Figuring Out How Much a Hybrid, Diesel, or Small Car Will Save Per Year

There's a calculator at www.fast-math.org in which you can enter the
estimated mileage (or kilometerage) you drive per year, the mileage
your current car is getting, the mileage a proposed new car will get,
and it will show you how much money you can save. If you already have
a fuel-efficient car, you can have fun running as-ifs and after-the-
fact comparisons.
Take care,
- Jeff -

 

My '04 Prius cost about $5,000 more than a comparable
non-hybrid, so I factored in the loss of income from
that money differential (we pay cash and keep cars until
they're not economical to fix). Also, there are
differences in maintenance. For example, my Prius may
never need a brake job...

And there's one more savings: time. In my driving
environment, I estimate that my HOV-lane access is worth
2.2 hours per month - and time is money. Those stickers
aren't available any longer, but mine are good till 2011
and I can guarantee that I'll keep this car at least
that long.

A great car!

 

My '04 Prius cost about $5,000 more than a comparable
non-hybrid, so I factored in the loss of income from
that money differential (we pay cash and keep cars until
they're not economical to fix). Also, there are
differences in maintenance. For example, my Prius may
never need a brake job...

And there's one more savings: time. In my driving
environment, I estimate that my HOV-lane access is worth
2.2 hours per month - and time is money. Those stickers
aren't available any longer, but mine are good till 2011
and I can guarantee that I'll keep this car at least
that long.

A great car!

 

You cant put a price tag on saving the environment.

 

You cant put a price tag on saving the environment.

 

I hope you figured out that 5k would have purchased ALL of the fuel one
would use in a Corolla for the first three of four years? Have you also
added into you calculations the $4,000 cost of replacing the batteries at
some point?

mike

 

I hope you figured out that 5k would have purchased ALL of the fuel one
would use in a Corolla for the first three of four years? Have you also
added into you calculations the $4,000 cost of replacing the batteries at
some point?

mike

 

Thank goodness for all of you people that are willing to by hybrids. Not
only are you saving the world you are saving gasoline so there will be
enough gasoline for those can afford to own and drive the bigger safer RWD
V8 sporty and luxury cars we love LOL

mike

 

Thank goodness for all of you people that are willing to by hybrids. Not
only are you saving the world you are saving gasoline so there will be
enough gasoline for those can afford to own and drive the bigger safer RWD
V8 sporty and luxury cars we love LOL

mike

 

Yes, you can.

Imagine that to preserve an appropriate and viable balance of people and
food supply, that we have to eliminate the population of, say, Africa.

We'd be saving the environment, right?

 

Yes, you can.

Imagine that to preserve an appropriate and viable balance of people and
food supply, that we have to eliminate the population of, say, Africa.

We'd be saving the environment, right?

 

Thank goodness Ford's SUV fetish is going to drive them out of
business.

 

Thank goodness Ford's SUV fetish is going to drive them out of
business.

 

Well, not exactly what I had in mind, I was thinking more of hybrids
being able to reduce Carbon emissions and that you cant put a price on
that. That sort of stuff and no mass murder involved.

 

Well, not exactly what I had in mind, I was thinking more of hybrids
being able to reduce Carbon emissions and that you cant put a price on
that. That sort of stuff and no mass murder involved.

 

Thinking further, the annual cost differential should
also include consideration of trade-in or sales value
when the time comes. I owned my early '04 for quite a
while before it depreciated even a dollar, and today,
after four years and a day, it can be sold for 80% of
what I paid for it in 10/03 (kbb.com).

In fact, since it has the desirable HOV stickers and is
in perfect condition, I might get more than that...
Astonishing!

 

Thinking further, the annual cost differential should
also include consideration of trade-in or sales value
when the time comes. I owned my early '04 for quite a
while before it depreciated even a dollar, and today,
after four years and a day, it can be sold for 80% of
what I paid for it in 10/03 (kbb.com).

In fact, since it has the desirable HOV stickers and is
in perfect condition, I might get more than that...
Astonishing!

 

Well, not exactly what I had in mind, I was thinking more of hybrids
being able to reduce Carbon emissions and that you cant put a price on
that. That sort of stuff and no mass murder involved.[/QUOTE]

Ah.

Well, then, you CAN put a price tag on saving the environment, then.

 

Well, not exactly what I had in mind, I was thinking more of hybrids
being able to reduce Carbon emissions and that you cant put a price on
that. That sort of stuff and no mass murder involved.[/QUOTE]

Ah.

Well, then, you CAN put a price tag on saving the environment, then.

 

Not only that, but since automakers have to meet a "fleet
average" MPG, all buying a hybrid does is allow some other
person to buy a bigger monster truck and eat up the savings.

(Here's a memorable op-ed from last year on the topic:

David Leonhardt
Buy a Hybrid, and Save a Guzzler
Published: February 8, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/08/business/08leonhardt.html
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