Does hybrid car really cost that much more?
Hi all, if like me you frequent car review sites you will of course come across hybrid to gas comparisons.
Most comparisons seems to focus on a break even analysis just based on price difference on a hybrid car and a comparable gasoline car, and tell you how long it takes to break even. Nothing wrong with that but there are some extra saving that may be available.
Hidden saving of hybrid cars
- Local government incentive. A few thousand right there to lower the price gap.
- Insurance - shop around, a few insurance company offer additional hybrid green discount and some have the opinion that a hybrid driver has a lower chance of accident and thus lower premium. I checked some online quotes using Toyota highlander which have hybrid and gas versions of the exact same car, the saving is around $7 - 12 a month.
- Emission test - in some state / province hybrid cars are exempt (the equipment can't do proper test). That will save the cost of the test every year or other year. Probably another $15-20 per year.
Cheaper running costs too
- Brakes last longer - with the regenerative braking the friction brake system last longer. Instead of needing a few hundred dollars brake job every 2 years it will be 3 or more years.
- Oil life - Under same usage there is less run time in the hybrid engine and oil life is longer.
- Engine life - given part of the driving is done with electric motor only the engine will have less wear and tear. Time to need major engine work is extended from the non-hybrid variant.
Thank you for reading hope this information help you find hybrid a better value proposal.
The answer is clear NO! Hybrid cars are only if you buy them new a little more expensive than non hybrids but are costing less maintenance and they are much better build for a longer life. I know a taxi driver with a Toyota Prius here in Germany and has made 1.000.000 km with absolutely no issue and the maintenance cost is minimum he claims. Much better than a diesel or a conventional gas engine car.
It depends on the make a bit about maintenance cost, I do agree in general they are cheaper when I ask owners of HV/PHV. Well where I am there is $6000 pre-tax difference between the gas and hybrid highlander and that is an extra 13% on the price which is no small change. Now $6000 would buy gas enough for driving 45k km and probably more if in the USA with cheaper gas price. This year rebates are gone for hybrid and now only EV and plugin hybrid have rebates.
I can see your point it is a considerable big amount of money 6000$ or 13% of the price but exactly there inside is also the gain! The Highlander is a big heavy SUV with none aerodynamic efficiency and the economic Hybrid assessment it could help more than the extra cost! It could even make the reliable Toyota more attractive to live with this since someone could save some maintenance cost and last but not least the better efficiency of the hybrid. If i could get a Hybrid i d take it if the performance does not playing the main role.