Is a Hybrid Car Worth It?

The question about whether to purchase a hybrid automobile is: Is it worth it when compared dollar-to-dollar with gasoline counterparts? I recently did some test driving - mostly SUV's like the Dodge Durango - and also examined the hybrid market ... again.

When hybrid's first came out at the end of the last century, they were mostly a novelty and as such, didn't get much of my or anyone else's attention. I don't follow what's hot as I generally purchase what's needed, when I need it. I stay informed as well as I can and since I've been involved in the automotive industry most of my life, I try to keep educated on the latest cars and trends and of course, the business of it.

Is it finally the right time for hybrids?

The hybrid market has had a rough go the last few years but there seems to be a renewed interest and push, at least by U. S. government forces if not with the public. The government has praised General Motors Volt "electric car" (which is not electric but a plug-in hybrid) and President Obama was quoted (in TulsaWorld.com) as saying "This is a symbol where Michigan is going ... and where America's going." Uh, not really.

G.M. had so many Volts sitting in its production yards, the Obama Administration's Jeffrey Immelt, who is the head of General Electric, recently purchased 25,000 of the hybrid cars for his company's fleet. Combined with the taxpayer subsidized $7,500 rebate for the Volt, you would think this would catapult G.M.'s sales but with a retail price of almost $50K, the Volt doesn't make "cents".

So questions continue: Is a hybrid car worth the premium over its gasoline counterparts? There have been many stories on the subject and questions are rampant. Research by CarGurus.com says gasoline needs to hit $7 a gallon before hybrids (on average) are worth the investment. It also seems to be a question of personal wants. Do you need to feel as if you're helping the fuel situation by buying a hybrid? Maybe you want to be cool, chic and with the in-crowd? Or will the gas savings actually add up to real savings in the end? The simple answer may be no. But the more complicated answer may be, well, maybe.

More questions than answers

Currently, a stumbling block with hybrids is the battery technology or lack thereof. For instance, hybrids were ballyhooed and the industry was optimistic for the distance they could run on the latest battery (which are also subsidized); but when they were put in extreme situations such as heat, cold, mountains or towing needs, they fell from grace rapidly (source - Cato Institute). Over half a dozen years ago, the U.S. government spent $1.5 billion of taxpayer dollars in pursuit of research to find out if hybrids were a viable alternative. No definitive answer came of it, but the government alone will take 40 years and have to spend taxpayers monies totaling almost 1/3 of a trillion dollars (yes, trillion with a 'T') before they are at the point where hybrids are "competitive" with gasoline automobiles as per National Academy of Science.

The Prius was the first hybrid to make it famous. Why? It was new, different and supposedly more economical - even if it was ugly (it's designed for better aero purposes). As we've learned through the years, the premium never justifies the cost. Although, to be fair, the Prius doesn't have an actual gasoline-powered brethren to compare with. By the way, Ford and Honda also have popular hybrids that may be catching on (Top 10 most popular hybrid's).

So we end up with more questions than answers. Plus, with all the subsidies and government funding, the costs don't seem to benefit the economy or the citizens. Here's more questions: Has anyone considered WHY we need all this ranting and raving about how hybrids are the answer? Why isn't a free market being allowed to dictate what sells? Why isn't there a push for Natural Gas, which is more plentiful, easier on the engine and has only 1/3 the emissions of gasoline? And can it be proved we're doing anything for the Earth? Many are questioning these extra costs and their affect. Check out the book, The False Promise of Green Energy, for an in-depth look at energy costs and a cleaner environment.

No answer

I've been disappointed in the automobile industry and their lack of offers for good solid vehicles with improved mileage. I've mentioned before how we had cars almost 30 years ago that beat anything on the road today (mileage-wise). If you purchase a hybrid and the MidEast situation keeps getting worse, then you'll be happy as as a clam at high tide.

To be honest, I was open to hybrids and saw them as a bridge to the future and more efficient vehicles. Personally, I'm disillusioned and until the masses finally start acquiring hybrids on a regular basis so they become the standard, there will continue to be more questions than answers as to whether a hybrid is right for you, me or anyone else.

Additional source information at World Climate Report and Bankrate.com