What happens if (when) new EPA ratings come out for the existing hybrid electrics?

For models still in production, I'd expect the new rates to apply without a problem. But what about the Prius I drivers, would there be an attempt to apply an "engineering factor" to our EPA limits since it is unliky Toyota would go back and retest for the Prius Classics?

Bob Wilson

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Well, they can and they will. I haven't yet thought about how we'd change the mileage database to reflect the EPA's findings but I suppose we would come up with new criteria for rating cars. It really depends how much more accurating the ratings are.

As for the Prius I, well, that's an interesting hurdle. We'll just have to see what the EPA does and make intelligent choices here to reflect that.

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A radical approach might be to use a statistical method. Calculate the mean and standard deviation. Everyone at or above one standard deviation from the average would get a star. For a normal, bell-curve distribution, that would be the upper third.

Another approach would be count and order all values. Then take the upper 20% ( "B" and above when grading on a curve) to get a star.

Both approaches avoid the problem of EPA 'moving the goal posts.' Unfortunately it doesn't do much for the ratio of city/highway MPG but then that is also an EPA artifact.

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.