This is the
key paragraph, I think:
Quote:
|
For one thing, consumers understand pump-to-wheels measures – nobody does a wells-to-wheels calculation when they refuel. For another – from a technical viewpoint – we wanted to have an unambiguous, soundly-based, figure-of-merit that depends only on things the vehicle designer can control. This is because a main focus of the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE is to stimulate innovation in vehicles, and vehicle designers have little control over wells-to-pump efficiencies. Furthermore, upstream fuel efficiencies are ambiguous as they involve controversial and changing-in-time assumptions and predictions on which proponents of different fuels rarely agree. So, a wells-to-wheels definition of MPGe would result in arguable estimates rather than objective measured values.
|
Okay, I am much happier now! And the E-Tracer (and hopefully the Aptera and the FVT eVaro, and the Tata and the Illuminati (and any other electrics/hybrids) are judged on the "pure BTU" comparisons to gasoline. Diesel has to account for it's "extra" BTU's, too.