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Hybrid Cars or Gas Cars: What’s Right For You
- By Tom Blackman
- Published 3 January 2012
- Automotive
- Unrated
Everyone is concerned with trying to save money, especially in today’s economy. People have adjusted their spending habits to keep a little extra money in the bank. This can include saving money on gas, but what is the best way?
Some people have turned to hybrid cars for the solution. Hybrid cars offer better mileage than traditional cars, but often have a higher cost. A hybrid car isn’t always the best method to immediately save money.
It is important to take various factors into consideration, such as:
• The number of miles driven in your daily commute
• The age of your current vehicle
• The fuel economy of your current vehicle
• The fuel economy benefit of the hybrid model versus the traditional model
• The price increase of the hybrid model versus the traditional model
Using these factors, along with others can allow consumers to make a more informed decision when considering a hybrid model.
It is also important to take the price of gas into account. By doing some simple math, a cost-benefit analysis will reveal if a hybrid will help save money:
1) Note the additional difference between the hybrid and traditional models (ex: $5,000)
2) Note the fuel economy benefit between the two models (ex: the hybrid offers 50 miles per gallon and the traditional model offers 30 miles per gallon)
3) Note the current (or average) price of gas (ex: $2.50 per gallon)
Using an average of 15,000 miles driven per year, the analysis will look like this:
a) Traditional Model
i. 15,000 miles per year ÷ 30 miles per gallon = 500 gallons of gas per year
ii. 500 gallons per ear x $2.50 per gallon = $1,250 per year spent on gas
b) Hybrid Model
i. 15,000 miles per year ÷ 50 miles per gallon = 300 gallons of gas per year
ii. 300 gallons per year x $2.50 per gallon = $750 per year spent on gas
The hybrid model offers $500 savings per year on gas, but given that it is an additional $5,000, it will take 10 years to fully realize the cost savings. Given that the average consumer keeps a car for 3 to 5 years, a hybrid might not always be the best choice.
Everyone today is familiar with the Toyota Prius. It was one of the first commercially available hybrid models and is one of the most popular today. It is easy to see why dealers could not keep them in stock when gas was averaging $4.00 per gallon across the country. There was even up to a 6 month waiting list for the Prius.
The third generation Prius was released for the 2009 model year. Toyota improved the interior cabin and even added a solar powered climate control option. With a starting price of $22,800 and a fuel economy of 51 city and 48 highway, it is easy to see why the Prius has maintained its popularity.
However, consumers might assume that a hybrid requires additional or specialized maintenance, but this is not the case. Any Toyota dealer or certified Toyota OEM Parts retailer can assist with routine tune-ups and repairs.
Selecting a reputable service center that understands hybrids is another important consideration that hybrid owners must make. In addition, a service center that routinely stocks Prius parts will make repairs more timely and less expensive.
Understanding individual needs as well as the unique demands of a hybrid will lead to more informed decisions when buying a hybrid vehicle.
Some people have turned to hybrid cars for the solution. Hybrid cars offer better mileage than traditional cars, but often have a higher cost. A hybrid car isn’t always the best method to immediately save money.
It is important to take various factors into consideration, such as:
• The number of miles driven in your daily commute
• The age of your current vehicle
• The fuel economy of your current vehicle
• The fuel economy benefit of the hybrid model versus the traditional model
• The price increase of the hybrid model versus the traditional model
Using these factors, along with others can allow consumers to make a more informed decision when considering a hybrid model.
It is also important to take the price of gas into account. By doing some simple math, a cost-benefit analysis will reveal if a hybrid will help save money:
1) Note the additional difference between the hybrid and traditional models (ex: $5,000)
2) Note the fuel economy benefit between the two models (ex: the hybrid offers 50 miles per gallon and the traditional model offers 30 miles per gallon)
3) Note the current (or average) price of gas (ex: $2.50 per gallon)
Using an average of 15,000 miles driven per year, the analysis will look like this:
a) Traditional Model
i. 15,000 miles per year ÷ 30 miles per gallon = 500 gallons of gas per year
ii. 500 gallons per ear x $2.50 per gallon = $1,250 per year spent on gas
b) Hybrid Model
i. 15,000 miles per year ÷ 50 miles per gallon = 300 gallons of gas per year
ii. 300 gallons per year x $2.50 per gallon = $750 per year spent on gas
The hybrid model offers $500 savings per year on gas, but given that it is an additional $5,000, it will take 10 years to fully realize the cost savings. Given that the average consumer keeps a car for 3 to 5 years, a hybrid might not always be the best choice.
Everyone today is familiar with the Toyota Prius. It was one of the first commercially available hybrid models and is one of the most popular today. It is easy to see why dealers could not keep them in stock when gas was averaging $4.00 per gallon across the country. There was even up to a 6 month waiting list for the Prius.
The third generation Prius was released for the 2009 model year. Toyota improved the interior cabin and even added a solar powered climate control option. With a starting price of $22,800 and a fuel economy of 51 city and 48 highway, it is easy to see why the Prius has maintained its popularity.
However, consumers might assume that a hybrid requires additional or specialized maintenance, but this is not the case. Any Toyota dealer or certified Toyota OEM Parts retailer can assist with routine tune-ups and repairs.
Selecting a reputable service center that understands hybrids is another important consideration that hybrid owners must make. In addition, a service center that routinely stocks Prius parts will make repairs more timely and less expensive.
Understanding individual needs as well as the unique demands of a hybrid will lead to more informed decisions when buying a hybrid vehicle.
Tom Blackman
ToyotaPartsCenter.net sells Toyota Highlander parts, Toyota Tacoma parts, and all other genuine Toyota parts and has developed a reputation for honesty, integrity and value for their customers. Visit http://toyotapartscenter.net now for exclusive deals on Toyota parts for your vehicle.
View all articles by Tom Blackman