Completely OT--Any real world experience with a hybrid electric car?
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: East KY
Completely OT--Any real world experience with a hybrid electric car?
I'm seriously contemplating one of those Ford Fusion Energi hybrids. The one that can drive about 20 miles on the battery alone. Anybody with real world experience with one of these type cars? I'll probably keep my F-250 and "enjoy" it's 12 mpg on special occasions requiring a truck, and my poor old F-150 will probably bring enough trade-in value to buy the first tank of gas for a new car. But I am absolutely sick and tired of buying gas constantly. Have I lost my mind?
Believe Nothing
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,516
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From: W. Central FL.
Ahhh, I see the rational. Drive to the top of Pine Mt on battery and then charge the battery going down the other side with regenerative braking. Can you get to the top of Pine Mt on battery?
Seriously, I've never owned one but I have driven a Prius about 30 miles. A retired short track race driver friend came by with his and insisted I drive it, put it through the paces. I could not believe a guy who cut his teeth on performance SBCs would buy something like that. He likes it. He, too was tired of buying gas. I was impressed. A whole lot of instruments.
Edit: Would I buy one? No more miles than I drive, no.
Seriously, I've never owned one but I have driven a Prius about 30 miles. A retired short track race driver friend came by with his and insisted I drive it, put it through the paces. I could not believe a guy who cut his teeth on performance SBCs would buy something like that. He likes it. He, too was tired of buying gas. I was impressed. A whole lot of instruments.
Edit: Would I buy one? No more miles than I drive, no.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,599
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From: Rockingham, VA
I'm seriously contemplating one of those Ford Fusion Energi hybrids. The one that can drive about 20 miles on the battery alone. Anybody with real world experience with one of these type cars? I'll probably keep my F-250 and "enjoy" it's 12 mpg on special occasions requiring a truck, and my poor old F-150 will probably bring enough trade-in value to buy the first tank of gas for a new car. But I am absolutely sick and tired of buying gas constantly. Have I lost my mind?
I don't plug in this car and I don't want one that requires it. The gas engine charges the big battery. I regularly drive 700 miles on a tank of gas. My next car will be a hybrid.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: East KY
Ahhh, I see the rational. Drive to the top of Pine Mt on battery and then charge the battery going down the other side with regenerative braking. Can you get to the top of Pine Mt on battery?
Seriously, I've never owned one but I have driven a Prius about 30 miles. A retired short track race driver friend came by with his and insisted I drive it, put it through the paces. I could not believe a guy who cut his teeth on performance SBCs would buy something like that. He likes it. He, too was tired of buying gas. I was impressed. A whole lot of instruments.
Edit: Would I buy one? No more miles than I drive, no.
Seriously, I've never owned one but I have driven a Prius about 30 miles. A retired short track race driver friend came by with his and insisted I drive it, put it through the paces. I could not believe a guy who cut his teeth on performance SBCs would buy something like that. He likes it. He, too was tired of buying gas. I was impressed. A whole lot of instruments.
Edit: Would I buy one? No more miles than I drive, no.
I bought a 2010 Fusion Hybrid 4.5 years ago. This is the gas/electric version with a gas engine and a big electric motor. In 82,592 miles, I have averaged 43.9 mpg overall, which is far better than the EPA estimates of 36 highway/41 city. Compared to a gas only car averaging 20 mpg overall, I have saved $7,800 on fuel alone at a cost of $.08 per mile. The Ford recommended oil change is at 10,000 mile intervals. There is NO maintenance on the transmission. I'm still on my first set of tires, the original brakes look almost new (the trans assists in braking).
I don't plug in this car and I don't want one that requires it. The gas engine charges the big battery. I regularly drive 700 miles on a tank of gas. My next car will be a hybrid.
I don't plug in this car and I don't want one that requires it. The gas engine charges the big battery. I regularly drive 700 miles on a tank of gas. My next car will be a hybrid.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Jefferson City, MO
I worry about maintenance on the battery system for the hybrids. What is the total cost of ownership. I bought a Nissan Sentra a little over a year ago and it has been getting 35 mpg. My question would be if the cost of the hybrid is worth the 7 to 10 mpg. For the cars you plug in, how much is electricity costing. I would never buy a full electric just because of the range.
My nephew has a Prius and they seem to like it. It gets a little better gas mileage than their F350.
My nephew has a Prius and they seem to like it. It gets a little better gas mileage than their F350.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: East KY
As best I can tell, the basic difference between the baseline Fusion hybrid and the Fusion "Energi" hybrid is the size of the battery for the most part. Both vehicles charge the battery as they run in the gasoline mode, but the Energi's advantage over the lower model is the fact that it can run about 21 miles on the battery alone before the engine ever turns on. The MPG of the baseline Hybrid is supposedly 47 MPG. The Energi is rated at close to 100 MPG. So, basically both of them have the same internal combustion engine, but the Energi can truly function as an electric car for part of a commute at least. It's all pretty confusing to me.
