07-05-2016, 04:16 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Master of 140 hamsters
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Lacey, WA
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Measuring Efficiency
I have been looking at different ways to measure efficiency compared to MPGs. The goal overall to reduce emissions and save the planet while still getting around is noble. However, IMHO most people consider their wallets before considering the environment.
I have also been tracking MPGs with premium fuel vs regular fuel for a long time. Yes, with my car and with my real-world situations I have seen about 10% more MPGs with premium over regular. However, as my lovely wife has pointed out, does that increase in efficiency offset the additional cost of the fuel? When fuel was over $3.50/gal the additional 20-30 cents/gallon didn't make much difference, but now that we are in the $2.50 range it's more noticeable.
So - we started to track cost per mile ($/mi) rather than miles per gallon (MPG). Because really, isn't that what people want? Low cost per mile? No matter how they get it? Regular, premium, diesel, electric, etc. It all costs money, and that is the unifying factor for us all.
Our Ford is now at around $0.12/mile and the Honda at $0.08/mi. That informs me better on how to justify driving a 22 MPG "monster" compared to my "frugal" 35+mpg Civic. It let's me weigh the additonal cost of $0.04/mi for the additional comfort and practicality, especially now that we have to do diaper changes and breast feedings while on the road.
My question is this: How do you measure efficiency/consumption/expense/etc. when it comes to transportation? Is MPG good enough? Thoughts? Comments?
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07-05-2016, 04:30 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 463
Frogger - '00 Honda Insight Gas Only (unHybrid) 90 day: 64.86 mpg (US)
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I put together a spreadsheet for my Neon at one point. Column of items, such as tires, fluid, filters, battery, suspension, belts, plugs, bulbs, etc. Next column was cost for each one of these, then a column for replacement miles. Finally, I divided the miles by the cost and added it all together. It came out to be $0.08688/mile (at 46MPG, $2.00 a gallon). This does not include insurance and registration. Updated to 2.50 a gallon, it's about $0.09805/mile.
Just did my Insight... sadly, it's not as low as I'd hoped. $0.09598/mile. Though, this is considering IMA replacement every 100,000 miles at $2,100 a pop. Don't include that and you are looking at $0.07498/mile.
Last edited by NoD~; 07-05-2016 at 04:41 PM..
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07-05-2016, 09:01 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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EV convert
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NewMexico (USA)
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Yeah same here, the finicky VW 1.8L turbo gets much better fuel mileage with premium usually around +7mpg.
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1984 chevy suburban, custom made 6.5L diesel turbocharged with a Garrett T76 and Holset HE351VE, 22:1 compression 13psi of intercooled boost.
1989 firebird mostly stock. Aside from the 6-speed manual trans, corvette gen 5 front brakes, 1LE drive shaft, 4th Gen disc brake fbody rear end.
2011 leaf SL, white, portable 240v CHAdeMO, trailer hitch, new batt as of 2014.
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07-06-2016, 01:13 AM
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#4 (permalink)
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Too many cars
Join Date: Oct 2009
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I mostly pay attention to MPG, but my cost per mile of 3¢ isn't bad. 
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07-06-2016, 07:48 AM
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#5 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Australia
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You won't really know your cost per mile until your car dies of old age or you sell it on. Just sayin' 
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07-06-2016, 05:38 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: northwest of normal
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Rather than focusing on other consumables, I prefer to consider miles per gallon of anti-freeze, which is poisonous to puppies and kittens.  My VW Beetle, and it's eventual electric replacement will remain at infinity divided by zero.
Considering electricity, I pay 5¢ per kilowatt-hour. If I were to drive across the bridge into the next burg over, the cost of a recharge would double. If I were to venture outside the PNW, it would triple. And more coal miners would die.
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07-06-2016, 08:37 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 463
Frogger - '00 Honda Insight Gas Only (unHybrid) 90 day: 64.86 mpg (US)
Thanks: 13
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5c per KW/h?! Where do you live?!
Annual Electricity Price Comparison by State
Low fluid count is easily one of my favorite reasons to go electric (...which I have yet to do. I do have a 70's VW beetle that's been a contender, though. Just need the green to fund the green. BTW the beetle is green.)
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07-06-2016, 09:20 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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EcoModding Newb
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Oregon
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I use the vehicle cost of ownership calculator spreadsheet that is linked in my signature to estimate total cost of ownership and cost per mile. Many assumptions have to be made to get an approximate cost, but it is useful when comparing vehicles since you can hold certain variables constant and see how different fuel or electricity consumption rates affect the cost.
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Gas and Electric Vehicle Cost of Ownership Calculator
Give me absolute safety, or give me death!
The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary. -H.L Mencken.
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07-06-2016, 10:04 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: northwest of normal
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NoD~ -- I checked, it's 5.27¢. I don't want to give up too much more than 'nortwest of normal' but that next burg over is Bluegene, OR.
Possibly Elm green? My last car was same make year and model in Elm green. The EV conversion I'm fitting to a '58 Baja Bug may get transplanted into the Superbeetle at some point.
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