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1. With gas prices so high many people are looking to hybrid vehicles as an energy alternative. I saw a few figures that suggested for the average person, a hybrid would pay itself back in 2 or 3 years (depending on fuel consumption). I heard the batteries are pretty expensive, just curious about the average lifetime and replacement cost of the battery.

   Comment by Prof Silver — June 2, 2008 #

2. The alternative fuel/gas consumer should be found as fast as possible. Bio-diesel is a gas made of oil palm , it also can relieve worries people.

   Comment by Hamzah38 — June 3, 2008 #

3. In my ideas the prices is 2 high many people are looking to hybrid vehicle as in the energy alternative livetime.
   I saw a few figures that suggested for the average person to pay the amount of money .
   A hybrid would pay itself back in 5 years

   Comment by ADEKUNLE ISMAIL ADISA — June 3, 2008 #

4. Thank you VICKIE for wanting me to leave a comment. I will give my opinion on hybrid cars. Anyone considering this option -do all the research possible before making a decision. other issues may over-ride the high price of gasoline.

   Comment by Frank — June 3, 2008 #

5. I have a hybrid car, a honda civic hybrid to be exact! I love it! It shuts the power off at red lights, when you push down on the brakes! The money I save is amazing! Most people say that hybrids are too small for familys, but they are not! I am in a family of 5, three kids, and two adults! Last week we traveled from Pensacola, Florida to Montgomery, Alabama! Three hours in that car, and we were fine!

   Comment by Klubgreen — June 4, 2008 #

6. everyone should at least try to save the world. its a good thing . and wont be just for humans but animals too. everyone must love animals.

   enjoy the world!!!

   Comment by Dedee — June 8, 2008 #

7. Vickie Thigpin-taylor-Glass-Walton should not be putting my name and email address on (leave a comment)-I would appreciate YAHOO Doing something about this-A background check will take care of it all. I Like being on YAHOO I just want VICKIE to Leave me alone—Thank You–

   Comment by Frank — June 8, 2008 #

8. Too funny, the hybrid is to high in price and wont pay itself back in 20 years. Ive done some calculations. The only vehicles that will really pay you back are true electric vehicles with a price tag under $50k. The bad thing is the motor companies wont bring the price down until people start buying them by the hundreds (supply and demand).

   If you dont drive over 40 miles to work I recommend phoenixmotorcars. They even have a calculator to show you the savings.

   Most batteries now get about 100k miles and the new ones are estimated at 250k, thats the lifetime of any vehicle.

   Phoenix truck compared to a conventional truck…
   Sticker price Phoenix $47k , other $35k (cheapest i could find with similar features).
   1st year cost…Phoenix about $1K other… about $5K with gas at $4 a gallon

   That means in 3 years the conventional truck will have passed the cost of the Phoenix. In 6 years the Phoenix will have cost about $53k and the other about $65k. This is all based on fuel prices of today and electrical rates. Not including insurance. Also based on 18,000 miles a year. That is an average of 60-70 miles a day, well within the range of the vehicles 100 mile range per charge.

   The only advantage a hybrid has is the range. Not only will you have to worry about oil changes with filters, belts, etc etc for the engine but now the compound problem of the battery being one of those 1 in a million defectives. Although if one conks out you have a backup!

   Now if everyone would stop buying new vehicles that guzzle gas just because the salesman makes you a seamingly awesome deal (not really). Pressure needs to be put on the auto makers.

   Also note that you can retrofit your cars with water fuel systems or have a diesel running on vegi oil, many alternatives to buying new or paying more for that new concept car.

   Phoenix makes trucks and SUVs exclusively so plenty of room for any carpooling, yard work, shopping!

   Comment by Patrick — June 10, 2008 #

9. Ok you people in the citys think the hybrids are such a great deal and that us farmers are just fuel burners.Do you expect our wives and girlfriends to drive something so small and low in the field.We actually work hard and work 5am.-12pm.You don’t have any power and do you excpect us to pull trailers with them.And Patrick you think that people will stopdriving pickups.You can’t pull a combine or tractor with that ding dong just thought i would teach the world a lesson.

   Comment by Jordan — June 10, 2008 #

10. Thanks for info. Spending time in cancun made me realized how much we over use are cars. Then we wonder why we add those few pounds on every year. Taking the bus in Mexico and enjoying the surrounds was a great experience. It made me notice all things i forgot about like farmers markets and small restaurants. Also,to stop and enjoy life and the people around us.

    Comment by melly — June 12, 2008 #

11. A thought provoking article.
    But do you think these alternative stuff are that cost-effective?
    I don’t think so. Especially in Orissa where it’s a pain to spend on a normal car.

    Comment by Orissa — July 25, 2008 #

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