>New study shows some hybrids pay for themselves in three years.
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http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,210038,00.htmlNot unless you got the hybrid version cheap, got a big incentive, drive more than 500 miles a week and gas prices approach $5.00.
For example:
NMPG = Nonhybrid MPG 35
HMPG = Hybrid MPG 60
MilesWeek = 400 miles a week (more than most people drive)
HybridPremium = $3000
GasPrice = $2.79
PayBackYears = HyBridPremium/(((MilesWeek*52)/NMPG-(MilesWeek*52)/HMPG)*GasPrice)
Using the above numbers, it's over 4 years 4 months. And that doesn't even include the probably higher maintenance costs of the hybrid technologies. For Gas at $3.50 and 250 miles/week it's over 5.5 years. And most Hybrid premiums are larger than $3K. YMMV ;)