Quote:
Originally Posted by Hersbird
The highway economy of hybrids is only higher on paper because the EPA "highway" test cycle still involves stop and go just less of it than the "city". Real world highway (not a wide parking lot "highway" in the middle of a big city) there wont be a benefit in carrying around extra weight in batteries or having regenerative braking when you can go 300 miles without touching the brakes.
I suppose the special cam and tuning they put on hybrids because they can be a little short on horsepower can help on the highway, but that's not hybrid technology and could be used on any gas car.
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Technically it could be but it wouldn't sell in the USA. Few people are going to buy a midsize car with 98 hp.
The extra battery weight is minimal for a hybrid. Even the old 1.3 kWh NiMH battery in the Prius only weighs 93 lbs. Li-Ion batteries weigh less. The Prius adds 2 motor/generators but eliminates the starter and alternator.