http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/01/04/3633661/woman-sues-honda-in-unlikely-place.html
A woman is suing in small claims court in California claiming that Honda made fraudulent claims about the gas mileage for its hybrid. They claimed 49-52 mpg. She got under 30.
In CA, one can collect up to $10K in small claims court without lawyers. Other Honda buyers are following her lawsuit. With 200,000 Honda hybrids out there, exposure could be significant.
This makes you wonder if hybrids are a gimmick. Are they merely designed to fool the EPA gas mileage test, or do they give real improvements in gas mileage? The higher cost makes them difficult to justify except for those who drive high mileage.
If you drive 100,000 mi you need at least 13.4 mpg better mileage to justify paying $10K more for a hybrid (with gas at $3/gal). Her results suggest little or no savings vs the standard Honda.
Once again people ask if the EPA mpg test method is meaningful under actual driving conditions.
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