Going down the wrong road?

[mzkhadir]

prostoalex writes "Recently NPR, CNN Money and Wall Street Journal Online have all dedicated some time and space to discussing hybrid vehicle pros and cons. It seems that hybrids do not make much financial sense if (a) you're buying after getting yourself into a debt with not really good interest on a car loan, (b) your battery requires replacement after being out of warranty, (c) your daily commute is not too long, so the price markup you pay for a hybrid does not translate into long-term gas savings." From the CNN article: "They may make a social statement you're interested in, but if you want to save money because of rising gas prices, you're heading down the wrong road, at least for now."

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4930471&ft=1&f=1007

http://money.cnn.com/2005/09/23/Autos/hybrid_alternatives/index.htm

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/0,...o1GPP4bE_20060930,00.html?mod=rss_free

 

[Whitecloak]

Originally posted by: mzkhadir
prostoalex writes "Recently NPR, CNN Money and Wall Street Journal Online have all dedicated some time and space to discussing hybrid vehicle pros and cons. It seems that hybrids do not make much financial sense if (a) you're buying after getting yourself into a debt with not really good interest on a car loan, (b) your battery requires replacement after being out of warranty, (c) your daily commute is not too long, so the price markup you pay for a hybrid does not translate into long-term gas savings." From the CNN article: "They may make a social statement you're interested in, but if you want to save money because of rising gas prices, you're heading down the wrong road, at least for now."

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4930471&ft=1&f=1007

http://money.cnn.com/2005/09/23/Autos/hybrid_alternatives/index.htm

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/0,...o1GPP4bE_20060930,00.html?mod=rss_free

People need to look at the utility being added by the car rather than just economic costs.

 

This topic has been discussed to death.
Good to have some articles behind it now though.

 

[veloc1ty]

 

[compuwiz1]

hybrid driver = treehugger.

In time we are gonna tap out the oil supply and have to come up with new fuel sources. I believe we could have some new sources readily available now, but the oil industry is very big and very powerful. Someone is gonna die if they dare mess with the oil business on a large scale basis. In other words, I pity the poor mo-fo who invents a fuel that can be used for about 50 cents per gallon, giving same results as gasoline. :Q Of course, it would probably get taxed right up over $2 per gallon, no matter what it is.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

yep, you have to drive it for like 8-10 years to break even on the markup

its great marketing, but overstated efficiency

 

[ironcrotch]

I want my biodiesel.. too bad it isnt effective yet.

 

[desk]

hybrids are a pretty new technology. once the components can be mass produced, which will happen in the next few years, the prices should come down significantly.

you should see the current production lines for some of the major hybrid components. mostly human operators, very little automation, low builds/hour. that will all have to become more efficient as demand increases.

 

[whistleclient]

peak oil is happening now.
gas will never get cheaper, only more expensive.
but the expense is the least of our worries.

our entire food supply is based upon petrochemicals. the food you eat travels an average of 1500 miles to get to you.