Toyota Prius Fuel Consumption
With the prices of fuel on a strong rise nowadays, people are seeking alternatives to their transportation needs. This contributes to the increase of people using public transport and way back, those who were not eager on hopping onto a bus or a train would just trade in their SUVs and minivans for smaller cars. In the automotive market of present though, they have the choice of a hybrid vehicle and one car which stands out in this crowd is the Toyota Prius.
Being a hybrid, one can safely assume that the Prius sips on fuel and has breathable emissions. That is certainly true as it is powered by a 76bhp fuel-injection engine and a 67bhp electric motor which is located at the back of the car. At low speeds, only the electric motor propels the car as the engine is shut down and this adds up to not only great mileage, but noise-free rides. Drivers who find themselves in these kinds of low speed situations often can be happy to know that a Prius can do as much as over 60 miles to the gallon if the pedal is treated a little gently.
Generally, all hybrid cars manage to give drivers good fuel efficiency because of its electricity use which lessens the need to run the engine a lot. Although it is also the case of the Prius, this car also has aerodynamics to thank. With a drag coefficient of as low as 0.26, the Prius experiences very minimal wind resistance and this makes things easier for the car’s mobility hence, not requiring the engine to do a lot of work in propelling the car. This is combined with the use of its supposedly eco-friendly tires which reduces the friction against the road for environmental reasons as well as optimal effect on the fuel efficiency.
The Toyota Prius does not only maximize the use of energy as a hybrid. It also generates it whenever possible. Of course, this only applies to electricity and the Prius achieves this feat in two notable ways. The first is a braking system known as regenerative braking which is used in a number of hybrid cars these days. What it does basically is convert the kinetic energy created when the brakes are used into electric energy. When this is done, it also reduces the friction on the brake pads. Another method the Prius uses to obtain additional electricity during driving is the use of High Solar Energy Absorbing glass which they term as HSEA. As its name suggests, the glass panels like the windscreen and windows of the Prius absorb solar energy for electric conversion and although its absorption may only be minimal, the use of this glass and the Prius’ braking system add up in the long run to give a boost in the car’s fuel efficiency.
Being a car which does an average of more than 50 mpg on all roads and even more when driven at low speeds constantly, the Toyota Prius is indeed an efficient energy saver. With fuel consumption as good as this and its overall eco-friendly nature, the Toyota Prius is one great car indeed.
EPA Fuel Economy
Fuel Type – Regular Gasoline
MPG (city) – 60
MPG (highway) – 51
MPG (combined) – 55
All miles-per-gallon figures are based on standards set in 1972-1976 and accurate standards will be available in cars of 2008 and beyond.
EPA Fuel Economics
Cost to Drive 25 Miles $1.35
Fuel to Drive 25 Miles 0.45 gal
Cost of a Fill-up $35.70
Miles on a Tank 589 miles
Tank Size 11.9 gal
Annual Fuel Cost* $909
*Based on 15000 annual miles and a fuel price of $ 3.00 per gallon.
Fill-up cost and the distance you can travel on a tank are calculated based on the combined MPG and the assumption that you will re-fuel when your tank is 10% full.
According to the EPA’s revised estimates, the combined fuel consumption for the 2008 Prius is 46 mpg–U.S. (5.11 L/100 km / 55.2 mpg–imp), making it the most efficient car available in the U.S. in 2008, based on the official rating.
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