This won't be the official top 10 thread but I wanted to have a discussion about parameters and methodology before I start it. First, is MPGe the best way to go to compare efficiency? And I'm pretty darn sure I know how to calculate it but we should talk about that too so we are all on the same page. Second, what should our minimum distance be? 500 miles? 1000? 2000? What other ideas do you all have? My vote would be to use kWh from the ratio screen divided by the standard 33.7. And for gallons we could use the same screen but we would need to add one unless you had specific fill up information. For example, if the ratio screen said 7 gallons you would need to round up to 8 unless your gas receipt said 7.8 or something. And adding up mileage from the ratio screen would work fine.
After thinking more about it...I believe we should have a 1000 mile minimum. Since it is not necessary to do this all on one tank we can keep the number pretty high as to minimize any elevation changes. Anyone object?
I believe it would be best to use the actual out of the wall charging kWh as that includes the conversion losses which indeed are part of the cost of running the car. Use the 33.7 kWh per equivalent gallon. Gas should be as measured at the pump. I don't expect to be top 10, I just enjoy driving. Calculated as described, my first 3100 miles with 5 fill-ups are at 69 Mpg-e average with high of 80 and low of 60.
I don't think we could expect everyone who wanted to be on the list to have a kill a watt. As long as we all use the same thing it will be fair. 80 MPGe is really good!
I suppose you are right. However, a $25 meter and a $30,000 car... I love the technology of the car and all the interesting things you can measure. The meter and a Scan Gauge II are "toys" I just had to have. The 80 Mpg-e is interesting. I had gone about 500 miles on short trips for 6 weeks around home using about 1.5 gallons of gas and lots of electricity then went on a 291 mile mountain trip (60 mpg) and filled the tank.
The numbers are interesting but I don't think is a very exciting contest. On a related matter... When I tell a friend (who hasn't previously discussed the car) about a long trip they ask "How did you find enough places to plug it in?" I have to tell them "Its not an electric car". The hybrid with a larger battery idea is still a learning curve for some folks.
