do a lot of coasting for lack of a better term. I have taken local trips to and from town and recorded 40+ mpg on the cars computer which I have found to be extremely accurate but the majority of miles we put on the car are back and forth to Lexington on Interstate 75 @ 80 mph thus the 35 mpg average.

that is interesting never knew that.  I thought for sure read up on the newer hybrids camrys/sonatas getting near 50 hwy mpg.  I understand they get better city driving, but thought not that much more mpg as hwy. driving only 3-5 less mpg is all. 

If what your saying is true in REAL world driving,  why buy a hybrid at all since full gas engines (if mostly all hwy. like myself), get about the same 36 hwy mpg? 

[carolinarider09]

 

IF I were to get one it would be a hybrid.

[pais]

I work 2.5 miles from home. I'd like to try one. It's all city driving through the week. Like someone said before. The additional cost makes it hard to bite the bullet and try one. Long time to pay for itself.
I love the irony of the tax break / credit that goes along with these cars. The price of the cars are so high that it eliminates the people that could most use the tax break.

[Patrick]

Me, not interested and I just bought a new vehicle. Probably our last.

[st2sam]

Me, not interested and I just bought a new vehicle. Probably our last.

Same as Patrick.
Two new gas vehicles, a 2020 SUV & 2023 pickup, probably last longer than us. 

[Valkorado]

Doing a lot of thinking here.  I don't believe what I'm looking for will even be available with a newfangled hybrid or electric vehicle.  I'm sure I'll have to bide my time and be patient looking...

I'm wanting a strong running 4WD van.  I want basically a blank slate, so I can set it up for some easy camping but also use for other normal "vehicle" applications.  I have visions of setting up a solar chargeable power bank allowing some basic refrigeration, cooking and lighting.  I already have a battery bank/inverter that will power a mini 3.3 cu. ft. fridge for a day or more w/o charge, and recharge in a strong afternoon of sunshine.  It'll also run a small nuker and a 1100 watt electric kettle (independently) for necessary durations. Runs a 100w chicken coop panel heater for what seems like ever.  

Blow up an air mattress, it's better than Motel 6!

Don't get me wrong -- RVs are very cool.  But big RVs seem so obnoxious to me -- land yachts -- and just maneuvering in cities and even loaded parking lots, etc. can make one swear to never get behind the Captain's wheel again!  Plus the price of fuel nowadays makes them even less appealing to me.

Not sure exactly what make or model I'm after, but I'm pretty sure it'll be gasoline powered.  I like how some (V Dubs, etc.) had the pop up roofs for extra headroom.  Cost is an object, but I hope to avoid rust buckets with 300,000 miles.  Any suggestions?

[Highbinder]

I can buy a lot of gasoline for $38,000 or $40,000, I have no intention to let my gas operated equipment retire.  I spent alot of time maintaining it so that it runs forever, no rich guy who just wants to make
more money can convince me he's trying to save the world.  All those electric vehicles are made using
oil products and energy, so what are you saving?

[..]

I can buy a lot of gasoline for $38,000 or $40,000, I have no intention to let my gas operated equipment retire.  I spent alot of time maintaining it so that it runs forever, no rich guy who just wants to make
more money can convince me he's trying to save the world.  All those electric vehicles are made using
oil products and energy, so what are you saving?

Don! He lives!!!

[scooperhsd]

IF I absolutely was forced to choose - I'd do Hybrid over EV. But I'd rather drive a regular ICE vehicle.

[f6john]

If I have a concern about vehicle development it’s that with the government pushing EV’s other options will be pushed aside. I know some manufacturers have been working on Hydrogen power, I’d like to see that get the same amount of push as the EV’s have.

If you can figure out a way to go to the Moon and Mars a practical solution for earth bound transportation must be out there. Of course if we keep dumbing down out schools and places of higher learning we’ll have to depend on the development coming from other countries.

[cookiedough]

not sure how many of us will still be walking this earth, but read somewhere that by 2035 (some 12-13 years from now) most mfgs. will have half their vehicles all electric converted over to, or so they say now.  I sure hope that is not the case since plan on living 20 more years (or more).   

Only way I would ever buy an EV vehicle is if NOT in the snow belt COLD winters and I drove mostly city driving shorter distances and no plans to travel over 250 miles one way ever in my life.

