For drivers with more Zen than zest on the road, sitting in Austin stop-and-go traffic on a Friday afternoon provides moments of quiet contemplation. Doing so in a gasoline-electric hybrid, running on pure electricity and emitting zero, adds self-gratification to the experience.
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The worst air pollution emitted by the automobile occurs when a car idles. In order to preserve fuel and reduce emissions, gasoline-electric hybrids were designed to shut off the gasoline engine and run on pure electricity at a stop. The 2009 Ford Fusion Hybrid expands on that logic by keeping the gasoline engine off for up to speeds of 47 miles per hour, beyond any other hybrid.
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Powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 155 horsepower and mated to an
Electronically controlled continuously variable transmission, the Hybrid earns a
certified 41 miles per gallon (mpg) rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, topping the Toyota Camry hybrid by eight mpg in the city and two mpg on the highway.
Cool touches like a digital instrument panel, with leaves at the corner, and an average miles per hour fuel gauge that keeps the driving on top of the gas mileage can be entertaining as well as informative.
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Deemed the top-of-the-line trim level, the Fusion Hybrid does come with a nice list of standard features but it’s also one of the costliest sedans in its class with a base price of $27,995.
However, considering the long-term benefits of a gasoline-electric hybrid over the long-term damage from traditional combustion engines, it’s a bargain.
For more info: Compare with other hybrids
Read more from Ford
Comments
We can all drive more fuel efficient cars without spending a dime – it’s a matter of adjusting your driving habits. I learned a ton at an eco-driving workshop at this summer’s Midwest Renewable Energy Fair. Check out my top ten tips at my blog on 10 ways to cut gas costs and save the planet at my blog, digginginthedriftless and laugh all the way to the bank
Denise Thornton
digginginthedriftless.wordpress.com
"The worst air pollution emitted by the automobile occurs when a car idles."
Where did you get that ridiculous, false idea? The engine is stopped instead of idling because no torque is needed by the vehicle, so it is an opportunity to reduce fuel consumption.
Denise, you're top ten is very good. You can learn even more than 10 by visiting cleanmpg.com There are people who post there that are getting over 50 mpg in their Fusion Hybrid. But anyone can improve their MPGs in whatever they drive, whether its for their wallet, the planet, or the principle of "use only what you need".
The most senseless pollution occurs when a car is idling, so in that regard it does seem to be the worst.
Fusion hybrid savings at $2.50/gallon
$27,270 - Hybrid MSRP
$23,975 - SEL MSRP w/4 cylinder (SEL & hybrid are closest in terms of features)
$1,700 - Federal tax credit
$1,595 - Hybrid premium
23,975 + 1,700 + 1,595 = 27,270
Hybrid - 41 MPG city - 6.1 cents a mile
ICE - 23 MPG city - 10.9 cents a mile
You save 4.8 cents a mile in city driving with the hybrid. Hybrid premium will be repaid after 33K miles of city driving, 69K miles without the Federal tax credit.
Woohooo good article Valerie!!
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