Fuel efficiency and hybrid battery replacement cost
Did you know that only 16% of energy is transferred to the wheel from a conventional gasoline engine, and apparently 70% of it is lost in the form of heat via the exhaust and the radiator, and then divide the rest between drag, friction and braking. On the other hand a Toyota Prius transfers about 32% of the energy to the road. But the additional benefit is that you reduce CO2 emissions, even though we all know that even the most efficient engine will still produce some CO2, hence reducing the environmental impact caused by such greenhouse gases.
Another concern is that down the road current hybrid users/potential hybrid owners may be concern that once their cars have passed that car/battery warranty, what happens then if ones hybrid car battery dies. Let me put this very simply, if you can afford the hybrid, just pay for the battery ($2000). Till date no Toyota Prius battery has needed replacement. As a past owner of two old cars, my wife and I have ended spending a couple of thousand dollars every year just to keep those gas guzzlers running. So you know how I feel.
Source: Battery replacement cost big question for hybrids 5
Mercurynews.com
December 22nd, 2006 at 10:26 pm
I agree that many people are a little put off by the cost of replacement parts etc for newer hybrid vehicles but at some point we won’t have any choice but to accept greener technologies.
The rise in gas prices will at some point make these new vehicles more than viable and with more people embracing them the costs will come down. With global warming and oil reserves declining everyone including the oil companies will have no choice but to accept that the days of cheap fuel pumping greenhouse gases into our environment are coming to an end.
It is encouraging to see vehicle manufacturers finally begin to produce commercially viable hybrid vehicles that are a step in the right direction.
Col
http://www.impressiveebooks.com/fuelsaver
December 7th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
Gasoline prices would have to increase to five dollars a gallon or above – and stay there – for hybrid vehicles to gain mass market acceptance.
January 18th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Funny you say that Roger, MSNBC 3 weeks ago predicted that within the next 3 years the current price of gas will nearly double.
March 2nd, 2008 at 1:43 am
hybrids will always suck…if you can find a way to turbo a hybrid than maybe it won’t be as bad…but still they will always suck
March 16th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
They may get it right, but MSNBC has predicted 12 of the last 2 gasoline price hikes, 0 or the last 15 gas price reductions, and 35 of the last 2 recessions. They are simply gloom and doomers.