Prius feedback modifies driver technique
An article in today's Washington Post explores the constant feedback that Prius drivers get about their fuel consumption -- and how that may be one of the main reasons that Prii* get lower gas mileage than other vehicles. I've noted this phenomenon before, so I thought I'd pass along a link to the article.
* "Prii" = plural of "Prius," at least in my world.
* "Prii" = plural of "Prius," at least in my world.
Labels: action, environmental, oil, prius, tech
2 Comments:
Feedback leading to better driving habits would certainly help any conscientious driver in any vehicle, but almost anyone - even the lead-footed - can get 40 mpg with a Prius, and with other cars they (the lead-footed) would be getting way less.
The Prius, as you probably know, will charge its battery any time you put on the engine brake. Non-electrics will not use gas while coasting, but you won't get any extra mileage later!
(I'm kind of a Prius hanger-on, and don't get to drive ours very often, am still stuck with an old truck.)
I'm a big advocate of increasing cafe standards, but consumption readouts on all new cars would be a great start. I was in a supermarket parking lot the other day when some kid gunned his engine as he pulled out of the lot, and it made me cringe...
I started keeping track of my mileage with my Nissan pick-up in 2002. It was a spur-of-the-moment thing, I was driving up the 395 to meet with the Santa Cruz field camp, and spontaneously began recording my mileage on the gas receipts (My long-term average for the truck was ~21 mpg).
I've been doing this consistently since I got my Prius. It's worth noting that the actual mileage is approximately 2 mpg lower than the electronic read-out.
Post a Comment
<< Home