Resolved Question: Is the EPA MILEAGE rating of ELECTRIC VEHICLES likely to be CONFUSING?

1 August 2010, 1:25 pm

Life was simpler under the petrochemical monopoly. Miles per gallon was just that. Then we find that hypermiling techniques can allow some drivers to go far further. The EPA doesn't actually drive cars it calculates mileage. http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/ It might be somewhat simple to convert gasoline to energy and determine the equivalent energy used to drive an electric car. On this basis the Tesla Roadster gets 244 mpge. (miles per gallon equivalent) http://www.caranddriver.com/features/09q3/the_truth_about_epa_city_highway_mpg_estimates-feature/plug-in_hybrids_and_gas-guzzlers_page_4 By law the EPA must provide a mileage rating, but hasn't come up with an official release: http://green.autoblog.com/2010/04/20/epa-still-not-settled-on-mpg-labels-for-plug-ins-volt-unlikely/ So fast forward to what DOE's regulations would give us for mileage. Go here and scroll down to Petroleum-equivalent efficiency and tell me if this is something that would give you valuable information or is an intention to simply confuse the issue? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Roadster Linlyons, You are an intelligent person but you might take a moment to read the several paragraphs it takes to translate the DOE criteria. You might be as surprised as I to see what is included. Nata, are you familiar with how much energy it takes to refine a gallon of gasoline and that you could drive an electric car further on that energy alone? http://www.evnut.com/gasoline_oil.htm Your numbers do not seem plausible. Crash: Until you organize the United States of Crash we will have to consider the laws of this (US) country and not your wish list. One point is clear, The DOE regs are not confusing if you don't look at them. One wonders if one head in the clouds is worth two in the sand. Paula, altough I have, in the past, had some severe criticism of things you have written your answer is most on topic. Several different mileage ratings can be as confusing as one that is difficult to interpret. (As can this question if someone is not familiar with the issues.) We might hope that magnetic motors would work but the Australian, Oklahoma and Canadian work have all been discredited. (and it may not be revelant to EPA mileage.)... Read More »

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