The goal of this exercise, when we want to drive in the most efficient way, is to try to maintain the charge above a certain level. When this level is reached, which is different from one model to another, the battery charges itself without using the engine's energy. Below that level, part of the gas engine's energy (about 10%) is used to recharge the battery. While that happens, the car's performance is decreased and its efficiency potential is not at its optimal level.
Of course, we're talking here about managing driving on an open road rather than in the city. In town, the numerous starts and stops makes it a lot more difficult. But on the highway, the difference can be remarkable. I'm now a lot more used to this management because last week, I've traveled from Montreal to Trois-Rivières, which is about 120 kilometres, at an average speed of 96 km/h for a final consumption of 2.5 litres per 100 km, or 110 miles per gallon, with my personal car, a Honda Insight.
Yes. It is possible to surpass the rated fuel economy figures with hybrid cars.
The charge/assistance indicator:
This indicator shows you if the system is in charge mode or in assistance mode. This way, it helps the person manage his driving to prevent from using up the vehicle's charge for nothing. For example, you can notice that by pressing slightly less on the gas pedal, you won't lose speed (or 2-3 km/h at the most) and instead of discharging the battery, you'll charge it. It's by getting used to manage your right foot on the gas pedal and keep an eye on the charge/assistance indicator that you will end up driving more efficiently.
Getting back on the subject, I started looking for these indicators in the Honda Accord Hybrid's console. But, unlike other models offered by Honda, Toyota or Ford, it isn't displayed as clearly. There is in fact a cumulative consumption indicator, but no real-time one, which is an important tool for efficient driving.
I have to admit that this leaves me confused.
As well, there is a charge level indicator, like on all other hybrid vehicles, but this indicator is smaller and harder to read than on every other hybrid I've driven so far. It seems as though Honda's engineers wanted to make sure that we'd be as less aware as possible about this car's hybrid functions. In fact, I'm even persuaded to think that all this driving management I've explained about be more and more accomplished by computers and less by the driver, and that it was planned by the
manufacturer so that people don't need to worry about it. In the end, it's a little like what's done in numerous conventional vehicles in which the tachometers were removed, automatic transmissions were installed, and people were persuaded to stop being preoccupied by the management of their vehicle's performance.
The fuel economy figures for the Honda Accord Hybrid are 7.9 litres per 100 km in the city and 5.9 L/100 km on the highway, or 36 mpg in the city and 48 mpg on the highway. After a few minutes of driving, after understanding the specifics of the car's system, I hit the road and it got easier to achieve the official fuel consumption numbers with this vehicle then with every other hybrid vehicle I've driven to date. After an hour on the road, I was already averaging 6 litres per 100 km after activating the cruise control and riding in full comfort at 100-105 km/h. When I increased my speed up to 120 km/h, consumption went up to 6.2 L/100 km, which is excellent for this car.
Of course, we're talking here about managing driving on an open road rather than in the city. In town, the numerous starts and stops makes it a lot more difficult. But on the highway, the difference can be remarkable. I'm now a lot more used to this management because last week, I've traveled from Montreal to Trois-Rivières, which is about 120 kilometres, at an average speed of 96 km/h for a final consumption of 2.5 litres per 100 km, or 110 miles per gallon, with my personal car, a Honda Insight.
Yes. It is possible to surpass the rated fuel economy figures with hybrid cars.
The charge/assistance indicator:
 |
| 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid (Photo: Honda) |
Getting back on the subject, I started looking for these indicators in the Honda Accord Hybrid's console. But, unlike other models offered by Honda, Toyota or Ford, it isn't displayed as clearly. There is in fact a cumulative consumption indicator, but no real-time one, which is an important tool for efficient driving.
I have to admit that this leaves me confused.
As well, there is a charge level indicator, like on all other hybrid vehicles, but this indicator is smaller and harder to read than on every other hybrid I've driven so far. It seems as though Honda's engineers wanted to make sure that we'd be as less aware as possible about this car's hybrid functions. In fact, I'm even persuaded to think that all this driving management I've explained about be more and more accomplished by computers and less by the driver, and that it was planned by the
 |
| 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid (Photo: Honda) |
The fuel economy figures for the Honda Accord Hybrid are 7.9 litres per 100 km in the city and 5.9 L/100 km on the highway, or 36 mpg in the city and 48 mpg on the highway. After a few minutes of driving, after understanding the specifics of the car's system, I hit the road and it got easier to achieve the official fuel consumption numbers with this vehicle then with every other hybrid vehicle I've driven to date. After an hour on the road, I was already averaging 6 litres per 100 km after activating the cruise control and riding in full comfort at 100-105 km/h. When I increased my speed up to 120 km/h, consumption went up to 6.2 L/100 km, which is excellent for this car.