Re: [Phys-l] Hybrid mileage

[Joseph Bellina <jbellina@saintmarys.edu>]

I've had the same experience.  Perhaps it has to do with the temp  
dependence of battery performance, so that the engine has to be used  
more in the winter, hence the lower gas mileage.  Just a guess.

joe

Joseph J. Bellina, Jr. Ph.D.
Professor of Physics
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN 46556

On Jan 5, 2010, at 3:16 PM, Robert Yeend wrote:

> A colleague asked me why it is that she consistently gets 6-8 mpg
> less in the winter than summer with her Prius Hybrid. Her mechanic
> said that that was "normal," but gave no explanation. Nor can I. She
> said that she uses the heater in the winter about as much as the air
> conditioner in the summer.
>
> Ideas?
>
> Bob Yeend
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