Toyota Primes Its New 120MPGe Plug-in Hybrid Prius

dang, you had my hopes up.

 

Which is exactly what mpge is.
I'm certainly open to another method, but I have yet to hear of one.

 

for phev's, we need one for each fuel, since each user will suffer one or the other based on use.

 

Which is why the stickers show both mpge and mpg.
Mpge for electric and mpg when it is running on gas.

 

too complicated for the average buyer. give them a 1-10 scale.

 

Unfortunately, as technology becomes increasingly complex, the likelihood of the consumer to understand it diminishes. Maybe a 1-10 scale such as found on EnergyStar labels isn't such a bad idea. While it wouldn't contain any technical details, it would provide an approximate efficiency to guide the buyer. As much as I hate stripping out the data, that's a great idea Bisco!

 

the data can stay for people who understand. it will still help to make a better choice, but for those who don't at least there would become guidance.

 

Come on, you're just pulling my leg.
Comparing two numbers is confusing?

As for a 1-10 scale, that already exists for tailpipe emissions.

 

The system that has worked exceptionally well for the past 15 years is what will ultimately end up being the choice of the ordinary consumer is what we all grew up with... grades... A, B, C, D, F. It's an elegantly system we are already familiar with. No need to come up with anything new.

Use of that ended many battles over the span hybrids have been around. It's very easy to point out how a vehicle doesn't earn an "A" grade. There is no confusion what the value means either. Grades make the evaluation of worth easy to understand.

The analogy of homework works exceptionally well too. Some enthusiasts like to gloat about an ability their preferred vehicle offers (want), while completely disregarding what was actually assigned (need). A teacher will see right through that deception, giving a lower grade for not delivering what was asked for.

 

The grading idea will not work and should not. The government should not get to arbitrarily bin vehicles subjectively. What they can do is what is done for appliances. Show specific vehicle metric(s) on standard scale. There clearly needs to be truth in advertising by getting the facts out. Having some government minister subjectively rate a metric only leads to corruption. Leave the subjective grading to auto mags, shows, and blogs where they belongs.

 

That's what we've been talking about.

 

It should just be miles per kWhr

 

And how many miles/kWh does a Corolla get?

 

It depends on which year, model, driver, and conditions, but according to the stupid MPGe system, about 1 mile / kWh.

 

Right, although very rough approximation.
So, without the MPGe system, how would you compare?

We need a measurement that allows us to compare the efficiency of an electric car vs a gas car.
MPGe does just that.
Without it, buyers have to know the conversion rate, apply it correctly and then compare.

MPGe does that for them.

 

Funny: the intent of the 3rd brake light was to let a driver very close behind you know you were applying the brakes, even when they couldn't see the lower, regular brake lights. Not much point to them in this app, but hey: the laws the law:

 

3rd brake light, brake stop light, mounted at top or bottom of windshield, on spoiler, the difference is; not "On" with taillights, and 3 quick blinks before changing to solid would probably be more effective.

 

I use my own spreadsheet to calculate the relevance of MPG to miles / kWh.

Vehicle Cost of Ownership.xlsx - Google Drive

Many of our safety systems will rapidly become vestiges as automated systems become mainstream, and eventually mandated in new vehicles.

 

Great spreadsheet!

But not something you could ever use for a quick comparison between vehicles for all customers.
For the goal of a quick, general comparison between vehicle efficiencies, MPGe fits the bill.
Again, I am wide open to other suggestions as to what to put on new cars to compare efficiencies.