Speaking of the EPA range,
I'm in favor of a complete EPA testing revamp.

Since mileage varies so much and everybody knows that, why not post a low, average and high figure to give more information?

Seems like a solution to me.

For example a Grand Caravan could get a rating of 15, 20, 27
Honda Civic Hybrid 35, 46, 65

(Speaking from experience)

Efficient drivers do it better.
1003 miles a tank personal record. 74MPG calculated. HCH1 CVT

I like that idea. The EPA could include several different explanations for the methods taken to achieve each range, like temperature, topography, percentage above or below speed limit, and so on.

I guarantee you if they did things in a way that would include multiple types of drivers and driving conditions, we'd all hear a lot less complaining from unsatisfied purchasers about unrealistic benchmarks.

That makes way too much sense for it ever to be adopted.

Actually, I think they do something like that already, in the fine print below the gigantic EPA numbers. Not only would this provide a better indication of the range of expected MPG values, it would also clue people in to the fact that the way that they drive their automobile, and the environmental conditions in which they drive, will indeed have an effect on the mileage they recieve.

You know though, to get back to the debate that initially started this thread re: how much driving style affects the mileage vs. consumer expectation, I think it's time for me to make a confession. Before I bought my 2004 HCH MT, I was considering the following cars:

1) HCH MT (what I wound up with)
2) Second Gen Prius
3) Nissan 350Z (probably convertible)
4) Honda S2000
5) An older-model pre-Tacoma small 4-cyl Toyota pickup

Looking back on this, it's hard to believe only a year and 8 months ago I almost bought a sports car. But I live in a world of conspicuous consumption; I really do like the adrenaline rush of driving fast; and I think there is a lot of appeal to having a convertible. Ultimately, of course, I had to assess my values, put first things first, and buy the environmentally responsible car. The other cars really just don't fit my personality as much as the hybrid. That said, when they make a convertible hybrid with a rotary biodiesel engine, I'll pre-order it faster than you can say "whatever happened to flywheel technology?"

If I'd have bought a 350Z, I'd drive it like a 350Z. The thing about having the HCH is that it has taught me how to drive more responsibly. It's changed my whole perspective on things, to the point where I considered making a bumper sticker that reads:

0-60 in 5.3?
Try 40-60 MPG!

Having the HCH and thinking about gas mileage and my life's over-all impact on the environment resulted in me selling my house and moving into an apartment within walking distance to work. And this is all because of the nagging mileage bar indicator showing me in real time how much money I'm putting into the pockets of the most exploitative and profitable companies ever to exist (ExxonMobil and friends).

I think -- I hope -- that other people buying hybrids might encounter the same "awakening." I know may of us are... all you have to do is take a look at the "you know you're a hybrid owner when..." thread for proof.

I think it should be a requirement to have a constant-gas-consumption-indicator in all cars. Congress could write it into the next revision of the Clean Air Act. Could you imagine if H2s had to have a gasoline usage indicator in them? How much harder would it be to sell one of those things if they could see what Hybrid owners see?

I guess in sum, I'm trying to say that there are deeper philosophical reasons to buy a hybrid. Yeah, I'd have been better off "economically" given the amount of driving I do a year buying a Honda Civic HX. And yet, I'm thinking about getting a 2006 HCH just to pump up hybrid sales. I would be willing to spend an extra 6 grand or so just to promote the technology because it's a time whose idea has clearly come, regardless of the fact that it'd be like throwing that money away in terms of what I'd get from it.

When are people going to start doing pimp-my-ride-style set ups with hybrids so that I can get an Accord coupe with a 6 speed manual transmission and the hybrid engine? Maybe I should send a video to Xibit.

I guess I need to go to bed now. Sorry for the rambling.