Micro, my 1976 Honda Accord (NOT the same vehicle you see today, this had showroom floor cost of $5,500) got 30 mpg in stop and go city/freeway driving in Houston.
On the road - it got 33mpg at 70mph. Consistently on both readings.
Taint it simply amazing how far the 'auto-industry' engine technology has advanced since that time in increasing the mpg ? (Firmly in cheek).
That engine was a 1600cc with carburetion and stratified charge. Met and exceeded the 'emission control' requirements of the time without an add-on smog pump, also.
The use of 'batteries' in a hybrid car - any GREENER ever caught driving a hybrid should be shipped out to China where all the 'US' batteries end up for recycling. Should be forced to live right downstream and downwind from those lead recycling plants. Freakin' nimbys - really piss me off with their two faced hypocrisy. Not a single LEAD RECYCLING PLANT continues to exist in the United States - yet, every single nimby, every single AUTOMOBILE, UPS, golf carts, motorized wheelchairs, and many other COMMON ITEMS continue to use and consume lead acid batteries. They really are the ONLY battery that is economical for such heavy industrial, commercial and consumer use. WE SHOULD BE RECYCLING, CLEANLY, IN THIS COUNTRY - not shoving the problem on to somebody else, making them have their 'mess' and ours also to clean up.
Thank you the loan of that soap box, micro. This issue is a particular peeve of mine.
Theoretically - one could REDUCE the number of moving parts in a hybrid to less than those in the current engine-tranny drivetrain - but probably not at a weight savings. Generating electricity and then using an electric motor - well, that adds quite a bit of weight for the types of HP required.
The above discussion ASSUME NO FREAKING 'battery system' with it's plethora of electronic controls (read, more maintenance, more expense), switches, relays, black boxes, etc.
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