My New Plug-In Hybrid Car Gets 95 MPG
@DeborahDiane (40849)
Laguna Woods, California
April 16, 2017 10:23pm CST
Recently, my husband and I purchased a new Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid. Under optimal driving conditions, starting out with a full charge, the car will get up to 95 miles per gallon. It can go for months of short drives without using any gas at all, if you keep it charged.
For the past ten years I have loved and driven a cute little Volkswagen Beetle convertible. I really enjoyed the car, but it was starting to reach the point where the repairs that needed to be made exceeded the value of the car. We decided it was time to let her go.
I am excited about my new Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid. So far, I have been driving it around, showing it off to my kids and grandkids, for a couple of days and I have not even used one gallon of gas.
It can be operated in all-electric mode, in hybrid mode, or you can set it to automatically move back and forth between the two, letting the car decide which is more efficient. That is what I am doing.
Starting off with a full charge, it will go up to 600 miles without needing to recharge or refuel. If you recharge it periodically, it can go months on a single tank of gas. The driver's manual says that if you go for 18 months without using up your last tank of gas, it will force you into hybrid mode until you use that gas, so the gas stays fresh. I can't imagine going 18 months without ever going to a gas station, but it is amazing that it is possible.
It is also cute. It looks like a small, 4-door SUV with room for 4 or 5 passengers and a cargo area in the back. It also has all the bells and whistles ... a back-up camera, an automatic link to my cell phone, Wi-Fi hot spot and much more.
The picture above is of my new car. I am standing in the back, talking to the salesman.
I think I'm going to love this car as much as I did my Volkswagen!
12 people like this
14 responses
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
17 Apr 17
Love it! When you find out please let me know how much your power bill goes up with keeping the batteries changed, I have always wanted one of these electric cars.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
18 Apr 17
@andriaperry - I will not be able to tell you how much the electricity costs because, in our retirement community, I just pay a flat rate of $20 a month to plug my car into one of outlets in our parking area. Much of our community's electricity comes from solar power. I am curious, however, how much it would cost in electricity under normal circumstances.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
18 Apr 17
@pigeboy - I think these types of vehicles will be very common in the next ten years. Ford is even going to start building them in China for Chinese consumers. They are so much more efficient than cars which depend solely on gas.
@pigeboy (170)
•
18 Apr 17
@DeborahDiane That sounds like it is really good that you get charging for a flat price. I wish my apartment had something like that, then maybe I would get an electric car.
1 person likes this
@Tina30219 (82978)
• Onaway, Michigan
17 Apr 17
Looks like a very nice car. The going months without getting gas sounds awesome.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
17 Apr 17
@Tina30219 - I'm excited to see how it goes! So far, I'm really enjoying the car.
@Tina30219 (82978)
• Onaway, Michigan
17 Apr 17
@DeborahDiane Yeah maybe you should post and share with us how long you go on your first tank of gas.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
18 Apr 17
@Tina30219 - After three days of not using any gas, I let it run in hybrid mode today so I would use a little. However, I still haven't used even one gallon. It will be interesting to see how long it takes for me to use a tank of gas!
@dpk262006 (58679)
• Delhi, India
17 Apr 17
Congratulations on getting a new car
. The car looks good and it is interesting that it is hybrid car and it runs on electronic mode and alternatively on gas mode. I think it will help you save money on fuel and it will be like a no-pollution car.
. The car looks good and it is interesting that it is hybrid car and it runs on electronic mode and alternatively on gas mode. I think it will help you save money on fuel and it will be like a no-pollution car.1 person likes this
@dpk262006 (58679)
• Delhi, India
18 Apr 17
@DeborahDiane It is great to hear that running cost of your car would be very less and this way you would be able to save lots of money, which you would have otherwise spent on buying fuel.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
18 Apr 17
@dpk262006 - I have barely used any gas, even though I intentionally ran it on hybrid mode today so it would use a little. This car is going to save me a lot of money!
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
18 Apr 17
@dpk262006 - Yes, I think that hybrid cars and electric cars are going to become popular all over the world in the next few years. Cars like mine are going to be built in China soon, for the people in that country.
1 person likes this
@minx267 (15526)
• Hartford, Connecticut
17 Apr 17
Wow, that is cool. I like the color. My car is blue too.
Where do you plug it in? you probably require a garage for this huh?
Any idea how much electricity it uses?
I can't imagine driving around for months and months without having to go to a gs station - that is awesome!
