I think the government have also clocked that lugging two separate power trains around is not really sensible and I do wonder if a hybrid is actually cheaper to run than a fuel efficient petrol car, or even a diesel heaven forbid. Also at what point, if ever, the hybrid becomes greener than that efficient petrol car.
Hybrids do seem to be worth it but I can't work out exactly how much extra weight it adds. Looking at the Toyota website the curb weights for the various 2.5L petrol Hybrid models range from 1705kg to 1760kg where the only petrol 2.5L available is 1705kg. Assuming it is the same specifications as the 1760kg then the weight of the Hybrid adds 55kg which is the same as driving with a full or empty petrol tank. Interesting that options like fancy 10 way power seats etc. must add as much as the Hybrid motors and battery.
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is one of Australia's most popular car and for a 4WD car that can tow a trailer to the tip, go on dirt roads etc. with no issues it is very economical. Compare the following
RAV4 Petrol 7.0L/100km
RAV4 Hybrid 4.7L/100km
My Octavia 6.8L/100km
I really like my Octavia but the RAV4 Hybrid is cheaper on petrol and is a more capable car towing etc. My son has one, he is extremely happy with it and trying to talk me into upgrading. As I said is a previous post on this topic I put my name down thinking I will get one for my wife to sell the Skoda with the highest km's. The waiting list for all new cars now reminds me of Morgan's in the 1980's so there is still time for other options to appear on the market.
So I think the opposite is true, that EV's with long range are not really sensible due to lugging around a huge battery. The head of Toyota said using resources to build the battery for one long range EV is not sensible when the same resources can batteries for 7 hybrids and do more benefit reducing CO2 than one long range EV. Another quote from another manufacturer but I can't remember who said that a long range EV battery weighs the same whether it is charged or flat, a petrol hybrid is much more sensible for long range because you only need to carry the extra weight of petrol when you fill the car up.
I feel the sensible option is either a Hybrid as a both town car and trip car or if the family often need two cars then the EV with the shortest range suitable and use it in town and another petrol car for trips and when two cars are needed. Of course that means two or three cars because you also have to have a Morgan or equivalent toy otherwise you would not be on this website.
Even with the current high petrol prices it is still cheaper to pay for petrol for one uneconomical car than registration on a second car. Car registration and insurance is my biggest expense.
I recently test drove a Kia Sportage. Self charge hybrid. Nice car, seamless battery/ice changes BUT really frequent. If you don’t like stop start on your car this will drive you nuts! Seeing the rev counter ( digital screen) jump from zero on battery to engine revs after so short a distance was odd.
Yes my sons RAV4 Hybrid is odd as it changes from battery only to petrol as the speed increases, It will not use battery only above 30kph so will swap. But as a Toyota mechanic he drove lots of them beforehand and doesn't mind it.
after 12 months with a Tesla M3 my conclusion is that EVs only make sense if you can mostly charge at home.
At 52cents per kw compared to charging at home for 22cents, or using solar during the day and losing 8cents on the feed in I would have to agree. 100km at 18kw (what my bosses Tesla is getting) means at 52 cents $9.52 per 100km, Yes cheaper than my Octavia with petrol at $2 meaning $13.60 but only 6 months ago it was $1.50 so about the same.
To add to my own confusion I have a very early solar system with a 20 year feed in contract at 47 cents valid for another 6 years, so if I charge at home during the day it is not much cheaper than using the super chargers (I would be better of charging at night and using power at 22cents). Once that contract finishes then charging an EV at home with a new more powerful solar system could make a lot more sense than now.
