[ausev] A Quandary

[Michael Bonard]

I fully agree with Willie:

- New diesel cars (found only in Europe) have better gas mileage than 
our hybrids!
- I am wondering why diesel fuel is more expensive in the US than 
gasoline.. This is the reverse in Europe!
- Driving styles will considerably affect the gas mileage. I was able to 
get 40 MPG on my Ford Escort LX by using common sense and anticipating 
the traffic ahead. Those who accelerate furiously (and decelerate not 
less furiously) use more gas, pollute more, wear their engines more, 
take more risks, wear up their brakes much faster for no appreciable 
gain: I usually find them at the same level as me on the next traffic light!
Since these drivers do not seem to realize their foolishness, maybe that 
fuel prices of $8 a gallon will force them to behave more intelligently..

Michael Bonard
EV enthusiast
Washington, DC




Willie McKemie wrote:
> On Wed, Mar 19, 2008 at 11:15:10PM -0500, Dustin wrote:
>   
>> decision.  Don't be fooled by EPA #'s, no car reaches theirs.  Though the 
>>     
>
> Our Golf TDI was, I believe, EPA rated at 49 mpg under the old system.  
> Over it's ~120K miles, it has given us more than 50 mpg with a max of 
> about 55 mpg.  The VW diesels compare VERY favorably to hybrids: 
> generally better mileage, much cheaper to buy, far simpler design, 
> diesel longevity and reliability.  Even with today's high diesel 
> prices, the cost of fuel per mile is no higher than a Prius.
>
> I believe the failure to achieve EPA estimates is due to poor driving 
> habits and perhaps failure to understand the laws of physics.  Those 
> problems are easily resolved; I despair when I observe driving styles 
> even in the face of today's fuel prices.
>
>