Can hybrid cars perform well on motorway?
By Cars & Motorcycles on Jul 05, 2008 with Comments 3
Li Z asked: Do you get frustrated by the speed and performance of hybrid cars on the motorway?
I am considering buying a Honda Civic Hybrid 1.4, but am a bit concerned about its performance and safety on the motorway (60% of my daily drives are motorway).
Any experience to share?
Filed Under: Hybrid Cars
About the Author:
I drive a Prius, and let me tell you, you won’t notice the difference at all. If you need the power, it’s there.
I have a 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid and I have no problems on the highway. I can drive 60-70 mph, accelerate as necessary and still get 45-50 miles per gallon.
it has been known to make a difference, but only in the mountains with long grades. a couple years back a US car magazine tested a civic hybrid vs a standard civic in a cross country run. they noted equal to slightly superior performance from the hybrid except in two occassions, and both were similar circumstances.
the run was done along I40, from east to west. on the grade into albuquerque NM and flagstaff AZ, which are 30 miles long and climb several thousand feet, the batteries died. then they were left with a small gas motor powering a car on a 75 mph interstate going up hill. the batteries died b/c there is no place along there you use the brakes so they weren’t being recharged and b/c it’s all up hill they were running at full power w/ both motors until the batteries died.