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Due to the relatively large spike in gasoline costs over the past several of years, as well as the growing force behind the environmental movement, hybrid cars have skyrocketed in both popularity and availability. It seems that most major automakers either have several hybrid models available (or in the works), ad when these cars hit the dealership’s lot, they’re sold almost immediately.
That being said, according to a recent poll published on GasBuddy.com, it appears that most of us aren’t willing to pay a premium when it comes to buying a hybrid vehicle.
When asked, “How much more would you be willing to pay for a hybrid vehicle?” here’s how nearly 17,000 people responded:
- 51% stated that they would not pay any premium
- 27% stated that they would be willing to pay up to a $2,000 premium
- 4% stated that they would be willing to pay up to a $5,000 premium
- 1% stated that they would be willing to pay up to a $10,000 premium
- 14% stated that they were not interested in owning a hybrid vehicle
I’m certainly not that surprised that of the possible answers, the one that received the most responses was the one where people wouldn’t pay a premium in order to buy a hybrid. That being said, there’s no way I would have guessed that more than half of the people who responded would answer this way.
On the other hand, when you look at the fact that you can buy a 1988 Honda CRX and have a car that gets hybrid cas mileage at 1/25th the price. Granted, the older car might not be as reliable or last as long as the newer car, but if you were going to base your decision strictly on gas mileage, it appears there are better, less expensive options than going with a hybrid.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I was talking to someone the other day that has a hybrid and he was complaining because it didn’t get the advertised MPG that he thought it would. I guess they had advertised it at around 50 MPG, but he was only getting 35-40. That’s still a great MPG!!!
Honestly, I don’t think I would pay a premium either. Like you said, there are other ways to reduce your fuel costs.
I can’t really say that I am shocked by that survey. I think with a lot of people it comes down to the bottom line of price.
Also, do most people drive the same car for enough years to realize the gas savings of a hybrid? I have no idea, but I sincerely doubt it.
I enjoyed reading some of your older posts
Bought my 88 crx over a year ago.The odometer was stopped at 180,000.
It doesn’t burn or leak a drop of anything…purrs like a kitten and no
it’s NOT for sale…
swoons….
I’m not surprised with the poll results myself. People don’t like change and you’ll have to drag them screaming and kicking to get them do so.
People want to same the planet, but don’t want to change to do it. Now in Iceland they see the big picture. They use the hybrids and hydrogen.
Hydrogen seems to be the fuel source of the future, and it looks like Iceland’s renewable energy policy is on the right track.
It sounds like the rest of the world needs to take a page out of Iceland’s renewable energy book and do its part in making this world a greener place to live.