Stan, Another important key is driving profile. City stop-and-go vs. open road, up and down mountains vs. level roads, and prevailing winds. Distance, fuel consumed, and cost per unit of fuel for a year are *not sufficient* for comparing vehicle performances.
Gene. - Original message ---- >Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:17:16 -0400 >From: "STANLEY DOORE" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: [USMA:41201] LTE - Hybrid & Diesel Economy Math >To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]> > > > "Hybrids and diesels save, but math can be > tricky" in the June 20 issue of The Washington Times > explains various elements to be considered in > evaluating auto purchases; however, they are not > easy to use. > > Consider standardizing on some basic numbers. > For example, use 10,000 km and 20,000 km (6200 miles > and 12,400 miles respectively) driven per year. > Then use the price of $4.00/gallon for gasoline and > $4.50 for diesel fuel to drive those distances. > These round numbers simplify the math and will help > people to understand the differences in savings > quicker. > > The keys are total distance driven, fuel used > and the cost of fuel. Although miles per gallon or > km/L has increased for new diesel fuel vehicles, it > doesn't tell the full story about the additional > cost compared with gasoline hybrids. > > Hybrids with electric drive provide added torque > and better fuel economy than new diesel powered > vehicles. And with an electric plug-in > option, hybrids will have even better fuel economy > compared with diesel only vehicles. > > Stan Doore
