Not all hybrids bring high fuel economy

Hybrids, like other vehicles, come in many styles, classes

By Jim Redden

The Portland Tribune, Oct 8, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Anni Tracy / Pamplin Media Group

Sleek styling, crisp steering and a responsive suspension make the 2010 Honda Insight a sporty hybrid.

Attention, green-minded new-car buyers: Not all hybrids are created equal.

Since the Prius first reached these shores in 2001, gasoline-electric hybrids have come to define ecologically conscious motorists. Now virtually every manufacturer is offering at least one hybrid, and most of the others are developing them.

But some hybrids are better for the environment than others. Depending on the model, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency currently rates them from a high of 50 miles per gallon for the Toyota Prius to a low of 20 miles per gallon for a Cadillac Escalade Hybrid. The Honda Insight and Civic Hybrid get around 42 miles per gallon, followed by various Ford, Toyota and Nissan models that get about 36 miles per gallon.

The differences are important to note, since all hybrids currently cost more than comparable gasoline-only powered vehicles. Even the least-expensive hybrid on the market, the Honda Insight that starts at $19,000, costs more than comparable gasoline-powered economy cars. Likewise, the hybrid version of the Civic costs thousands more than the gasoline-powered version – although it gets an EPA-estimated 13 miles per gallon better.

Both the cost and mileage differences need to be taken into account when deciding whether a hybrid is right for you. Of course, the payoff will come a lot quicker if gasoline prices go back up to $4 or more per gallon.

In theory, hybrids aren’t really very complicated. All mate a conventional gasoline engine to an electric motor and rechargeable batteries. An onboard computer figures out when to switch between gas and electric power. The batteries are recharged when the vehicles slow by regenerative brakes. This mechanism converts kinetic energy that would otherwise be wasted as heat into a form that can be stored and reused.

Classes of hybrids

There are several different types of hybrids out there, and the way they mix the basic elements greatly affect their economy. Most automotive authorities break them down as follows:

• Unique-model hybrids — Only a few hybrids were originally designed to be powered by electric motors and gas engines. The best-known is the iconic mid-sized Prius. Honda entered the market a few months ago with the similar-looking but compact Insight, and Lexus just released the first luxury version, the mid-sized H 350h. All three offer the best mileage in their classes.

• Full hybrids — At slow speeds and backing up, full hybrids can be run by their electric motors alone. At higher speeds, usually over 20 miles per hour, the gas engine provides most power, although the electric motor can boost performance when needed. Most current models are full hybrids.

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