Hybridgruven

[subplotkudzu]

Started doing some back of the checkbook math on our cars. We own a pair of Honda Civic Hybrids, one since 2003, the other since 2005. When we bought it we were warned by many that it would take a decade for the gas savings to cover the "hybrid premium". (Now, good as gas savings are, we also bought the cars because I'm a SF geek and I found the tech in them fascinating and wanted to support it, so this argument obviously did not sway us). Given the price of gas over the last few years, I'm happy to say this wasn't the case. 

Now, a lot depends on how you define Hybrid premium: is it the difference between the cheapest other model of Civic and the Hybrid? or do we compare it to the most expensive, given that past the cheapest models it's all about what quality of life upgrades you want to pay for? I'd argue the latter, because I really wanted the Hybrid tech and didn't care at all about the other stuff in the EX-L. But, to be fair, here's the current price difference between the Civics
EX-L: $1,890
EX:  $3,090
LX: $4,840
DX: $6,790

We've put 85k on the older of the two cars over the last 5 years, or 17K a year. Using a pair of web sites that give gas prices over time I did a year by year calculation - one adjusted to real dollars (I adjusted the vehicle cost as well), one not. Both came out to a current gas savings of roughly $2.5K. That's past the cost difference to the EX-L with room to spare. By my estimation, the car is now $610 in the black on gas savings (your opinions may differ). 

This is based on our tracked MPG of 45 over the last 5 years, vs the average MPG of the other Civics of 30. All those stories about how the Hybrids don't really get mileage that high? well, not if you drive poorly, with lots of jackrabbit starts, slamming on the brakes and driving over 65 MPH - if you do those the regular Civic's mileage drops through the floor. Since our MPG matches the 44-48 the sticker said at purchase, I'll gather that our driving habits would put the regular Civic inside its range as well. 

In any event, things get really interesting when you start comparing the Hybrid to other, less efficient models. We've saved 5 grand over my in-laws car with its 22 MPG, and 13.8K over a vehicle with 12 MPG. I'll take that over my car feeling "sporty, fun and free" any day. 

Since the hybrid is half again more efficient than the regular civic, that means I can reduce the cost of gas by a third to get an idea of my savings per gallon. Right now in CT that's $1.43 - if Gas hits $7 a gallon (the high outside sky is falling number I've heard), that's $2.33. 

In other science news, there's a lab in California that has genetically engineered crickets to excrete gasoline (I read it on the internet, so it must be true!) Man, that would be even cooler than my Hybrid. Sign Me Up!

Comments

[brianrogers.livejournal.com]

Well, I hope there aren't a lot of cars on the road here getting 12 MPG. But I know that they exist. I don't mind the higher prices because that seems to be the only goad that workds on most USAns to curb their gas consumption - appeals to lesser savings or the environment don't cut it.

Of course, I work in an industry that relies on big reucks driving things places, so the higher gas prices also imperil my job security. So it goes.