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YvettieB Rookie Author Oregon Posts:5 Points:585 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2011 8:05:52 PM Ignore YvettieB Report Abuse I'm thinking about talking my mom into "down-sizing" her vehicle, and buying a fuel efficient car. Although, I've heard a lot of good things about electric cars that save even more money in gas per year. However, electric cars are VERY expensive and unaffordable for most people. Will an electric car pay for itself in a year or two? How does this savings compare to the savings with a fuel economy car? Which car are you saving more money with on an annual basis?

YvettieB

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Oregon

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Message Posted: Dec 19, 2011 8:05:52 PM

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I'm thinking about talking my mom into "down-sizing" her vehicle, and buying a fuel efficient car. Although, I've heard a lot of good things about electric cars that save even more money in gas per year. However, electric cars are VERY expensive and unaffordable for most people. Will an electric car pay for itself in a year or two? How does this savings compare to the savings with a fuel economy car? Which car are you saving more money with on an annual basis?

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drbkowen Rookie Author Portland Posts:5 Points:16,305 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Dec 13, 2012 6:46:17 PM Ignore drbkowen Report Abuse The one sad thing that nobody pointed out is that at 60,000 miles maintenance schedule says to replace the batteries in the Hybrids. The batteries cost near $6000.00. The savings you gain with any fuel efficiency is lost on replacing the batteries. Some people say to plug their hybrids in to charge the batteries to get better fuel mileage the downside to this is the batteries fail faster. Hybrids only get better fuel efficiency than any other car in stop and go or congested traffic, once you get out on the highway their efficiency seriously goes down. Also the Hybrids will never be considered a green (earth saving) vehicle. The batteries used are Lithium batteries which are the worlds worst earth destroying manufactured item. The mines, refining, and manufacturing of Lithium are a great tragedy of the worlds environment. Even if Obama's planned manufacturing complex is built in the US the refining and mining still are a world problem. Get a fuel efficient vehicle it is the best choice. [Edited by: drbkowen at 12/13/2012 6:48:27 PM EST]
weddy11 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,716 Points:427,850 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Dec 8, 2012 11:54:34 PM Ignore weddy11 Report Abuse If you want to save money, then buy the fuel economy car.
jenksjr All-Star Author Washington Posts:502 Points:36,275 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Dec 8, 2012 11:08:06 PM Ignore jenksjr Report Abuse If you want to save the earth - walk. If you want a cheap, economical car, stick with regular gasoline fueled vehicles. The difference in cost will take years to pay off. Buy a Yaris or equivalent. You'll get about 35 mpg combined driving. The Yaris can be bought for less than $20,000.
traffic cop Champion Author Boston Posts:1,239 Points:533,080 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Dec 8, 2012 8:31:15 PM Ignore traffic cop Report Abuse Hybarids are beginning to make some sense, but only because an anti-hydrocarbon administration is determined to get fuel costs higher. That makes "sustainable" (ahem) technology more feasible. Along with manufacturer's subsidies and purchasers' tax breaks. The whole global warming thing is a massive hoax which makes eco-idealogues feel self-righteous and shrewd insiders more money. Your money. Get an economical compact. She'll be happy.
WEDDY Champion Author Phoenix Posts:3,227 Points:1,034,595 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2012 8:53:33 AM Ignore WEDDY Report Abuse Fuel economy
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,370 Points:1,117,825 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 10, 2012 12:46:52 PM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Fuel Economy
weddy11 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,716 Points:427,850 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Nov 10, 2012 9:58:10 AM Ignore weddy11 Report Abuse I prefer the regular gas economy cars. The electric cars cost more, and you then have the expense of the electricity to charge you car which is not cheap from what I heard.
richwestOH Rookie Author Toledo Posts:14 Points:11,990 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2012 10:50:24 AM Ignore richwestOH Report Abuse fuel
WEDDY Champion Author Phoenix Posts:3,227 Points:1,034,595 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2012 10:39:33 AM Ignore WEDDY Report Abuse I just bought a new honda fit. Currently getting 35.8 average mileage between here and work and around town.
carinthuist Champion Author San Francisco Posts:2,226 Points:326,985 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Oct 27, 2012 7:57:07 PM Ignore carinthuist Report Abuse FUEL OR MAYBE ELECTRIC
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,370 Points:1,117,825 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Oct 27, 2012 6:49:41 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Fuel
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,370 Points:1,117,825 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Oct 27, 2012 6:49:31 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Fuel
Tsunamiron Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:1,409 Points:553,825 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Oct 27, 2012 12:29:37 AM Ignore Tsunamiron Report Abuse A plug-in EV will probably take ten years to pay for the difference.
