Hybrid Reality Check

Awright, recently I have read a spate of blogs and aritcles lamenting over the apparent downturn in hybrid vehicles given the drop in gas prices and you know......people being people. Ok, here's the deal people.....this is not terrible news, its awesome news! People are not saying they'll only look into the wimpy hybrid side of things if it hurts the wallet, they are registering their opposition to the pricing structure which is wrought with inefficiency.

Let's take the example of the Honda Civic, a model that has a regular and hybrid version. The Civic EX, its top trim in this model, is listed at $19,510 MSRP. The hybrid comes in at $22,600. The difference, $3,090. Now, this premium is what the pricing gurus have bet on as the premium you will pay, given not just your mental ability to calculate cost/benefit analysis, but the dominating psychology associated with a polluting environment, gas prices and global wars. The fact is that Honda has made quite a few concessions to the Civic Hybrid and a simple mpg comparison between the hybrid and non-hybrid versions is not apples to apples. The hybrid is 30 bhp less than the EX and has smaller wheels (done specially to eek out anoter couple of miles per gallon). This of course makes the $3,090 quite questionable. But, what about the fuel cost savings. Yes, those are there, but you are getting a lesser car at the same time. Shouldn't that even it out? And, what about those savings? Let's take a closer look. Generously assume the average driver does 12,000 miles per year. Let's take gas at $3/gallon (my prediction on gas prices for the summer of 2007, he he, let's see). For 12k miles, the EX will chuggle through 400 gallons in a year where as the hybrid will sip on 240 gallons. The savings: 160 gallons or $480 every year. Cost recorevery time frame on $3,090: OMG, 6.44 years! Thats a millenia these days. Hybrids could run out their entire lifetime cycle by then. Still worse, my eldest would be nearing college. I will be in financial hell. Last thing I will need is depression over how I got sidewinded again at the dealership over 6 years ago! And let's not even get into the battery depreciation cost (cause I dont have the info to write about it, he he).

Anyways, you know what, I still like these babies, twice already I forced myself to turn it down due to this ridiculous premium. Time to send the pricing gurus back to the drawing board. Take this comparison and look at the hybrid and non-hybrid versions of the Honda Accord V6 or the Toyota Camry. The Honda asks for a $5000 premium but not only do you retain all the power, the hybrid combo adds a small 13 bhp punch apparently kicking up acceleration a notch too. And its got run-flat tires plus other gadetry too. But the package is essentlially more sensical. However, at $30k+ and a lower 29mpg for a hybrid, this model smacks more of an enthusiast's production rather than a serious attempt at market. The Camry Hybrid, on the other hand, touts an impressive 39mpg and boosts bhp by 32 horses to 192 over its non-hybrid version with roughly a $5000 premium too. And its a looker. A friend of mine got one and we were drooling over its body and engine like it was a Porsche or something. What's wrong with us ? If you want this car, screw the calculations on recovering the premium cost with fuel savings. Thats gonna be years I'm sure. Its got 192bhp and 39mpg. And at $26,000 its priced to be bought. That's progress. A better mouse trap. A better car. Not a 100bhp, less than 3000 pounds car that gives you 50mpg.

Like I said, all of this is very good news. The hybrid downturn is a net upturn. We are going through some growing pains here. We are moving through days of feeble hybrids and their green psychology. That won't make a statement anymore. Look to 100mpg+ plug-in electircs for that kinda stuff. But don't get me started on that just yet. More on that later. We want real cars with 200bhp and 40mpg priced to sell. Go figure it out >>>>>>>

And hey, if you do own a Honda Civic Hybrid, here's something to make you feel a little better but don't be befooled by Charlie White's slip on the bhp of the car. If its was 140 I would have scooped it up a long time ago. Perhaps Charlie was merely resonating what should be. And, 0 - 60 in 12 secs ain't nothing to write home about. But still the car comes off rather nicely in the review and is generally quite well liked.....I think.