1 person likes this
@minx267 (15526)
• Hartford, Connecticut
18 Apr 17
@DeborahDiane Wow, what an awesome community, solar power.. fantastic. Sounds like you got a great deal there! I would be interested in finding that out too!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
18 Apr 17
@minx267 - I will have to write another article in a couple of months when I add a little gas to the tank!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
18 Apr 17
@minx267 - I am excited about my new car. I will not be able to tell you how much the electricity costs because, in our retirement community, I just pay a flat rate of $20 a month to plug my car into one of outlets in our parking area carport. Much of our community's electricity comes from solar power, so it doesn't cost the community very much money. I am curious, however, how much it would cost in electricity under normal circumstances.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54718)
• United States
1 May 17
@DeborahDiane I hope that you keep enjoying it
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
1 May 17
I've had it two weeks now, driven it almost 400 miles, and only used 1/4 of a tank of gas. Mostly, I just use the electric mode when I'm driving. I feel like such a "green environmentalist" or something! LOL 
1 person likes this
@sallypup (69210)
• Centralia, Washington
17 Apr 17
Interesting. We have a 2004 Toyota that does not have enough room but gets 40 miles to the gallon. It is basically a 60s type car: very little new technology to worry about. Just a radio though it has air conditioning. Its a tough little car and has not needed much work done on it but due to its age I'm starting to wonder. I am NOT good at technology stuff so I am very nervous about starting all over with all the modern stuff- I lock my car's door with a key!!!! A real key. My husband says we need to buy one like you have. I also worry about the cost. Another bill is always an issue to think about- our car has been paid off for a long time now. And we have the house paid off. I wonder how the car handles in snow and ice?
1 person likes this
@sallypup (69210)
• Centralia, Washington
18 Apr 17
@DeborahDiane My little Toyota is front wheel drive, too. I had a flat tire this winter. The tire guy said it was cause one of the studs caused the flat- something about front wheel drive causing the issue. All the turning, I guess.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
18 Apr 17
@sallypup - Oh, wow! I will have to watch for that. Hopefully I will not get a flat tire, but, of course, it can happen to anyone.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
18 Apr 17
@sallypup - My car is front-wheel drive, which I understand is better in snow and ice. Other than that, however, I doubt I will ever have to drive it in snow or ice, since I live in Southern California. Perhaps with all-weather tires it would handle bad weather well, but I'm not sure.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
18 Apr 17
I'm glad to hear that your niece likes the car, too. So far, I am thrilled with it. I don't think I will be going to the gas station very often!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
25 Apr 17
@jaboUK - I've had the car for over a week and still love it. I have used very little gas, so far, despite driving nearly 300 miles. This is great!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
24 Apr 17
@jaboUK - I am very lucky. In our retirement community, people who have electric cars are charged a flat fee of $20 a month to get a sticker which allows us to plug our cars in anywhere in the community and charge our cars. That is far less than the cost of gasoline.
I will also have to buy a little gas occasionally, depending on how far I drive in hybrid/gas mode. So far, there are many days when I only use the electric motor in my car ... it never switches over to the gas mode, because I haven't driven far enough. I can drive all around our neighborhood, go to the gym and grocery store, and never use a drop of gas. I love it!
1 person likes this
@antonbunot (11146)
• Calgary, Alberta
20 Apr 17
So, it runs on gas and battery? Nice!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
21 Apr 17
Yes, my car is a combination of gas and battery. As long as I plug it in and drive locally, I don't use any gas. Whenever I want to drive further, the gas automatically kicks in. However, every time I take my foot off the gas or apply the brakes, the gas engine and the brakes give the battery a little charge, so the gas goes much further than normal. It is pretty cool the way it works.
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
18 Apr 17
@DianneN - Ha Ha! I understand. My husband drives a Mercedes and it gets decent gas mileage for a luxury sedan, but it doesn't come close to what I will be getting. However, it is nice to have the choice of different vehicles for different occasions. You were very forward thinking to get one of the original Prius cars. The technology keeps improving every year.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
18 Apr 17
@just4him - Despite the fact that our government has recently become less friendly towards renewable energy, the technology is advancing so fast that "old technologies" will no longer appeal to consumers. The market is rapidly driving people away from the use of fossil fuels.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
3 May 17
@HazySue - I agree. I feel as if the car is paying for itself, especially since my former car had reached the point where it was going to need some expensive repairs. We are really happy with the new car.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99353)
• Canada
17 Apr 17
Congratulations on your new car purchase! I love it!!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
18 Apr 17
@Happy2BeMe - I am very excited about my new car. I wonder how long it will be before I have to add some gas to my tank!
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99353)
• Canada
18 Apr 17
@DeborahDiane I will be interested in hearing that. Be sure to update us.
1 person likes this
