The multiplication factor can't be a third?

That's not how the phrase "x is a multiple of y" is typically used, so colloquiality speaking: no it can't be 1/3. That would be a submultiple

If your argument is about the actual running costs of EVS and ICE Vehicles: also no.

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defrost 2 days ago | parent [-]

So, it is in fact used that way sometimes then.

I have no argument, just an observation that for six decades I've always taken multiplier to possibly mean any positive, negative, or zero value, rational or irrational, etc.

	▲	SideburnsOfDoom 2 days ago \| parent [-]
		> So, it is in fact used that way sometimes then. No, and that's the point of using a different word "submultiple". > I've always taken multiplier "a multiple of" is not the same thing as "multiplier". Or "submultiple" either. Different words have different meanings. So not relevant. > to possibly mean any positive, negative, or zero value, rational or irrational, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multiple multiple, noun: the product of a quantity by an integer. So no.