Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf
But you can't buy the same mileage for half price (in the longer run), because anything done to increase the mileage of a non-hybrid can be done to the hybrid as well, boosting its mileage by the same ratio. So if you could build a 60 mpg Corolla today, you could use the same tech to build a 100 mpg Prius.
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Not true unless you are referring only to city mileage. For highway mileage, a modestly powered non-hybrid will beat the mileage of the equivalent hybrid since the non-hybrid isn't carrying the added several hundred pounds of hybrid batteries and drive. Then you will also save on the initial purchase price and some maintenance costs by not having a hybrid system. Also all of the current hybrid systems have more engine/transmission drag than a manual non-hybrid which can do true low drag freewheel once you unclutch. Urban driving is where a hybrid system with its regenerative braking shines. But if you do mostly highway driving, you can get high mpg at a much cheaper price going the non-hybrid route than by driving a hybrid.