
Originally Posted by
BanginJimmy
Why not? At current usage we have several decades before we start to see any shortages in oil production. How about instead of shoving econo boxes down our throats whether we like it or not, the govt starts giving incentives to buy them?
Honda Civic base price 15,505 30mpg average
Civic Hybrid base price 23,650 42.5mpg average
Taking today's AAA gas price average of 2.314 and an average of 15k miles per year it would take you 24 years to break even. That doesnt even take into account the need for VERY expensive replacement batteries and other repairs that wouldnt be needed on a non-hybrid.
Lets look at another vehicle.
Chevy Malibu
standard base price 22,325 26mpg average
hybrid base price 26,275 30mpg average
Using the same criteria as above it would take 22 years to break even.
Why should I buy a more expensive hybrid when it would take more than 2 decades to break even on the investment? If the govt wants to force these cars down our throats they need to do something to make it economically prudent.