Hybrid car advice
- Thread starter ks.234
- Start date
darrenyeats
pfm Member
I agree they're not really to be compared to BEVs. I view them as a better way to do ICEs, which is why mild hybrids are rapidly becoming the new normal and will become ubiquitous, as happened for turbos, for as long as ICEs hang around anyway.
Fudgemaster
pfm Member
We bought a BMW 225e X-drive PHEV earlier this year, to replace our 6 year old 2 series petrol Active Tourer, and are getting used to it. On petrol it has a range of around 400 miles, and on a full charge, around 50 miles. Taking advantage of our solar panels, I usually charge up when the sun shines, using the 13Amp domestic supply. Some years ago a chap was offering wall chargers for free, under a government scheme, but it doesn't want to work with our car, for some reason. The car went back to the dealer, where they checked the cable and it worked, but not for me. But, I'm not convinced the cost of a new wall box is justified. Yet.
So, free charging, and have only filled up with petrol twice since, after 200 mile trips. We'll have to see how things go over the next few months, but from only filling up with petrol every couple of weeks to having to charge up when the sun shines, to maintain a full charge is something I'm getting used to.
The control system is from the iX, and is comprehensive , way above my needs, options for almost everything, but I've found settings which suit me.
The sound system sounds quite good, but we usually listen to Radio 2. Yes, we're getting on in years.
Still wouldn't go fully electric until I have to, and whether hybrid would have suited us if we didn't have solar panels, I can't say, but if push came to shove it would been the preferred option.
So, free charging, and have only filled up with petrol twice since, after 200 mile trips. We'll have to see how things go over the next few months, but from only filling up with petrol every couple of weeks to having to charge up when the sun shines, to maintain a full charge is something I'm getting used to.
The control system is from the iX, and is comprehensive , way above my needs, options for almost everything, but I've found settings which suit me.
The sound system sounds quite good, but we usually listen to Radio 2. Yes, we're getting on in years.
Still wouldn't go fully electric until I have to, and whether hybrid would have suited us if we didn't have solar panels, I can't say, but if push came to shove it would been the preferred option.
Darth Vader
From the Dark Side
That sounds like a real faff!
I recently bought my wife a hybrid and it'll do more than 600 miles on a full tank. No need to charge the big battery as it auto charges from the engine automatically. So far we are averaging over 60mpg all of which has been town driving!
It has every possible sensor and at first we got fed up with all the beeps I thought about turning them off! The car even detects if you are dozy by the way you are driving! Progress eh?
DV
Sue Pertwee-Tyr
Accuphase all the way down
If it's a hybrid, why is it using fuel at all if it's all been town driving? Does your car not have an electric-only mode?
And charging the battery from the engine uses fuel - it's using more fuel than you would use just to propel the car, so starting every trip with a fully charged battery would minimise the fuel burned. So if it were me, I'd say there's every need to charge the big battery from the wall, if you want to get the most efficient use case from your hybrid.
Darth Vader
From the Dark Side
You are misunderstanding how our hybrid works and also making unfounded assumptions. Firstly the batteries (there are two) are not charged externally but only from the ICE and thus there is no dependency on any charging points. The power mode is controlled automatically EV, ICE or both. Still 60+ mpg for local town driving is very good and an estimated range of 600+ miles per tank of petrol will get us anywhere we want in the UK without needing to fill up or wait for a charge unlike the other technologies.
The performance is very good for a small car that is responsive and snappy but not as good as my past 6L V12 Jag.........
DV
Sue Pertwee-Tyr
Accuphase all the way down
I didn't misunderstand; I didn't know. Which is why I asked...
But anyway, if there's no possibility of charging the big battery, it's odd that you wrote:
So any assumptions I made were basically founded in what you had written.
But anyway, if there's no possibility of charging the big battery, it's odd that you wrote:
(my emphasis)
So any assumptions I made were basically founded in what you had written.
Can I ask which model you got, as I'm in the market for a small to medium hybrid, so interested in real-world users and how they've found day to day running etc.
canonman
pfm Member
On my first mild hybrid and loving it. Especially when it starts up. No starter clunking, smooth as silk.
Darth Vader
From the Dark Side
My wife traded in her 12 yo Jazz for this model Jazz HybridāPage 1 (honda.co.uk). This will be her 3rd Jazz and also expect it to last 12 years.
DV
billo
pfm Member
I bought a Yaris after looking at the Honda like DV's The main reason being I got a spare wheel (I'm old fashioned like that AND needed it 3 weeks after getting the car!) They are all (AFAIK) automatics, CVT style, and with auto lights ,wipers, collision avoidance etc are very easy to drive I am getting 75MPG mainly by avoiding rush hour driving,
The only problem with the Yaris is that they do not like to be left sitting for days on end as the 12v battery can run flat which means starting is a problem as the main battery cannot supply the 12v one. I believe that Hyundai and Kia do not have this problem (not sure about Honda) as the main battery pack can supply voltage to the 12v or the starter motor. I think this is the reason the first owner got rid of mine as it had only done 8,000 miles in almost 3 years. Back in May the waiting list for a new Yaris was at least 16 weeks and for the bigger Yaris Cross around 24 weeks depending on spec.
Check the specialist forums for any car you are interested in, they do hi light problems big and small.
Darth Vader
From the Dark Side
This is true of any ICE car as if left without being used the 12v lead acid battery will discharge and run flat. Things that are always on such the alarm system, immobiliser, clock etc drain the battery over time. You just have to put the battery back on charge. The high-voltage battery is only used to power the electric motors everything else runs off 12V.
DV
billo
pfm Member
True but, the Yaris seams to be bad at this with people reporting not being able to start the car within a week of not being used. Some have pointed to a batch of 12v batteries from Turkey. The battery is also located under the back seat which is another hassle. Still I feel that these hybrids are a good idea and are so easy to drive. With Honda and Toyota having a reputation for reliability they should be trouble free for many years, Toyota will extend the guarantee for up to 10 years if serviced by any main dealer during that time,
ks.234
Half way to Infinity
Where does the dog sit?
raysablade
pfm Member
This is is interesting because my wife is going through a similar dilemma with the Yaris. She wants something smaller than the Polo GTI she has now and has tried and liked the new 130BHP version. However we have great public transport on our doorstep so the car will only get used for long journeys, 15 days a month at most. By Toyotas own admission it seems that's too big a gap for a hybrid, they suggest turning it on and leaving it at idle for at least an hour a week. I mentioned the possibility of connecting it up to a trickle charger a couple of nights a week and rather wish I hadn't.
Its expensive too, Ā£30k for the 130BHP model she liked. For that she can get a full spec Mini 3 door with 5 years servicing. The Mini promises to start every time she wants it to. I think i know what she will go with.