Are Hybrid Cars Really Using Less Fuel?

Driver behaviour is a significant factor in fuel economy.  Now a study has show thatplug-in hybrids (PHEVs) may be burning as much fuel as traditional combustion-engine cars.

Data compiled for the BBC suggests that such vehicles in corporate fleets averaged just 40 miles per gallon (mpg), when they could have done 130. Why? Because many drivers may never have even unwrapped their charging cables!

Many hybrid vehicles were bought by company fleets encouraged by generous incentive grants from the government. It appears that many businesses used the grant to save on the cost of buying regular cars.

Research carried out by Miles Consultancy examined the mileage records from 1,500 models, including Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Volvo vehicles, showed an average real-world mpg of 39.27, against an average manufacturer advertised mpg of 129.68.

Figures for 2,432 hybrids - including non plug-in varieties - showed an average real-world mpg of 49.06, still vastly lower than the potential range.

Paul Hollick, the Miles Consultancy's managing director said that "There are some examples where employees aren't even charging these vehicles up. The charge cables are still in the boot, in a cellophane wrapper, while the company and the employee are going in and out of petrol stations, paying for all of this additional fuel."

As is often the case, changing the attitudes and behaviour of drivers rather than relying on new technology appears to be at the root of a problem.