Hello, my wife and I are interested in buying a Prius. We live in Arizona and must run air conditoning for most of the summer months. Will this totally negate the fuel mileage advantages? Also, what is the minimum trip distance required to get decent mileage? My one way distance to work is 10 miles.

 

Welcome!
Ok, lets start with Arizona fleet mileage reports:

http://avt.inel.gov/hev.html

These vehicles were tested in Arizona. BTW, the models changed:

01-03 -- NHW11, uses an engine driven AC compressor
04-current -- NHW20, uses an electric driven AC compressor (much better)

BTW, those were 'employee' drivers, not 'owner-operator' drivers. When you are paying the fuel bills, there is a tendency to learn how to get better performance. <grins>

My commute distance is 10 miles and I'm doing "OK". The record Prius mileage holder, a Japanese lady, commutes 20 miles and got 112 MPG.

BTW, do yourself a favor and look at the Camry Hybrid too. It is a nice 'boat.'

Bob Wilson

 

Thanks for the reply Bob. It just looks so enticing to have 50-60 MPG, but kind of a let down to have to use A/C and get 45. I guess 45 is a sight better than the current 23 MPG on the Subaru.

 

I live in Augusta GA, which doesn't quite get as hot, but I run my AC pretty much all but three months of the year. My work commute is 6 miles, and I still average 46. Just so you know...

 

Uwaku, thanks for the input, every little bit of info helps.