Hybrid cars
An article in USA Today states hybrid cars are not going to save money for most car buyers. However, this article misses the most important factor in my opinion. When you buy a hybrid car, let's say the Ford Escape, you are getting probably about 30+ mpg, which is about 10 mpg better than the non-hybrid version. You are going to be paying about $6000 more for the hybrid version. Gasoline would have to shoot up a couple dollars a gallon to make up that extra outlay. However, this extra up front payment is going to the car company, which is either American or Japanese. In comparison when you buy gas the extra money is going to Venezuela or Middle Eastern countries or Mexico or Russia. None of these countries have a particular love of the United States and none of them supported us in the War on Iraq. In the case of the Middle Eastern countries many of their people consider us the embodiment of evil. Why would we want to send our money to these people when we can pay a little more for a car made by our own people or a close ally? Plus as these vehicles become more popular and the technology is improved prices will come down. I fail to see the negative aspects of buying a hybrid version of a vehicle when you can, as long as you can afford it.
posted by Jdeer76 at
11:55 AM
3 Comments:
My problem with hybrids was that they're not the best use of money for the savings in mileage. I bought a TDI (Diesel) because it gets me about 40-45mpg on my average tank, *and* it's virtually indestructable. The engines are powerful, robust, and don't depend on batteries that could need replacement in as little time as 5-6 years.
The only way it could be better is if the US forced diesel producers to remove sulfur from their fuels, like in Europe. This would reduce the ammt of pollutants to levels that are far better than your average gasoline engine. Thankfully, California has taken the initiative and we should have those fuels by next year.
By
Anonymous, at 2:25 PM
Clean diesels are nice, but they don't advance the technology far enough. My hope is that with hybrids becoming more popular and the technology being perfected they can squeeze more mileage out of them with batteries that are more reliable, cheaper and more efficient. Plus, in this country, diesel has never been as widely accepted as regular gasoline and I don't really see that changing anytime soon.
By
Jdeer76, at 3:41 PM
Thanks Father Dan. Interesting calculator. Although it would still take 10 years at today's gas prices for me to make up the extra cost in dollars. Although as stated in original post the upfront cost is only part of the consideration for a hybrid.
By
Jdeer76, at 6:07 PM
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