<
https://thedriven.io/2025/04/14/some-hybrid-cars-thirstier-than-their-petrol-peers/>
"They are sold as vehicles that will cut petrol consumption but tests on
Australian roads show some hybrid cars use more fuel than standard models.
In one case, a mild hybrid vehicle used 12 per cent more petrol than its
internal combustion equivalent on highways and a conventional hybrid used
almost three per cent more fuel.
The Australian Automobile Association revealed the findings on Monday in an
analysis of 16 real-world tests on hybrid and petrol vehicles from five brands.
The news follows a spike in the popularity of hybrid cars, with sales of new
models rising by more than 34 per cent in Australia over the past year.
The association tested 16 vehicles including six conventional hybrid cars, two
mild hybrid vehicles and their petrol equivalents.
Mild hybrid vehicles feature a small battery and electric motor to assist a
petrol engine during short bursts and both hybrid styles promise to cut petrol
consumption.
The real-world tests performed in Victoria showed three out of four Toyota
hybrid vehicles cut petrol use by more than 30 per cent on average, while a
Honda CR-V hybrid and a mild hybrid Suzuki Swift reduced fuel consumption by 23
and 17 per cent, respectively.
But GWM’s Jolion hybrid vehicle cut consumption by significantly less than
promised, with a 17 per cent fuel saving compared to 38 per cent indicated by
laboratory tests.
It also used more petrol than the standard Jolion model when travelling on
highways.
The Subaru Forester mild hybrid used more petrol than its internal combustion
equivalent by 2.8 per cent on average, although the model has been
discontinued.
The findings were stark given hybrids often commanded a higher price than
petrol vehicles, Australian Automobile Association managing director Michael
Bradley said."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
