> Er, no, traditional gas cars fuel economy is optimal in freeway driving, despite the fact that more delivered energy is required than at slower speeds.
Depends on how you define "freeway driving": If you mean constant speed, then yes; if you mean high speed, then no.
> Hybrids and electric cars, which can be closer to peak delivery efficiency over a broader range of speeds, have peak economy at lower speeds.
So do ICE cars. Energy (=fuel) consumption rises with the square of speed, because aerodynamic resistance does. That's just a law of nature, irrespective of engine technology.
Re:2022 Ford F-150 Lightning
by maxerickson on Sunday May 23, 2021 @07:33AM
(#27254263)
The tool at https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.jsp
shows 50 mph as the cheaper speed even for 2021 vehicles.
Not sure it's doing much more than inputting the single number fuel economy into an equation though.
Er, no, traditional gas cars fuel economy is optimal in freeway driving, despite the fact that more delivered energy is required than at slower speeds. Hybrids and electric cars, which can be closer to peak delivery efficiency over a broader range of speeds, have peak economy at lower speeds.