FTE fan
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: paradise, northern calif.
Does anyone know about battery life in any of the cars mentioned, and replacement cost? The Prius has been around for awhile now, are the batteries holding up for the life of the car?
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Logistics Pro
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From: East KY
That is obviously one of the biggest questions, and how much will it cost to replace the battery someday. According to Ford's website, the "Hybrid" components have an 8 year/100,000 mile warranty. But if you live in one of the emissions states like California, the warranty is apparently extended to 10 years/150,000 miles. My question is what do we do with a bunch of worn-out cars with big old worn-out lithium batteries sitting in them someday.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Rockingham, VA
THANK YOU!!! To hear you guys give me real-world experience helps. I'd doubt I'd get that kind of efficiency here in these mountains and goat path roads, but I'm sure that would help. Can you tell me why you would not prefer the one with the bigger battery and plug-in (i.e. the Energi)? Due to the higher cost up front? Electrical consumption at home? Loss of trunk space? etc.
I will take my car anywhere in the country and not have to worry about finding a hook-up. And you have no trunk space in either case with a hybrid. The huge battery is right behind the back seat. BTW my big battery has a 150,000 mile warranty.
And just remember, you'll get poor mileage going up the hill, but you'll exceed 99 mpg going downhill, so it more or less evens out.
I should also mention that this car changed my driving habits. I used to be in the left lane going as fast as traffic would allow on my way to my heart attack. Now, I'm the guy in the slow lane doing 55 making everyone behind me angry (and I don't care).
I have kept exact records on all this since the first fill-up. I'm positive about three things... 1) you get better mileage going 55 than anything faster. 2) ethanol lowers gas mileage, by a few MPG. 3) synthetic oil improves mpg. We have used it for all but one oil change (dealer's fault) and our mpg dropped 3 mpg for that 10,000 miles. Got a free oil change for the next one though.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: Rimrock AZ
I don't have any experience with them but I did see this write up on the Fusion Energi this morning.
Capsule Review: 2014 Ford Fusion Energi | The Truth About Cars
Capsule Review: 2014 Ford Fusion Energi | The Truth About Cars
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Logistics Pro
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From: East KY
That's a nice article. Thanks. I think what everybody is realizing is the fact that America has hit another milestone with regards to the electric-powered car. They have finally developed one that is at least partially electric, doesn't cost a gazillion dollars, has performance comparable to a traditional gas-powered car, and it still looks cool.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Rockingham, VA
I don't have any experience with them but I did see this write up on the Fusion Energi this morning.
Capsule Review: 2014 Ford Fusion Energi | The Truth About Cars
Capsule Review: 2014 Ford Fusion Energi | The Truth About Cars
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
I imagine you don't use the A/C very much, Joe, with your climate? Heating and cooling are not figured into the EPA ratings, but both require the engine to run -- which it usually is anyway on the Hybrid. It does dramatically affect mileage. A woman I worked with bought the 2nd-year Fusion hybrid and consistently got 32 mpg in the summer, because of the A/C. In moderate weather she got nearer to 40, in what would be considered "suburban" driving, including a 1500' climb to her house. She loved the car, too.
I wouldn't own a car that complex without a great warranty. But I haven't heard any big clamor over reliability of hybrids either.
I wouldn't own a car that complex without a great warranty. But I haven't heard any big clamor over reliability of hybrids either.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,599
Likes: 34
From: Rockingham, VA
I imagine you don't use the A/C very much, Joe, with your climate? Heating and cooling are not figured into the EPA ratings, but both require the engine to run -- which it usually is anyway on the Hybrid. It does dramatically affect mileage. A woman I worked with bought the 2nd-year Fusion hybrid and consistently got 32 mpg in the summer, because of the A/C. In moderate weather she got nearer to 40, in what would be considered "suburban" driving, including a 1500' climb to her house. She loved the car, too.
I wouldn't own a car that complex without a great warranty. But I haven't heard any big clamor over reliability of hybrids either.
I wouldn't own a car that complex without a great warranty. But I haven't heard any big clamor over reliability of hybrids either.
The hybrid I drive uses the gas engine at all speeds over 47 mph. But it ALSO uses the electric motor most of the time. So the motor is assisting the engine, which is why I've been able to get such great mileage over such a long stretch of time. And this is why it goes 10,000 on an oil change.
I can have the a/c on and not have the engine running. But anytime I create a load (like stomping on the gas pedal) the engine will start. However I can pull away from a stop (on flat land) with no one behind me (so I'm in no hurry) and never start the engine until I reach 47 mph.