Hybrid - cut the fuel cost per mile in half over an ordinary gas/diesel car. Plug-in hybrid - cut the cost per mile in half by charging at home for 90% of their annual miles. EV - depending on local EV network. Mostly, we smile like the Cheshire cat. Bob Wilson
Hmm Drive it or test it I guess. I can be frivolous and say a few things, not sure I understand the question
I am a retired engineer: 1991 Camry -> ~35 MPG around town replaced by a 2003 Prius 2003 Prius -> ~52 MPG around town and on highway. Replaced by 2014 BMW i3-REx 2014 BMW i3-REx -> ~117 MPGe around town, $2.90/100 mi, 90% of all miles. Then 40 MPG on the highway still better than the 1991 Camry. 2017 Prius Prime -> replaced ~50 MPG 2010 Prius with BMW i3-REx getting 133 MPGe around town and 54 MPG When someone asks an ambiguous question, choose your version. Bob Wilson
As a former automotive production engineer, an engineer develops the process, methods and tools to actually build the car. A good friend of mine works for one of the big three and his specialization is vibration mechanics, analyzing the vibrations and determining what changes need to be made to structure or systems. I have other friends who work for electronic manufacturers, and they actually design systems and controls used in cars, (the cost of electronics in cars is now more than the cost of steel). He is not an automotive engineer, but the products his company produces are a vital part of the car. Another friend used to work for a car seating manufacture, developing seating systems. Most manufacturers, do not design and manufacture soups to nuts. They outsource critical components to other specialists and they are integrator. The specialist companies develop complete systems and sub systems (design, development, production, testing, service). Tire manufacturers have engineers that develop new compounds. So there are a hundreds of things engineers do for car design, development, production and after sales service.
BTW, I can throughly recommend touring the Georgetown KY plant: https://toyotaky.com/tour.asp I've organized two tours by inviting members of PriusChat on the Columbus holiday. We've even had a member host a Prius meeting and picnic in Cleveland OH, ~40 miles away. The tour is an "A ticket" ride for engineers. Bob Wilson
