Is the Chevrolet Volt cheaper to drive than the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid? A new study shows that's the case when travelling 70 miles (112 km) or less between charges. However, beyond that distance, the Toyota allows drivers to save more money.
This is based on the premise that the combustion engine stays off when the electric motor is running, which may not always be the case depending on road conditions and driving styles.
Moreover, the study includes variables such as gasoline prices – at $0.92 per litre, or $3.50 per gallon – and electricity prices – at $0.11 per kilowatt-hour – which are never the same from one area to another.
In Canada, by the way, gas prices have long been significantly higher than that, so the actual gap between the Volt and Prius Plug-in is not what the study made it look like.
Still, the Chevy will prove more efficient than the Toyota for a large majority of commuters, who cover fewer than 20 kilometres to go to work and come back home every day, according to Statistics Canada.
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| Photo: Olivier Delorme/Auto123.com |
This is based on the premise that the combustion engine stays off when the electric motor is running, which may not always be the case depending on road conditions and driving styles.
Moreover, the study includes variables such as gasoline prices – at $0.92 per litre, or $3.50 per gallon – and electricity prices – at $0.11 per kilowatt-hour – which are never the same from one area to another.
In Canada, by the way, gas prices have long been significantly higher than that, so the actual gap between the Volt and Prius Plug-in is not what the study made it look like.
Still, the Chevy will prove more efficient than the Toyota for a large majority of commuters, who cover fewer than 20 kilometres to go to work and come back home every day, according to Statistics Canada.