Hybrid or not

The difference is 160 lbs

 

It's only 160 pounds difference.

 

How about license plate tags…

 

Edited. Regardless, it is weight and complexity that it don't want . . . for myself.

I hope I am getting through here, about my choices?

 

I get your point about your choices.

I used to think the same way you did until I actually researched how the hybrids are built. Then I realized that most of what people say about hybrids doesn't match reality.

I know I am not going to change your mind and that is ok. I do want to make sure that the people who are on the fence get accurate information, so they can make an educated decision.

 

..and Hybrid trims tow more than their gas versions

 

Unless you have the hands free hatch. Putting a hitch on those can affect the hands free.

 

I think the only reason Toyota sells any gas Rav4's is because they don't make enough of the hybrid. As many others have said, it's really better in every way from a driving perspective.

I haven't owned too many cars, but it's my favorite one so far.

I would say the same thing we always say: drive both, and I think you'll know right away if you prefer the hybrid. (Not saying you will, but the difference is quite noticable).

 

I've owned and enjoyed 20+ vehicles of all types 55+ years.
I choose to support internal combustion engines and oil and gas industry. It has provided myself and majority of those where I live with a nice living and place to live it.
I remain loyal to things that have made us where we're at.
I'm not gonna change even though the "driving experience is better", "saving environment" or anything else.

 

Again, Hybrids run on ICE. So still uses gas.
Also, whats up with Alberta gas prices? Higher than in US. I'm glad I took Rav4 to Banff.

 

Ya we pay a lot for gas here compared to US. Even compared to Hawaii where they have to get gas shipped on a boat. Alberta is actually less than most of rest of Canada but it is still high. And the stuff is pumped out of the ground here and refined here. The problem is that Canada gets taxed to death. First by Feds then again by province. Gas is one of many things we get gouged and overpay on. Mostly due to taxes.

 

No.
Ask the folks in N. Carolina if they have power to charge their vehicles, their phones, cook with electricity or heat water for a bath.

 

None of which affects a hybrid in anyway. Your point?

In fact, if they had certain models of hybrid they’d have a complete home power capable generator. Inefficient yes but easy and on hand.

 

I live in North Carolina.

Imagine, a vehicle that gets better gas mileage can go farther on the limited gas supply. Sounds like a no brainer...

Seems like most people are answering no to EV vs. Gas, when the question is actually Gas or Less Gas (and mo'par).

 

There is actually no shortage of "gas" or petroleum products. Many people like politicians, and those making a killing on electric technology, and others are making people believe there is.

 

Canuck,

I'm referring to North Carolina, where there are absolutely local shortages in Western NC, between the destroyed stations, power outages, and increased demand for generators (because of the widespread power outages).

 

The only thing I have to add to this thread is that F1 cars, some of the fastest and most advanced race cars on the planet, are hybrids.

Technology moves on.

I also think that some people in the thread are confusing hybrids cars with fully electric cars. Modern hybrids are primarily a classic internal combustion engine based automobile.

Second also… no one has mentioned the regenerative braking system which is the main source of increased efficiency. Please correct me if I am wrong.

When I was studying mechanical engineering at Washington University in the 1990’s, there was an hybrid automobile research project that accepted undergrads. The tech was in its infancy. It has come a long ways since.

 

Regen helps but not as much as one thinks.

The biggest advantage is that Toyota can put a 40% thermally efficient engine into the RAV4 and uses the electric motors to keep that engine in its operational sweet spot.

Not enough load for the engine to be in the efficiency sweet spot-> use the generator to put additional load on the engine to charge the battery. Too much load to be in the efficiency sweet spot -> use the electric motor to lower the load on the engine. Need a 14:1 compression engine to reach that efficiency no problem use the motors to make sure the engine can avoid any operating regime that will cause detonation.

This is part of why a full hybrid like the RAV gets so great efficiency but a mild hybrid like the new Tacoma, even with regen, gets relatively poor fuel economy.

 

So it gets better efficiency even on the hiway?