HotRod10 Champion Author Wyoming Posts:2,268 Points:40,310 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Oct 26, 2012 7:07:08 PM Ignore HotRod10 Report Abuse There are no EVs that will recoup the price difference in a couple years. Depending on your electricity prices, gas prices and car loan interest rate, you may never reach the break-even point, especially considering the limited electric range of EVs and PHEVs. More range = more batteries = more initial cost.
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,370 Points:1,117,825 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Sep 26, 2012 7:11:34 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Fuel
RRBC Champion Author Victoria Posts:2,690 Points:526,040 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Sep 25, 2012 10:37:16 PM Ignore RRBC Report Abuse Fuel for now
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,370 Points:1,117,825 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Sep 22, 2012 2:22:42 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Fuel Economy
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,370 Points:1,117,825 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Sep 22, 2012 2:22:40 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Fuel Economy
cmmattia Champion Author Long Island Posts:1,959 Points:387,585 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 7:41:58 PM Ignore cmmattia Report Abuse i dont think electric will be my choice, i dont see it making it big, but i could be wrong ..... to each his own !!!!
CH3CH2 Rookie Author New Jersey Posts:16 Points:377,105 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 12:21:11 AM Ignore CH3CH2 Report Abuse Back to 5 five-cylinders-of-awesome
CH3CH2 Rookie Author New Jersey Posts:16 Points:377,105 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 20, 2012 10:25:46 PM Ignore CH3CH2 Report Abuse (Reuters) - U.S. federal policies to promote electric vehicles will cost $7.5 billion through 2019 and have "little to no impact" on overall national gasoline consumption over the next several years, the Congressional Budget Office said in a report issued on Thursday. U.S. electric car policy to cost $7.5 billion by 2019: CBO
Z12 Champion Author Toledo Posts:3,642 Points:755,785 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 20, 2012 8:39:41 PM Ignore Z12 Report Abuse Fuel
Lilly02 Champion Author Rockford Posts:1,648 Points:521,915 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Sep 19, 2012 11:58:38 AM Ignore Lilly02 Report Abuse Natural gas is the way to go!
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,337 Points:693,275 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Sep 19, 2012 11:27:41 AM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse YVETTIEB: Is an electric car a worthy purchase? First there's the question of range. If your mother's driving activities permit her to do all her driving within the range of the car, then the purchase could be potentially worthwhile IF she does a lot of driving and she has a 240V charging system installed. If she takes long trips, say over 100 miles fairly frequently, then a gasoline vehicle will be required. And what's the cost of driving, say, 100 miles on an electric vehicle vs. a gas vehicle like a Focus? For an electric, figure somewhere in the area of $4. For the Focus, it will be around $12. At this point, given the cost of the vehicle and the supporting charging system, your mother would definitely be better off in a gas-powered car like the Focus unless you have enough money and you're making some kind of statement with the electric car. As for battery replacement, they, like most other parts of the electric car will go down in price as the volume of electric cars goes up.
