This link provides the details of this vehicle for sale on e-bay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-...em250249371328&

2005 AWD Escape Hybrid
Best Interstate tank trip MPG 39.02 (scangauge II) for 402 miles on I-70, 10.3 gallons used over mostly flat terrain.

Best Interstate tank trip E30 MPG 34.6 for 271 miles along I-80 in Indiana and Ohio.

Best multiple road tank trip E30 MPG 36.2 for 202 miles in Southwestern Pa.

That is whole lot of miles in a short period of time.

From the listing:

"The battery pack is warranted by Ford for 150,000 miles or 10 years. Although the vehicle has over 150,000 miles, we have had direct conversations with the lead hybrid engineer for Ford who has explained that they have numerous similar vehicles operating as taxi cabs in San Francisco with over 300,000 miles on them with no battery pack issues. Ford expects the original battery pack to last up to 10 years. The vehicle contains the original battery pack which works fine"

If you look it was used by a company to read utility meters... that explains the mileage.