Hybrids Ain't-a Sellin'

The Detroit News reports: Gas prices up, but drivers not switching to hybrids.

The sad truth is that the vast majority of car drivers talk about swapping gas-guzzling machines for fuel-sipping hybrids, which combine an internal gas combustion engine with one or more electric motors that work together or independently to power a vehicle in a more fuel-efficient manner.

Yet, very few actually purchase a hybrid. Pickup trucks and SUVs still outsell passenger cars in the U.S.

R. L. Polk & Co. recently reported that hybrid vehicle registrations for 2006 comprised only slightly more that 1.5 percent of all new vehicle registrations in the United States.

Anyone out there considering a hybrid? We'd consider a hybrid when it comes time to buy a new car, but we're pretty sure we're still in the minority. Why are folks not interested in hybrids? Is it purely because of price?

Comments

[dragdreams]

I love Hybrid because hybrid car is a good investment as they have an excellent resale value.

[Classic Auto Trader]

Hydrogen seems to be the fuel source of the future, and it looks like Iceland's renewable energy policy is on the right track.

It sounds like the rest of the world needs to take a page out of Iceland's renewable energy book and do its part in making this world a greener place to live.

Hybrids are at least greener for the environment.

[Tj]

I've looked at hybrids, because I believe its our obligation to save energy not just $...but while safety is great we've created part of our own mess in the US. Ever tried to fit 2 car seats and 2 adults in the small europeon style vehicle? I also have a farm but like europeans I keep an older model p-up just for driving to the feed store. Cracks me up seeing the Hemi truck being driven to work when they only need it to move the boat 2x a year.

[Tj]

I've looked at hybrids, because I believe its our obligation to save energy not just $...but while safety is great we've created part of our own mess in the US. Ever tried to fit 2 car seats and 2 adults in the small europeon style vehicle? I also have a farm but like europeans I keep an older model p-up just for driving to the feed store. Cracks me up seeing the Hemi truck being driven to work when they only need it to move the boat 2x a year.

[M1EK]

Boy, this one sure dragged out the trolls. We have the battery life myth AND the low-power myth, all in the same thread. Bravo.

The reason more people aren't buying them is that the variable price savings (due to gas prices) are still too low to make it compelling to spend the extra money if you believe gas prices aren't going up more in the future.

[Tom]

Well said. Folks in America do not like the kidde-car type autos.

[Jeff]

My `97 car just turned 100K miles. I own it free and clear, it still runs well and looks nice, and it returns decent mileage (not great but not bad). When it comes time to replace it, I will probably purchase a diesel. As I live in California, I'll have to wait anyhow.

Unless battery technologies improve greatly within 3 or 4 years in terms of capacities, charge and discharge rates, and longevity, the hybrid as it is now is just a stopgap.

[Jay]

If the price comes down on hybrids I might consider one. My main factor is this: My car gets horrible gas mileage but I own it free and clear. I certainly won't save money taking on a 2nd $300 a month car payment. Sadly I know people that have done just that to save gas.

[greg]

My Jetta diesel is a much more versatile touring car on the road, is less mechanically complex, is less expensive, doesn't face unanswerable questions about total cost of ownership over 10+ years of service, and gets over 40 MPG in typical mixed city/highway driving. Why on earth do I need a hybrid?

In principle hybrids are a reasonable idea and they keep getting better all the time. But they're still more a niche vehicle than something you think of in terms of meeting the day to day needs of the average driver.

[Ward Spose]

It comes down to two things as far as I can tell. Power which there is none with a hybrid. For me I see 0-60 in 18 seconds dangerous not economical. Secondly, Americans love their pickups, suvs, and minivans. Soccer moms can not stuff all their kids and all their gear in a Prius. You can not run a load of stuff from the Home Depot in a Prius.

Bottomline hybrids are not what the average American public is looking for.

We need a Hybrid Pickup, a Hybrid minivan, and a hybrid SUV.

And the Pickup must be able to tow 10,000 pounds.

Another briliant idea would be to make on that dosent look like it belongs in space.