You write: >Caveat: the average for this may be below 88%, depending on >whose figures you use... BUT there are bona fide small >electric motors (CISIRO) which get over 98% efficiency and >batteries which are over 90% - giving a net of 88%. Why not >use the best available if you are going for operating >economy and not lowest capital cost?
EPA rated 48 mpg, vs 27.5mpg CAFE average. That's closer to 42% rather than 88%. I couldn't find any info on electric motor efficiency of the prius, but presumably you'd want to drive over 25 mph... ICE : 6 dollars, 3 gallons, 85.5 Kbtu available energy. ELECTRIC : 6 dollars, 35 kwh, 128 Kbtu available energy So it is somewhat advantageous to plug in the car now, more so if you are city driving and can keep the electric motor in gear most of the time. My point was that if you kept the car below 25mpg you could get 10000mpg or whatever, but you're still paying for the electricity ( something the Times article was neglecting to mention ). What's the mpg breakeven point by extending your mileage with the local nuclear power plant? K.
