4.2 - 3,771 Years Payback for Hybrids : Worthy ?

[MeraBoy]

CNN-Money has done some calculations on payback time for thirteen currently available hybrid vehicles. They figured the price premium based on a similar non-hybrid model, gas at $3.10 /gallon and 15,000 miles per year of driving. Since the Prius doesn't have a conventional equivalent, they used the four cylinder Camry which has the same interior volume. The Prius came out on top of the list with a 4.2 year payback followed by the new Chevy Malibu Hybrid at 4.6 years. Not surprisingly, the $104,000 Lexus LS600h took somewhat longer to recover its premium. With estimated annual gas savings of 1 gallon it would take 3,771 years to save enough to cover the difference from an LS460.

*All models and prices are referred to US market.

Toyota Prius
Hybrid value rank: 1
Time to recoup premium in fuel savings alone: 4.2 years
Typical cost: $22,279
Compared to: Toyota Camry LE 4-cylinder
Hybrid cost premium: $2,303
Overall mpg vs. non-hybrid: 46 vs. 27.6
Annual fuel savings: $543 (175 gallons)

Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
Hybrid value rank: 2
Time to recoup premium in fuel savings alone: 4.6 years

Toyota Camry Hybrid
Hybrid value rank: 3
Time to recoup premium in fuel savings alone: 4.8 years
Typical cost: $25,200
Compared to: Toyota Camry XLE 4-cylinder
Hybrid cost premium: $1,381.46
Overall mpg vs. non-hybrid: 33.7 vs. 27.6
Annual fuel saved: $303 (98 gallons)

Ford Escape Hybrid
Hybrid value rank: 4
Time to recoup premium in fuel savings alone: 5 years

Saturn Vue Green Line
Hybrid value rank: 5
Time to recoup premium in fuel savings alone: 5.8 years

Mercury Mariner
Hybrid value rank: 6
Time to recoup premium in fuel savings alone: 6.2 years

Honda Civic Hybrid
Hybrid value rank: 7
Time to recoup premium in fuel savings alone: 7.4 years
Typical cost: $22,337
Compared to: Civic LX sedan
Hybrid cost premium: $2,734
Overall mpg vs. non-hybrid: 43.3 vs. 32.3
Annual fuel saved: $368 (119 gallons)

Nissan Altima Hybrid
Hybrid value rank: 8
Time to recoup premium in fuel savings alone: 8.4 years

Saturn Aura Green Line
Hybrid value rank: 9
Time to recoup premium in fuel savings alone: 9.4 years

Lexus GS450h
Hybrid value rank: 10
Time to recoup premium in fuel savings alone: 10.8 years

Lexus RX400h
Hybrid value rank: 11
Time to recoup premium in fuel savings alone: 11.7
Typical price: $41,047
Compared to: RX350
Hybrid cost premium: $4,767
Overall mpg vs. non-hybrid: 24.7 vs. 20.3
Annual fuel savings: $407 (132 gallons)

Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Hybrid value rank: 12
Time to recoup premium in fuel savings alone: 22.8 years

Lexus LS600h L
Hybrid value rank: 13
Time to recoup premium in fuel savings alone: 3,771 years
Typical cost: $104,000
Compared to: Lexus LS460 L
Hybrid cost premium: $15,458
Overall mpg vs. non-hybrid: 21.3 vs. 21.3
Annual fuel savings: $3.09 (1 gallon)

Source:
Most (and least) cost-effective hybrids - Hybrid values (1) - CNNMoney.com

 

[Edward Chew]

Good post!

 

[Esky]

Wonder if they've factored in the cost of the big replacement NiMH or Li-ion battery when calculating, as that's a major cost factor, probably enough to push down the value of the used car if not replaced when sold.

 

[JINEIL2EN]

Lexus LS600h L
Hybrid value rank: 13
Time to recoup premium in fuel savings alone: 3,771 years
Typical cost: $104,000
Compared to: Lexus LS460 L
Hybrid cost premium: $15,458
Overall mpg vs. non-hybrid: 21.3 vs. 21.3
Annual fuel savings: $3.09 (1 gallon)


hahahaha....3771 years...?? hahahaha....can 1 men stay in earth for so long..??

 

[MeraBoy]

Wonder if they've factored in the cost of the big replacement NiMH or Li-ion battery when calculating, as that's a major cost factor, probably enough to push down the value of the used car if not replaced when sold.

...from my understanding of the article, the battery is excluded.