Hybrid cars vs gasoline cars? The answer depends on your priorities.
Perhaps you are tired of paying high prices at the gas pump or sending US dollars to the Middle East. You may be concerned about the environment and the fact that oil is a depleting resource and should not be wasted in traffic jams.
Whatever your priorities, fuel economy isn’t the only factor to consider when looking at hybrids versus gasoline cars. To make a sound financial decision, you may also want to compare the purchase price, tax benefits, insurance, repairs, and maintenance costs.
Starting with fuel economy, keep in mind that no one gets the numbers posted on new car window stickers. The average driver only gets about 75% of what was promised.
And that includes hybrid cars. But hybrids still get much better mileage than conventional gasoline vehicles. The smaller four-cylinder models are the only gas-powered cars that come close to hybrids when it comes to fuel economy.
The hybrid, however, has a higher label price than similar gasoline models. Some cost up to several thousand dollars more. This additional cost is expected to decrease in the near future as consumer demand increases and manufacturers achieve greater economies of scale.
Testing from consumer advocates has shown that hybrid fuel economy savings are generally not worth the additional purchase price. But, for many buyers, federal and state tax benefits can help make up the difference.
Hybrid cars can also get relief from insurance costs. Some auto insurance companies now offer discounts of 5% to 10% on hybrid cars. Apparently, preliminary research has shown that hybrid car drivers make fewer claims for insurance adjustments, and that is reflected in their premiums.
Another thing to consider is repair and maintenance. Some believe that the new hybrid technology may be too sophisticated for local auto mechanics, requiring hybrid car owners to always return to the dealership for repair. But that’s not only true for hybrids. As cars become more electronic, auto mechanics will need a computer science degree to keep gas-powered cars in tune, too.
Hybrid automakers like Toyota, Honda, and Ford should have confidence in their cars because they offer at least 8-10 year warranties on specific hybrid components. Toyota, for example, reports that its battery pack will last more than 180,000 miles. For the average driver, that’s more than twelve years.
And when it comes to maintenance, most hybrid components don’t need regular maintenance. Of course, you will have to change the oil in your gasoline engine every 5,000 to 10,000 miles, just as you would in a conventional car.
One clear advantage hybrids have is that you won’t need to change your brake pads as often. Due to their regenerative braking technology, hybrid brake pads last much longer. Prius customers have reported driving up to 85,000 miles without a replacement. The brake pads in most gas-powered cars last only about 15,000 miles.
The bottom line for hybrid cars vs. gasoline cars come down to your own personal priorities. But, there is one thing for sure, as consumer demand increases, you will see more future alternative car options at better prices.
