Guide to comparing electric, hydrogen, and gasoline cars
each new fuel type necessitates a new kind of fuel economy rating. This makes comparing different vehicle types difficult for the average consumer. Below is a practical solution to calculating relative transportation costs. by Carter Brown
(libertarian)
Monday, November 24, 2008
As consumers, we all know that a cars fuel efficiency is measured in MPG. Miles per gallon is a really simple way of thinking about how much it will cost to drive a specific car. Unfortunately, with new electric and hydrogen powered cars, such as the Chevy Volt, or the Honda FCX Clarity, the comparison becomes difficult. Why is the comparison difficult, because the efficiency of electric cars is measured in Miles per KWH, and hydrogen cars are measured as Miles per KG of H2 (Hydrogen Gas).
At first glance this can seem rather confusing, but these measurements can not simply be converted by some rule of thumb, from one to another. Gas prices change daily, electricity prices are very different across the Country and around the world, and Hydrogen costs different amounts depending on how it is produced. What is needed is a calculator that will give these automobiles a score, and that score needs to be viewed in Dollars per mile, and needs to be dependent on geographic variables.
Consumers need to be able to make price comparisons to buy high ticket items like cars, and if the government doesn't step in to create a suitable system of comparing different automobiles, consumers won't buy the new ones.
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The views expressed
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do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates.
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