What Hampers Hybrid Fuel Economy in Wintertime?

If you're thinkin' that hybrid vehicle owners have it made in the shade when it comes time to fill 'er up, think again. With frigid Old Man Winter making his appearance, every vehicle that's operating in sub-optimum temps takes a hit--hybrids included.

What's up? Well, hybrids rack-up some seriously good fuel economy numbers when the weather is fair, but run 'em when it's bitter cold and their fuel sippin' ways take it on the chin. While they suffer many of the same cold weather maladies of a conventional car, they have a particular twist or two of their own. Check out our Why Cold Weather Hurts a Hybrid's Fuel Economy article and find out more about those challenges--and how to minimize them.

photo © Adrian Gable