Green Guise: Chevy Volt’s 230 MPG rating is misleading.
Chevrolet announced on Aug. 11 that the upcoming Volt will get 230 miles per gallon. Don’t get too excited though—that number is a bit misleading. In fact, even the EPA has said that it is yet to confirm that number.
The Volt will have an electric-only range of about 40 miles. After the batteries are drained, a gas-powered generator will start up and recharge the batteries as the vehicle is driving. Chevy says that with the gas generator the range will be extended by about 300 miles. So, the total range is 340 miles on a full battery and a tank of gas, which is expected to be about eight gallons. That is, if my math is correct, about 43 mpg.
But what if you drove 30 miles every day for a month and recharged the vehicle every night? That would be about 900 miles without using a drop of gasoline. How do you calculate the mpg then?
So, how did they come up with 230 mpg? That number is a bit complicated. The EPA has a draft method to convert electricity usage to a miles-per-gallon equivalent. This calculation is more of an energy usage comparison to help consumers get an idea of the cost to operate the vehicle. The EPA realized some time ago that consumers needed a way to compare energy consumption of standard vehicles to alternative fuel vehicles, such as plug-ins and EVs. That’s where this formula comes in. Unfortunately, I don’t fully understand it, so if you do, please help us out.
There has been tons of chatter on the internet about Chevy’s 230 mpg marketing, including this and this. Certainly, Chevy nailed their viral marketing leading up to the announcement. Plenty of forums had people guessing, and some people did some real investigation trying to undercover what the vague 230 ads were talking about.
Actual range and electricity costs for the Volt will vary significantly depending on driving habits and utility rates. If you start with a full charge and a full tank and then drive a very long distance, then you’re going to rely more on gasoline. If you keep all your trips short and recharge as frequently as possible, then you’ll be relying on electricity.
However, maybe Chevy is doing us a favor? If we’re trying to compare energy consumption, then the EPA formula is something to consider. For the average consumer, will the Chevy Volt really consume 1/10th as much energy as a car rated at 23 mpg? As far as I can tell from the absurdly complex EPA document, I think that’s what the formula, and the Volt’s massive rating, is trying to tell us.
Ultimately, be ready for mass confusion when consumers think they’ll get 1,880 miles of travel off an eight-gallon tank and a full charge.
Cash for Clunkers…Conan O’Brien Style: KABOOM!
If you’re not familiar with Cash for Clunkers (aka the “Car Allowance Rebate System“), then you should catch up on the news. It’s all over the place. It’s simple: trade in a qualifying older, not-so-fuel-efficient vehicle and get a government rebate towards the purchase of a new, more fuel efficient vehicle. It’s not perfect, but it’s wildly popular right now.
Well, Conan O’Brien made a fantastic offer on The Tonight Show: trade in your earth-killing jalopy for a Lexus HS10 Hybrid sedan. The catch? Conan is going to “blow up” your old car! (Check out the video clip on Hulu from the show.)
Conan wants people to send in videos of their terrible car and why they deserve the new Lexus. The winner gets their car blown up with massive amounts of explosives, and they get a new Lexus! The official name of the contest: Conan, Please Blow-Up My Car!
This is all of course a promotion for the new Lexus HS10, which indeed looks like a very nice car. If you watch the video clip above, they give a little overview of the car. It is loaded with technology. Maybe too much technology: it has a mouse to control all the electronics! The car is a hybrid, but because of it’s big, powerful engine, it gets a fuel efficiency of about 35 mpg.
So, if you have a real beater that is too old to qualify for the Cash for Clunkers program, Conan O’Brien might be a good alternative.
Can you get 100 MPG? Your chance to PROVE IT!
The Toyota Prius Plug-in is capable if getting over 100 MPG if you drive conservatively. Do you have the special touch to reach such amazing fuel efficiency? Find out on August 22! by taking the 100+MPG Challenge!
We’re holding a special event at The Green Car Company to give you the chance to drive a Toyota Prius with the A123 System Hymotion Plug-In kit. With extra batteries and the ability to go up to 40 miles in all electric mode, you’ll be blown away with this amazing technology. A representative from A123 Systems will be on had to answer all the questions you have.
Plus, if you can get over 100MPG in our Prius, you’ll be entered to win an electric bicycle!
Visit the 100+MPG Challenge page at The Green Car Company website to learn more.
Green Guise: Volkswagen turns its back on biodiesel
We’re keen on some of the new clean diesel technology that’s making its way into the United States: great performance, great fuel efficiency, and the cleanest diesel emissions ever. What we’re not keen on is what is happening with new diesels and biodiesel compatibility. More accurately, biodiesel incompatibility.
Volkswagen TDIs used to be the best choice for those wanting to cut their emissions with biodiesel. After VW took a break with diesels for the 2007 due to changing EPA rules, they came back with a shocker: biodiesel beyond B5 is a no-go.
Sure, the new “Clean Diesel” Volkswagens have much cleaner diesel emissions than their previous generation counterparts. But why would Volkswagen shy away from cutting emissions even more by keeping their TDIs as biodiesel-compatible as possible?
One of our experts, Tony Cutler, here at the Green Car Company pointed out that, “The newer 2008+ diesels use a process called late post-injection. This process involves injecting a small amount of fuel into the engine post-combustion. With regular petrol diesel this isn’t an issue, because it has a lower flashpoint than Biodiesel. A higher flashpoint however, means a little bit of Biodiesel may still be left leading to oil dilution.” There is an in-depth technological explanation why biodiesel above B5 is not good for the new TDI engine, but it’s shocking that VW would settle on a technology that limits the consumer’s ability to be as Green as possible.
Tony added, “If Volkswagen implemented a process called “exhaust stream” injection, rather than using late post-injection it would accomplish the same goal (reducing emissions) but would also allow for the use of Biodiesel without the damaging effects.”
Back on the Volkswagen website, they have a fancy page with a carbon offset counter on it. If they had the foresight to keep biodiesel running in their engines, then perhaps their offset counter wouldn’t seem like a bad joke.
Ultimately, if you want to run biodiesel, don’t buy a new VW TDI. In fact, don’t buy any of the new diesels that are out now, which all seem to rely on the same technology. Find yourself a 2006 or older TDI because the “2009 Green Car of the Year” doesn’t seem to be as green as it should be.
Most importantly, take a few moments to visit www.SaveBiodiesel.org to learn more about the issue and to sign their petition.
Auto manufacturers are gearing up to get more diesels on American roads, but if they’re going to restrict our ability to use the biodiesel we want, then perhaps they shouldn’t waste our time.
Coolest Hybrid Motorcycle Ever! It’s a Peugeot!
Ever since spending time in South America I’ve had a fond feeling for Peugeot automobiles. Peugeot gave up on the United States in the early 1990s, but they’re going strong in Chile, where my friend works for their marketing team. I had the chance to drive a diesel 207 around, and I have to say I loved it. I had ridden in his car several times, but until I drove it, and he told me, I didn’t know it was diesel.
Peugeot may have just completely won me over for life with their HYmotion Hybrid Motorcycle. Hybrid? Indeed. It has a 125cc gas engine, and two electric motors, one for each front wheel. Oh yeah, it’s a three-wheeled motorcycle.
If that three wheel design looks familiar, you may be thinking of the Piaggio MP3. Notably a hybrid MP3 is also in production.
BMW tried making scooter with a roof, but it didn’t take off. I always thought it was pretty cool-looking though.
The Peugeot will be hitting European streets next year.
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