>New study shows some hybrids pay for themselves in three years.
>
>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,210038,00.html

Not 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 ;)