I think the cost of hybrid vehicles will hopefully come down in price as more and more hybrids come out to make them affordable to most people, or sure hope so.  The way pricing has been going on new vehicles, not likely to happen though probably? 
 

[Robert]

Hybrid is the way to go Prius is top of the line and reliable, it gets about 45 mpg.

[pais]

Hybrid is the way to go Prius is top of the line and reliable, it gets about 45 mpg.

I am always perusing the sites. never knowing what I will find. I have noticed that when a Prius is for sale most have lottsa miles on them.

[scooperhsd]

Hybrid is the way to go Prius is top of the line and reliable, it gets about 45 mpg.

I am always perusing the sites. never knowing what I will find. I have noticed that when a Prius is for sale most have lottsa miles on them.

Lots of miles doesn't scare me - it's more of "how well has it been maintained" that matters to me - yesterday, I went over 383,000 miles on my 2000 VW New Beetle, I've had that car since March 2003 with 65,000 miles.

[pais]

Hybrid is the way to go Prius is top of the line and reliable, it gets about 45 mpg.

I am always perusing the sites. never knowing what I will find. I have noticed that when a Prius is for sale most have lottsa miles on them.

Lots of miles doesn't scare me - it's more of "how well has it been maintained" that matters to me - yesterday, I went over 383,000 miles on my 2000 VW New Beetle, I've had that car since March 2003 with 65,000 miles.

Miles don't scare me, it was an observation and a testament to the reliability.

[Challenger]

Hybrid is the way to go Prius is top of the line and reliable, it gets about 45 mpg.

We've come a long way haven't we? Our 1978 Honda Civic got 42 mpg. Without a giant battery!

[carolinarider09]

We've come a long way haven't we? Our 1978 Honda Civic got 42 mpg. Without a giant battery!

 

Just begs the question..... 

[cookiedough]

yah,  my future wife at the time we meet in 1990 bought new a 1988 Toyota Tercel 4 door sedan with 4 speed stick shift small I think 1.2 or 1.5L 4 cylinder.  GREAT MPG vehicle was fun and peppy to drive.  NO JOKE, it averaged between 45 and 50 mpg NO hybrid needed to achieve those numbers.  Not many NON hybrid cars, if any besides diesel,  can get 45 avg mpg anymore.  Non that I am aware of.

 

[indybobm]

I am waiting for a hydrogen powered car.

[hubcapsc]

yah,  my future wife at the time we meet in 1990 bought new a 1988 Toyota Tercel 4 door sedan with 4 speed stick shift small I think 1.2 or 1.5L 4 cylinder.  GREAT MPG vehicle was fun and peppy to drive.  NO JOKE, it averaged between 45 and 50 mpg NO hybrid needed to achieve those numbers.  Not many NON hybrid cars, if any besides diesel,  can get 45 avg mpg anymore.  Non that I am aware of.

My 72 Civic got GREAT mileage    ...

I sure am glad I'm driving a modern (ish) car now    ...

-Mike "I think Pintos got OK mileage"

[Grandpot]

I own an auto repair shop and I can tell you from experience that all it takes is one out-of-warranty electrical powertrain repair to wipe out all and more of your savings in fuel.  Most repairs on EV's still need to go to a dealership.

[Heathen]

Fast Lane Trucks (you tube channel) just did a comparison between an EV Hummer pulling 6,000lb trailer and a Ram Cummings Diesel truck pulling the same trailer.  EV Hummer pulled it 123 miles on a full charge.  had 8% battery left.  Had to charge for 31 minutes to get enough charge to make it back home.

Diesel Truck pulled 221 miles and still had 1/3 of a tank left and takes 5 minutes to fill up at the gas station.  Of course, diesel costs more than electricity right now, but also contains more power per pound.

Anyway, who wants to wait 30 minutes at a fill station just to be able to make another 123 miles.  in a "heavy duty truck"  ?

I don't think the tech is quite there yet.

[carolinarider09]

Fast Lane Trucks (you tube channel) just did a comparison between an EV Hummer pulling 6,000lb trailer and a Ram Cummings Diesel truck pulling the same trailer.  EV Hummer pulled it 123 miles on a full charge.  had 8% battery left.  Had to charge for 31 minutes to get enough charge to make it back home.

Diesel Truck pulled 221 miles and still had 1/3 of a tank left and takes 5 minutes to fill up at the gas station.  Of course, diesel costs more than electricity right now, but also contains more power per pound.

