01-06-2007, 04:40 PM
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Engineering first
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Real Name: Bob
Location: Huntsville, AL
Hybrids: Prius Classic 03
Posts: 5,205
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Re: buying diesel or hybrid?
Welcome,
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Cats
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The main reasons for low FE seem to be cold weather, short trips, using defrost/defogger or air conditioning, accelleration and hard braking and other driving habits. So the driving habits arn't a big deal, I can change these. But almost all of our clients are within a 6 km (3.5 mile) radius and some people have said you need at least 5 miles to warm up the electric battery for it to work in a hybrid. Will we get any benefit from a hybrid driving such short distances? We also live in a city that averages between 2-10c temperatures (35-50f) in the winter. Is this too cold to warm up the battery (especially for short trips from client to client)? It also rains a lot, so unless we want to get soaked and keep our windows down, we are going to use the defogger. . . .
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I can't help much about the diesels but I can help a little with the hybrid characteristics: - cold - the most common technique in colder climates is to get an engine block heater. In fact, the USA dealers don't have them so we order them from Canada. It is a good technique for diesels too.
- short trips - you'd prefer to avoid them but once the engine and parts reach operating temperature, you're good to go for the first hour (depending upon ambient temperature and winds.) If you are making a lot of short deliveries, consider someway to leave vehicle running but immobile (not a trivial problem.)
- defrosting - the Toyota models have gone with an electric compressor. There is still a hit but at least the engine doesn't have to run.
The hybrid premium came down several thousands of dollars in the USA since September. The inventories are starting to build and the recent reduction in oil prices seems to be making it a buyer's market.
GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson |