Nothing has changed since this study was done except that energy costs for mining battery materials have been recalculated upward, bringing hybrid and ice vehicles closer.
HyWeb Contentpage
Very light ICE vehicles such as the Smart ForTwo are regarded in some circles as slightly more eco-friendly than hydrids. On long trips, hybrids lose advantage over light ICE in respect to mpg. This is the basis for a consumer lawsuit against hybrid manufacturers. It also brings into question many of the claims for hybrids, suggesting that substantial battery drain, unaccounted for in well to wheels analysis, is leading to exaggeration.
None of this is reflected in the questionable mileage stats of this board and others as battery charge levels, beginning and end, are rarely, if ever, provided.
