Comparison of Hybrid vs. Normal Cars: Which Saves Money?

More than 40 different 2011 models of hybrid cars vied for U.S. market share, including not only
compacts, but sedans, SUVs, crossovers and pickup trucks. With fuel economy figures for hybrids
ranging from a high of 51 city/48 highway miles per gallon, to a low of 17 city/21 highway, the money
you stand to save by choosing a hybrid depends on the model. (See References 1) By comparing
initial price and fuel savings, you can determine whether a particular hybrid is more economical than
its standard counterpart.

Initial Cost
The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for a vehicle is the basic criterion for
comparison shopping. When considering the purchase of a crossover-style car, for
example, compare the standard, fuel-powered model with the manufacturer's
corresponding hybrid model, if possible, to make a side-by-side comparison of cost. For
the sake of illustration, take a base model with a MSRP of $38,375, and compare it to
the same model with a hybrid engine offered by the same manufacturer at a base MSRP
of $43,935. The hybrid model costs $5560 more.

Government Rebates
Consumers who purchased a hybrid vehicle between Dec. 31, 2005 and Mar. 31, 2010
were eligible for up to $3,400 in federal tax credits. The amount of the credit depended
on how many hybrids the automaker of a given vehicle sold. Once a manufacturer's
hybrid sales topped 60,000, the government reduced the tax credit available to
subsequent purchasers by 50 percent, and then later by an additional 25 percent, until
the incentive disappeared altogether. (See References 2) Hybrids eligible for this tax
incentive in effect cost less than their MSRP. In the above example, the crossover
hybrid's purchase price would have been reduced to just $2160 more than the standard
model --- if the buyer received the full credit.

Fuel Economy
When you purchase a hybrid, you would expect to save gasoline, since the vehicle
operates partially on electricity. In the above example, the standard, two-wheel-drive
2011 model's combined highway and city estimated fuel usage is 21 miles per gallon.
The same model with a hybrid engine has an estimated combined gas mileage of 30
miles per gallon (see References 3). If you plan to keep the hybrid for several years,
your gas savings would likely compensate for the higher sticker price, particularly with
that year's rapid increase in gasoline prices.

Gas Savings in Dollars and Cents

To determine the actual fuel savings over a typical year of driving, compare the
operating cost of a hybrid versus a standard model. A U.S. Department of Transportation
summary, dated February 2003, reports the average American driver between the ages
of 34 and 55 drives 15,291 miles annually (see References 4). Divide this annual
mileage figure by 21 miles to the gallon for the standard model, and you will find that
you would buy about 728 gallons of gasoline a year. In contrast, if you divide the annual
miles figure by 30 for the hybrid, you would determine that the annual gas purchase
would be of about 510 gallons. You would save 218 gallons of gas a year with the
hybrid. Multiply this by a conservative $3.50 a gallon for a dollar savings of $763. By
selecting the hybrid over the standard model, you would make up for the $5,560
difference in sticker price in seven to eight years. Subtract the maximum tax incentive
and you could recoup the $2,160 difference in less than three years. Thus, in this
example, you would save money either by paying full price and driving your hybrid for
more than eight years, or by driving it for more than three years with a tax credit.

Introduction:

Overview of the article The article illustrates more than 40 different 2011 models of hybrid cars vied
for U.S. market share, including not only compacts, but sedans, SUVs, crossovers and pickup trucks.
Authors tone The author is optimistic about comparing initial price and fuel savings, you can
determine whether a particular hybrid is more economical than its standard counterpart.

Evaluation of the article:

Main point 1 Firstly, the initial cost of normal car and hybrid car. The manufacturer's
suggested retail price (MSRP) for a vehicle is the basic criterion for comparison
shopping. When considering the purchase of a crossover-style car, for example,
compare the standard, fuel-powered model with the manufacturer's corresponding
hybrid model. take a base model with a MSRP of $38,375, and compare it to the same
model with a hybrid engine offered by the same manufacturer at a base MSRP of
$43,935. The hybrid model costs $5560 more.

Supporting details
Strong evidence

Main point 2
Supporting details
Strong evidence

Main point 3
Supporting details
Strong evidence

Main point 4
Supporting details
Strong evidence

Your personal view or opinion about the article:

Personal view

I totally agree with the author that hybrid car most efficient car because this age of economy the
assumption is much higher and the price of fuel per gallons is also higher by increasing annually.
However, I feel that normal car is more affordable by the average income in society.

Conclusion:

First, hybrid cars cost a bit more than the normal cars. Although it costs $5560 more, it can
provide us a better saving in our budget and make us save the world. Similarly, the normal
cars also can save our budget if we use it well.

Moreover, consumers who purchased a hybrid vehicle between Dec. 31, 2005 and Mar. 31,
2010 were eligible for up to $3,400 in federal tax credits. The amount of the credit
depended on how many hybrids the automaker of a given vehicle sold. We can save our
money on paying tax, loan and as well as bank interests.

The author further highlights the usage of fuel in economy. Hybrid cars is the seed for a
friendly fuel economy and serves as a catalyst for your gas savings that would likely
compensate for the higher sticker price, particularly with that year's rapid increase in
gasoline prices. Besides, hybrid cars are also indicators of high saving rate. For example,
the saving rate of the standard two-wheel-drive 2011 model's combined highway and city
estimated fuel usage is 21 miles per gallon. The same model with a hybrid engine has an
estimated combined gas mileage of 30 miles per gallon.

I totally agree with the author that hybrid car most efficient car because this age of
economy the assumption is much higher and the price of fuel per gallons is also higher by
increasing annually.

However, I feel that normal car is more affordable by the average income in society that
has a lower costs. Hybrid cars costs more than the normal cars. The author is correct that
this fact can be generalized, the hybrid cars can provide better saving, Hybrid cars is a
future plan to save both us and the world.

In summary, I reaffirm my stand that hybrid cars is the best way to save. Nevertheless, I
firmly believe that it is not the only our passport to save more, as there are certain type of
normal cars that can also saves better. Therefore, hybrid cars can save more money than
the normal cars.