Robert F
2011-07-01 04:23:35
Grizzly,
The reason is that the hybrid technology is at it’s best in stop and go traffic, where the brakes are generating electricity. In addition, the lower city speeds result in higher mileage than highway speeds. On the highway, a hybrid is effectively a standard car, but with a small and efficient engine, and in the case of the Prius, great aerodynamics. Hybrids typically use “Miller” or “Atkins” cycle engines, which are more efficient than standard engines, but apparently do not have the ability of standard engines to perform under a wide range of conditions. Otherwise, I would think that automakers would use them more often.