Anyway, who wants to wait 30 minutes at a fill station just to be able to make another 123 miles.  in a "heavy duty truck"  ?

I don't think the tech is quite there yet.

 

[Jersey mike]

Fast Lane Trucks (you tube channel) just did a comparison between an EV Hummer pulling 6,000lb trailer and a Ram Cummings Diesel truck pulling the same trailer.  EV Hummer pulled it 123 miles on a full charge.  had 8% battery left.  Had to charge for 31 minutes to get enough charge to make it back home.

Diesel Truck pulled 221 miles and still had 1/3 of a tank left and takes 5 minutes to fill up at the gas station.  Of course, diesel costs more than electricity right now, but also contains more power per pound.

Anyway, who wants to wait 30 minutes at a fill station just to be able to make another 123 miles.  in a "heavy duty truck"  ?

I don't think the tech is quite there yet.

Just imagine having to pay an employee a rate of $20.00 an hour (or more if OT) to sit and recharge a work truck and that truck taking 30 minutes to charge just enough to make it home.

[Wizzard]

not to mention the fact that most of our electricity is produced with coal powered plants. What do we gain?

[cookiedough]

I own an auto repair shop and I can tell you from experience that all it takes is one out-of-warranty electrical powertrain repair to wipe out all and more of your savings in fuel.  Most repairs on EV's still need to go to a dealership.

well it sounds like I think most EV vehicles have an 8 year battery life warranty covered 100% and Hyundai/Kia are 10 year warranty.  Beyond that,  am sure NOT good expensive repairs or replacements.

[..]

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63743597

Mercedes-Benz to introduce acceleration subscription fee.

[cookiedough]

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63743597

Mercedes-Benz to introduce acceleration subscription fee.

Article also said:  And in December 2021, Toyota announced it would charge some drivers $8 per month to remotely start their cars using a key fob.

I fear this is a trend that will continue a lot more if people decide to pay for such BS. 

My mother in law pays for Sirius satellite radio monthly and IMO is a waste of money monthly she could put elsewhere.  She does use it though like orchestral music which to me is elevator boring/sleeping music that would put me to sleep while driving.  She only puts on 5K miles per year on her vehicle though so not like she used it LONG trips much. 

Regarding the article,  who would pay more to go 1 second faster from 0 to 60?  Not I...

[f6john]

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63743597

Mercedes-Benz to introduce acceleration subscription fee.

Article also said:  And in December 2021, Toyota announced it would charge some drivers $8 per month to remotely start their cars using a key fob.

I fear this is a trend that will continue a lot more if people decide to pay for such BS. 

My mother in law pays for Sirius satellite radio monthly and IMO is a waste of money monthly she could put elsewhere.  She does use it though like orchestral music which to me is elevator boring/sleeping music that would put me to sleep while driving.  She only puts on 5K miles per year on her vehicle though so not like she used it LONG trips much. 

Regarding the article,  who would pay more to go 1 second faster from 0 to 60?  Not I...

A fool and their money are soon parted.

[scooperhsd]

Sirius IS something I would pay for if I was on the road alot more than I am. As it is , we get by with the 9-10 GB MP3 collection in the car, or tune to local radio (FM).

[carolinarider09]

Well not directly related to EV or Hybrids I tool have XM Radio (well now called Sirius/XM since XM was purchased by Sirius.

Started in 2005 or 2006.   Was riding my Valkyrie on road trips and using a Garmin GPS (I think it was a 6820).  I just switched from my Magellan GPS because the Garmin allowed me to play music (MP3 files). 



I never got it (the Garmin) to work with the MP3 files and I wanted to listen to something besides wind on my rides.   So, the only option was to get the XM Antenna and the subscription.   

I would listen to country music, The Highway.   It was cool, no commercials and the only issue was the music would tend to repeat over the day.  I then found the "Audible Books" channel on XM Radio.  So, at sometimes during the day, they would play Science Fiction and I would shift to Audible channel.   

While the channels changed when XM was purchased by Sirius and they added "people" talking during some of the songs, I kept it because, even with access to MP3 music I had on the newer GPS I had (550, then 665), it was nice to listen to another selection. 

Now it's the Y2Kountry channel and Audible books I purchase and down load and some MP3 music we like.......It's used in three vehicles and yes it's sort of expensive but.....