Quote:
Originally Posted by BeyGon
but my wife keeps telling me "it's not about the money, it's saving the earth" I'm not buying one. Let Algor save the earth.
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EVERYTHING has a carbon footprint -- even hybrids, solar cells, and windmills.
sammyg2's numbers on page 1 are valid. I have seen those calculations elsewhere, and even did the calculations myself on different hybrid vs. non-hybrid scenarios. On average, I found the break even point for hybrid ownership was 12 to 15 years. At that point, the premium paid for a hybrid car is matched by the savings resulting from fuel efficiency. Now tell me, how many people keep their cars these days for that long?
If you want a fuel-efficient car that you wish to keep around for a long, long time, then a decent echono-box would do the trick. Ford Fiesta, Honda Civic and the like. Or a diesel car, like the VW Jetta.
IMHO, we will have to wait another 5-10 years before we see some really fuel efficient motors and technology. I'm talking about hydrogen powered fuel cells and similar technologies. Right now, the R&D costs are making it impossible to produce a consumer-priced vehicle. Plus the hydrogen fuel delivery infrastructure is basically non-existent at this point.
Until then, the early adaptors will continue to buy hybrids and now, all electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and plug in hybrids like the Chevy Volt.
-Z-man.