GM estimated the mileage on the Chevy Volt would be 230 miles per gallon. The formula was never approved that was used to calculate. This means all hybrids can have to recalculate their mileage from this mistake.
Hybrid mileage calculation formula
Hybrid calculations of mileage were hard for the EPA to figure out. The standard calculation for “real” miles per gallon involves simply dividing the number of miles driven by number of gallons of fuel. However, the EPA estimates of mileage are more complicated. City driving, highway driving and also the maintenance of the car all impact the efficiency of a car. Hybrid autos add variables that also complicate this estimate. A mpg estimate formula issued by the EPA is very complicated usually.
The problem with Volt’s calculations
The formula for calculating mileage for the Chevy Volt was made by the government. However, that formula, according to the EPA, was never given “final approval.”. In original marketing, the Volt was touted as getting up to 230 miles per gallon. A new formula was created while GM and also the government decided they would be “working collaboratively”. It is likely that the Volt can be rated at between 70 and 140 miles per gallon, depending on the new calculations.
Cost being balanced with electric
Electric and electric hybrid are always hard cars for regulators. The fluctuation of energy and fuel make comparisons with money hard to do. Electric cars can’t apply miles per gallon. Mpg also skews the view of hybrids, because they often rely on energy created by the fuel and have highly variable ratings, depending on driving habits. The EPA is trying to answer this question though.
