Hybrid Car

High Gas Prices Make Hybrid Cars a Reasonable Venture

Across the nation and around the world, Gas Prices continue to rise. Well over the $4.00 mark with expectations of reaching $5.00 a gallon in the near future driving a hybrid car is now a responsible fuel efficiency and money saving idea.

The Toyota Prius hybrid car sells for an average $22,939 while a comparable gas powered Camry sell for $19,231. However the Toyota Prius Hybrid is more fuel efficient and consumes less gasoline. With Gas prices well over the $4-a-gallon mark you travel farther on a gallon of gas then non hybrid cars. You can save a significant amount at the gas pumps.

So, which is the better deal: The more expensive car that is cheaper to operate, or the less-expensive car that drinks more gasoline?

It’s the Toyota Prius - but only if the buyer keeps the car for longer than three years, according to Edmunds.com, a Web site with resources for car buyers. In the Prius vs. Camry example, it takes three years for the hybrid’s fuel savings to pay back the premium paid to buy the Prius instead of a comparable gas-powered car.

The Prius example comes from the latest study released by Edmunds that determines the length of time it takes to recoup the premium paid on costlier Hybrids. The findings: The rising price of gas is making Hybrids more financially attractive by reducing the amount of time required for fuel savings to pay back the so-called hybrid premium on many models.

In addition to the Prius, analysts found that the Nissan Altima, General Motors Yukon, Toyota Camry and the Mercury Mariner were among hybrid vehicles that offered relatively quick paybacks.

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