Current Hybrids: Just buy a diesel

Tests by environmental website, Clean Green Cars, show that current hybrids offer no significant CO2 advantage over an equivalent diesel of similar performance. Having tested three hybrids and three diesel models in similar circumstances, the fuel consumption figures showed that diesel models generally used less fuel and therefore emitted less CO2. The results of our tests were:

Toyota Prius vs. Jeep Patriot 2.0 CRD
Toyota Prius: 39.9 mpg
Jeep Patriot: 38.9 mpg

Honda Civic vs. Ford Focus Econetic
Honda Civic IMA: 40.2 mpg
Ford Focus Econetic: 52.7 mpg

Lexus GS450h vs. BMW 535d
Lexus GS 450h: 28.5 mpg
BMW 535d: 30.6 mpg

The tests involved a return trip from central London to Brighton, which involved a mix of urban, dual carriageway and motorway driving.

Jay Nagley, Publisher of Clean Green Cars commented, “People may be surprised to learn that hybrids are no better in the real world than diesels, but our tests confirmed what we had long suspected. Hybrid technology offers the prospect of real benefits, but only with the next generation of plug-in hybrids using more advanced lithium-ion batteries which are expected from 2010.Current models only confer dinner-party bragging rights”

The current enthusiasm for hybrids needs to be put into context:

Hybrids became popular in the USA because they are the only alternative to conventional petrol engines – diesel passenger cars are virtually unknown in the United States.

With the exception of some Lexus models, which can drive at 20 mph-plus on electric power, hybrids generally spend almost no time driving on battery power alone. The Prius barely gets above walking pace before the engine cuts in, and the Civic uses battery power to boost performance – it generally does not drive the car alone.

Even the main advantage of hybrids – the fact the engine does not usually idle at traffic lights – is no better than a modern diesel with stop start technology .We also tested a Mini diesel with stop start which achieved 50.7 mpg. Ironically, if the batteries run down, a hybrid will automatically start the petrol engine at traffic lights just to recharge the batteries.

Said Richard Bremner, editor of Clean Green Cars, “We are not anti-hybrids. The concept offers the prospect of genuine fuel saving with models promised from 2010 that will drive up to 40 miles on electric charge. However, today’s models using current battery technology offer no real environmental benefits for British drivers. For your next new car, we would generally recommend an economical conventional engine – for the one after that a hybrid may make sense.”

For more information, visit cleangreencars.co.uk.