View Single Post
Old 08-15-2014, 04:25 AM   #22 (permalink)
theaveng
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Irvine
Posts: 54
Thanks: 2
Thanked 11 Times in 5 Posts
How did MetroMPG reach his conclusion? I'm sure there's an aero difference between a brickish SUV and a hatchback at 30 miles/hour, but a smooth sedan like a Civic and hatchback Prius would be virtually nothing. The weight would matter more (because of the stop-and-go pattern of city blocks).

For example the Volt that I tested:
It wasn't very aerodynamic, but still only used 5000 watts to maintain 30 miles/hour versus 50,000 every time I accelerated from a stop. A lightweight car like a smart would be about half that (which is why its EPA city score is nearly 40 mpg). IMHO weight matters more when you're constantly stopping & starting (wasting energy).
  Reply With Quote