kfakes Rookie Author Madison Posts:3 Points:260 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Sep 19, 2012 7:38:30 AM Ignore kfakes Report Abuse fuel because the cost of replacing a battery is outragious
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,370 Points:1,117,825 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Sep 19, 2012 6:46:04 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Fuel
RRBC Champion Author Victoria Posts:2,690 Points:526,040 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Sep 18, 2012 9:46:02 PM Ignore RRBC Report Abuse Fuel car
BringIt918 Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:1,340 Points:286,275 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2012 6:07:23 PM Ignore BringIt918 Report Abuse Electric
drydem Sophomore Author Maryland Posts:131 Points:3,200 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2012 8:29:20 AM Ignore drydem Report Abuse No. (if no fed/state tax credits/incentives are considered) BEV/PHEV/HEV take around 4-10 years to break even compared to the premium that is charged over the fuel saving when normally driving a comparable conventional gas vehicle. For example, The least expensive HEV - the 2012 Toyota Prius c (50mpg) and the 2012 Honda Insight (44 mpg) will cost about 19K. The price differential from an inexpensive conventional gas vehicle like 2012 Hyundai Accent(30 mpg) or 2012 Ford Focus (28 mpg) is about $5000 USD and the difference in fuel efficiency is about 15 mpg to 20 mpg. If your mom drives 10,000 miles per year then the fuel usage difference between 30 mpg and 50 mpg is betwen 333 gallons and 200 gallons. That is the fuel saving is 133 gallons of gas. If the price of gas is $4 per gallon then that works out to be $532 per year and it would take 10 years to make up the cost differential. This price differential is still there when buying used. For example, a used 2008 Prius might cost about $15K (44 mpg) while a used 2008 Hyundai Accent/Elanta $10K (25-30 mpg). BEV/PHEV/HEV are easier and benefit more from hypermiling than regular gas cars. Hypermiling are a group of driving skill that can extend fuel efficiency from 10% to 50%. For example, using hypermiling techniques I have been able to extend the overall mpg of my 2010 Prius from 50 mpg to 60 mpg. Each year, I have saved about $1000 in fuel cost (about +12,000 miles per year @ 3.40 per gallon ). I expect to make up the $5000 differential in five years. [Edited by: drydem at 9/1/2012 8:33:03 AM EST]
LeMeowz Veteran Author Oakland Posts:441 Points:89,945 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 4:42:41 PM Ignore LeMeowz Report Abuse The new Nissan Leaf that's about to come out has its price significantly reduced, to about $19,000 after federal and state (CA) tax credit, which makes it very affordable for an electric car.
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,370 Points:1,117,825 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Aug 24, 2012 6:42:26 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Fuel
BLWong Veteran Author Las Vegas Posts:436 Points:183,940 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Aug 24, 2012 4:19:17 AM Ignore BLWong Report Abuse You have to do the math. Factors involved are: How many miles does one drive in a year; What's the difference in MPG between the vehicles in question; What's the cost of the vehicles; and what's the price of gas. There will be a break even point because as you know the electric will be at a premium to capitalize on the fuel savings.
GBHUGVA Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:4,697 Points:789,160 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: May 9, 2012 12:26:30 PM Ignore GBHUGVA Report Abuse A NICE USED FORD Escape/MERCURY Mariner/MAZDA Tribute HYBRID IS THE WAY TO GO! Let someone else pay for the tech.research and dev. Our 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid gets 32.5 most of the time, paid 10grand the wifes P.O.S. 2004 prius only gets 40.3 not 60 like they said, but she got it for 7grand, ok beater I guess, but the Ford is our favorite, better quality for sure!
GBHUGVA Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:4,697 Points:789,160 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 7:39:11 AM Ignore GBHUGVA Report Abuse A NICE USED FORD Escape/MERCURY Mariner/MAZDA Tribute HYBRIDs IS THE WAY TO GO 32.5mpg!! A 2005 can be found under $10K Then pick up the Plug-in conversion from Enginer.com to get 50+ mpg.
GBHUGVA Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:4,697 Points:789,160 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Apr 25, 2012 7:47:51 AM Ignore GBHUGVA Report Abuse 2013 Ford Fusion debuts along with 47-MPG Fusion Hybrid, 100-MPGe Fusion Energi!!!
dalspot Rookie Author Wilmington Posts:8 Points:185,860 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Apr 23, 2012 3:40:05 PM Ignore dalspot Report Abuse We recently moved from a CR-V to a Prius. We drive about 13,000 miles a year. At $3.50 a gallon the Prius is saving us $1100 a year in fuel costs. We are getting an average hand-calculated 51 mpg. Much better than I thought we would get. We spent the same or a bit less on the Prius as we would have for a new similarly-equipped CR-V. We will keep the Prius for at least 6 years, and at that, effectively chops $6,600 off the purchase price. Plus we bought it not only for the fuel savings, but because it was the right car to park outside our solar-equipped house.
jorobins538 Champion Author Chicago Posts:4,722 Points:636,270 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Apr 23, 2012 2:27:04 PM Ignore jorobins538 Report Abuse I think electric is the future, but I can't afford one yet.
forresj Champion Author Wilmington Posts:2,760 Points:539,255 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Apr 23, 2012 9:33:58 AM Ignore forresj Report Abuse fuel and learn to conserve
kxy4fw Champion Author Denver Posts:1,226 Points:275,255 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Apr 23, 2012 9:16:41 AM Ignore kxy4fw Report Abuse fuel.
