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May
14
Hybrids Aren’t Cost Effective?
Filed Under economy, gas prices
With gasoline prices entering the $4 per gallon price point in Northwest Indiana with the alternative fuel E85 racing to catch up and keep within 10% or so of the regular unleaded price point, is it the time to run out and buy a hybrid car?
With the higher cost for a hybrid, some suggest that they might not be an economical choice because it could take many years of driving the car before recapturing the high sticker price paid. Car buyers might be better off just buying a less expensive but high mileage gasoline vehicle.
Video: Are Hybrids Cost Effective?
The calculation that it will take 300 years to gain an advantage by driving a hybrid Lexus as compared to its regular gasoline model shows that hybrid technology and pricing at this time won’t make a difference.
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6 Responses to “Hybrids Aren’t Cost Effective?”
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They’ll come down in price over the next year or two. And I think more fuel options are right on the horizon as well.
I’m no global warming cool aid drinker, but in many ways high gas prices may well end up being a good thing. More people biking and walking. More people travelling in groups instead of alone in a car. Better designed communities wherein retail and commercial are integrated into residential … the NIMBY’s currently scream and yell that they don’t want any businesses near their homes.
I hate to see any inflation pressure, but we are going to innovate and create something even better.
Hi Steve,
You are right that we will innovate and prices will come down as technology becomes more available. (Think of the prices of computers).
I’ve already been changing my driving habits. I’m driving less — even for work. I’m even thinking of starting to ride my bike to work — I have a couple of days of vacation time coming up, so I might make a practice run or two to check out routes without having to worry about being on time.
I like the idea of work and home being closer to each other. When I was growing up, my family ended up being stationed in New Jersey. We lived in a small town that was part of the larger megalopolis that runs throughout NJ to New York City. I walked from my house to school. If we needed groceries, I could walk to the grocery store. There was a bakery the next street over from our house. The dentist and doctor were a five minute walk away.
When I was in elementary and middle school, I never needed to have a ride to do many of the things I wanted to do.
The place where I live now provides a lot of this — we’re within walking distance of a relatively new grocery store with all sorts of shops nearby. Work is within 5 miles.
The only problem with NWI is that there aren’t many bike and walking paths to connect these places. I foresee this being the future — maybe we’ll follow Valpo’s lead.
Move to Munster. One of the things that I like about Munster is that it is very well covered with bike paths.
When I lived in the Northwest ‘burbs of Chicago, I NEVER biked. You were taking your life into your hands if you rode along major roads (like riding on Indy or US 30).
But Munster is very good. I can ride to the library, for example. Meijer is no problem, don’t even need to leave the neighborhood.
Even at $4 a gallon, hybrids are difficult to justify financially.
I like E85. You just need to adjust your driving style to get every last drop of it: pump up the tires to 35 psi, accelerate very slowly, set the cruise as soon as possible, drive no faster than 65 (55 if you can stand it).
I’m getting 23.5 in mixed driving on 30% E85. My Saab is rated 22 City, 28 Highway. So I’m right in that range. Just a small penalty.
If I was going to buy a different car, I would get a real flex fuel. Maybe an ‘05 Taurus. Dirt cheap and E85 compatible. They get excellent mileage for a fullsize vehicle.
Hi Buzz,
You’re right that driving style makes a huge difference. When I was driving my big V8 Grand Marquis, I could regularly get 26 MPG driving with the cruise control on highway drives.
Lately, running E85 in the minivan has gotten me about 18.2 MPG using the vehicle’s computer to keep track of the mileage. On the highway, I get better mileage, but because a lot of driving lately has been stop-and-go it makes a huge difference.
I just wish E85 was 60% of the price instead of the 85% or so of the price of regular unleaded right now.
Have you seen the E85 price map — the link is in my sidebar. I’m hoping people start posting so that we can keep an eye out for price trends. I’m hoping someone who drives from the Lake of the Four Seasons can keep an eye on Family Express on 109th and Gas City on US 30 since both are not on my usual driving route, but are close enough to drive to if there’s a good deal.
Lately, I’ve been just going to Meijer since it’s close to work.
Hi Buzz,
I scouted out some alternative routes — where I live there are some nice wide alternative roads that run parallel to the main route that will do well for biking.
I’m going to do some exploration later in the week since I have a couple of vacation days so I can get a feel for the traffic patterns from the bicyclist’s perspective as opposed to just driving through in the car.