JamesMor said:
I am debating the purchase of a Ford Escape Hybrid. I am concerned about the fuel economy for those who live in the far North. Specifically, at some point in the future, I hope to move out to the Yellowstone area. I am concerned that the batteries used in the cold suffer from the same problems that our camera batteries do...
James :
At this point in time, the 4WD hybrids are not making records in fuel economy. The current technology's not bad - don't mistake my comment - but it's simply not going to make a bigger 4WD vehicle reach high numbers in MPG. The mass-to-power ratio's just not in your favour, especially with the added battery weight.
As several folks have noted, the hybrids shine in urban areas, because the battery system can act more effectively at the (often) lower speeds one finds around a city/suburban environment. They're simply not effective with 4WD under significant loads, as the battery won't be adding to the net power required. The smaller size of the sedans assists a lot in getting better mileage as well - this is difficult to achieve with a 4WD. Again, others have and will note that the 4WD hybrids are tending to be more power enhancement than higher mileage, deriving from the power-mass issues.
The NGV/CNG systems are pretty good, but again, there are limitations such as filling stations or the home compressor systems (which actually work quite well and in some places have hefty rebates available). The limitation here is that the compressed natural gas only gives about a 250 mile range for a smaller sedan, and
much less for 4WD systems under load. That's just too short a range in the west where you can be 75 - 100 miles from a refill (if indeed a CNG station would be present).
LPG fueled vehicles haven't had the market penetration as they have in places like Toronto (a fair fraction of the taxis there are LPG fueled), and the LPG fueled systems have somewhat similar limits as CNG, although the range is better for the LPG vehicles. I don't recall LPG vehicle refuelling locations on highways in Wyoming when I've worked there, but there may be some.
There are a slew of good reasons to consider hybrids or alternative fuel sedans for relatively light duty, but right now on the 4WD side of the house, the technology's just not as far advanced as we might like. Given the weight and power requirements for trucks and significant 4WD use, it's probably going to be a little while before we'll see 4WD hybrids with really good mileage.
And in terms of qualifications on this subject, I've been involved in alternate fuel and hybrid fuel vehicle systems since '88, especially looking at the safety aspects of them.
At this point in time, I'm waiting on significant improvements before I go to a hybrid SUV/4WD. Living here in New Mexico and being in the high country a lot in winter, I still have the need for dependability as a dominant issue.
John P.