Hybrid Economy
Hybrid cars are becoming much more affordable.
by Jack Taylor
Hybrid autos are often criticized as being expensive, but this false belief needs to change.
This belief was caused by the high prices that hybrid autos had when the new technology was introduced. If you were to spend more on a hybrid auto than you’d have spent otherwise, you were unlikely to ever get your money back - even if you got rid of a gigantic, fuel-sucking SUV. This may have been true when hybrids were really expensive and the initial cost outweighed the gas savings. But it doesn’t seem to be true anymore.
Today, petrol prices are rising, used cars are getting cheaper, and the new car industry needs to lower the prices to be selling at all. Now, hybrid autos are within the same price range as other new and used cars.
New Hybrids Cheaper Than Used Ones?
Some estimate that a new hybrid may even be cheaper than the used one. The example car for costs estimation was the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid. John O’Dell claims in his article that price drop on the car market combined with the industry’s ubiquitous cut-rate financing offers, has made it cheaper to buy new than used cars.
The hybrid autos’ manufacturer has lowered the costs of purchasing new cars, so much so, that it was cheaper to buy a 2009 Civic than a year old used one. The research was based on many factors and took into account several reasons for price reductions, like the national interest rate deal when choosing between new and used cars.
Used Hybrids Cheaper Than Used Non-Hybrids
Extensive research has shown that used hybrid autos have become cheaper than other cars, especially if we take into account the rise in oil prices.
Research has shown that the 2008 Toyota Prius Hybrid with 1.5L 4-cyl engine and 75HP electric motor/generator was far more fuel efficient than other used cars. The Prius’ measured fuel cost on a distance of 676 miles was 39 Euros. Other used cars didn’t even come close.
Surprisingly, driving 2008 Smart ForTwo with 1.0L 3-cyl engine cost 9.7 Euros more. The numbers do not lie.
The 2008 Ford Focus costs around 30,000 Euros and is over 30% more expensive. A 2008 Toyota Prius Hybrid can be found for not much more than 20,000 Euros.
Higher Standards
Owning a hybrid auto is also a step towards introduction of higher technological and ecological standards in automotive engineering.
The European Commission has already adopted an action plan to achieve a 20% substitution of diesel and gasoline fuels by alternative fuels in the road transport sector by 2020. This is one of the reasons why car manufacturers are redesigning the drive train concept towards hybrid systems.
To respond to the needs of our environment, with an ever-rising number of cars, we will have to make the switch to hybrid autos in the immediate future, then possibly solar powered cars one day.
Hybrids Are Here To Stay
Today, hybrid autos should no longer be perceived as new technology cars. Hybrids are an integral element of everyday economic and eco lifestyle.
Whether you’re on the market for a new or used car, you should look at all the costs of buying a car - not just the purchase price. You’ll find that a hybrid auto makes sense for both the sake of the environment and your budget.
Find used hybrid autos at Car Buyers’ Guide.
Jack Taylor is an expert in ‘green’ automotive industry. He is particularly interested in biofuels and hybrid cars.
Tags: hybrid autos, hybrid cars
July 25th, 2009 at 3:56 am
Hybrids should not only stay, they should also be improved and developed more to get the most out of the great efficiency biodiesel fuel can provide. We should opt going fully electric, in fact.