Hybrid Misconception

[JFK]

Has anyone seen Ford's new hybrid commercial where the guy is talking about the green graphics on his dash? To paraphrase:

"Rather than show the green plants, it should show green money, because I'm saving so much money on fuel."

I'm impressed that people can continuously suggest with a straight face that hybrids save you money.

- Hybrids cost $5000+ more than non-hybrids of the same vehicle
- Hybrids have a more complex powertrain, which creates more opportunity for problems. This means more time in the shop, and larger repair bills
- Some hybrids parts are more expensive, and not as readily available
- Not every repair shop has a mechanic who is certified to work on a hybrid

The money saved on fuel is not enough to offset the greater cost of purchase and repairs.

Hybrids don't save money.

[MacFlame]

Originally Posted by JFK

Has anyone seen Ford's new hybrid commercial where the guy is talking about the green graphics on his dash? To paraphrase:

"Rather than show the green plants, it should show green money, because I'm saving so much money on fuel."

I'm impressed that people can continuously suggest with a straight face that hybrids save you money.

- Hybrids cost $5000+ more than non-hybrids of the same vehicle
- Hybrids have a more complex powertrain, which creates more opportunity for problems. This means more time in the shop, and larger repair bills
- Some hybrids parts are more expensive, and not as readily available
- Not every repair shop has a mechanic who is certified to work on a hybrid

The money saved on fuel is not enough to offset the greater cost of purchase and repairs.

Hybrids don't save money.

Not to nitpick...but your quote says "I'm saving so much money on fuel".

That quote is not suggesting that Hybrids save you money on repairs or cost of cars...just money on fuel consumption.

But I do get your point.

[Torture]

These aren't the droids you're looking for...





Ford's telling people the story that they want to hear. There's countless examples of other companies doing the same thing.

[flylock shox]

I bet they save a ton if you're a cabbie.

[JFK]

Originally Posted by MacFlame

Not to nitpick...but your quote says "I'm saving so much money on fuel".

I'm not sure I quoted the commercial word for word, but you got the point. They're suggesting that it should show money because he's saving so much money by driving a hybrid.

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally Posted by JFK

Hybrids don't save money.

It would seem someone has an agenda here.

I just put "hybrid repair costs" into Google. It would appear that from 2000 to 2005, this was true... hybrids were more expensive to repair. But now that they are becoming more commonplace, any 2008 or 2009 articles I am finding say that prices have normalized and the cost of repair is about equal. I would be interested in seeing any CURRENT independent studies to back up your claims JFK.

[Acey]

I drive on average about 10 km per day or less. If I drove 100 km per day, it might be worth it.

[Pastiche]

Hybrids don't save money.

Tell that to every single cabbie in Vancouver. They say that the hybrids pay for themselves after 3 years. Of course, they drive their cars alot. Another point to note is that most cabbies I've talked to say the maintenance on a hybrid is way less compared to a normal cab. One guy said he's owned a hybrid for two years and he's spent about $500 total on maintenance. Prior to that he had a Malibu and he was spending $500 every two months on maintenance.

It goes to show that the economics of owning a hybrid are not universal. It depends on your driving habits.

[Rod Hockey]

Buy a TDI

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by JFK

Hybrids don't save money.

Perhaps you should have said "Hybrids don't save money for most car owners."

Yeah, that commercial bugs me too. One of the main reasons for owning a hybrid is the environmental aspect.

This commercial caters to the people who say things like "my car only uses $20 worth of gas per month!" Great- but you try and quantify their driving and they can't tell you. I then like to tell those people about my Trans Am; which only uses $30 worth of gas over a 5 year period. Yes, it's parked and hasn't moved more than 50 metres in that time.

[CaptainCrunch]

My concern is the battery replacement cost at between 80 and 100k is about $3000.00.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by Rod Hockey

Buy a TDI

Or grow a pair and don't drive a diesel.

I have been saying that Hybrids don't save money since they have been released. Cabbie's are an exception and should never be used as an example. That is their job, most people don't drive a tank a day.

[PIMking]

Why dont people say whats true.

It cost more to make them. The raw materials for the nickle in the batteries costs more and uses more fuel from the diesel machines the mine it.

I love these tree hugging hippies that dont think of that. Plus it's not like these cars can go and rot in a junk yard either.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by PIMking

Why dont people say whats true.

It cost more to make them. The raw materials for the nickle in the batteries costs more and uses more fuel from the diesel machines the mine it.

I love these tree hugging hippies that dont think of that. Plus it's not like these cars can go and rot in a junk yard either.

I'm not saying what you and others say isn't true but it is good that industry is trying other forms of fuel as our oil and gas will run out at some point and relying on foreign reserves in the future political climate may not be best idea.

[Azure]

If you drive a lot, say using more than 2-3 tanks per week, nevermind a tank per day, yes....over the long run they might help.

But come on, if all you're doing is driving to work every morning and back home, equally say 20-30km per day, well there are a lot of fuel efficient cars out there that get 30-50mpg that you can buy and they're a hell of a lot cheaper than the hybrid.

That being said, I would seriously consider a hybrid if I traveled a lot. Sure it costs extra, and sure it has been harder to replace parts in the past, but that will all get better.

Especially when you talk about SUVs.

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally Posted by PIMking

I love these tree hugging hippies that dont think of that.

Speaking of things that people don't think of, most of the nickel used is coming from recycled sources, and at the end of their life cycle, the batteries are fully recyclable again.

I can't find a source on the Prius, but GM says that most nickel is recycled and they will be using as much recycled nickel as they can for their batteries:
http://archives.media.gm.com/volt/ef...attery_102.pdf

But the Volt will be using Lithium which is even better... I wonder what the naysayers are going to say then....

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

Speaking of things that people don't think of, most of the nickel used is coming from recycled sources, and at the end of their life cycle, the batteries are fully recyclable again.

I can't find a source on the Prius, but GM says that most nickel is recycled and they will be using as much recycled nickel as they can for their batteries:
http://archives.media.gm.com/volt/ef...attery_102.pdf

But the Volt will be using Lithium which is even better... I wonder what the naysayers are going to say then....

The Volt is also supposed to be about $50,000. I'd rather drive pollute the earth in a Audi A4 than drive in a prissy Chevy Volt.

[iggypop]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

Or grow a pair and don't drive a diesel.

Huh?

[Rathji]

If I could come home every day and plug my car in and never need to go to a gas station except to use the air pump, I would be a happy, happy man. I don't give a rat's behind if the car is the perfect environmental solution or not, as far as I am concerned they could mine the nickel with toxic waste producing bulldozers who run over cute furry animals every 10 seconds.

I am not planning on buying a new car for 3 or more years, but when I do I will probably consider whatever hybrids are out there as among my options. It isn't as simple as buying a gas car though, as you do have to consider all the extra costs involved, like battery replacement.

[Draug]

Originally Posted by Pastiche

It goes to show that the economics of owning a hybrid are not universal. It depends on your driving habits.

Has anyone done (or have) detailed analysis of how much you need to drive per year, with $1/L fuel costs, for a hybrid to pay over an equivalent non-hybrid model?

As a family, we drive our main car about 35,000 kms per year ... is that in hybrid desirable territory or not even close?