June 4,2008 — Can’t find a Hybrid on the lot? Dealers are charging 5k-7k over MSRP for available hybrid cars and suv’s, fueled by the rising cost of gas. Are these rabid hybrid seekers crazy? At these prices it will take 5 years of average driving to cover the disproportionate cost of a Prius over a Carolla, and the Carolla has more room! Consider the FIT, VERSA, CALIBER, ACCENT, YARIS, Scion AB, all of which get better than 30MPG and are 8k to 10K less than their hybrid sisters.
But the real story is WHY? WHY can’t the car factories pump out more of the models the public is clamoring for? Because the automotive industry has not financially supported new battery manufacturing and R&D to match the rising demand.
Call it short sighted, or a misguided belief that the present administration would keep the gas flowing.
The new technology calls for Li-ion (lithium ion) batteries that are half the wieght and run 2x to 3x longer. not to mention having more power to get better MPG. However, current availability is outstripped 3 to 1.
From compactpower.com written last year… “Li-ion technology is emerging as the primary candidate to replace NiMH in part because some required developments are supported by the growing dominance of Li-ion in consumer technology, according to Prabhakar Patil, chief executive officer of Compact Power Inc. (www.compactpower.com), a subsidiary of LG Chemicals (www.lgchem.com). Patil noted that the weight advantage of Li-ion over NiMH materials gives Li-ion batteries a 2x to 3x advantage in energy and power density. “This is significant, as consumers are willing to pay a premium for longer usage time or lighter weight,” he said, adding “Li-ion batterycost on a $/kWh basis is already comparable to Ni-MH and is on track to go further down.” Toyota is favoring Prius over Camry and Highlander, even though the Camry is a more luxurious car for not much more money than the Prius! Honda Civic Hybrids, Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner are facing the same sitution. Consumers are dropping $1000.00 deposits all over town in the hopes of getting one sooner than later by covering their bets.
In the meantime, gas continues to skyrocket at almost .10 cents a week!
However, before you fall for this over-sticker game, do the math. You may find the 6k-8k savings between a hybrid and a gas on a typical 4cyl sedan, buys you several years worth of driving, at an average difference of 5-9 mpg. PLUS, the next level of technology the manufacturers are betting on is plug-in, as the Chevy Volt is said to make it’s debut in 2010. SO, lease your next 4cyl, from CHRYSLER, JEEP or DODGE and hedge your bet for the next “alternative fuel” go round and wait to see what the next version will be.
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