Comments on: Hybrid Values and Payback Periods

By: Jonosh

Jonosh — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 16:38:36 +0000

Just getting people out of two-ton SUVs and pickup trucks would save billions of gallons of gas and CO2 emissions. But we can’t seem to do that yet so you aren’t going to gain any ground with hybrids. Put a dollar a gallon tax on gas that goes up every year and see the economics change. You don’t see gas guzzlers in Europe do you?

By: ADK 82

ADK 82 — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:14:20 +0000

Depending on your driving profile and applicable tax incentives, purchasing a hybrid vehicle can actually be cost effective. Recouping the cost after about 5 years is typically considered a good threshold for justification of going hybrid (considering only the economics). I found a good payback calculator on the web at http://www.shouldigohybrid.com that calculates the payback period based on a specific driving profile.

By: Jim in Atlanta (Indiana that is)

Jim in Atlanta (Indiana that is) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:53:49 +0000

The bumper sticker that the ex CIA agent has on his Prius says it all for me:

Osama hates this car.

I want off foreign oil! Hybrid technology is a stepping stone to do that.

By: Glen

Glen — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:26:59 +0000

Don't bash the idea of a "bicycle society". You may be thinking all-or-none. Why not a staged approach?

Personal vehicles dominate the road. We would be a healthier society if we replaced our cars with bikes (a nice velomobile - pedal-powered enclosed vehicle - might be an excellent solution). Using internet technology and community planning (like mini-commuting, by bike, to a business center in your community instead of downtown) would help a lot. We have internet, right?

But what about commerce? Delivery and freight? We could exempt freight and delivery vehicles from a "bicycle law" (mandating pedal-power). So freight ships, freight trains, semi-tractor/trailers, UPS/Fed Ex/etc. trucks, and even small-business trucks would be exempt and would be allowed to operate. Same with passenger trains, buses and taxis.

There's a start. Does it sound impossible?

By: Lindon

Lindon — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:57:36 +0000

I’ve become weary of the hybrid bashing. Our Prius provides an immediate decrease in the demand for gas which in our case on an annual basis is 60%. I’ve never seen the bean counters put a value on that. Also what about a value for reduced emissions?

By: Spectator

Spectator — Sat, 31 May 2008 06:35:10 +0000

Checkmate.

Winner:

Opt-imist. ;]

By: Opt-imist

Opt-imist — Thu, 22 May 2008 00:01:01 +0000

Why? Is it because you will have long died of pollution-induced lung cancer?

By: Run

Run — Thu, 01 May 2008 03:01:53 +0000

…and when your food and mail don’t get delivered on time, because the guys got it on the back of his bike, i wont be there to help you.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 20:11:48 +0000

Every time I ask a friend or acquaintence if they've considered a hybrid, the only response I get is, "nope, not worth it." And then they quote the newest article about hidden costs and battery replacement.

No substance.

It's not much of an argument in my mind. Of course, I want to save money on gas--at $3.25/gal. who wouldn't? The point is, the entire impetus behind my decision to buy a hybrid comes from a desire to reduce my impact to the environment. Think about it, if I'm going to argue for emission-control legislation and fight to save acres of rainforest and crusade to restore biodiversity, well, I'd better not be driving a Hummer, right?

By: Brooke Boston

Brooke Boston — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:35:13 +0000

I say that people stop using cars. and start walking and riding their bikes to get to places.