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Just to add to this, I think we can throw the comparison to an all electric out the window, but what about a regular hybrid.
Well, this was interesting to me. Assume a Prius gets 50mpg. The Prius will burn .8 gallons of gas to go 40 miles. That would be a cost of $2.40 if gas was $3 per gallon. Our Volt can do the same trip on $1.32 of grid energy at .15 cents per kW-h. So, the Volt costs $1.08 less to drive 40 miles than a Prius. A Prius costs anywhere from $22,800 - $28,070 (base MSRP). A Volt will cost $33,500 after the government rebate. If we use the highest Prius trim (Prius V, no additional options) which is the most comparable to the Volt as far as I can tell, it would take 185,185 miles (or 4,629 40 mile trips) to recoup the cost.
However, it is blatantly obvious that GM is intending to lease the car. An equivalent lease on a Prius would run you about $500 a month w/ $1,646 down. That is versus the Volt's lease price of $350 per month w/ $2,500 down. Even adding back in the cash outlay difference of $854 the monthly price of an apples to apples lease on a Volt would be $373.72 per month or $126.28 less than a Prius per month for a more efficient car for daily commuting.
So, moral of the story to me would be if you need a car for daily commuting at no more than 40 miles a day, lease a Volt. If you need to routinely drive long distances than you are better off buying a Prius.
So, moral of the story to me would be if you need a car for daily commuting at no more than 40 miles a day, lease a Volt. If you need to routinely drive long distances than you are better off buying a Prius.
What, you suggest buying and comparing a vehicle based on it's intended role? No wai! Who would do something so sensible?