OilerFan Champion Author Tulsa Posts:14,032 Points:2,445,440 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Apr 23, 2012 7:32:40 AM Ignore OilerFan Report Abuse get her a TDI-based VW.
ultimate Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,763 Points:1,329,045 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Apr 23, 2012 6:10:19 AM Ignore ultimate Report Abuse Electric if they can get the travel distance per charge up.
reb4 Champion Author Chicago Posts:19,076 Points:1,818,125 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Apr 19, 2012 9:40:02 AM Ignore reb4 Report Abuse Ford CEO on True Battery cost "“When you move into an all-electric vehicle, the battery size moves up to around 23 kilowatt hours,” he said. “It weighs 600 to 700 pounds and they’re around $12,000 to $15,000 for a car [in conventional gasoline form] that normally sells around $22,000. So you can see why the economics are what they are.” However, the electric comes in at 39,200. The top model non electric is 21,805... More than the 15K.. So Ford has Electric option on the very top of line...
GBHUGVA Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:4,697 Points:789,160 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 7:41:33 AM Ignore GBHUGVA Report Abuse 2013 Ford Fusion debuts along with 47-MPG Fusion Hybrid, 100-MPGe Fusion Energi!!!
MertieMan Champion Author Lexington Posts:14,768 Points:2,891,610 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 5:38:14 AM Ignore MertieMan Report Abuse Electric cars are pretty expensive right now and they don't have a viable infrastructure to support them, plus it takes time to recharge a battery.
rcdesil Rookie Author Chicago Posts:38 Points:230,055 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 15, 2012 11:15:05 PM Ignore rcdesil Report Abuse I would prefer fuel. However, I heard of cars being able to run on air. The government of course doesn't want to approve of this because they won't be making their money. This concept is hard to believe, but its not our fault the government has brained washed us.
kxy4fw Champion Author Denver Posts:1,226 Points:275,255 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2012 9:56:08 AM Ignore kxy4fw Report Abuse Fuel
forresj Champion Author Wilmington Posts:2,760 Points:539,255 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2012 9:33:00 AM Ignore forresj Report Abuse Actually it depends on your driving habits. If you drive a lot then it probably makes sense to purchase an electric/hybrid car. But if you drive only occasionally, then an electric/hybrid car doesn't make sense. At the moment, I don't like electric/hybrid cars because batteries don't last forever. Batteries are very expensive to replace. You probably need to keep the electric/hybrid car for many years to recoup your costs. By that time, you would have replaced your batteries several times. Not worth it. It would probably be worth it if you get a substantial tax break from the government for buying a electric/hybrid car. But I'm still not convinced that it's a good idea. If you want to save on gasoline costs. Learn to conserve. [Edited by: forresj at 4/7/2012 9:42:40 AM EST]
gvan Champion Author Chicago Posts:21,502 Points:2,832,290 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2012 9:08:35 AM Ignore gvan Report Abuse I like the concept of electric cars but there is absolutely NO WAY an electric car will pay for itself in a year or two. At the present pricing, and present gas prices, it might take 10+ years for an electric to be cost effective. There are quite a few gas engine cars available that get in the 40 mpg range.
Schwinn1 Rookie Author Dayton Posts:56 Points:8,500 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2012 10:57:26 AM Ignore Schwinn1 Report Abuse A fuel efficient car is a much better choice than an electric or hybrid car. Recomendations are Subaru. they are the top notch car maker right now but they have a poor dealer network. Avoid the new Focus as they have transmission problems and a lot of querky electronics.
WEDDY Champion Author Phoenix Posts:3,227 Points:1,034,595 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2012 10:50:03 AM Ignore WEDDY Report Abuse Fuel efficient cars for sure. Electric cars are not cost effective and bad resale value.