Re: True MPG with the AC running in a hot climate
AC certainly seems to make a big difference for me; on my commute, I've seen mileage as high as 39mpg (cloudy, 75 degrees) and as low as 33mpg (sunny, 92 degrees), with the AC set to automatic both times. Same time, same route, same driving style - only the weather was different.
This seems like a bigger mileage penalty than I'd expect in a conventional car (although it is tough to know, since my last car didn't report trip MPG), but I guess that makes sense - if the energy demands for the AC are the same, but the rest of the car is more efficient, the AC will have a bigger impact.
Glad to see your mileage is improving.
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