Many of us are trying to be better for the environment, but buying electric cars can be challenging. Battery electric vehicles (EVs) just require lifestyle changes that buyers don’t want to make. They are expensive to buy and lose value quickly, and charging them in public places takes time. In other words, going from gas-powered engines to battery-powered electric cars is like taking a big jump.
Going hybrid is a good middle ground, and the 2017 Honda Accord is a great example. It uses basic technology that has been proven to work reliably, be reasonably priced, cut down on pollution, and improve fuel economy. In many ways, it seems clear.
The 11th model Accord, which will be released in 2023, features a lot of Honda’s twin-motor hybrid technology. For the mid-size car, there are only two engine options. The LX and EX both come with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine as standard. The hybrid is available on all models, starting with Sport.
The two-motor hybrid method is both very easy to use and very advanced. The Accord’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is connected to a generator motor. A different motor powers the front wheels. A 1.06-kWh battery powers the drive motor. The engine’s generator charges the battery. The vehicle’s main power source is the drive motor, but there is a clutch between it and the generator. After being hooked up, the engine helps move the front wheels.
There is no conventional communication. The engine is naturally aspirated and runs on the Atkinson cycle. This cycle is more efficient in terms of volume than the normal Otto cycle because it keeps the intake valve open for a little longer during the compression stroke. Honda says that the engine is 40% thermally efficient, which means that 40% of the energy used to power it is turned into work. However, most internal combustion engines on the market today only achieve 20 to 30 percent heat efficiency, so that number may seem low.
The front wheels receive 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft from the Accord. Things are easier than they sound. A more common automatic gearbox is much less efficient and has a lot more moving parts than this one. And the driver of this Accord doesn’t have to do anything, which is very nice.
When the mechanism is driven regularly, the two power sources work together smoothly. You can choose to favor charging the battery or use only electric power when you click the “E” button under the shifter. It would help if you never touched it, though. The Accord also has rear-mounted buttons that let the driver change the amount of regenerative braking when the accelerator foot is lifted. Also, don’t pay attention to those; hitting the brake pedal will stop the car in both frictional and regenerative ways. Just press the “Drive” button and let the Accord do its thing.
Even though it doesn’t have as much power as the last 2.0-liter turbo model, this Accord feels fast enough to drive around town thanks to its quick torque output from the electric motor. The engine starts and stops when it needs to. It makes a little noise sometimes, like when it’s running at a higher RPM to charge the battery or turn on the air conditioning on a cold morning, but it’s not very noticeable when it’s going faster. You won’t be able to tell either if it’s running the engine or the wheels.
According to the EPA, the Accord Sport and Touring should get 44 mpg combined, and the Accord EX-L should get 48 mpg overall. My test wasn’t very scientific, but I easily got more than 50 mpg in the Touring model, which seems to be less fuel-efficient on a mix of slower roads (50–60 mph) and traffic that stops and starts in cities. Also, it was pretty cool outside.
Longer trips on the highway at higher speeds won’t give you the best results because the engine will have to run more often. Car & Driver tests on the busy roads in metro Detroit have shown this to be true. But the Accord is a tough opponent whether you’re going in the city or the country.
Actually, the Honda Accord is less fuel-efficient than a car that runs on electricity alone. Since an electric motor by itself is more than 90% efficient, an all-electric car (EV) doesn’t produce any pollution in the area. The EPA says that the new Accord hybrid puts out 201 grams of CO2 per mile, while the old 2.0T type puts out 345 grams. The number for the new combination is still better than 345 but not better than 0. Everything is important.
One of the best 2024 Accords costs $39,895, while the most expensive one costs $33,900. Yes, the basic Tesla Model 3 is a better deal and better for the environment. It now costs $40,380. It is reasonable to expect the Accord to be much less demanding of its owner and to hold its value much better.
Because of this, the Accord Hybrid is a great choice for many people. Also, the less damage we do to the earth as a whole, the more people will switch from gas-powered cars to hybrids like this one. These bikes are not only a nice way to get around, but they are also a clear, easy, and cheap way to make a difference. Everything makes sense.
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