With the dramatic rise in fuel prices and the uncertain future, most people, willy-nilly, are thinking about how to cut spending. Even those who drive with electricity more often turn on economy mode and look for ways to make daily journeys cheaper. But it turns out that getting around sparingly is easy enough, especially when you’re behind the wheel of a plug-in hybrid.
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WLTP helps clarify
Until recently, new car buyers did not particularly focus on the technical description, in which the manufacturer indicates fuel or energy consumption, but now this information is one of the most important criteria for many. Also, seeing the indicators published in a brochure or on the Internet, potential buyers often ask the seller what the real consumption is. Such a question is quite appropriate, because, for example, the manufacturer of the plug-in hybrid “Peugeot 308” promises that the car will use 1.1-1.2 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers, being able to travel 60 kilometers in electric mode. Similar parameters can also be found in brochures from other manufacturers.
Buyers’ caution and even skepticism can be understood. For many years, fuel consumption and emissions were determined by the European New Driving Cycle (NEDC) method, widely and rightly criticized for not matching what consumers saw on a daily basis. The data obtained in laboratory measurements differed from practice even by several liters, so people simply discarded them by hand. Then the diesel scandal broke out, when experts found out how many emissions actually enter the environment: it turned out that in some cases their actual quantity exceeded official indicators dozens of times. After this tragedy, it was clear that a new and, above all, reliable way of car testing was needed.
This led to the introduction of the World Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), in which the consumption and emissions figures obtained reflect much better what the owner can expect from his car on a daily basis. Time has shown that the results of the WTLP can be relied upon. If there are differences, then they are not big and are more related to the personal characteristics and driving style of the drivers, for example the tendency to drive fast and aggressively. Therefore, if the aforementioned “308 Hybrid” was released during the NEDC, its actual consumption could be understood by multiplying the manufacturer’s data by two or even three. On the other hand, now you can count on the fact that the indicators will be confirmed even in real everyday life.
The same principles apply
If anyone thinks the 1.1-liter consumption is too high, the economy driving experts have good news: you can be even more thrifty if you try. The key is to know some basic principles.
Safe driving schools (DBS) manager and economic driving expert Janis Vanks reminds us that all cars are subject to the same laws of physics regardless of transmission and fuel type. How much a vehicle will consume will be determined by inertia, mass, speed, friction, etc. Understanding how they affect the car helps to achieve the main goal: the lowest possible consumption and harmful emissions.
“What is economic driving? Basically, it means going from point A to point B according to the highway code, using as little energy as possible. A good comparison here is with a bicycle. Sitting behind the wheel, we instinctively feel when to stop, when to brake. , how to get over hills and when to roll as long as possible, “explains Jānis Vanks.
Hence, the first principle of economical driving is to use inertia and not waste fuel or energy if road conditions and traffic allow. “Also, it’s important to keep a constant speed for as long as possible,” adds Vanks.
How does the electric motor help
Hybrid cars have something that regular internal combustion cars cannot boast of: the ability to recover the energy expended, as well as the ability to drive on electricity without wasting fuel. The electric motor helps in situations where fuel is consumed more: when you pick up speed and drive fast.
“If you accelerate smoothly after stopping, only the electric motor will work. If you press the accelerator pedal more, you will start the internal combustion engine and acceleration will be faster,” says the DBS driver and reminds everyone of the Known in fact – hitting the gas on the floor is the most uneconomical.
Jānis says that the electric motor can help not only in cities and suburbs, when it is inevitable to start from scratch often, but also on the motorway, where it provides additional torque to the internal combustion engine, helping to overtake and overtake more economically. However, in order for the electric motor to help the internal combustion engine when needed, it is necessary to monitor the charge level of the battery. If it is low, the internal combustion engine will start even after a light pressure on the accelerator pedal, which means there will be no fuel economy.
A recovery of millions
One of the main bonuses of electric cars is the ability to return part of the energy used to the battery. “Owners of internal combustion cars can only dream of saving fuel by using recovery,” says the instructor.
Recovery works in two modes: when the car is in motion and when braking. “When the gas is released and the car starts, the electric motor works like a generator and the energy returns to the battery. The same happens under braking, only then is the recovery more intense,” explains Vanks.
However, he urges us not to forget common sense. While fuel economy and energy recovery are very important, it is even more important to read traffic, anticipate events, not drive too slowly or slow down to create dangerous situations. “Drive according to the rules of the road and do not intentionally make strange and confusing maneuvers”, asks the instructor.
With a hybrid as with an electric car
The charging network is still under development, but you can’t fully rely on it yet. The question then arises: is it possible to use a hybrid as an electric car? It turns out that, following the principles of economic driving, even models like the “Peugeot 308 Hybrid” can be used in this way. The difference will only be in the maximum electric mileage.
“It all depends on the person himself, on his daily needs and abilities. My colleagues and I discuss new models from time to time and it is clear that in a given driving cycle the rechargeable hybrid is the optimal choice. A significant advantage is the ability to drive in purely electric mode without worrying if in remote and unknown places there will be nowhere to recharge it.Moreover, a range of 60 kilometers completely covers the daily needs of many people.If the distance is greater, the battery can be recharged to your destination and drive again in maximum economy mode – the important thing is to have a door. And a rechargeable hybrid has another significant advantage: it does not require the same power or as long as an electric car with a large battery to restore the reserves “, sums up Jānis Vanks.
