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I doubt anybody actually did the breakeven calculator before buying a hybrid because if they did, they would have known that it's more fiscally sound to keep their old car... not even factoring the environmental costs of producing these green vehicles
I agree. I highly doubt people do a breakdown of costs. They either think, "better gas mileage = lower fuel costs" or "electric/hybrid = environmentally friendly".
I am neither For or Against Hybrids, however, from my very limited experience via friends and neighbors, anyone planning to keep and drive a Hybrid for more than a few years . . . BEWARE, Battery Replacement can be a real shocker.
Also, the "Greenies" rarely address the Battery Disposal Issue.
I will respectfully disagree. Prius batteries have been tested to last well over 200K miles. Consumer Reports tested a 206K, 2002 Prius and found it's performance to be pretty much the same as when it was a few months old. When a battery finally goes, most will not get a new battery but will look for a newer, used pack.
As for disposal, the batteries are recycled due to a number of reasons. When a battery gets below 80% capacity, it it no longer suitable for automotive use. But they are used to store energy at green power generation sites and that old Leaf battery may someday be sitting in a power cell inside your house to store your solar power. Further, the battery packs are sought out by recycling companies as they contain valuable metals. Lastly, Toyota offers a $200 bounty for every Prius battery pack turned in to help ensure the batteries are not simply dumped.
I think the buyers want to be green, but all the electric car does is to move the pollution to a different location. They aren't any better ecologically speaking that a gasoline car.
The power plants will produce the same pollution whether there's an EV charging from it or not. And the power plants are constantly getting CLEANER as regulations and changes in the grid are made, while gas engine cars are constantly getting DIRTIER as they age.
The level of pollution generated solely by EVs is infinitesimal compared to gassers. And let's not forget smog in cities. Gassers contribnute heavily to that, while EVs do not. Unless people are building coal power plants in downtown areas now...
I was considering a Toyota Camry Hybrid. I liked it because it had excellent torque and also because it came with some features that I wanted that were only available in the hybrid. I did the break even against the V6 and it was 45,000 miles when gas prices were high. Let's say it's 90,000 miles now for break even of the hybrid. But it still had some features that were only avail on the hybrid. At this point I don't remember what the features were but the were important features to me and aided in decision making.
Ends up I bought something else that wasn't a Toyota or a hybrid because the dealer didn't come down enough on the price for the Camry at the time.
Yes, I also considered the need for a future battery. Buyers aren't all dumb. We weigh pros and cons on many different things before making a purchase. Also factor in handling, looks, utility, horsepower, future resale value, safety, available colors and options, premium or regular fuel, trim, reliability, etc.
I buy them because I like they way they drive and what I get in return. I do not calculate pennies I have saved and do not give a damn. Every time I see talk about "break even" cracks me up. Drive them and feel the difference. I am pretty sure pure electric will even be better but they have to come down in price before I try them.
People don't buy hybrids to save money. They buy them for the image. If they wanted to save money, the'd buy a compact like a Corolla or something.
They're like Hummers H2s. No one bought them to tow, carry lots of stuff or go off road, they were just about the image.
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