[syntaxing]

For those looking for an alternative, I highly recommend the Ford Escape PHEV. It’s about 12K cheaper with the federal incentives. You lose out on some stuff like AWD and one recall, but overall the compromises were worth the 12K difference. The car handles very well and remote app is free. With the electric range and my habits, I would need to get gas every 6 months. I get over 40 mpg if I run on gas (in the summer).

[noodle]

I've been helping someone shop for a car and the Escape PHEV has been on the top of the list of considerations. Agreed its a great alternative, but its basically impossible to find as well. Most ford dealerships are charging ~20% over MSRP for it and there are also wait lists for it. I've never seen one in person.

[syntaxing]

Ahh that’s a shame, it looks really nice in person too (I prefer it more than the RAV4). I managed to snag one before the gas price exploded so I’m sure the demand is so much higher now

[nomel]

> I get over 40 mpg if I run on gas (in the summer).

I don't think that's a fair number. It seems cost/mile or carbon/mile would make more since, since that number assumes electricity is free.

[syntaxing]

This number is only factoring gas as a energy source. The combined mpg (what they call it when they calculate electric usage too) is easily over 150 mpg which is “cheating”. But to put it into perspective, my car can run over 400 miles on a 11 gallon tank without ever touching an electric outlet.

[nomel]

> This number is only factoring gas as a energy source.

Wow, that's great! I didn't realize ICE tech has improved so much. That's better than a new little Ford Fiesta, weighing nearly half as much.

[syntaxing]

Small hybrids like a Prius can go over 50 mpg consistently. Hybrids are so good from a gas standpoint. At these gas prices, it’s a no brainer to get a hybrid IMO.

[nomel]

Why don't they use these engines in standard cars? Or are there some shenanigans involved that do require some electrical power?

[syntaxing]

You need the “electrical” aspect to get these efficiencies. There’s a couple aspect of it that gives it a great mpg. Engines naturally have a range of rpm and load that makes it extremely fuel efficient (worse to best can be over a 20% difference). Traditional car makers tune this to be around 60 mph since that’s the typical cruising speed of the average American. With a hybrid, you can force the engine to run at this optimal performance regardless of speed. Second aspect is regenerative braking which recovers a nontrivial amount. Lastly, with a electrical motor, you can tune the acceleration curve to use more electrical motor more than the engine to reduce acceleration deficiencies. FWIW, most hybrids sold in the US (maybe globally?) are not pluggable. It has an engine, electric motor, generator, and a very very small battery pack but standard hybrids are not pluggable (they never touch an outlet).

[riku_iki]

> The car handles very well and remote app is free

Do they have option of not remotely controlled car? )

[syntaxing]

I’m not sure, I think every modern car from what I know has cellular capabilities built in regardless of brand. You don’t have to opt in for the Ford Pass (the remote app) and can remote start the vehicle with the key fob (remote start is included)