If all auto manufacturers had a selection of EVs or Hybrids, and priced the same as other cars, would you buy?

Question

Please answer the first part... but to extend on that (if you have an opinion on this)... My thinking is this... in order to justify the outrageous gas prices ($3.75 reg today vs. $1.37 reg seven years ago and oil per barrel, $114 today vs. $18 seven years ago)... we are told that our demand for oil is higher, oil is being tied up by groups fighting over it in Bazrah, Iraq, refineries are on fire in Texas, supply of oil is down, etc...

Okay then, first, is there a market now for fuel efficient vehicles that get up to 100 mpg? Would you be inclined to buy one if there were more choices regardless of what auto dealer you went to and the prices are in the same ball park as other models? Would a boom in EV/Hybrid sales help to relieve our dependence on oil? Would this drive gas prices down?

If yes... why isn't our government (despite being overrun by oil tycoons) and auto manufactures, working together to help us? Our economy is suffering more the longer gas prices keep rising.

Answer 1

yep.

in fact, i'll probably get a hybrid even if i have to pay more.

if the price keeps rising, then:  3.75/1.37=P/3.75

P=3.75*3.75/1.37 = $10.26 a gallon in 7 years.

if you have a Prius, then over the next 10 years, if you drive 20,000 miles/year, you're gonna pay something like $45,000 for gas.  get an ordinary car, and you'll pay closer to $90,000.  sure makes sense to me.  Prius will pay for itself twice over.

in addition, if you want to sell it 5 years from now,  the Prius will be worth something.  you won't be able to give a hummer away.

Answer 2

Of course.  Hybrids are essentially just more efficient gas cars.  The only reason not to buy them is because the initial cost is a bit higher.

Assuming the EVs in question had reasonable capabilities (i.e. highway speeds and 100+ miles per charge), I would choose the EV because it would cut my reliance on oil, and on fossil fuels in general since almost none of my energy is provided from coal power (California).

The government is doing a little to encourage alternative fuel technologies.  There is still a tax credit on hybrids, for example (though it's been phased out for Toyotas because they sold so well).  Virtually all of the major auto manufacturers are working on hybrids and/or plug-in hybrids and/or fully electric vehicles, as well.

Answer 3

Yes of course.  We would help to bring an end the oil reich just by owning a vehicle which helps the environment and starts paying for itself at the pump.

I wonder the same thing, why it is taking so long for electric vehicles to become more available (anywhere).  The technology has been around for ages.  Someone, somewhere, is helping to drag this much needed market for cleaner more efficient vehicles on it's heels.

But as for the economy part.  I'm in agreement with your line of questioning, your country, and the world really needs for something to get done about this.  Worry less about failed policies and another man's occupation that's costing the US hundreds of millions of dollars each year, and put some of that money towards reducing you debt, fixing your economy and helping the world by setting an example and getting out of this dirty oil dependency mess.

Answer 4

I would buy a hybrid if they had some decent models. However, I would only buy one as a means to save money.

As for the market on hybrids, it is fairly obvious that the manufacturers will build them if they are profitable. My guess is they are only marginally profitable as they are slowly expanding the lineup. SUV's and trucks are where the market is and that is where the profits are.

The Government has NO right or reason to interfere with the free market. If enough buyers want hybrids, manufacturers will build them. Free markets work better than any government, but the demand must be there.

As for gas prices, you are right, in that the economy is suffering. Politicians (and environmentalist) should be publicly ridiculed as they are the reason we are in the current situation. We have plenty of oil reserves in our own country which we should be utilizing. We should also be building more nuclear plants for energy.