For several years we’ve been told that hybrid vehicles are more efficient and less expensive to operate than gasoline powered models. These vehicles have laughed at the rest of the world as they pass the gas stations around them on the way to their destination and even though hybrids typically cost more initially, tax incentives for these cars makes it much easier to swallow the fact that the car was a bit pricier than a gasoline-only version. Because of these factors doesn’t it make sense for all of us to drive a hybrid car?
The answer to that question might be “not really.” Over the past several years the gas-powered models have increased their overall fuel efficiency a great deal to offer us more fuel mileage than ever which results in many gas-powered cars leaving the fueling stations behind as well. Not only have these cars become more efficient per gallon of gas, but the gas prices that have decreased over the past few years have taken away the largest selling point hybrid models had over them for several years. Now the cost to own a gasoline powered vehicle is highly comparable to a hybrid, making it difficult to justify purchasing a hybrid vehicle at all.
To give you some statistics on the subject, the average price of gas in the US is currently $2.20 per gallon which is down from the $2.58 price is was a year ago. The average fuel mileage of a new vehicle on the market is around 25.5 mph which is up from 24.6 mpg in 2014 and 23.5 from 2013. These numbers make for a more difficult sales pitch for those who are trying to sell hybrid models.
Even though it sounds like hybrids may not have the same place in the market they had a few years ago there is still a strong desire for these vehicles by many who want to be as environmentally-friendly as possible. In fact, plug-in vehicle sales are up this year approximately seven percent which shows a leaning toward faith in these electric-powered models. The total overall sales of hybrids, diesels and plug-ins are down about 22 percent, which could have seriously been impacted by the diesel scandal from Volkswagen. Of note is the fact that the four variations of the Toyota Prius are down nearly 26 percent this year, which may be an alarming statistic.
What hybrids are still more cost efficient than gasoline powered models? In a recent study by Vincentric, the models that are more cost effective to own are the Audi Q5 Hybrid, Ford Fusion, Hybrid, Lexus CT 200h, Lexus ES300h, Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, Toyota Avalon Hybrid and the Toyota Prius C. Hybrid vehicles being more cost effective to drive is down 32 percent compared to 2014 and 44 percent compared to 2012, which is good news for gasoline powered models, but still bad news for the hybrid models and those who spend their time trying to sell these vehicles.
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