Excellent article about electric/hybrid cars.
The main consideration is the additional cost of a hybrid cars.
Take a look at Lexus RX330 and Lexus RX400H (hybrid). The latter cost about $ 10,000 more than RX330 even thought the frame, model etc are the same. The Lexus hybrid car has a very long waiting list. To equip with hybrid configuration costs Toyota additional $ 5,000 and a markup of $ 5,000 profit.
If the main consideration is just the cost of gasoline, then, think again. For an additional $ 10K you have a break even point of 4 to 5 years when the warranty is over. Then you are on your own: inverter, trans-axle, battery, computer, etc etc. which will set you back thousands of dollars.
Sandra Bullock can afford that, so does Tom Hank. They are concern with global warming, environmental issues of pollution, depletion of fossil fuels etc. From economic standpoint alone, people might wait until the price come down arising from declining marginal costs. |
