Quote:
Originally Posted by richw  Well $$$$ made me select the Honda CIVIC 27 to 35
Note Prius upcharge now 8000 even at 6 / gas thats
a 200000 break even but there is a waiting list |
Actually, it's 115k. Given a 46mpg EPA combined rating for the prius and a 30mpg rating for the civic along with an 8000 upcharge:
(6 / 46)x + 8000 = (6/30)x
.0695x = 8000
x = 115107 miles to breakeven.
That may still be unacceptable to the average driver especially given the battery replacement cost/time, but new technologies are always fueled by the early adopters who subsidize the NRE in exchange for the "cool" factor they get by being the first on the block.
Eventually hybrids may make sense on their economy alone but for that to happen you have to get some people to buy in for other reasons to drive the technology.