Hype-Ridding The Hybrid
photo : marcin wichary
Last month, Honda introduced the new 2010 Honda Insight, a clear rip off in styling of the Toyota Prius. Why anyone would want to copy a car that was beaten in the design studio with an ugly stick is beyond me. I take that back. According to Edmunds.com, one of the main motivators in the “Go Green! BUY HYBRID” movement is to make a statement. The statement that, “I care about the environment and my ugly car proves it. Look. I’ll show you as I travel 57mph in the fast lane.”
Don’t get me wrong. I am all for being green. I started recycling at a young age, I turn off the water when I brush my teeth, and I agree with this craigslister that we should all pee in to 5-gallon buckets. But do these hybrids, touted for their lofty EPA MPG estimates, really save you all that much money?
Just Run The Numbers
Let’s take the example of the comparable Civic and Civic Hybrid. The top of the line Civic EX Sedan with Automatic Transmission has a price tag of $20,105. The non-leather equipped (you’re an environmentalist AND you care for animal rights) Civic Hybrid Sedan has an MSRP of $23,650. For simplicity’s sake, lets forget about taxes, even though it adds more to the cost of the Hybrid than it does the 100% organic dinosaur burner.
Great, you have gone and bought 2 Civics. You need gas for these two Civics. According to the EPA, the Civic EX gets a combined 29mpg, and the Hybrid a combined 42mpg. The national average for miles driven in a year is almost always pegged at right around 15,000 miles. The current national average for regular unleaded is $2.04.
To fuel each car every year would cost you:
Civic EX Sedan : 15,000 miles / 29mpg = 517.24g x $2.04/g = $1,055.17
Civic Hybrid Sedan : 15,000 miles / 42mpg = 357.14g x $2.04/g = $728.57
Awesome, the Hybrid saved you $326.60 a year in fuel costs. But wait. You paid ($23,650 – $20,105 =) $3,545 more for the Hybrid. So how long before you actually start saving money with the hybrid? $3,545 over $326.60/yr is 10.9 years. 10.9 years! If you think you’re old now, you will be REALLY REALLY old then.
Let’s assume that fuel goes back up to its current all-time high average of $4.11. It will still take 5.4 years just to break even, and by then you will be pining for the 2015 Toyota Pious Prius. So if you’re still thinking about buying a hybrid, let’s get real about why you’re buying it. You a) want to be seen as green or b) want to be green and want to be seen as green. No shame in either of those. Just be real. Saving money is not one of them.
The Alternative to Alternative Energy
If you are looking for a true gas sipper, look in to this Italian designed, 70+mpg, diesel burner that does 0-60 in less than 7 seconds. It takes the Civic Sedan 9.6s to do the 0-60mph sprint, and the Hybrid completes the same feat in a coma inducing 11.6s. Also consider the Mini Cooper, which is almost a grand cheaper than the Civic Sedan, gets 3 more combined miles per gallon, and comes standard with more awesome.