Comments on: J.D. Power Sees Three-Fold Growth for Hybrids by 2015

By: Anamarija

Anamarija — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 18:44:09 +0000

Hello, I live in Europe and we don't have so much Hybrid cars.
In my country we have only few models of hybrid cars and they're expensive. For example, in USA you can buy 2 Toyota Prius for one Prius in Croatia <---that's country I'm from.

So, that's the biggest problem...PRICE!

By: sociopathicregret

sociopathicregret — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 14:23:38 +0000

Seven percent? SEVEN DAMN PERCENT? That's not going to make an ounce of difference when you take into account the growing oil demands in other countries. If we wanted a real difference, we'd need to see ten times that number if not more. Because of rising oil demand worldwide combined with few discoveries and production that cannot keep up, we are rapidly approaching (or have already hit) peak oil. The companies may say we need to be realistic about transitions and that it'll take thirty years, but the facts are:

1) we don't HAVE thirty years
2) Electric car technology is already ready
3) Any supposedly 'big benefits' like described in this article will be outweighed by changing conditions; unless we have REAL changes there will be very big economic problems.

By: Boom Boom

Boom Boom — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:18:11 +0000

Richard,
Enough with the Prius high horse man. I directly addressed your point on cost (by making a better comparison). Hybrids can compete with ICE cars, and I agree that we MUST compare them as such. This is why I made the comparison to the IDENTICAL Ice power sedan. If you try to argue that a Prius is the same as a Camry, people will think that hybrids mean smaller and less powerful, which isn’t true. I drive a Civic hybrid. I compare it to a Civic ICE. Just because Toyota managed to stretch the wheelbase on the Prius and make it “qualify” as a mid-size sedan doesn’t make it comparable to a Camry. If that were true nobody would be buying Camry Hybrids, and they are.

By: Richard T.

Richard T. — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:02:00 +0000

I think you missed my point. I OWN a Prius and only paid -- on average -- about a thousand more than traditional IC powered mid-sized sedans. The Prius is classified as a midsized sedan, so I was comparing it to other midsized sedans. I was simply pointing out that the initial cost of a hybrid is inflated by disinformation from . . . well, I don't know where all the crazy ideas about hybrids come from. My point is that my Prius just didn't cost that much more than other COMPARABLY equipped midsized sedans, and I'm saving about 140 bucks a month at the pump. My payments for the Prius are only about 15 bucks a month more than I paid for my Element too, so I’m really saving money with the Prius.

For those of us who own hybrids, I think it's absolutely imperative that we compare them to traditional IC cars. After all, we should be trying to convince people that hybrids are BETTER than their traditional cousins.

Apples to oranges? I agree. But the comparisons MUST be made if we want other people to stop believing all the lies about hybrid technology.

By: BoilerCivicHy

BoilerCivicHy — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:49:44 +0000

Dick, also keep in mind if you buy a dependable proven hybrid brand like the civic, they hold their resale value incredibly. I paid 15,000 for my civic 3 years ago with 30,000 miles on it. It now has 75,000 miles on it and still shows a sale value on Kelly of 14,000. Got any american made cars that you can drive for 45,000 miles and 3 years and only lose $1,000 dollars of value on. I think not. I will be buying another new civic this year as a matter a fact.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:34:44 +0000

Why drive a diesel? Lots of reasons:
- MPG rivals hybrids
- Lots of torque at low rpms = fun to drive and better at towing
- Can run on Biodiesel blends
Etc.
It is true diesel is currently more expensive (April 08). Diesel is usually more expensive in winter, an cheaper in summer.

By: steved28

steved28 — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:45:06 +0000

Great points Boom Boom, plus people must realize that as an added bonus, hybrids have better performance! I would venture to say my Altima hybrid has comparable performance to the V6 (at least with regard to torque, which is where you perceive the power difference in “seat of the pants” scenarios). It also has more HP than the standard 4 cyl.

By: TD

TD — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:33:31 +0000

Thanks for the info. I hadn’t looked at the Altima before. I’ll take a look.

By: steved28

steved28 — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:31:06 +0000

TD,

I'm lovin' this car. Especially the extra torque of the electric motor when needed. I got turned on to it by a friend in NY (I am in MA). He liked it so much he bought a second one for his wife. I can get an honest 36mpg around town, but I have not had a day that has reached 60 degrees yet since I owned it! So I have had the heater running quite a bit (purchased Early January). The few days around here that have been in the 50's I have noticed the car runs a lot more on electric and mileage increases. I tend to drive fast (80mph) on the highway, and we have a place in Maine 3 hours away. On those trips I get around 33-34mpg.

I'm 50 years old, and have owned a lot of different cars and trucks, this car is one of the best (so far) I have owned. Even my 16 yr old daughter and her friends think it's very cool! I think this car is a well kept secret, I even negotiated over $4K off the sticker. (Sticker was $28,125, I paid $23,800) on a 07' leftover off the lot. Just got my $2,350 tax credit this week, for me it was a no brainer. We take this car first now (as opposed to our Explorer) and are saving oodles at the pump.

By: Boom Boom

Boom Boom — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:26:14 +0000

TD,
Check this out:
http://www.greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/

I drive a Honda Civic Hybrid and the numbers on this website are basically inline with what I’m getting. My friends with Prii, also get mileage in the same ball park as the site. The site takes an aggregate of lots of drivers so it doesn’t just show a few hyper-milers or leadfoots.